INSTEON-compatible RemoteLinc User’s Guide
Page 13 of 18
ABOUT INSTEON
Understanding Why an INSTEON Network Is Reliable
INSTEON messages travel throughout the home via Powerline Carrier (PLC) signals on the existing
house wiring, and also via wireless Radio Frequency (RF). As the messages make their way to
INSTEON devices being controlled, they are picked up and retransmitted by all other INSTEON devices
along the way. This method of communicating, called a
mesh network
, is very reliable because each
additional INSTEON device helps to support the overall network.
To further ensure reliability, every INSTEON device confirms that it has received a command. If an
INSTEON Controller does not receive this confirmation, it will automatically retransmit the command up to
five times.
Further Enhancing Reliability
As signals travel via the powerline or RF throughout the home, they naturally become
weaker the farther they travel. The best way to overcome signals getting weaker is to
increase the coverage of the mesh network by introducing more INSTEON devices.
It is possible that some audio-video products, computers, power strips or other electrical
equipment may attenuate INSTEON signals on the powerline. You can temporarily
unplug suspected devices to test whether the INSTEON signal improves. If it does, then
you can plug in filters available from Smarthome that will permanently fix the problem.
Using SmartLab’s AccessPoint to Upgrade Your INSTEON Network
AccessPoints are ideal for improving signal strength and network
coverage throughout your home. In addition, two AccessPoints provide
a wireless path for INSTEON signals to travel between the two separate
electrical circuits, called
powerline phases
, found in most homes.
Without a reliable method for coupling opposite powerline phases, some
parts of your home may receive INSTEON signals intermittently. With at
least one AccessPoint plugged into one of the powerline phases, and at
least one more plugged into the opposite powerline phase, INSTEON
powerline signals will be strong everywhere in your home.
