Appliance Control: Making Things Do Stuff - Smart Home Automation with Linux and Raspberry Pi - page 13

There is an in-wall version of this, called the AW12U, with a similar specification.

N You can often use these devices to automatically power-cycle routers and modems when the Internet
connection is unavailable, often from the router being choked or when it simply crashes.

Note

Appliance MicroModule (AWM2)
This is the same module featured previously (and in Figure 1-6 ) as a suitable candidate for light control, because it
can also be used to control appliances. Apart from its smaller size (46 × 46 × 18mm), its main benefit over the AM12U
is that it has a much higher power rating, making it possible to power fan heaters and their ilk. The given power
specification on this unit is 2kW for incandescent lamps, 3A for inductive appliances, and 16A on resistive loads.
As mentioned previously, this device is mounted in wall outlets, making it more difficult to circumvent.
Consequently, this module allows you to switch off a child's TV or stereo system at night without them simply
unplugging it, as they might with an AM12U.
Table 1-1 gives a breakdown of the previously referenced devices.

Table 1-1. Basic X10 Modules

Appliance Name

AM12U Appliance Module (plug)

AWM2 Appliance MicroModule (in wall)

LD11 DIN Rail Dimmer

LM10U Wall Switch

LM12U Lamp Module

LM15EB Bayonet Lamp Module

LM15ES Screw-In Lamp Module

LWM1 MicroModule with Dimmer

LW12 In-Wall Module with Dimmer (like LWM1, but no two-way comms)

TMD4 MicroModule Transmitter Dimmer (four-switch, in-wall, no power handler)

Internal Devices
These devices are rare and usually fit in the novelty category. One good case is REX-10, a barking dog alarm system!
On receipt of a suitable X10 message (for example, from a motion detector), this device plays the noise of a dog
barking followed, a few moments later, by the sending of an X10 message to switch a light on. As an idea it's good, but
it is very difficult to configure these hardwired devices as effectively as you could with a short computer program or
simple script.

Combination Devices
I'll briefly cover some devices that, although they are not supplied with X10 control, are invariably used with it. It
should also be noted that the mains control could equally well come from an alternative power control method
(for example, C-Bus).