XTB-IIR X10 Transmit Booster
JV Digital Engineering
4-03-11 –
Converted from booklet format
The
original XTB was a simple plug-in unit that directly boosted the output of any
X10 transmitter. The XTB-II combined
the high-power XTB transmitter with two coupling networks to drive both 120V
legs directly, eliminating the need for a passive coupler. It also added a TW523 digital port to
provide a powerline interface for high-end controllers. The XTB-IIR is an enhanced repeater version
of the now discontinued XTB-II.
The
XTB-IIR is designed for split-phase 240V systems. Unless 3-phase operation is enabled, it normally blanks the
superfluous X10 transmit bursts produced for 3-phase systems. That allows it to concentrate all its energy
into the zero-crossing X10 transmit burst.
Depending on line characteristics, the XTB-IIR can inject 30Vpp or more
of X10 signal onto the powerline.
Like
the original XTB, the XTB-IIR has an AC receptacle on its cover to provide
direct X10 Boost for any transmitter plugged into it. To prevent feedback, that
receptacle is powered through a low-pass filter, and is limited to a 50-watt
resistive load. Because they are
reactive loads, no more than three X10 transmitters should be connected to that
receptacle. An internal fuse will blow
if the 50-watt limit is exceeded.
The
XTB-IIR includes built-in TW523 emulation.
A digital I/O line can be run from an automation controller directly to
the XTB-IIR. The opto-isolated digital
interface on the XTB-IIR is functionally identical to that of the TW523, but
the XTB-IIR TW523 emulation differs from the actual TW523 in several
regards. The XTB-IIR error checks all
incoming data, and does not produce any output when a collision is detected. The XTB-IIR does not need a gap to separate
X10 messages, and it will recognize all commands in a bright/dim sequence. The XTB-IIR will transmit and receive
extended messages, and it can also repeat “doublet” extended messages.
The
XTB-IIR return signal amplifier has been significantly enhanced from that of
the XTB-II. However, line transients
can still make it through the bandpass filter, and are amplified. Devices that are sensitive to noise, such as
the PowerLinc 1132, may not work well when plugged into XTB-IIR.
ELECTRICAL CONNECTION
The
XTB-IIR does not simply plug into a standard receptacle like the XTB. It should be installed adjacent to the
electrical distribution panel where it can drive both phases directly.
Connections to the distribution panel are made through one of the two internal
terminal strips. The other terminal
strip is normally connected to the X10 Input receptacle on the cover. To drive both phases, the XTB-IIR should be
connected to neutral and both terminals of a 15A or 20A two-pole circuit
breaker through an appropriate 240V plug and receptacle. For single-phase operation, a standard 120V
power cord can be wired to just Phase I and Neutral in the XTB-IIR. Ground is not used internally, and is only
required when using a grounded receptacle on the cover. A solid connection to neutral is
essential for proper operation.
Since
ground is not used internally, a 3-prong
240V plug & receptacle are adequate to connect the 2-phase unit. However, a standard 10 gauge dryer cord is
too heavy to wire into the unit. The
locking strain relief on the XTB-IIR will accept up to .4-inch diameter
wire. 16 or 18 gauge wire is sufficient
because the XTB-IIR is internally fused at 2 amps maximum. Check the electrical connections carefully
before applying power. It is
recommended that the terminal strip screws be re-torqued (with power switched
off) to insure solid connections.
XTB-IIR
OPERATION
The
XTB-IIR can act as the powerline interface for high-end controllers, boost X10
commands received via the X10 Input receptacle, and repeat X10 commands
received over the powerline. No mode
changes are required. The XTB-IIR also
includes a smart bright/dim repeater mode, which is enabled by default. In this mode it will transmit all but the
first bright or dim command received in a sequence. Should there be excessive X10 activity on the powerline, the
XTB-IIR will inhibit its transmitter until the problem is corrected. Please refer to the XTB-II Mode Programmable
Options for more information on how best to configure the unit for your
particular installation.
The X10 transmitter
in the XTB-IIR auto tunes itself to 120KHz using the powerline as a reference.
By default, it only transmits the X10 burst following a zero crossing. Within
that window, the duration of the burst is controlled by the digital input. If three-phase phase transmission is
enabled, the transmitted power is reduced, and all bursts will be transmitted
in the standard 3-phase windows.
XTB-IIR 120V 2-Phase Connections
