X10 MC460 User Manual

Mini Controller
Owner’s Manual

Model MC460

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

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

Introduction

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 X10 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 X10 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.

Using the Mini Controller

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Finder Label is a convenient place to indicate the locations of lights and appliances controller by
your system. There is one box for each unit key.

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