| Question: What is the difference between a lamp module and an appliance module? |
| Answer: A lamp module is designed specifically for the control of lamps. Up to 300W of incandescent (light bulbs) can be connected to these modules. The lamps can be dimmed using the controller. Lamp modules will respond to the All Lights ON command. A lamp module should not be used to control appliances or fluorescent lamps.
An appliance module is designed to control small appliances. They will control an appliance that has a two-prong, polarized AC plug and draws up to 500W of power. Although you can use these modules to control up to 500W of incandescent lighting, they do not respond to the All Lights ON command. The reason that an appliance module does not respond to this command is for safety purposes, preventing the unintentional activation of an appliance e.g. an empty coffee pot.
Another appliance module is a heavy duty appliance module which should be plugged into a three-prong, grounded outlet. This connects to an appliance with a three-prong, grounded plug.
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| Question: Even though I have my lights on a timer, is it possible to turn then on or off manually using a remote controller and if I do will the timer still work? |
| Answer: Yes. All modules will respond to the command ON or OFF regardless of which controller the command is sent from. At the preset time, when the timer sends the command to turn the modules ON, if they have already been turned on by means of another controller, the command will just be ignored. When it is time for the modules to be turned off by the timer, the command to turn OFF the modules will be sent at the preset time and the lights will turn OFF. If the modules have already been turned OFF, again the command will be ignored.
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| Question: Why can't I control my bedroom lamp from my living room? I have tried using different modules and controllers but it still doesn't work. |
| Answer: If there is nothing wrong with the controllers or modules, the problem must be with the electrical outlet. It is most likely that you have plugged your controller and module into outlets that are on different phases. Most houses have two 110V circuits in them known as phases. If you have your controller connected to one phase and the module to the other the signal is not going to be received. You should plug the module or controller into different outlets until you get a response. If this does not work or is not feasible, a phasing coupler (signal bridge) may need to be installed. As this involves the circuit breaker panel and some electrical wiring it is advisable to get this done by a qualified electrician.
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| Question: As there are only sixteen unit codes, does this mean I can only use sixteen modules and appliances? |
| Answer: No. The most you can use with individual control is 256. Any number of modules that are set to the same unit code (1-16) will respond as a group when set to the same house code. As there are 16 house codes (A-P), up to 256 groups of modules can be controlled.
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| Question: Is it possible to dim or brighten more than one lamp at a time? |
| Answer: Yes, but only with the Maxi-Controller. By pressing the number buttons that correspond with the lamps you want to control and then pressing the ON, OFF, Bright or Dim buttons, the lamps will respond as a group. For example, you want the lamp (unit code 1) by the door to dim and lamp (unit code 6) on the opposite wall to dim also, you would push button 1 then button 6 and then the Dim button. Both lamps will dim at the same time.
Note: If you find that you have lamps that you always end up having perform the same action at the same time, you might want to consider giving them the same unit code.
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| Question: Will a power-failure cause the information I have programmed into my Plug 'n Power Mini-Timer to be lost? |
| Answer: To maintain the clock and the preset timer settings a 9-volt battery should be installed. The battery does not provide power to control lights and appliances; it maintains settings only. If there is no battery installed or the battery is weak, a power outage will cause the loss of settings. The display will flash if there is a power outage and there is no battery installed. To test the battery, press the Security button or the Once button. If the battery sentinel light comes on then the battery power is low and it should be replaced.
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| Question: My hall light is controlled by two switches, one at each end of the hall. Is there a way of controlling this light with Plug 'n Power? |
| Answer: Yes. For this kind of setup you would need to use a Three-Way wall switch module. This module should only be used to control incandescent lighting between 40W and 500W. There are two switches included to replace the existing switches that control the light. One is the master switch and the other the slave or companion switch. Each has a push button for local ON/OFF control.
After following the instructions to install the switches, the master switch will need to have the house and unit codes set. On the master switch set the house code to the same letter (A-P) as your Plug 'n Power controller. Set the unit code to an unused number (1-16). Now this light can be switched ON or OFF manually using the the push button on either switch or using a controller with which you also have the options to Dim or Brighten the light.
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| Question: Can I use more than one house code? |
| Answer: Yes. There are sixteen available house codes (A-P) and you can use as many as you want.
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| Question: What is the best location for a motion sensor? |
Answer: Before a PIR (passive infrared) motion sensor is put in place permanently the following should be taken into consideration.
- The vertical and horizontal coverage angles of the sensor (most are 30° vertical and 90o horizontal.
- The best height is above pets but low enough for small children and high enough to be able to send a signal to the transceiver. This means the vertical coverage not the actual unit itself.
- Place within range of the transceiver.
- Motion is best detected when it cuts across the viewing angle as opposed to directly towards it.
- Heat sources (heat vents, air-conditioners, direct or reflected sunlight) can falsely trigger the sensor. The PIR sensor is triggered by changes in heat not by motion.
Attach the motion sensor temporarily until you know it works well in a particular place.
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| Question: How can I stop my outside lights turning on when the all lights on switch on one of the controllers is activated? |
| Answer: If you only want your inside lights to come on when you press the All lights On button on your controller, you should set the controllers and modules that you use for outside to a different house code.
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| Question: I have my air-conditioning set to come on at a preset time; about half an hour before I usually come home from work, but there are times when I come home early. Is there a way I can get the air-conditioning to turn on before this preset time? |
| Answer: Yes. By installing a thermostat set-back controller you will be able to control the heat and air-conditioning in your house from any room at any time. Further by installing a telephone responder you will be able to activate your thermostat to turn on the air-conditioning simply by calling your home phone.
The thermostat set-back controller is mounted underneath an existing thermostat and the power supply plugged into a Plug 'n Power appliance or wall receptacle module. When activated from a controller the set-back controller emits a small amount of heat under the thermostat. The thermostat then thinks that it is hotter than it really is and your air-conditioning will turn on.
By installing a telephone responder you can call your home phone and activate the set-back controller by entering a security code and the address (house and unit code) that the appliance or wall receptacle module is set to.
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