Radio Shack Plug 'n Power 61-2677C User manual

Cat. No. 61-2677C
OWNER’S MANUAL
Please read before using this equipment.
Mini Remote Control Center
D
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©1999 Tandy Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
RadioShack and Plug ’N Power are registered trademarks
used by Tandy Corporation.
INTRODUCTION
With your RadioShack Mini Remote Control Center you can
discover the convenience, comfort, and security of a Plug ’N
Power®system.
You can turn off all lights and appliances plugged into your
Plug ’N Power Mini Remote Control Center with the touch of
one button from anywhere in your home.
The Mini Remote Control Center lets you control up to eight
groups of lights or appliances anywhere in your house, us-
ing special modules (not included). There are several differ-
ent types of modules — some plug into AC outlets and
others replace wall outlets or wall switches, so you can tailor
your system to your needs. RadioShack stocks a wide
range of modules and Plug ’N Power accessories.
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CONTENTS
Preparation ....................................................................... 4
House Codes ................................................................ 5
Unit Codes .................................................................... 6
Installation ........................................................................ 7
Setting Up the Control Center ....................................... 7
Setting Up the Modules ................................................. 7
Setting the Module’s Codes ........................................ 12
Connecting Lights or Appliances to Modules .............. 13
Operation ........................................................................ 14
Controlling Modules by Unit Codes ............................. 14
Turning On All Lights ................................................... 15
Turning Off All Units .................................................... 16
Dimming Lights ........................................................... 17
Manual Control of Lights and Appliances .................... 18
Intercom Interference .................................................. 19
Power Interruptions ..................................................... 19
Safety Precautions ........................................................ 20
Troubleshooting ............................................................ 22
Plug ’N Power System Chart ....................................... 24
Care ................................................................................. 25
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PREPARATION
Plug ’N Power controllers, such as your Mini Remote Con-
trol Center send out high-frequency signals through your
household’s wiring system. The Plug ’N Power modules (not
included) receive the controller’s signals and turn the con-
nected lights or appliances on or off. Be sure to carefully
read this manual and the manuals that come with the mod-
ules. They are designed to help you get the most from your
Plug ’N Power system.
Example of a Plug ’N Power System In Use
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Two different types of codes — house codes and unit
codes — allow you to control many different modules or
groups of modules within your home. It is important that you
understand how these codes are used before you set up
your system.
HOUSE CODES
The house code is the master code for a
Plug ’N Power system. Set HOUSE CODE
on the controller and all the modules it
controls to the same house code (A
through P). You can operate two or more
independent Plug ’N Power systems in
your home by using a different house
code for each system. Each system must
have its own controller and modules.
Different house codes also help you avoid interference be-
tween your Plug ’N Power system and other similar systems
in your neighborhood.
AC
E
G
I
K
M
O
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UNIT CODES
In each Plug ’N Power system, you can
operate up to 16 different modules or
groups of modules. Set UNIT CODE to the
desired code (1–16). The controller lets
you independently control each group of
modules that you set to the same unit
code.
The Mini Remote Control Center is intended for small Plug
’N Power systems and does not provide independent control
of all 16 unit codes. You can use it to independently control
only unit codes 1
through 8. (The Mini Controller’s ALL
LIGHTS ON and ALL UNITS OFF commands affect modules
with unit codes 1–16. (See “Operation” on Page 14.) If you
need independent control of more than eight groups of mod-
ules, we suggest our 16-Button Controller, available at your
local RadioShack store.
13
5
7
9
11
13
15
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INSTALLATION
SETTING UP THE CONTROL CENTER
Because the Mini Remote
Control Center controls the
modules through your exist-
ing house wiring, set up of the
controller is easy. Plug the
controller’s AC cord into a
convenient AC outlet, then
set
HOUSE CODE to any one
of the 16 house codes (A
through P).
