X10 MC10A User Manual

Introduction

Using the Mini Controller

The X10 Mini Controller lets you remotely control lights and appliances from anywhere in your
home. You can keep it by the bedside and turn off the TV without getting out of bed. You can turn
off your child’s radio or night light from your bedroom. You can turn on ALL lights connected to
Lamp Modules and Wall Switch Modules with the push of a button if you hear a suspicious noise
at night. You can even turn off everything in the system with one button to save energy. How
many times have you gone to bed and left a downstairs light on because you didn’t want to get out
of bed to turn it off? Now you don’t have to.

Caution: Be very careful when you use your Mini Controller with any kind of appliance. If you
accidentally turn on an empty coffee pot for example, you could burn out the element and even
create a fire hazard. Switching on an unattended heater could also cause a serious fire hazard.

The Mini Controller activates lights and appliances throughout your home from any convenient
location. The Mini Controller transmits signals to the Modules over your existing house wiring.
You plug lamps into Lamp Modules, plug appliances into Appliance Modules and replace wall
light switches with Wall Switch Modules. You can then control virtually everything electrical in
your home. You can also dim and brighten lights.

How it works

The Mini Controller tells the Modules what to do. Command signals are sent over your existing
house wiring to the Module or Modules of your choice. The Modules respond to the command
signals. The Lamp Module turns on and off, and dims and brightens any incandescent lamp up to 300
watts. The Appliances Module turns on and off appliances such as a TV, (not “instant on” TVs), a
window fan, or a stereo. It can also be used for a lamp - but cannot dim it. The Wall Switch Module
turns on and off, and dims and brightens an incandescent light up to 500 watts, which is normally
operated by a wall switch.

Setting up the Mini Controller

1. To install your Mini Controller, simply plug the power cord into any functioning wall outlet.

2. Set the slide switch on the top of the Mini Controller for the Modules you want it to control (1
thru 4 or 5 thru 8).

3. Using a small screwdriver, choose one the 16 letters on the Mini Controller’s Housecode dial.
All X10 Modules have a similar red Housecode dial. Set the Mini Controller and all the Modules
to be controlled by it to the same Housecode letter.

Having 16 choices for the Housecode lets you set up several independent systems in one home
without interaction among them. Also, you can avoid interference with, or from a neighbor’s system
by choosing a different Housecode letter.

Set the Housecode dial

To turn ON a light or appliance

Press and release the TOP of one of the 4 number keys corresponding to the Unit Code set on the
Module to be controlled.

To turn all lights on (i.e. all lamps connected to Lamp Modules or Wall Switch Modules set to the
same House Code) press the TOP of the All Lights On/All Units Off key. This key does not affect
Appliance Modules.

To turn OFF a light or appliance

Press and release the BOTTOM of one of the 4 number keys corresponding to the Unit Code set on
the Module to be controlled.

To turn off all modules, including Appliance Modules, press the bottom of the All Lights On/All
Units Off key.

To Dim or Brighten lights

Press and release the TOP of the number key for the Lamp Module or Wall Switch Module you want
to Dim or Brighten (you can’t Dim or Brighten Appliance Modules). Then press the TOP of the Dim/
Bright key to Brighten or the BOTTOM of the Dim/Bright key to Dim the light. Hold the key pressed
until the desired brightness level is reached.

Problem Solving

If a particular module won’t go on or off from the buttons on the Mini Controller:

Check that you have power to the outlet controlling the Module and the switch on the light or
appliance is ON.

Check that the Unit Code on the Module is set to the correct number. Check the 1-4/5-8 selector on
the the Mini Controller. Check that the Housecode dial on the Module and the Mini Controller. The
Housecode on the Module and the Mini Controller must be set to the same letter.

Try plugging the Module and the Mini Controller into the same outlet. If the Module doesn’t work in
ANY outlet, not even with the Module and the Mini Controller in the same duplex receptacle (top
and bottom) the Module might be defective. Contact www.x10.com/support if you need help.

If you can’t control ANY modules from the Mini Controller

Check that you have power to the outlet for the Mini Controller. Check that the Housecode on the
Mini Controller is set correctly. Try plugging the Module and the Mini Controller into the same
outlet. If NONE of your Modules work in ANY outlet, not even with the Module and the Mini
Controller in the same duplex receptacle (top and bottom) the Mini Controller might be defective.
Contact www.x10.com/support if you need help.

Intercom Systems

Intercom systems which send voice signals over existing electrical wiring may interfere with the
operation of the Mini Controller when the intercom is in use. If the Intercom system has its own
separate wiring it will not cause a problem.

Power Interruptions

When the power is restored after an outage, Lamp Modules and Wall Switch Modules will normally
be OFF. Appliance Modules will stay as they were before the interruption.

Local Control

Lights and appliances connected to plug-in Modules can be turned ON with their own power switch.
Simply turn the switch OFF then ON again once or twice. For lamps with three-way bulbs, you might
have to rotate the power switch a few times before the light comes on.

The Wall Switch Module can be turned ON or OFF locally using its push button. The power On-Off
switch on the Wall Switch Module is used to completely turn off the power. For example, when
changing a light bulb.

X10 Wireless Technology, Inc. Limited One Year Warranty

X10.com, a division of X10 Wireless Technology, Inc. (X10) warrants X10 products to be
free from defective material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the original
date of purchase at retail. X10 agrees to repair or replace, at its sole discretion, a defective X10
product if returned to X10 within the warranty period and with proof of purchase.
is required under this warranty:

Call 1-800-442-5065, visit www.x10.com, or e-mail [e-mail].

If service

MC10A-5/07

Model MC10A

Mini Controller
Owner’s Manual

X10.com, a division of X10 Wireless Technology, Inc.

3824 North 5th St., Suite C,
North Las Vegas, NV 89032