X10 CM15A User Manual

ActiveHome Pro

USB 2-Way
Home Automation System

MODEL CM15A

OWNER’S MANUAL

(Please keep for future reference)

1

INTRODUCTION

Introduction

Welcome to the world of Home Automation.
You now have the power to control your whole home from your

computer! With ActiveHome Pro and your X10 Modules you can
create schedules for your lights and appliances, set up groups of
commands for your daily life, and keep lights and appliances off
when they’re not in use. Use ActiveHome Pro to make your home
more comfortable, and more secure.

The X10 ActiveHome Pro software, in conjunction with the
Interface, lets you control lights and appliances around your home
when used with X10 Modules.

When you purchased the X10 ActiveHome Pro Computer Interface
you received an e-mail containing a link entitled “New Software
Download Link.”

Important: Please download and install the X10 ActiveHome Pro

software from the link in the e-mail you received before you plug in the
Interface.

This Owner’s Manual shows you how to get started with ActiveHome Pro,
get the most out of its advanced features, and see what X10 Home
Automation products can do. Because ActiveHome Pro is frequently
updated, you might be notified that new versions are available when you
run it (if you’re connected to the Internet). Use this Owner’s Manual as a
guide to get you started, but be sure to read the new help information after
you install updates, since it will always be more up to date.

Controllers and Modules

The first thing you need to understand is that there are two different
devices you need to control your home - Controllers and Modules. Any
light or appliance that you want to control is plugged into a Module and
that Module is then plugged into a standard AC wall outlet.

Modules receive commands from Controllers. Examples of Modules are
the Lamp Module, Appliance Module, and Wall Switch Module.

The ActiveHome Pro Interface is a Controller: Controllers are also plugged
into standard AC wall outlets and send commands to Modules over your
existing electrical wiring in your home, without affecting your electricity in
any way.

The ActiveHome Pro Interface is also a Transceiver: When it receives a
command from a wireless remote control it sends digital signals over your
existing house wiring to Modules that receive the signals and execute the
command.

The ActiveHome Pro Interface connects to your PC’s USB port and then
plugs into a standard AC wall outlet. The ActiveHome Pro software tells
the Interface what to do. The Interface then sends digital signals over your
existing house wiring to Modules that receive the signals and execute the
commands sent by the Interface.

With your ActiveHome Pro Home Automation Interface and software,
your PC becomes a very intelligent Controller for all of your home
automation tasks.

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CONTENTS

Contents

Introduction to ActiveHome Pro ........................................2

Setting Up ActiveHome Pro...............................................6

Installing the ActiveHome Pro Interface ...........................6

Operation ..........................................................................10

Using ActiveHome Pro................................................10

Creating & Editing Rooms ...............................................11

Editing Rooms .............................................................11

Adding Modules ...............................................................12

Add Module Dialog .....................................................12

Using Module Panes....................................................13

Module Types ..............................................................14

Lamp Modules.............................................................14

Appliance Modules......................................................15

Motion Sensors............................................................15

Other Modules .............................................................15

Configuration....................................................................16

Getting Data from Previous Versions ..............................16

Opening a File from the Original ActiveHome ...............16

Using ActiveHome Pro ....................................................17

Parts of ActiveHome Pro.............................................17

Controlling Lights & Appliances .....................................18

Lamps and Other Dimmable Modules ........................18

Appliance Modules......................................................18

Macros .........................................................................18

Special Modules ..........................................................19

Two-Way Modules ......................................................19

Creating Timed Events .....................................................20

Opening the Timer Designer .......................................20

Creating a New Timer .................................................20

Setting Up Timers........................................................21

Timer List ....................................................................24

Saving Timers ..............................................................25

Timer Summary View .................................................25

Using Macro Events .........................................................26

The Macro Designer ....................................................26

Module List..................................................................28

Macro Timeline ...........................................................29

Running Macros with Your Computer Off .................31

Making a Macro Step by Step .....................................31

Create the Macro .........................................................31

Step 1: Macro Information ..........................................32

Step 2: Add the First Command ..................................32

Step 3: Use a Delay .....................................................33

Step 4: Dim and Bright................................................33

Step 5: Extending Over Time ......................................34

Step 6: Room Controls ................................................34

Finishing Up ................................................................35

Macro Summary View.................................................36

Storing Timers and Macros in the Interface.....................37

Lifestyle Mode .................................................................38

Turning On Lifestyle Mode.........................................38

Using Lifestyle Mode ..................................................38

Miscellaneous...................................................................39

Troubleshooting ...............................................................44

Expanding Your System...................................................46

54

HARDWARE SETUP

Hardware Setup

Unpack these items.

