The X10 Motion Sensor How-to
   
   
Controlling with X10 modules is very easy to do. These modules work through the AC wiring in your home. They use the wires to transmit the X10 signals to the modules. There are many different modules and components to the system including motion sensors. They have two different motion sensors the eagle eye and the active eye. They are essentially the same unit except that the active eye unit is weatherproof and cost more. The way the system works is when the motion detector detects motion it sends a radio signal to a transceiver module when then sends the signal down the AC line to the modules. The modules are identified by a two part ID code which consists of a letter or house code and a number. There are 16 house codes and 16 modules per house code that can be used. The units that trasmit  the X10 codes, the motion detector and the transceiver need to be on the same house and number code as the modules that you want to control. The codes are easily switched with a small screwdriver to turn the rotary switches or by button programming. The most common modules that we are likely to use are appliance and lamp modules. The differences will be discussed below. In the picture below is a typical setup that can be used to trigger a prop. The components are listed below.


1)    2 power strips (or a power strip and multitap extension cord)   
2)    The motion detector
3)    The transceiver module (the one with the antenna)
4)    An appliance module
5)    The prop plug or prop control unit power supply





   
The prop controller power supplies are plugged into the second power strip or extension cord. The second strip is only powered on after the motion detector detects motion and transmits its code to the transceiver unit which places the code on the wire. The module with the matching code switches on. Several props can be controlled by adding more modules to the first power strip and then plugging additional power strips or extension cords or cords into those modules. One motion sensor will be needed for each additional module. Depending on which motion sensor detects motion only the corresponding module will be switched on or off. Also, you can control multiple modules that are set to the same code from the same motion sensor or controller.


This is an eagle eye motion sensor module




In this picture there is a 20 second voice module from Radio Shack that will play its sound when the power is send to the power strip. A relay connected to a 12V wall wart closes the play button contacts on the voice module. It is just a simple matter of soldering the relay wires to the play switch contacts on the voice board. This can also be used for a prop try me button that we usually just cut off. A power supply from an air valve or a pump or any other AC prop power source can be used like this.




In this picture we have a lamp module on the left and an appliance module on the right (appliance modules also come in two prong but I do not see the need for them). They will both handle 15 amps 1/3 hp, 500 Watts. They have modules that can handle higher current loads. The lamp module can also dim a light (incandescent or dimmable led bulbs only). The lamp module in a 2 two prong and the appliance module is the three prong type.




The X10 system can also be controlled by manual controllers. In the picture below are three controllers that can also be used. A palm remote (left), a plug in base unit (middle), and a keychain remote (right). These can be used to manually trigger a prop as opposed to or in addition to the motion sensor. The easiest way to get started with X10 is to buy one of their starter kits and then add the components that you need.