1. Thank you for taking the time.
Any questions on way and Ext’d Code before we try to squeeze in some complex stuff and troubleshooting?
We hope you know more about “Extended Code”, “2-Way” and how to use these new features, than you did this morning.
We wanted to give you all certificates but we’re too cheap.
If you have any questions, Grab me here or in the ACT booth.
If you have comments about this class, please let us know.
Tipping the instructors is encouraged.
Jimbo Billy Bob is hereby awarded this certificate showing to the world that he was able to sit through this class without falling asleep.

2. Installing devices "at" the Panel.

3. Installing devices "at" the Panel.

4. Installing devices "at" the Panel.
Same is true for all repeaters, amplifiers, etc.
Only a very few are exempt.

5. Installing devices "at" the Panel.

6. Installing devices "at" the Panel.

7. Installing devices "at" the Panel.
Signal is coupled from one leg...
..right back to the same leg.

8. Installing devices "at" the Panel.
Signal is coupled from one leg...
.. to the other leg.

9. Passive coupling gives the signal a “short cut” between legs.
Even with passive coupling, 240v receivers are sometimes unreliable.
Passive coupling gives the signal a “short cut” between legs.
120/240v
Split -Single Phase
A B N
CP000 Passive
Coupler TX ?
Ph-Ph RX RX RX

10. Even with passive coupling, 240v receivers are sometimes unreliable.
CP000 Passive
Coupler
Ph-Ph RX
.... receivers will be removed.
Next, the passive coupler and the last receiver will disappear. ?

11. Even with passive coupling, 240v receivers are sometimes unreliable.
Finally, let's remove some of the wiring and the sine wave diagrams until....

12. Even with passive coupling, 240v receivers are sometimes unreliable.
...what is left is simple 3 wires.
These three wires will become a simple "DC" circuit that will better illustrate the phase-to-phase cancellation.

13. -- +
To stand in for our transmitter, a simple battery will be used. This will generate a small "DC" voltage from the yellow wire to the black wire.
To measure that voltage, a standard volt meter will be used. This volt meter will stand in for the receivers.

14. It’s easy to understand that the volt meter measures the battery voltage from the yellow wire to the black wire +
1.5v
It is easy to see that since the battery is connected between the yellow wire and the black wire, the volt meter will measure one and a half volts between those two wires.
Now, to stand in for the passive coupler, a simple jumper wire will be...

15. It’s easy to understand that the volt meter measures the battery voltage from the yellow wire to the black wire +
1.5v
...connected first to the black wire
--where the battery is also connected --
and then....

16. It’s easy to understand that the volt meter measures the battery voltage from the yellow wire to the black wire +
1.5v
...to the red wire. This allows the battery's voltage to flow to the red wire. Now the volt meter can be used to measure the voltage....

17. It’s easy to understand that the volt meter measures the battery voltage from the yellow wire to the black wire +
1.5v
...from the yellow wire to the red wire and it, too, measures one and a half volts.
Even though this is a simple "DC" circuit, it can help illustrate how the PCC signal voltage can be canceled out. In this case, since the jumper lead is across the black and red wires, the...
and to the red wire.

18. It’s also easy to understand that the volt meter measures zero voltage from the black wire to the red wire.... +
0.0v
...volt meter measures "zero" volts across those two wires.
Therefore, while each of those wires has one and half volts when measured to the yellow reference wire, they have zero volts when referenced to each other. This is "similar" to what can happen to phase-to-phase, 240v receivers in a PCC system.

