Smarthome PowerLinc II User Manual

PowerLinc II

TM

The Ideal Interface for PowerLinc Carrier (X10)
Compatible Products or Software!

#1132B PowerLinc II with 12-Volt power supply

About the Interface’s Certification

PowerLinc II has been thoroughly tested by ITS ETL SEMKO, a nationally
recognized independent third-party testing laboratory. Products bearing
North American ETL Listed mark signifies that the product has been
tested to and has met the requirements of a widely recognized
consensus of U.S. and Canadian product safety standards, that the
manufacturing site has been audited, and that the manufacturer has
agreed to a program of quarterly factory follow-up inspections to verify
continued conformance.

Smarthome Limited Warranty

Smarthome warrants to the original consumer purchaser of this product that, for a period of two years
from the date of purchase, this product will be free from defects in material and workmanship and will
perform in substantial conformity to the description of the product in this Owner's Manual. This warranty
shall not apply to defects or errors caused by misuse or neglect.

If the product is found to be defective in material or workmanship or if the product does not perform as
warranted above during the warranty period, Smarthome will either repair it, replace it or refund the
purchase price, at its option, upon receipt of the product at the address below, postage prepaid, with
proof of the date of purchase and an explanation of the defect or error. The repair, replacement, or
refund that is provided for above shall be the full extent of Smarthome's liability with respect to this
product.

For repair or replacement during the warranty period, call Smarthome customer service to receive an
RA# (return authorization number), properly package the product (with the RA# clearly printed on the
outside of the package) and send the product, along with all other required materials to:

Smarthome
ATTN: Receiving Dept.
16542 Millikan Ave
Irvine, CA 92606-5027

Limitations:

THE ABOVE WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF AND SMARTHOME DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES,
WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY, INCLUDING
ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WHICH MAY NOT BE
DISCLAIMED OR SUPPLANTED AS PROVIDED ABOVE SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE ONE YEAR PERIOD OF
THE EXPRESS WARRANTY ABOVE. NO OTHER REPRESENTATION OR CLAIM OF ANY NATURE BY ANY
PERSON SHALL BE BINDING UPON SMARTHOME OR MODIFY THE TERMS OF THE ABOVE WARRANTY
AND DISCLAIMER.

IN NO EVENT SHALL SMARTHOME BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER
DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE POSSESSION OR USE OF THIS PRODUCT, INCLUDING WITHOUT
LIMITATION DAMAGE TO PROPERTY AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, PERSONAL INJURY, EVEN
IF SMARTHOME KNEW OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts and/or the exclusion or
limitation of damages, in which case the above limitations and/or exclusions may not apply to you. You
may also have other legal rights, which may vary from state to state.

ControLinc, TesterLinc, SignaLinc, Lam pLinc, ToggleLinc, BoosterLinc, ApplianceLinc, KeypadLinc, Filt erLinc,
ProbeLinc, SwitchLinc, TempLinc, IR Linc & SmarthomeLive are trademarked b y Smarthome, Inc.

© Copyright 2004 Smarthome, 16542 Millikan Ave., Irvine, CA 92606-5027

800.SMART.HOME - 949.221.9200- www.smarthome.com

rev 012204

Connector Specifications

Pin 1 - RS232 to PC pin 2 (Rx)
Pin 2 - +12VDC output, maximum 700mA (unregulated)
Pin 3 - Xmit in (active high input from host device)
Pin 4 - Rec out (active low data from power line to host device)
Pin 5 - General I/O Line
Pin 6 - Zero out (active low zero crossing echo power line to host device)
Pin 7 - Common ground
Pin 8 -RS232 from PC pin 3 (Tx)

Using PowerLinc II with your own programming

Many home automation and computer enthusiasts will want to develop their own
programs for the PowerLinc II. A programming guide can be found on the included
CD-ROM. Please note the information is complex and technical. The information
provided is AS-IS and Smarthome does not provide support customers doing their
own programming. The latest programming specifications and source code can be
found on the PowerLinc II web page: http://www.smarthome.com/1132.html.

