What is Home Automation?
Home Automation makes your life easier, it makes your life more comfortable, it saves you energy, it gives you more security, a peace of mind and not to forget it is fun too.
But most of all we believe it is what you want it to be. For some of you, it could be as simple as controlling a light or appliance with the same remote you use to control your TV.
For others, it is a completely automated home that is controlled by a computer interface completely programmed to fit your personal lifestyle. From now on, your home automation system performs all the difficult tasks.
Whole house audio/video and remote video surveillance can be an exciting part too.
Only your imagination is the limit of what Home Automation is capable of doing for you.
All the Home Automation products we offer are X10 Home Automation systems (or X10 compatible).
They can all be found in our
online catalog at low prices.
What is X10 Home Automation?
X10 is a communications “language” that allows you to control lights, appliances and other equipment in your house via the existing 220-230V electrical wiring in your house. Costly rewiring of your home is unnecessary - a major benefit, saving time and money!
Up to 256 different addresses are available and each device you use usually requires a unique address. However, if you want more than one device to respond to the same signal, simply set them to the same address.
X10 Home Automation products can be installed easily and … moved easily. So not only if you own your house X10 is the best Home Automation system, but also when you rent a house or an appartement.
When you move, just take your Home Automation system with you and install it in your new house. It is as easy as that. No other Home Automation system gives you so much convenience and flexibility.
X10 Home Automation systems are designed to be installed by yourselves. X10 is a simple technique that can be used and installed by the average do-it-yourselfer. For more advanced solutions you can ask an electrician for help.
With X10 you can control virtually everything in your house by simply stating a command either by a remote control, automated or by pushing the buttons on your phone.
Managing all lights and equipment in your house to provide you and your family with the ultimate in convenience, security, energy savings, luxury and a peace of mind is what X10 Home Automation is all about.
Setting up the system
To control lights and equipment, the system uses commands that are sent via the mains (using the Marmitek X10 signal). Every switch point uses a
receiver to receive and execute the command. The commands are sent via the
mains by controllers. Because all modules get an address, they can be controlled independently.
- Controllers
Controllers send out an address and a command via the mains, to control
the receiver modules. Marmitek has controls that work as timers (see e.g. MT10 Mini Timer), PC
interface (see e.g. CM15Pro PC Interface, universal transmitters (see e.g. SM10 Universal sender module) and Marmitek alarm
systems.
- Transceivers
(IR RF Signal Converters)
Transceivers convert IR or RF signals to X10 signals and transmit these via the mains.
In the Starter Kits for wireless X10 control, there is always a TM13
transceiver or a CM15Pro PC Interface included.
Another option is e.g. IR7243
IR/RF Mini Controller for use with X10 compatible remotes such as Philips Pronto, Logitech Harmony, ...
- Wireless
controllers
Wireless controllers transmit a signal to a central transceiver, which transforms the signals to the Marmitek X10 signal for the mains.(see
"transceivers").
There are wireless controllers which work as remote controls, wireless switches, motion detectors, etc. New in our product range: Wireless Touchscreen Panel Easy Touch Panel 10
- X10 Receiver Modules
These modules control lights and equipment. There are 4 different types: Plug-in modules (e.g. AM12, LM12), built-in switches (e.g. LW11, SW10), micro modules (e.g. AW12, LWM1) and modules for DIN
rail assembly (e.g. AD10, LD11). These modules receive the commands from the controllers via the mains.
- Special
modules
The building blocks for your made-to-measure solutions and troubleshooting
devices for making X10 to work trouble-free.
- Addressing
 |
|
Most of the X10 receivers are addressed by using two code dials, up to 256 different addresses can be set up.
These are subdivided into a so-called HouseCode (A-P) and a UnitCode
(1-16). The HouseCode can also be set on the controllers, which means
the controllers and modules form part of the same system. The Marmitek
X-10 system uses standard commands, which control all units with the
same HouseCode at the same time (e.g. All lights on, All off, etc.). |
A few examples
1. Timer controlled and manual
In this example the lights and shutters can be controlled both manually
and on pre-programmed times from the bedroom.
