CT Droid
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[Articles] Automating your home with UPB
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Desert_AIP
Senior Member
Great writeup CT Bot, thanks for putting that together!
I use SA exclusively, except for an HAI 30 Amp relay switch for my water heater, and agree with most of your obeservations.
With repect to the in line dimmer modules. When I first started installing devices I used a couple of these for outside security lights that I added post-construction. There are no dedicated wall switches for these lights, they are controlled completely through links, so I immediately thought of the inline dimmers. They work fine in that application, but I do have to limit them to one per fixture do to the low current capacity. I talked to SA about another issue and asked if they plan on upgrading the power handling of these modules. The rep recommended I use a 240 or 1140 in the same application.
Once I thought about that it made a lot of sense. The cost for a 240 or 1140 is about the same as the wired in module. Without a faceplate, the 240 is cheaper. The 240 or 1140 have higher power handling capabilities and thermal protection that the inline modules do not. So there is an extra measure of safety there.
I've since wired my additional security lights with 240s. I install them in a metal 4x4 box in the attic next to where the romex for the fixture comes in. The metal GFCI faceplates work perfectly with both the inline dimmer modules and the 240s.
Before I install them in the attic, I wire them up and address them on my test bench. That way once they are installed I can talk to and program the switches remotely through UPStart and don't need access to the rocker.
I do snap on the single rocker faceplate on the 240, since it's the cheapest one, just to keep dust out of the electronics and protect the LED from damage.
I'll second your experience with SA cutomer service.
Out of 40 some devices I've had 2 that were DOA.
I sent them to SA for replacement and received rapid replacements with no questions asked.
I use SA exclusively, except for an HAI 30 Amp relay switch for my water heater, and agree with most of your obeservations.
With repect to the in line dimmer modules. When I first started installing devices I used a couple of these for outside security lights that I added post-construction. There are no dedicated wall switches for these lights, they are controlled completely through links, so I immediately thought of the inline dimmers. They work fine in that application, but I do have to limit them to one per fixture do to the low current capacity. I talked to SA about another issue and asked if they plan on upgrading the power handling of these modules. The rep recommended I use a 240 or 1140 in the same application.
Once I thought about that it made a lot of sense. The cost for a 240 or 1140 is about the same as the wired in module. Without a faceplate, the 240 is cheaper. The 240 or 1140 have higher power handling capabilities and thermal protection that the inline modules do not. So there is an extra measure of safety there.
I've since wired my additional security lights with 240s. I install them in a metal 4x4 box in the attic next to where the romex for the fixture comes in. The metal GFCI faceplates work perfectly with both the inline dimmer modules and the 240s.
Before I install them in the attic, I wire them up and address them on my test bench. That way once they are installed I can talk to and program the switches remotely through UPStart and don't need access to the rocker.
I do snap on the single rocker faceplate on the 240, since it's the cheapest one, just to keep dust out of the electronics and protect the LED from damage.
I'll second your experience with SA cutomer service.
Out of 40 some devices I've had 2 that were DOA.
I sent them to SA for replacement and received rapid replacements with no questions asked.
Im sorry for my English(luck of it).
I want to tell you about SAI support.
I spend 3 days to find how to install SAI switches in my weird house.
I got all colors you can count in rainbow. Some people was saying it look like someone went to junk yard
collect all wires for free and put in my walls. I tried really hard to find a solution. CT members try to help me so hard,
but no one know a solution. I tried hard to search on internet, with no luck. Im sorry, but i have in my switch
box pink,orange,red,purple and etc.Nothing is follow any codes. Everywhere it say black is hot, white is neutral, red is travel.
Im sorry, i have pink,green,yellow,purple and etc. After wasting 3 days, i decide to give a call to SAI support team.
Phone answer Millard. I tried to explain to him, that i cant install my SAI switches, and expect answer call your seller.
But this guy, listened my Russian/English tried to help me. I was ashamed to tell him that one of switch got pink,red, and orange.
I told him i got 2 red and one orange. He asked me, what country im calling from.Oooops.Exactly!Im calling from California,US.
