Testimonial for Universal Devices and Insteon

[sanders2222]

Here is a real time testimonial for folks at U-D. If you watched 'Breaking News', you already know the Pacific Northwest is in the middle of a nasty snow and ice storm. Over 100,000 people (& counting) have lost power. We're one of them.

And it was a very unusual power outage in that only one leg of the power lines supply flickered on and off about 3 times before the one leg went out. After 10 minutes or so, the second leg went down so all power lines were lost. We've had a lot of power outages over the years (we live among trees), but nothing like this!

However, we also have a small natual gas backup generator. But during the time only one leg of the power was out, our electronics behaved strangely. Our generator clicked on as it should but lights flashed on and off and our oven would not stop beeping. The plasma TV would not stop clicking plus the generator's transfer box howled until both power legs went out. Now here is the testimonial part.

"Hats off" to U-D for creating a system that is rock solid and holds up under such circumstances. Our ISY came back up under our generator and all lighting scenes and programing where working with out missing a heartbeat! WOW! The power outage situation also sets a pretty good benchmark for Insteon products as a whole and it's components are robust enough to survive all this. All 60 plus switches and devices in my home came through all this with flying colors! Our TV even works on generator power now!

 

[gatchel]

I have to agree that they do have a solid product and excellent customer support. I would be more worried about the Insteon devices themselves having any issues. I am actually surprised that all of them came back up without even a power reset. Good to hear.

 

[sanders2222]

The fact that the Insteon products survived all these rapid power switches shows some duriblity has been built into the units. I know there are a lot people out there that would take issue with this, and over the years (since 2004) I have had to replace some units (paddle issue, t-stat adapter & keypad). But SH has thus far stood tall and replaced those units for me.

One other thing I learned is I need to re-think my power supply set-up for my modem, router and IP switch. I've ordered a new 12VDC power supply and now need to choose a UPS that would feed these units. That would eliminate the power cycle/reboot these go through when we loose power (there is a 20 second lag before our generator kicks in). I should also consider putting in a whole house surge protector which I keep putting off.

 

[apostolakisl]

The fact that the Insteon products survived all these rapid power switches shows some duriblity has been built into the units.  I know there are a lot people out there that would take issue with this, and over the years (since 2004) I have had to replace some units (paddle issue, t-stat adapter & keypad).  But SH has thus far stood tall and replaced those units for me.

One other thing I learned is I need to re-think my power supply set-up for my modem, router and IP switch. I've ordered a new 12VDC power supply and now need to choose a UPS that would feed these units.  That would eliminate the power cycle/reboot these go through when we loose power (there is a 20 second lag before our generator kicks in).  I should also consider putting in a whole house surge protector which I keep putting off.

I used an ATX power supply with both 12 and 5v supplies. I put two terminal strips in and I got rid of all of my 12 and 5v wall warts. Had to keep my 9v ones. The ATX is powere through a UPS. I did this many months ago and it has been a glorious success so far. All of the units powered off the ATX are behaving perfectly (which they didn't on wall warts). I have checked the voltage at high current and low current and in transition and it is pegged at stated voltage +/- .05 volts.