Installation manual

Think future retrofit
Comfort is one of the most expandable systems around! Installers can
benefit from ongoing upgrades and modifications as there is so much
‘add-on potential’. Selling to an existing customer is always easier than
finding new customers. A customer may wish to connect to a Central
Station or add security lighting. They may require home control using
X-10 or operate the curtains, or they may just want more detection
points, a camera or Keypad, additional intercoms or even flood
detection! A little forethought during the initial installation can make
upgrading a system in the future so much easier. Future proof every
installation for Comfort!
Always allow for extra capacity in the cables. If more zones or outputs
are required, run extra cables to the other end of the building so you
can install Keypads. Customers may have already shown an interest in
these things and plan to add them at a later date. If you are already
taking cables in a certain direction, increase the capacity. You may
need to estimate what a customer might need in the future. Some
companies prefer to install Comfort as a 'basic system' and take a
planned approach to their marketing by sending special offers
throughout the year to stimulate the interest in time for their annual
inspection and do the update at the same time.
Detectors
Aim to use 2 End of Line resistors for added security. You only need a
pair of conductors per zone to give both zone information and tamper
protection. The resistors should be fitted into the detector.
X-10 in New House Builds
The ideal time to integrate true Home Control functionality is during the
planning and design stages of new properties. This way, the cabling
between wall switches and lamp fittings can be configured to use AD10
(Socket and appliance control) or LD11, LW10U (lighting control) DIN
rail modules sited in a separate container near to the Main Comfort
Panel and possibly the fuse board. This is where they work most
effectively. Bring the wall-switch cables AND light fitting cables back to
the X10 consumer unit, rather than the usual convention of running
wall-switch cables to the light fitting and the light fitting to the mains
supply. This gives maximum flexibility, you can still use the wall switch
or Comfort to control the light. This is because the wall switch is
actually switching the LD10 module which in turn switches the mains
onto the bulb. This is the best way to use LD11.
An alternative wall switch LW10U which contains the X-10 receiver
module is also available. This switch is used instead of the LD11 and
can replace the normal wall switch by working through the live cable
feed. Be careful, certain loads such as fluorescent lamps (PL type) may
not work with this switch because they cannot provide a neutral return
path through the lamp. Always advise customers of this so that the
correct bulbs are used in the future.
Distance and noisy mains supplies can seriously impact the quality of
X-10 signals around a house. Test the house first, using the UR24 and
Comfort Installation Manual
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