To control lights or appliances, you always need a controller. Because the
modules are also timer-controlled, the best choice here is the
MT10
Bedroom Controller. This controller gives you the option to use the
keys to manually control modules. The MT10 Mini Timer sends the commands
via the mains to the
Lamp
Module LM12 and/or to the
SW10
Shutter Switch. These are
X10
receivers which can receive the Marmitek X10 signals. After receipt
the Lamp Module and shutter Switch decode the message (and check the address)
and execute the command.
You can control all lights that are connected to the Lamp Module from your
bedroom. The following functions are available: On, Off, Dim, All lights
on and All units off. By connecting an extra module to the mains, a second
lamp or appliance can be controlled.
The
SW10
Shutter Switch is a wall mounted switch for controlling motorised (230V)
blinds and shutters. You can control multiple Shutter Switches with the
MT10
Bedroom Controller.
2. By remote control
In this example the lights and an appliance are controlled via a remote
control. The remote control can be used in any room in the house, but also
in the garden. In this example the lights in the living room, the water
pump in the pond and a coffee machine are controlled. With the remote control
you can also control audio and video equipment. Because we are using a transmitter
(
universal
remote control EasyControl8), we need a controller to transform the
signals of the transmitter into Marmitek X10 signals. The best choice here
is the
TM13
Transceiver. This transceiver is both a controller and a module: a two-way
device module is built into the transceiver. A coffee machine can be connected
to the transceiver socket. The lights in the living room are switched on
and off with a standard built-in switch. By replacing this switch by the
LW11 Wall
dimmer, the lights can be both switched and dimmed remotely and manually.
To control the water pump, we use the
AD10
DIN rail switch. This switch can be controlled via the mains, which
means it can be activated with the remote control combined with the
TM13
Transceiver Module. You can also connect a standard switch to the AD10,
so that the module can also be controlled manually. Because all signals
travel trough floors and ceilings, the remote control can be used anywhere
in the house.
3. Complete automation with your PC and remote control
With the
CM15PRO
Computer Interface You can pre-program action sets. These actions will
be executed after a command has been received from a controller. Actions
can be started by pressing a button on e.g. the remote control. The information is saved in the interface after programming,
which means that the PC can be turned off. You can pre-program separate
atmospheric light schemes for different situations. You can also program
actions for ‘office presentations’, ‘at home’, ‘leaving the building’, ‘absence’,
‘relaxation’, etc. With one press of a button on your remote control or
wireless switch, all equipment and lights can be activated. Because you
can set a time delay, it is also possible to switch off the equipment and/or
lights an hour later and switch on the security lighting. The PC interface
also gives you the option to pre-program several actions, to simulate presence
in a more realistic manner.
The
EasyTouch 35 is a great-value touch-screen universal remote control for up to eight devices. Control your TV, VCR, DVD, CD player, Sky / Satellite, Hi-Fi and X10 Home Automation with one device.
4. Use your Logitech Harmony or Philips Pronto SBC RU Remote control for Home Automation
This works for many Logitech Harmony xxx Learning IR remotes.
To check whether your Logitech Harmony Remote is capable of controlling Marmitek X10 Home Automation, please check the following :
- Run the Logitech Harmony Remote Software
- Click on "Devices"
- Click "Add Device"
- Select Device Category "Home Automation"
- Select e.g. "Light Controller"
- Select Manufacturar "Marmitek".
If you can not do this with your Logitech Harmony remote, then unfortunately it is not compatible.
For Philips Pronto Remotes you need to download a
CCF File with infrared codes.
Click here
X10 in multi-phase installations
Marmitek X10 signals make use of an existing network
in your house: the electric mains! In the case of X10 signals, the digital
commands are transmitted via the mains. This means that you can install
an extensive Home Automation system in your house without needing extra
cables and wires.
In a multi-phase system the X10 signals are not always coupled between the
phases. Many times the signal either bridges the two (or three) phases at
the transformer at the street or via some 220V appliance in the home. When
this doesn't happen, you need to couple the phases with a coupler.The coupling
can be realised by installing one or more Coupler/Filters (
FD10)
or 1
Active
repeater CAT4000. When 3 phases need to be coupled, it is necessary
to install 3 Coupler/Filters, coupling 2 phases requires only 1 FD10. At
the same time, the Coupler/Filters prevent that X10 signals enter or leave
the house.
More helpfull information :