INSTEON KeypadLinc Dimmer User’s Guide
Page 33 of 39
ABOUT INSTEON
Understanding Why an INSTEON Network Is Reliable
INSTEON messages travel throughout the home via Power line 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 power line 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 power line. You can temporarily
unplug suspected devices to test whether the INSTEON signal improves. If it does, then
you can plug in AC line filters available from Smarthome to permanently fix the problem.
Using SmartLabs Access Point Modules to Upgrade Your INSTEON Network
Access Point modules are ideal for improving signal strength and network coverage throughout your
home. Access Point Modules acts like another member of the dual-band mesh network, tying it together
by simultaneously retransmitting INSTEON signals across both radio-frequency and the power line. It
also provides an access point for RF-only INSTEON devices, such as handheld controllers.
In addition, two Access Points provide a wireless path for INSTEON signals to travel between the two
separate electrical circuits, called power-line phases, found in most homes. Without a reliable method for
coupling opposite power-line phases, some parts of your home may receive INSTEON signals
intermittently. With at least one AccessPoint plugged into one of the power-line phases, and at least one
more plugged into the opposite power-line phase, INSTEON power-line signals will be strong everywhere
in your home. Also, Access Points are required for power-line-only INSTEON devices to communicate
with RF-only INSTEON devices.
NOTE
For detailed information and specifications on the INSTEON
TM
technology standard, visit:
http://www.insteon.net
