Upb phase coupler

Unplugged new computer last night and checked UPB signal levels. They were still low with much noise.

This morning checked again and signal levels are high with no noise.

The neighbor pool pump is very close (as the circuits go) and I am wondering if maybe thats it.

Hello again Pete,

I rather doubt that your neighbor's pump could pass sufficient noise through the utility transformer to take down your system.

I've been reading up on the PIM's and the method they use for indicating Signal/Noise. The following is from the Web Mountain PIM description:

4.7. Example 4: Receiving UPB Noise
The host can use the PIM to make measurements of the amount of UPB Noise that is currently on the powerline. UPB Noise is defined as any UPB Pulse that is on the powerline that is not part of an actual UPB Communications Packet. This powerline noise can be caused by many sources including fluorescent ballasts, electric motors, light switches, etc.

The PIM will identify a UPB Noise Pulse as a UPB Pulse Report with a value of ‘X’. Since this same UPB Pulse Report could be sent as an indication of the start of a valid UPB Communications Packet, the host should make the distinction that it is actually noise by verifying that the rest of a UPB Communications Packet does not follow it.

UPB Noise measurements can be performed in many different fashions. One possible method is for the host to monitor for UPB noise over a set period of time (e.g. 1 second). A count of noise reports in that set period of time can then be an indication as to the relative noise on the powerline. Another method would be to enable UPBus Idle Reports and count the ratio of the number of noise reports to the number of idle reports as an indication as to the relative noise on the powerline. The E value (signal strength) of the noise reports can also factor in to your noise calculations.

In this example writing 0x00 to the PIM’s Setup Register 0x70 enabled UPBus Idle Reports. While UPBus Idle Reports are enabled, the PIM sends one UPB Pulse Report every AC half-cycle (or 8.33mS). The host can now easily identify UPB Noise as any UPB Pulse Report with a value of ‘X’ that is not followed by a UPB Communications Packet.


What I get from the above -

1) The noise "strength" is not an analog measurement of the noise amplitude. It is a digital count of the number of noise pulses that have occurred during a period of time.
2) As noise strength increases (number of noise pulses) it would appear that signal strength must decrease. Your signal amplitude may be high, but the UPB system begins to have difficulty discriminating signal from noise due to the number of noise pulses present.

What I do not know -
1) How upstart implements the noise measurement function.
2) Whether UPB devices utilize AGC (automatic gain control) to desensitize themselves to noise. If AGC is used, the PIM (and other UPB devices) would detect the noise and adjust the input signal gain to prevent false communication detection. This would be effective until the noise amplitude approaches a high percentage of the signal amplitude.

My point in the above - I doubt that you are seeing BOTH a reduction in signal AND an increase in noise. Instead I would infer that you are seeing a high incidence of noise that is dropping your signal detection. Normally this type of noise is generated within the home.

Years ago I had a similar problem with my X10/Insteon system. I suddenly began to experience total communication failure. The failures were sporadic, but occurred only at night. After a week of searching the problems suddenly disappeared. Soon afterward, my better half started bugging me to replace the bulbs in our outdoor post lamp. In checking the lamp, I found that the GFCI outlet had actually popped. I reset the circuit and (you guessed it) my noise problems returned.

This was a three bulb fixture, and two of the bulbs had burned out. Apparently the photocell/triac didn't like seeing the load from only one bulb and was oscillating - generating noise throughout the house. I replaced the photocell and bulbs and have not had the problem since.

Hope this helps,
IM
 
At the beginning of my UPB implementation migration I installed an SA (one with three leds) passive coupler into the panel. All appeared fine with signal levels between 50-100 on the same phase switches and between 10-20 on the opposite phase switches.

Last night noticed one of the switches didn't shut off according to schedule. I looked at the communications and noticed noise and no communications on the opposite not connected phase switches. This is the first time I've noticed any noise.

I don't understand where the noise is coming from as I have changed/added appliances/devices to the outlets since installation; only more UPB switches.

I have the passive coupler installed on two autonomous breakers at the bottom of the panel. I've seen where folks have added second couplers; would this work for me? Should I move the connections to the top of the panel? Should I try an HAI passive coupler or a PCS passive coupler?
Having phase couplers at all panels is a necessity.
Using PCS SPR-1 may help as well.
Using PCS GEN 2 devices would answer all of your problems.
Only one noise problem so far - a panasonic microwave with the name inverter in it while it is running.
Ya they make a filter for it as well.

In my opinion, Gen 1 UPB, or SA UPB, is not much different than x10.
 
At the beginning of my UPB implementation migration I installed an SA (one with three leds) passive coupler into the panel. All appeared fine with signal levels between 50-100 on the same phase switches and between 10-20 on the opposite phase switches.

Last night noticed one of the switches didn't shut off according to schedule. I looked at the communications and noticed noise and no communications on the opposite not connected phase switches. This is the first time I've noticed any noise.

I don't understand where the noise is coming from as I have changed/added appliances/devices to the outlets since installation; only more UPB switches.

I have the passive coupler installed on two autonomous breakers at the bottom of the panel. I've seen where folks have added second couplers; would this work for me? Should I move the connections to the top of the panel? Should I try an HAI passive coupler or a PCS passive coupler?
Having phase couplers at all panels is a necessity.
Using PCS SPR-1 may help as well.
Using PCS GEN 2 devices would answer all of your problems.
Only one noise problem so far - a panasonic microwave with the name inverter in it while it is running.
Ya they make a filter for it as well.

In my opinion, Gen 1 UPB, or SA UPB, is not much different than x10.
Gen 1 UPB and SA UPB are miles ahead of X10. I don't know what your beef is with them, but your multiple posts today clearly show that you dislike them.
 
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