He never heard of orange, i bet he never heard of Barby pink either.Millard was very passion to ask me what color is hot
or not. I can say, this guy have some passion to see how 3way switch work, and how to replace is with SAI.After all testing
(about 20 minutes) he told me what to do and what to test before i plug it in.He also mention, if it doesn't work in 10 minutes
give him a call. I was not sure if he is right, and connect exactly how he told me.Mamba!!!!It works like a charm.
It was a Friday, and i decide if i have so much luck with him, lets ruin his Friday. I called about very complicated
3 switches in 1 box, and i provide all codes. It took him 5 minutes to tell me how to connect 1 3 way, and 3 other switches.
And everything works!!!!!!!!I never in my life deal with a company with this kind of support. They are geniuses!!!!
Specially Millard. You RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All my switches(6) got installed in 3 hours!!Ph, i forgot to mention,when i called
last time to Millard almost after hours, he mention that he is leaving,but i can be free to call support and ask for Ken.
If i was asked to rate this company from 1 to 5, i will give all 10. Im very new to all home automation, but i feel lucky
that i choose SAI and i got BEST support i ever had.SAI IS RULES!!!!!!!!!
I want to tell you about SAI support.
I spend 3 days to find how to install SAI switches in my weird house.
I got all colors you can count in rainbow. Some people was saying it look like someone went to junk yard
collect all wires for free and put in my walls. I tried really hard to find a solution. CT members try to help me so hard,
but no one know a solution. I tried hard to search on internet, with no luck. Im sorry, but i have in my switch
box pink,orange,red,purple and etc.Nothing is follow any codes. Everywhere it say black is hot, white is neutral, red is travel.
Im sorry, i have pink,green,yellow,purple and etc. After wasting 3 days, i decide to give a call to SAI support team.
Phone answer Millard. I tried to explain to him, that i cant install my SAI switches, and expect answer call your seller.
But this guy, listened my Russian/English tried to help me. I was ashamed to tell him that one of switch got pink,red, and orange.
I told him i got 2 red and one orange. He asked me, what country im calling from.Oooops.Exactly!Im calling from California,US.
He never heard of orange, i bet he never heard of Barby pink either.Millard was very passion to ask me what color is hot
or not. I can say, this guy have some passion to see how 3way switch work, and how to replace is with SAI.After all testing
(about 20 minutes) he told me what to do and what to test before i plug it in.He also mention, if it doesn't work in 10 minutes
give him a call. I was not sure if he is right, and connect exactly how he told me.Mamba!!!!It works like a charm.
It was a Friday, and i decide if i have so much luck with him, lets ruin his Friday. I called about very complicated
3 switches in 1 box, and i provide all codes. It took him 5 minutes to tell me how to connect 1 3 way, and 3 other switches.
And everything works!!!!!!!!I never in my life deal with a company with this kind of support. They are geniuses!!!!
Specially Millard. You RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All my switches(6) got installed in 3 hours!!Ph, i forgot to mention,when i called
last time to Millard almost after hours, he mention that he is leaving,but i can be free to call support and ask for Ken.
If i was asked to rate this company from 1 to 5, i will give all 10. Im very new to all home automation, but i feel lucky
that i choose SAI and i got BEST support i ever had.SAI IS RULES!!!!!!!!!
Great article and should help many of folks get started. I had to learn most of this the hard way great that you took the time to write it down. In my review of technologies I almost went with ZWAVE until I found out it was on 900MHz which I install RF systems for so I knew how much noise it out there in that FQ. Also we test the systems at my property and it would knock out my lighting when I tested a switch how much fun is that. UPB has been the way to go and SAI switches have been the best of my three vendors.
tmbrown97
Senior Member
Desert_AIP - that's a good tip, using the traditional switches instead of the inline module, if your situation allows it. I hadn't noticed their lower current ratings. I would imagine those are great for a single fixture where someone doesn't have the wiring back to the switch, so they just throw that inside the fixture (I had a situation like that in my last house). I have some edits to make in there so I may add that tip.