19. Will the addition of a CA000 Amplifier help signal strength??....
120/240v
Split -Single Phase
A B N
CA000
Amplifier
NOPE !!!
CP000 Insufficient. TX
Ph-Ph RX RX RX

20. Coupler-Repeaters: What they do !
CRx34

21. How a Coupler / Repeater “Repeats”.
, John Smith.
, come here.
John Smith, John Smith.
Come here, come here.
Okay!

22. How a Coupler / Repeater “Repeats”.--
A-On
----- A1
A-On
Click
"On"
To put it into a more accurate depiction, a real PCC transmitter may send the address -- A1 in this case -- and the Coupler / Repeater receives that frame of data.
Then, as the transmitter sends the "A1" again ...
... the Coupler / Repeater also transmits its "A1" at the exact same time.
Then as the transmitter sends the command -- in this case "A-On" -- and the Coupler / Repeater receives that data...
..and again retransmits that data at the exact same time as the transmitter sends its second "A-On".
Coupler/Repeater
Transmitter
Receiver

23. And remember, a repeater WITH passive coupling is not a good idea.
A “Coupler / Repeater” offers more advantages for the larger residences,
120/240v
Split -Single Phase
A B N
CR230 Coupler
Repeater TX RX RX
And remember, a repeater WITH passive coupling is not a good idea.

24. A “Coupler / Repeater” generates signal that “adds” phase to phase.+
- -
3.0v
Plus the newer units also handle Dim / Brt commands better. (But we will talk about that later.) +
...transmitting signal that no longer cancels itself leg-to-leg...
... but now adds to itself leg-to-leg. This is a great improvement over passive coupling.

25. ...and 240v receivers work better, too.
A “Coupler / Repeater” offers more advantages for the larger residences,
120/240v
Split -Single Phase
A B N
CR230 Coupler
Repeater TX
Ph-Ph RX RX ! RX
...and 240v receivers work better, too.

26. An example of system to system passive coupling.
Split-Single Phase
A B N
120/240v
Target System
A B N
CR230 Coupler
Repeater
CP020 TX RX TX RX RX RX

27. An example of system to system amplifier coupling.
120/240v
Split-Single Phase
A B N
120/240v
Target System
A B N
CR230 Coupler
Repeater
CA000
CP020
CP010
CP020 TX TX RX RX RX RX

28. An example of system to system repeater coupling.
120/240v
Split-Single Phase
A B N
120/240v
Target System
A B N
CR234 Coupler
Repeater
CR234 Coupler
Repeater TX TX RX RX RX RX

29. Coupler Repeaters Switches: #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8
Purpose: Prec Rec Pos Prev Rept Sys Protocol Trans Out Trans Pos RecWindow
Setting SCC Rec at 30º Ignore Split ACT Disable º Only Sensitive
Setting Either Rec at 0º Repeat Ph X Normal º & 30º Normal

31. Another greatly exaggerated view..

32. Another greatly exaggerated view..

33. Typical 120/240v 2-panel system. Typical 120/240v distribution system.
Phase-to-phase 240v loads.
120v
240v
Neutral
120v L1 L2
Humungo, buncho, mega-voltage from the utility substation.
Single phase 120v loads.

34. Typical 120/208v 3-Phase System.
3-phase load.
Ph-to-Ph 208v load. L2
208v L1 L3
120v
Neutral
Humungo, buncho, mega-voltage from the utility substation.
Single phase 120v loads.

35. 3-Phase, 120/208v distribution systems are quite different from residential systems.
Three Phase
A B C N TX RX RX

36. Very few can operate at all with only natural coupling and only a few can get by with passive coupling.
120/208v
Three Phase
A B C N
Passive
Coupler TX RX RX

37. If signal must be shared on all 3 legs, there comes a time when there is simply not enough signal.
120/208v
Three Phase
A B C N
Passive
Coupler
Passive
Coupler TX RX RX RX

38. It is sometimes difficult to understand why phase-to-phase receivers fail to operate at all.
Three Phase
A B C N
Passive
Coupler
Passive
Coupler TX
Ph-Ph RX ? RX
Ph-Ph RX ? RX
Ph-Ph RX ? RX

