On Sat, 14 Dec 2019 07:45:54 -0500, Pat
wrote:

On Fri, 13 Dec 2019 18:25:48 -0500, Clare Snyder
wrote:

On Fri, 13 Dec 2019 13:01:26 -0600, Mark Lloyd
wrote:

On 12/12/19 1:18 PM, trader_4 wrote:

[snip]

Again, only with some of the devices, eg a wall switch. There is no current
through the load with the appliance modules, when it's off.

I found an online schematic of an appliance module. Notice what is
connected to the HOT side of the output (the relay is not the only thing).

[snip]
Of course not - but check the scematic - is the "not the only thing"
part IN SERIES with the terminals of the relay???????. Is it in series
with the load with the relay contacts open?????

Forward the link to the schematic

I have used X-10 modules for nearly all of the 40 years since they
were introduced. Even though they were relay based, the appliance
modules did send a small amount of current through the load. This was
NOT to power the device, but rather to sense if the load was there.
You could turn a module on by sending the appropriate X-10 command to
it -or- by turning the load off then on. That was a great idea except
power glitches would often cause an appliance module to turn on
unintentionly. There were many articles written about how to disable
the feature. I can't remember the exact details, but you cut out a
particular diode or resistor. After the mod, the module could only be
controlled via X-10 signals and no current flowed through the load
when off. That was the whole story for decades until CCFLs and LEDs
came along causing the sensing current to become a serious issue. I
think they started producing appliance modules without the sensing
feature for that reason, but I never bought any that way. So, getting
back to the post I am responding to... What schematic? One from the
late 70s? 80s? 90s? 2000's. I am sure there were many slightly
different designs along the way.
Pat

The schematic the poster claimed to have checked.
And the only X10 units I have experienced problems with switching
non-incandescent lamp loads with wwere lamp modules, not appliance
modules - going back 30 years or so. I'm sure all of my current
devices are over 25 years old - and some DEFINITELY over 30.