Set-Up and Operating Instructions for MS13A Indoor Motion Detector
The MS13A Motion Detector sends Wireless Radio Frequency (RF) signals to an X10 Transceiver (RR501 or
TM751) or any X10 security system base receiver. The receiver then passes the signals onto your house wiring to
turn on lights (or appliances) around your home. You plug your lights and appliances into X10 Modules (sold
separately). The MS13A also works with the CM11A Two-Way Computer Interface to initiate macros (routines)
so you can set up a “coming home” routine which is initiated by the Motion Detector as soon as it “sees” you.
Note: The default state is to turn lights on when the MS13A detects motion at all times (even if it's not dark). Or
you can set it to turn lights on when it detects motion only at night. It can also turn lights on at dusk and off at
dawn. Care should be taken therefore to place the MS13A where it sees plenty of sunlight during the day (such as
near a window). If you place it in a dark corner it might not be able to tell the difference between day time and
night time. Care should also be taken not to place the MS13A near the light it is controlling, otherwise when the
light turns on it might “fool” the MS13A into thinking it’s daytime!
Remove the battery cover on the front of the MS13A and install two AAA alkaline batteries. Leave the cover off
for now. The unit defaults to Housecode A and Unit Code 1, and it defaults to see motion all the time - day and
night, so plug in an X10 RF Transceiver (model RR501 or TM751, sold separately) or any X10 security system
base receiver (sold separately) and set it to Housecode A. Plug a lamp into an X10 Lamp Module (sold separately)
and set it to Housecode A and Unit Code 1. Plug the module into any AC outlet.
To test the MS13A: Press the House button once. The MS13A transmits the “device ON” RF signal and the red
LED flashes. Press the Unit button once. The MS13A transmits the “device OFF” RF signal and the red LED
flashes. (The default setting is A1). Replace the battery cover.
Place the MS13A on a shelf or mount it on a wall at least 6 feet above the ground. Let it settle for a minute and
then walk past it. The lamp connected to any X10 Module set to A1 turns on. The light turns off approx. 1 minute
later (default) as long as no motion has been detected. You can also turn the light off from any X10 controller or
set up a CM11A Computer Interface (sold separately) to initiate a macro when it receives A1. This macro could
for example turn on a group of lights (e.g. B2, C7, and H9) when you walk into a room and turn them off after a
preset time. For wall mounting, remove the batteries, screw the MS13A to a wall and replace the batteries.
To turn lights on when it gets dark. The MS13A sends signals when it detects dusk and dawn so it can turn a
light on when it gets dark and turn it off when it gets light (in addition to turning lights on when it detects
motion). To have it turn a light on at dusk and off at dawn plug the light into an X10 Module and set it to the same
Housecode as the MS13A and to a Unit Code that is one number higher than the Unit Code of the module that
turns on when motion is detected. I.E. if the MS13A turns on A1 when it detects motion, it will turn on A2 when
it gets dark and turn it off when it gets light.
Options:
To change the Unit Code that the MS13A transmits: Press and hold the Unit/Off button (under the battery
compartment lid) the red LED flashes first and then blinks the current setting. Release and immediately press the
button the desired number of times for the Unit Code you want to set and hold the button on the last press. 3
seconds after the last press (while holding the button) the red LED blinks back the number of times for the code
you set. Release the button.
To change the House Code that the MS13A transmits: Press and hold the House/On button (under the battery
compartment lid) the red LED flashes first and then blinks the current setting (once for A, twice for B, etc.).
Release and immediately press the button the desired number of times for the House Code you want to set (once
for A, twice for B, etc.) and hold the button on the last press. 3 seconds after the last press (while holding the
button) the red LED blinks back the number of times for the code you set. Release the button.
X10 (USA) Inc. 91 Ruckman Rd., Closter, NJ 07624
(201) 784-9700. Fax (201) 784-9464. www.x10.com
DR/MS13A-4/99