39. All Electric Utilities generate electric power in 3 phases.
S N

40. 3-Phase Vector Relationship
ENC
ENA
ENB
120o
EBN 0o
EAN
ECN
240o

41. 3-Phase Vector Relationship
EBN
30o
EAB
ENC
ENA
180o 0o
210o
EBA
EAN
ECN
ENB
240o
300o

42. 3-Phase Vector Relationship
EAC
ECB
330o
90o
120o
60o
EBN
ENC
30o
150o
EBC
EAB
ENA
180o 0o
EAN
EBA
210o
ECN
ENB
ECA
240o
300o
270o

43. Transmitters generate pulses only for leg-to-neutral zero crossings.

44. A “Coupler / Repeater” is recommended for all but a very few 3-phase systems.
Three Phase
A B C N
Coupler
Repeater TX
Ph-Ph RX ! RX
Ph-Ph RX RX
Ph-Ph RX RX

45. System to System coupling.
Source
120/208v 3-Ph
A B C N
Target
120/208v 3-Ph
A B C N
Repeater
Repeater TX TX RX RX RX RX
Now, everything works. RX RX RX RX RX RX RX RX

46. :Y Typical 277/480v 3-Phase Sys. w/ 120/208v 3-phase on-site service.
120v load. :Y L2
480v L1 L3
277v
Neutral
H.B.M.V. from utility.
Single phase 277v load.
3-phase 480v load.

47. :Y Typical 480v 3-Phase Delta w/ 120/208v 3-phase on-site service. L2
120v load. :Y L2
480v L1 L3
480v loads.
3-phase 480v load.

48. Complex Coupling Example #1
Old Utility Transformer 120/240v split-single phase
New Utility Transformer 277/480v 3-phase
Repeater
Split-phase Breaker Panel.
277v Panel
:Y Xfmr
120v Panel
Old building had PCC system installed for many years with old style repeater
New building expansion is proposed and will be much larger than the original building.

49. Complex Coupling Example #1
Old Utility Transformer 120/240v split-single phase
New Utility Transformer 277/480v 3-phase
Repeater
Repeater
Repeater
Split-phase Breaker Panel.
277v Panel
:Y Xfmr
120v Panel
Switches: # # # # # # # #8
Purpose: Prec Rec Pos Prev Rept Sys Protocol Trans Out Trans Pos RecWindow
Setting SCC Rec at 30º Ignore Split ACT Disable º Only Sensitive
Setting Either Rec at 0º Repeat Ph X Normal º & 30º Normal

50. Complex Coupling Example #3
Xfmr
277v Pnl
Xfmr
120v Pnl
120v Pnl
Xfmr
277v Pnl
Xfmr
Office
277v Pnl
120v Pnl
Xfmr
277v Pnl
120v Pnl
Xfmr
Xfmr
Huge building: Each quadrant has a 277/480v transformer for lighting and HVAC, then a 120/208v transformer for outlets, etc.

51. Complex Coupling Example #3
Xfmr
277v Pnl
Xfmr
120v Pnl
120v Pnl
Xfmr
277v Pnl
Xfmr
Repeater
Repeater
Repeater
Repeater
Repeater
Repeater
Repeater
Repeater
Office
277v Pnl
120v Pnl
Xfmr
277v Pnl
120v Pnl
Xfmr TX
Xfmr
Switches: # # # # # # # #8
Purpose: Prec Rec Pos Prev Rept Sys Protocol Trans Out Trans Pos RecWindow
Setting SCC Rec at 30º Ignore Split ACT Disable º Only Sensitive
Setting Either Rec at 0º Repeat Ph X Normal º & 30º Normal

52. The “Dreaded” High-Leg Delta!
“C r a z y” Leg Delta.
There is one more electrical distribution system that we have not yet mentioned….
…one that uses a strange transformer...
“RED” Leg Delta.
“Stinger” Leg Delta.
It goes by many “colorful” names…..
“Wild” Leg Delta.
“Bastard” Leg Delta.