Download the X10 Software. Click on the software link in the e­mail you received titled “New Software Download Link.” Before
you download the software, choose the option to save the file, and
save it onto your desktop so you can more easily access it later.

Disable or turn off your anti-virus software before you install the
software as some anti-virus programs interfere with the
installation. Remember to turn on your anti-virus program when
you finish these steps.

You should have: the interface, and a USB cable.

Install the Software. Go to your desktop and double click the
installation program you just downloaded. The software
installation process will install the driver for your CM15A
Interface and the main ActiveHome Pro Application.

76

Hardware SetupHardware Setup

Plug in the CM15A Interface (wait until the installation program
asks you to connect it).

Connect the other end of the USB cable to the CM15A Interface.

Plug the Interface into an AC outlet near your PC.

Insert four AAA alkaline batteries in the battery compartment (for
retaining the time of day if there’s a power outage).

98

OPERATION

CREATING & EDITING ROOMS

Using ActiveHome Pro

All you need to do is run your X10 ActiveHome Pro software — your
software controls the Interface. Use the entry in your Windows Start Menu,
or double-click the icon on your desktop to open the program. When the
program opens click on help for information on how to use ActiveHome
Pro.

When you create a new file, you’ll automatically be taken to the room
creation window.

Type the name of the room in the box, then choose a color for the modules
in that room. Each room can have its own color, so it’s easier to tell
modules apart in the Room View.

To create additional rooms, click on the (+) button on the Rooms bar in the
Tree Pane. This will open the room dialog again.

Editing Rooms

If you want to make changes to rooms you’ve already created, select the
room you want to change and then use the Edit Menu to choose “Edit
Room” or right-click on a room name and choose Edit Room. The Edit
Room window looks and works just like the Add a Room window.

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ADDING MODULES

Adding Modules

There are two ways to add modules to ActiveHome Pro: using the Add
Module dialog, and using the Module Panes.

Add Module Dialog

To open the Add Module window, select “Add Module” from the Edit
Menu or choose “New Module” from the Pop-Up Menu.

Using Module Panes

If you open one of the Module Panes from the Tree Pane , you can drag
new modules of the desired type directly into your room.

Enter the name you want to use for this module. It’s helpful to describe a
module’s location or how you normally use it. Choose the category of
module to add (Lamp, Appliance, etc.) and then use the drop down menu to
select the exact model number of the module you’re using. Select the room
you want the module to represented in using the drop down menu.

The House and Unit Code settings will be selected for you automatically,
but if you need to change them, use the drop down menus to do so. Click
OK to create the module.

When you drop the module, all the important information is filled in
automatically. If you want to change the name of the module or its address,
click into the module and enter the new information.

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Adding Modules

Adding Modules

Module Types

In ActiveHome Pro, X10 modules are classified into four different
categories:

Lamps: dimmable modules and those designed only for incandescent
lighting control.

Appliances: modules with only On/Off control that are designed to
be used with higher wattage loads, small motors, and more.

Sensors: battery-powered wireless motion sensors. You can’t control
sensors with ActiveHome Pro, but you can see when they have been
triggered.

Other: Modules with special features or uses, and with functions
different from lamps and appliances.

Lamp Modules

Model Name
Lev-6381 Leviton Wall Switch Module
Lev-6383 Leviton 3-way Wall Switch Module
LM14A 2-Way Lamp Module
LM15A Socket Rocket
LM465 Lamp Module
SL575 Screw-in Lamp Module
WS12A Decorator-style Wall Switch Module
WS14A Decorator-style Companion Switch
WS467 Wall Switch Module

Appliance Modules

Model Name
AM14A 2-Way Appliance Module (2-pin)
AM15A 2-Way Appliance Module (3-pin)
AM486 Appliance Module (2-pin)
AM466 Appliance Module (3-pin)
HD243 220V Heavy Duty Appliance Module (15 amp)
HD245 220V Heavy Duty Appliance Module (20 amp)
Lev-6291 Leviton Fluorescent Wall Switch Module
SR227 Split Receptacle Module
RR501 2-Way Transceiver Module
TM751 Mini-Transceiver Module

Motion Sensors

Model Name
MS12A HawkEye Motion Sensor
MS13A HawkEye 2 Motion Sensor
MS14A EagleEye Motion Sensor
MS16A ActiveEye Motion Sensor

Other Modules

Model Name
PR511 Floodlight Motion Sensor
SC546A Remote Chime Module
UM506 Universal Module

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