Price: $24.99 - $18.99
(as of Dec 24, 2024 23:22:50 UTC – Details)
Appliance Module For Home Security and Comfort. Works with X10 Powerhouse Controllers and Timers. Just plug it in…. No special wiring!
Turn electronic devices on or off with a universal remote
Always come home to an air conditioned or fan-cooled home
No new wiring required
8 reviews for AM486 Appliance Module
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Louis LaBrunda –
Small and works well.
Great little unit for controlling the XMas lights.
Rus:) –
Smart Home (?) … I don’t know about all of that …
This is ‘a plug-in switch box’ (for appliances) which provides ‘on’ or ‘off’ At the touch of a Remote Control keypad button (Remote Control/keypad/Button — not included)… Simple to use: plug It into the AC Power Outlet, Select a Channel From the x-10 module, plug the Appliance’s Power Plug directly into the X-10 module, activate with the Remote Palm Pad'(which in my case Is a ‘Fluorescent Low Energy bulb’ which can only be used In the ‘on’ and ”off’ positions)Though normally ‘Lamp modules’ are used for Lamps and lightbulbs which feature ‘incandescent bulbs’, which Are Dimmablemy ‘florescents’ don’t work properly with the ‘Lamp modules’These x-10 ‘appliance modules’ really do the trick Though !They’re GREAT ! :)Oh, and in the right setup, meaning with a regular incandescent bulb, the ‘lamp modules’ work GREAT too … They are Just for incandescent old-school bulbs … And They are Dimmable !My Home is Better because of x-10 technology !
TechnoJunkie –
Good quality; fairly robust / reliable
This device is a typical X10 device, and has the usual behavioral characteristics of typical X10 devices: Somewhat prone to unreliability in use (due to X10 signal issues)… can have malfunctions over time due to contact issues in the Unit Code/House code switches. Fortunately, these malfunctions *generally* don’t cause any problems beyond the device simply not responding from time to time… and mostly seem to occur only when the devices are used in less-than-ideal environments (that is, in places where the temperature and humidity is not controlled).The X10 signal-reliability issues (if/when they occur) usually relate to the actual electrical environment where the device is installed, and often can be mitigated by putting the device in a different outlet on a different branch circuit, and/or by using X10 Phase Couplers, Signal Repeaters, Filters, etc. as applicable to the given situation.The Appliance Module is a “generic” on/off device (non-dimmable), intended for most electrical devices (and lights) which will only be turned on or off. This version is only for 2-prong (non-grounding) AC plugs. (There is a similar Appliance Module that accommodates 3-prong (grounding) AC plugs, as well as the 2-prong plugs).I have used these modules for many years in various applications and for various purposes, and they have generally been reliable (with one or two exceptions). *** It must be noted that the Appliance Module design and function has evolved over time – but the model number has remained the same. This means that the current version does not operate exactly the same way as older versions did. In particular, there were versions that would detect when the user turned the switch on the connected device, and would turn the module on in response to the detected switch – effectively allowing manual turn-on. However, if the user then turned the device off via its own switch, it would render the remote control inactive (because the device itself was now turned off). This tended to be cumbersome and confusing. So, I believe the newer versions did away with this “manual” operation entirely, so now the module can be controlled *only* remotely (that is, via X10 signals). This is probably for the best, because there are some “appliances” that simply did not work well with the module versions that could detect the manual switching of the attached “appliance”).I’d say that the Appliance Module is of reasonably good quality, and is reliable in itself… and works reliably in the “system” (subject to the general X10 reliability context, as described above).
Donald Landis –
Don’t Buy
I bought first one several months ago and it stopped working. Replaced it with another and it lasted 2 weeks. Stays on and won’t shut off. Gave up on these and replaced with a different controller technology. I still have X-10 modules from Radio Shack that work fine now for 2 decades.
Do it yourself –
An oldie but a goodie
Works with my other X10 modules / controller. Old technology but I have used it for 20 or so years during the Christmas Lighting season to control lighting and displays. Still works reliably so adding a module every couple of years to add a control point works for me.
J. K. Schrock –
Not the *worst* solution
People looking for home automation solutions could conceivably do worse than X-10. For example, you could set a rock next to a lamp, point a remote at it and click a button, and it would successfully turn the lamp on/off 0% of the time. An X-10 module in the same role will work roughly 10% of the time, making it a better choice for home automation than a rock.If you’re looking something that works with a higher level of reliability, or in a wider variety of settings, you’d be well advised to look elsewhere. I have a total of probably 25 outlets in my whole house. Out of that number, I was able to control a lamp or appliance through precisely 3 of the outlets. I bought two of these modules when I placed my order, and only one of them appeared to work at all. The other one was a dud. In addition, the working module seems to be affected by line noise in my house. I can expect the X10-controlled lamp to turn on by itself within 30 seconds of my furnace starting.I think X10 hardware is geared toward people who get a small thrill out of being able to turn a lamp (or box fan, or blender) on or off a few times from a remote location. For that, it’s fine. I wouldn’t expect to rely on it for anything beyond that though.
J Voortman –
it even works off of a universal TV remote for those times you just don’t want to leave that easy chair.
Replacement for an old worn out module. I’ve been using X10 modules for security, convenience, and Christmas lighting control since the 80’s. This is an inexpensive remote control system my whole household can use, simple to operate, it even works off of a universal TV remote for those times you just don’t want to leave that easy chair.
Stephan A. Miller –
No dimmer function
I bought 2 of the dimmer lamp modules and for some reason neither one worked correctly. This does not have dimmer, but it works and they have improved the switch so it doesn’t make as much noise as the old ones did.