How do I install a Power Line Adapter?

Related Product(s): All HAL Software

If your copy of HAL was shipped with a Power Line Adapter and a Serial Port Cable and Connector or if you already own these hardware components, then follow the steps below to connect this hardware to the computer on which HAL will be installed. These hardware components can be installed at any time, but HAL can not control electrical devices like lights and appliances until a Power Line Adapter is connected to it.

 

NOTE: The instructions below are for using a Power Line Adapter -- such as HAL11, CM11, or HD11 -- with HAL. If you're using a different type of Power Line Interface (such as an ADICON Ocelot, HAI OmniPro, etc.), use the instructions included with that interface for information on installing it.

Instructions for installing a Lamp Module are also included below. Lamp Modules and other X-10 compatible devices can be installed at any time. For information on installing other X-10 compatible devices, see the manufacturer's documentation or website for instructions.

The Power Line Adapter has three prongs on the back (A), a three-prong outlet on the front (C), and an additional interface connector port, similar to those used on telephone handsets, on the bottom (B). The model number on the back of the Power Line Adapter will be HAL11, CM11, HD11, or something similar. Power Line Adapters are shipped with a Serial Port Cable and Connector (see below).

• Plug the Power Line Adapter (A) into a standard wall outlet.

• One end of the Serial Port Cable and Connector is a serial port adapter (D). Connect that end to a serial port on the computer.
  
  
• The other end of the Serial Port Cable and Connector is similar to the type of connector used for telephone handsets. Connect that end (E) to the bottom of the Power Line Adapter (B).

The outlet on the front of the Power Line Adapter (C) is the same as a standard outlet -- anything plugged into this outlet will draw electricity just as if it were plugged directly into a standard wall outlet or power strip. This outlet is not an X-10 outlet, so HAL will not be able to control any light or appliance plugged into it.

The Lamp Module is smaller than the Power Line Adapter. There are two prongs on the back (F) and a two- or three-prong outlet (depending on the model) on the bottom (G). On the front of the Lamp Module are two dials (H). One dial is the Unit code with a number range of 1 to 16. The other dial is the House code with a letter range of A to P.

• Use a coin or screwdriver to turn the dials on the front of the Lamp Module (H). The combination of these two dials is referred to as the device's "address". For instance, the Lamp Module pictured above is set to an address of A1 -- the House code is set to "A" and the Unit code is set to "1". There are 256 possible address combinations with X-10 devices.
  
  
• Plug a table or floor lamp into the outlet on the bottom of the Lamp Module (G). Lamp Modules are for incandescent lights ONLY (to control an appliance, you will need to use an Appliance Module).
  
  
• Plug the Lamp Module (F) into a standard wall outlet.

• Make sure that the lamp itself is on.
  
  
• Go to the "Devices" topic in the Automating Your Home section of the Online Help Guide for information on naming devices in HAL. Once that's done you can control that light by voice.