If you would like to comment on the programming guide or share your programming
experiences with the Smarthome Design team, please send an email to:
[e-mail]. Although we can’t answer all the emails or provide
programming help, we can take your suggests into account to improve the product
or come up with new ones.

Tips for Using PowerLinc II

• The PowerLinc II is not designed nor approved for use on power lines that on
something other than 120V/60Hz cycles. Attempting to use the PowerLinc II on
non-approved power-lines may have hazardous consequences.

• Do not plug the PowerLinc II into a telephone jack or telephone equipment.
Doing so may result in equipment failure.

• Do not plug the PowerLinc II into an Ethernet jack or networking equipment.
Doing so may result in equipment failure.

• Do not plug PowerLinc II into a filter or a power strip.

• Some computers and their accessories can absorb Power Line Carrier (PLC)
signals off the electrical lines. Since PowerLinc II will be so close to the
computer, the power strip for the computer should be filtered. Use our FilterLinc
#1626 to keep the PowerLinc signals from getting absorbed by the computer.

• Don't plug other PLC transmitters into the same outlet as the PowerLinc II. Every
PLC transmitter will absorb other transmitter's PLC/X10 signals when they are
not transmitting. In some cases, up to half the signal can be lost to the nearby
transmitter.

Additional Resources

For more information on how X10 signals work and theory of operation for the
TW523 module, please see the X10 TW523 Technical Manual online at:

www.smarthome.com/manuals/MAN-1136.pdf

Congratulations and Introduction

You have now taken the first step in improving home automation control in your
home by investing in the PowerLinc II

TM

. The PowerLinc II can send and receive
PLC/X10 signals including advanced extended codes using simple ASCII
communication. Any PC or microprocessor that can communicate using ASCII over
RS-232 can send and receive PLC/X10 commands using the PowerLinc II. It comes
with a 6-ft. cord and an RJ-11 connector and can be directly substituted in virtually
any application that uses the PSC05/TW523 2-way Interface Module. Using a
special splitter jack, the PowerLinc II can operate in the serial and PSC05/TW523
modes simultaneously!

Furthermore, PowerLinc II conveniently provides a 300mA 12VDC power source for
stand-alone products. This makes it the ideal interface between a stand-alone
product and the power line. All of this in a small plug-in adapter that has been
engineered to Smarthome’s superior standards.

Key Features

• Direct plug-in compatibility with PSC05/TW523 protocal

• Serial control using simple ASCII commands

• Concurrent serial and TW523 operating modes

• 12-volts DC power (300ma.) to operate the host device

• Safety-tested and certified for connection directly to 120-volt AC power

• Feed-through outlets for other AC powered products

• No dedicated Windows

®

system drivers when connected to a computer

Included Parts

The PowerLinc II kit includes the following parts:

• PowerLinc II plug-in interface

• Serial Cable - for connecting to a computer

• RJ-11 Cable - for connecting to a stand-alone
PLC controller

• CD-ROM - with Smarthome software for the
PowerLinc and other products

Installing as a PSC05/TW523 replacement

1. Plug the PowerLinc II into any standard 120-volt AC, 60Hz outlet

2. Plug in the PowerLinc II RJ-11 cable into the stand-alone device.

3. The stand-alone device should power up, become functional, and be able to
detect and send PLC/X10 signals.

Installing for serial mode on a computer

1. Plug the PowerLinc II into any standard 120-volt AC, 60Hz outlet

2. Attach the included serial cable to the PowerLinc II. This cable has been
specially made for the PowerLinc II to only pass serial commands.
(Power from the PowerLinc II will not be supplied to the computer.)

3. Connect the serial cable to the COM or serial port of the computer.

2

PowerLinc II
Plug-iin Jack

3

Note: PowerLinc II does not have any built-in intelligence; you must use a
program running on the computer to make the home automation decisions.