X10 Help

[Bryan]

All:

Trying to put back into service a old X10 device and would appreciate any assistance users who are familiar with this old technology. Basically have a old aquarium controller that communicates with a X10 module PSC04/TW513? etc to put the signals onto the transmission line and subsequent modules decode the data and activate lights/sockets etc. What I want to do is intercept the output from the controller and send to a Arduino project to decipher the signals and activate various relays foregoing the legacy X10 modules.

I am having difficulty getting the controller to send out any data on the data line to the scope and not sure what is wrong.

I have perused the internet on the protocols, but they more or less describe how X10 works post controller and the X10 protocol. As I understand from any device to the X10 PSC04/TW513 module there are 2 ground wires, a data out and a zero-cross input. I only assume from what I have read that in order for the controller to start transmitting it needs to see a zero-cross on the applicable zero-cross line. I have tried injecting a 60hz 2volt sine wave/square wave into the zero-cross but nothing triggers the data out line to send any data.

Any ideas what is wrong or how can get this to work. I don't see the amplitude of the square wave input being of importance as it would be looking for a zero-cross?

Befuddled on next steps, as to how to trick the controller to send out the x10 commands, and I no longer have the PSC04 to test it. Could try building a isolated mains zero cross out and testing with that?

[Doctorandus_P]

That zero crossing wire is probably designed to be connected to the mains voltage, and in that case, 2V is not going to make a big impression on it. So try a higher input voltage.

A DIY method for a small isolation transformer is to put two identical transformers back to back.

Another option is to use a function generator combined with an audio amplifier and a small mains transformer.

[Bryan]

Thanks for the reply, you could be right on that point. The controller is all 5 volt as far as I believe, so would be concerned about anything over 5V, but who knows if the inputs are attenuated. Will scour the net for some more information on the PSc04 controller and see if there are some specs on the zero cross amplitude. Must be around somewhere as OEM would need that info when designing their equipment.

Here is a schematic for the controller. Any idea from the schematic what the zero detect voltage would be?. Hmm, the more I look at the schematic I wonder if I smoked the controller by supplying voltage as it looks like there is no voltage supplied.