UPB first impressions
- Thread starter DeLicious
- Start date
A key to phase coupler requirement is the distance from the power transformer. When a UPB signal goes from phase A to phase B it will cross the power transformer. If you have a 2000 sq ft house that is 500 ft from the power transformer it is likely that a phase coupler will improve the signal level on the "other" phase. Large houses (7000 and up) may need one to get the signal through all the wire. The wire connections are also critical. Poor connections will create more impedance for the UPB signal diminishing the signal level.
I am comfortable with signal levels above 10... below 6 the reliability drops.
The new ZPCI from Simply Automated does eliminate the guesswork from phase coupler installation... like prunes... is one enough? Are 6 too many... for any of you old enough to remember that commercial... Anyway... Just add another until signal levels get to 10 or above on the "other" phase.
I am comfortable with signal levels above 10... below 6 the reliability drops.
The new ZPCI from Simply Automated does eliminate the guesswork from phase coupler installation... like prunes... is one enough? Are 6 too many... for any of you old enough to remember that commercial... Anyway... Just add another until signal levels get to 10 or above on the "other" phase.
I'm not sure on the transformer location, I'll have to check. X-10 was very weak across phases but did work, but a repeater solved that. Even more scarry in my house is that UPB is not even reliable on the same phase, and at times I get a noise level in the severe range.
I'm committed to UPB and currently have a full X-10 setup including maybe 5-6 X-10 filters. I have 100% X-10 reliability but my switches are failing as they are getting pretty old. (Contacts are wearing out.)
I'm ripping out X-10 and installing $2500+ in UPB switches so I have my fingers crossed. I do have lots of electronic stuff in my home, including 2 PCs (1 of HomeSeer, 1 a Windows MCE), 3 Macs, 5 TVs including one large screen, color laser printer, etc. Nothing really out of the ordinary but on the heavy side.
So, UPB is not a slamdunk for everyone unless my house is 1 in million, which I don't think it is. The fact that Simply Automated is making UPB filters is reassuring to me and the main reason I went ahead with UPB. Love the features of UPB but I don't think its going to easy. Wish me luck.
I'm committed to UPB and currently have a full X-10 setup including maybe 5-6 X-10 filters. I have 100% X-10 reliability but my switches are failing as they are getting pretty old. (Contacts are wearing out.)
I'm ripping out X-10 and installing $2500+ in UPB switches so I have my fingers crossed. I do have lots of electronic stuff in my home, including 2 PCs (1 of HomeSeer, 1 a Windows MCE), 3 Macs, 5 TVs including one large screen, color laser printer, etc. Nothing really out of the ordinary but on the heavy side.
So, UPB is not a slamdunk for everyone unless my house is 1 in million, which I don't think it is. The fact that Simply Automated is making UPB filters is reassuring to me and the main reason I went ahead with UPB. Love the features of UPB but I don't think its going to easy. Wish me luck.
Steve
Senior Member
You probably have some items that are generating lots of noise and interfering with the UPB signal. It is not common to have noise in the severe range. I have an electronic cooktop that when on produces alot of noise, but thats it. Some CFL's or older regular dimmer switches are other potential sources of the noise. Once you find what is causing the high noise levels you will probably be fine. I also have a house full of PC's, wall warts, TV's, etc and none of them are noisemakers. Try to narrow down the source of noise just like you would with x10 by shutting breakers off and using the UPstart meter to measure noise.
Yeah, its strange. No noise during the day, and severe in the evening. I'll track it down. I ran UPStarts log over time which is a great utility, but why in the world aren't each readings time-stamped? Am I missing something? It gathers lots of information but not the time and date of each reading? I'll figure it out, but just haven't had time to narrow it down yet.
acheslow
Active Member
I had identified a problem with a low voltage lighting transformer which generated extreme noise whenever it was on brighter than about 90%. What would be the suggested solution for this? Would the wired-in filter work inbetween the dimmer switch and the transformer?
For now I am just setting links to turn the load on to 90% instead of 100% but I'd like to get rid of the noise altogether.
Thanks,
For now I am just setting links to turn the load on to 90% instead of 100% but I'd like to get rid of the noise altogether.
Thanks,
I actually seem to have a problem other than noise. Installed an Inverting coupler, and that helps, but I still have some areas on my house that can't get to some switches and at times when I have no noise (according to UPStart). I have to do some debugging, but it looks like UPB signal suckers exist like X-10 signal suckers do.
thewireguy
Active Member
Right now i have 15 UPB switchs and everything works great i love this system....... The only time i have a problem is when im using the microwave...... the whole network goings down 
