Components and other general things.

Don't try to use transformers to drop down your voltage to 110V and to connect your modules after the transformer unless you use the capacitor trick described in the general modification principles. X10 is transmitting data on the main supply and little or nothing will pass the transformer. Well, if you had all your modules on the secondary, 110V side of the transformer, it would work. You could perhaps buy a huge transformer and change the voltage in all places in the house but your wife might say that her hair dryer doesn't have the power it once had and that your food will rot in your fridge. Well, you could change those too to 110V. No, I am not serious now!

In most cases, the capacitors to change are polyester, but you could also use capacitors with names like polycarb or MKT. Use good quality capacitors of 400V or 600V and don't even consider electrolytics (bipolar or not). These kind of capacitors are fairly big but usually you should be able to find a 1uF/400V in almost the same size as the original 2.2uF/250V. Remember that this voltage is DC voltage and that the peak voltage of 220V AC is 1.4141 * 220V = 311V (240V gives 340V peak).

MOV means Metal Oxide Varistors and are used as over voltage suppressors. Over voltages can be caused by lightning, switching of inductive loads, or even high tension cables falling down on the distribution cables carrying the main supply of 110-240V. I suggest that you use a MOV in all X10 modules. A so called "Whole house protection system" is also a good investment but it might not save your modules if you have lightning striking close to your place. This is due to the powerful EMF, Electro Magnetic Field caused by lightning and also by atomic bombs. Well, nothing will really protect you from a direct hit from either of them.

Higher voltage MOVs are usually rated in RMS, Root Mean Square, meaning practically AC voltage but lower voltage ones usually in DC voltage. A 250V DC MOV would explode if connected to 220VAC (peak voltage = 311V). Be careful to check what type you are buying.

The size of a MOV usually indicates it's power dissipation capacity which normally corresponds to it's rating in kA, kilo (1000) Amperes, during a very short period. Remember, Power = Voltage * Current. Use the biggest MOV that will fit the pcb (Printed Circuit Board). Even if there is no MOV installed, if there is physical space available, install one.

For 220V use a 250V RMS MOV. If you have 230V or 240V use a 260 or 275V RMS MOV.

If a module has a MOV, change the voltage. If it does not have a MOV, I recommend that you add one across the incoming power. On two wire lamp modules you could also add a MOV but in this case across the module. This means that the MOV is afterwards in series with the lamp but it is better that the bulb blows than that the module blows.

Also, try to avoid adapters for converting American plug standards. They usually not very safe. On controllers, change the plugs. In some cases you could use, e.g., an American female to European male adapter that can be opened. In this case, open the adapter and solder the inside to the American male connector on the module. Use a big, 100W or more, soldering iron and do the job quickly before the module melts. Let it cool down and reassemble the adapter and reinforce everything with epoxy glue. It is not very wise to do this on a module that has it's pin on the pcb because it will be almost impossible to open it afterwards. Use this only on modules that have the pins fixed to the plastic box.

Another thing that you could try on modules that have their pins on the module itself and not on the pcb is to change the pins. Push out the old pins while heating them up with a soldering iron. Drill new holes for at the right distance and use "chassis mounted banana pins". Fix their threaded ends with nuts and use soldering lugs to connect the cables. This will be no good to an Australian but perhaps you could try to push though the old pins in same angled position as used on an Australian connector. The pins on an Australian plug are slightly bigger (how much?) and placed in an angle but it might work. Give me some feedback on this!

I have no good solution how to change the output connector on modules like lamp modules other than to use an adapter or possibly changes the connector on your appliance to an US version.

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