To X10 or not to X10

First of all, there are several new power line distribution technologies that could replace X10. Most of the them should be out "really soon" and some of them exist but only certain models are available and at very high prices. Another important thing is that the current X10 modules have not passed CE approval and that has at least partly stopped them from being sold in some European countries. There is a new line of X10 modules coming out which will be CE approved and some are in fact already approved.

However, I have no idea whether these modules will be using the same carrier frequency, 120Khz, as the old ones and whether the new modules will be compatible with the old ones. Some countries in Europe,at least earlier, limited power line communication to maximum 100Khz so that might have affected the choice of a possible new carrier frequency. In fact, I don't know what the CE rules are. Anyway, be sure to check this in case you plan to mix new and old modules.

I have no idea whether it will become illegal to use older X10 equipment in Europe or to import old style X10 equipment to Europe. It probably depends on the country. For the moment, I believe that the most of the rest of the civilized world do not care about European norms!

There are three main competitors:

• European Installation BUS - EIB bus. www.eiba.be
• Consumer Electronic Bus - CEB bus. www.cebus.org
• Lonworks. www.lonworks.echelon.com

Personally, I believe that EIB will be a new "French SECAM - 819", "Swedish FM stereo system" or "British digital radio" designed to protect the European market from it's evil competitors. Booth CEB bus and LonWorks are technically superior with higher speeds and more possibilities. However, it is possible that it will become an important temporary standard at least in Europe. In my opinion, I hope that CEB bus will win all around the world since it is not only a power line distribution system but also a system where appliances like audio, video, power meters, water boilers, alarm systems, coffe machines and computers could talk to each other and share things like intelligent bi-directional remote controls etc. Note that CEB bus is basically a communication protocoll and that they are using spread spectra communication on powerlines which also could cause problems with European CE norms. They might also be obliged to manufacture a new series of modules for the European market.

If you are a millionaire and want to wait a couple of years, use CEB bus, Lonworks or whatever is best at that time. I you are not a millionaire do the same thing but wait five to ten years. Or just use X10. It is available today, it is cheap and it does work on 220V 50Hz. But as a famous person (actpccpek@aol.com) said, "I wouldn't trust my mother's iron-lung on it". Personally, I would not connect my mother's iron-lung to a PC either, perhaps my mother in law's iron-lung!

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