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).

X10 Home Automation systems are:

• Simple to install
• Low in price
• Easy-to-use

They can all be found in our online store 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, PC interface (see e.g. CM15Pro PC Interface, CM11 Computer Interface, ...), telephone responders, universal transmitters 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 included. Another option is e 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.
• X10 Receiver Modules
  These modules control lights and equipment. There are 4 different types: Plug-in modules, built-in switches, micro modules and modules for DIN rail assembly. The 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 xxx or Philips Pronto SBC RU xxx 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.

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 CAT3000. 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.