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[eyost]

Hello,

I am a complete newbie to X10 and know enough to be dangerous. I am looking to network several modules to control lamps as well as several in wall dimmer switches that will all have the option to turn on and off through the X10 mini timer. My question is, if I wish to manually control the lights outside of the scheduled on/off times do I have to turn on and off the lights physically at the timer or can I switch the lamp off or on at the lamp as well as the dimmer/switch?

Thanks for any help,

Ed

[Ralph]

I'm not fully sure I follow the question, but I think you want to know if you can override the timer by simply using the wallswitch.

The timer event will trip at the time it has been programmed for. So if you send an on command at noon, and an off command at 2pm, the light will turn on at noon, and off at 2pm. If you have the same settings, and decide to turn the light off manually at 1pm, the timer will still send an off command at 2pm, the light is already off so essentially it will be ignored.

Nothing prevents you from manually overriding the timers, however they will still send the signal at the programmed time.

[eyost]

Ralph,

Yes, you got the jist of the question. Now towards the modules. I suppose there is no way to override a device that is plugged into the module other than unplugging the module and plugging it directly into the outlet or hitting the on switch at the timer?

On another note. I'm familar with the Leviton Maestro Smart Dimmers which are the decora design where you tap the top to turn it on and the bottom to turn it off; similar to a paddle design. On the side of the switch is a toggle that controls the dimming so it can be preset. It uses a master switch and a remote switch for a three-way outlet. Are the X10 dimmer switches similar?

Thanks for all of the help.

Ed

[Ralph]

You can override the lamp modules by using a different transmitter (the timer, a wireless or wired remote, etc).

The Leviton X10 switches do not have the side switch for dimming, however they do have some switches which will return to the last dimmed setting, also they have switches which are programmable for scenes which will allow you to pre-program dimming levels as well as choosing what lights are on or off in a "scene".

[eyost]

Ralph,

Thanks for the information. It's hard to tell by the picture but what process is needed to be done to dim the light at the switch?

Thanks for all the information.

Ed

[Ralph]

To dim a light, simply hold the switch down until the desired level is reached.

[eyost]

Ralph,

Thanks for the information. Looks like I am going to replace my family room switch with a dimmer.

One other question. I see different types of dimmers available. Some offer scenes; does that mean you can control other X10 modules/switches via the dimmer?

Thanks so much for all the information.

Ed

[Ralph]

Scene capable switches are used with a scene controller. A scene controller triggers a group of lights to perform in a preset manner. For example, 10 light circuits, 2 are dimmed to 50%, 2 are dimmed to 75%, 4 are off completely, and 2 are at 100%. When you trigger that scene those changes all take place at once.