53. The “Dreaded” High-Leg Delta!
“C r a z y” Leg Delta. L3 L2
240v L1 L1
120v
Neutral
1-ph Panel.
3-ph Panel.
H.B.M.V. from utility.
If you ever run into a “high-leg”, run!!
“RED” Leg Delta.
“Stinger” Leg Delta.
Single phase 120v loads.
“Wild” Leg Delta.
“Bastard” Leg Delta.

54. Troubleshooting !! Checklist:
First - Be comfortable with the equipment before you go to your customer’s location.
Second - Have a good working knowledge of electrical distribution systems, panels, wiring, etc. and work with a licensed electrician (unless you are one).

55. Troubleshooting !! Checklist:
Third - Have a good working knowledge of X-10 (and related compatible equipment) from personal experience and test bench work.
Lastly - Remember, your customer is not paying for you to learn on the job. They are paying you because you are supposed to already know how this stuff works.

56. PCC Troubleshooting Flow Chart.
This general PCC troubleshooting chart is intended to be a foundation which the PCC technician can use to help determine and correct PCC system problems. It is not intended to be a replacement for training and experience. It is assumed that the technician on site is knowledgeable with standard PCC test equipment and devices.
PCC System has failed or is unreliable:
Is the entire PCC system effected or at least a large section of it effected ?
Has anything changed recently, new electronic equipment, ballasts, VSD’s, etc?
Turn off power to new equipment. Is rest of PCC system now functioning properly?
Replace or filter offending equipment so it will no longer pollute the electrical environment.
YES
Test for signal level to all effected locations. Are signal strength tests okay?
If signal strength is good, then coupling is okay. Are all transmitters working properly?
Done.
PCC System should function properly.
If transmitters, signal level and coupling are okay, then the receivers are faulty. Test & replace them. NO
YES
Transmitters come in a variety of models depending on the job. If the unit is a simple wall mount or desktop transmitter, test and replace as needed. If the transmitter in question is a programmable or computer interface unit, then more sophisticated troubleshooting will need to be done. Check the program and the conditions under which it operates. Correct or replace as needed.
Signal level tests can show weak signal or “errors” in signal. Is signal just weak?
If signal strength is weak, then coupling may be inadequate or existing coupling equipment has failed? Test existing coupling equipment. Do the tests show the devices to be working?
Review current coupling design to determine what needs to be changed. Change coupling to increase signal to acceptable levels.
Test and replace coupling equipment as needed.
If the ACT
test receiver shows an “Error” then the signal is corrupted.
Determine location of interference (usually by turning off breakers in sequence). Replace or filter offending equipment so it no longer pollutes the electrical environment. Occasionally an improperly installed or faulty PCC device will cause corrupted signal. Replace device and/or correct installation.

57. PCC Troubleshooting Flow Chart.
This general PCC troubleshooting chart is intended to be a foundation which the PCC technician can use to help determine and correct PCC system problems. It is not intended to be a replacement for training and experience. It is assumed that the technician on site is knowledgeable with standard PCC test equipment and devices.
Its bad!!
Is all or big area effected ?
Anything changed?
Remove it! Does it work?
Replace or filter it.
YES
Is Signal level okay?
Are the transmitters working?
Fixed!
It must be the receivers, fix them. NO
YES
Test and then replace, correct or fix as needed.
Is signal weak?
Is coupling equipment working?
Change coupling design.
Replace, fix or correct coupling.
…Or “errors” ?
Replace, filter or remove offending equipment

58. Thank you for taking the time.
We hope you know more about “Extended Code”, “2-Way” and how to use these new features, than you did this morning.
We wanted to give you all certificates but we’re too cheap.
If you have any questions, Grab me here or in the ACT booth.
If you have comments about this class, please let us know.
Tipping the instructors is encouraged.
Jimbo Billy Bob is hereby awarded this certificate showing to the world that he was able to sit through this class without falling asleep.