SETTING UP THE MODULES
The following are types of Plug ’N Power modules available
from RadioShack. We include a brief description of each
type here, but be sure to read and follow the instructions
that come with each module. Other types of modules are
also available. If you have special Plug ’N Power needs, ask
for assistance at your local RadioShack store.
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Appliance Modules — These modules
are designed to control small appliances
that draw up to 500 W of power and
have a two-prong, polarized AC plug.
You can also use appliance modules to
control resistive-load motors rated at 15
amps, 1/3horsepower. Appliance mod-
ules are not affected by the controller’s
ALL LIGHTS ON command; this helps
prevent accidental activation of an appliance.
You can use appliance modules to control up to 500 W of in-
candescent lighting, but the lights will not respond to the
ALL LIGHTS ON command. See “Turning On All Lights” on
Page 15.
Universal Appliance Modules — Univer-
sal modules are the same as appliance
modules; however, these modules provide
connections for appliances that have 3-
prong, grounded plugs. You must plug
these modules into 3-prong AC outlets.
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Lamp Dimmer Modules — These mod-
ules are designed to control lamps, and
can be dimmed from the controller. You
can connect up to 300 W of incandescent
lighting to these modules. Lamp dimmer
modules respond to the controller’s ALL
LIGHTS ON command.
Caution: Use the modules only for lighting devices. Some
devices might be damaged by use of the dimmer circuit. Do
not use this type of module with light fixtures that have built-
in dimmers.
Wall Switch Modules — These modules re-
place an existing wall switch, and allow you
to manually control the lights. You can con-
nect up to 500 W of incandescent lighting
with one of these modules. Wall switch mod-
ules respond to the controller’s ALL LIGHTS
ON command.
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Caution: Do not use the lamp dimmer, wall switch, or 3-way
wall switch modules with fluorescent lighting.
3-Way Wall Switch Mod-
ules — These modules are
similar to wall switch mod-
ules, except that they are de-
signed to control a light that
is currently controlled by two
different wall switches. The
3-way modules come with a
companion switch to replace
the second existing switch.
The 3-way modules respond
to the controller’s ALL
LIGHTS ON command and
can control up to 500 W of incandescent lighting. Of course,
you can also control these switches manually.
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Wall Outlet Modules — These modules completely replace
existing wall outlets, but you control only one of a module’s
receptacles from your controller. The other receptacle is al-
ways on.
You can connect appliances that draw a total
of up to 1800 W to an outlet module. Be-
cause you might use an outlet module to
control appliances, these modules do not re-
spond to the controller’s ALL LIGHTS ON
command.
Warnings:
• The switch and outlet modules require
direct connection to your house wiring. Be sure that the
electricity is turned off at the circuit breaker while you
are installing one of these modules. If you are not famil-
iar with typical house wiring installations, we suggest
that you have these types of modules professionally in-
stalled.
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• Low-voltage electricity flows through the circuit con-
trolled by a switch module, even when the switch is off.
This is necessary for proper operation of the switch
module. You can completely turn off the electricity by
setting the switch’s disable switch to off (left).
Caution: Do not use a wall outlet module to replace an out-
let that is controlled by a wall switch.
SETTING THE MODULE’S CODES
Set HOUSE CODE on all your modules to the same letter as
HOUSE CODE on your controller (Athrough P).
When setting the UNIT CODE, make sure that all modules
that are set to the same unit code respond as a group. If you
have several modules controlling lights in a single room, set
them to the same unit code. (If you set every light module to
a different unit code, you might not have enough separate
unit codes to complete your system.)
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CONNECTING LIGHTS OR
APPLIANCES TO MODULES
Caution: Before you con-
nect any light or appliance
to a module, press ALL
UNITS OFF. This assures
that all of the modules are
powered off.
Set the power switch on the light or appliance to the on posi-
tion, then plug the light or appliance directly into the plug’s
power module. Plug the module into a wall outlet, if neces-
sary.
Write down your unit codes, module locations, and connect-
ed devices on the supplied chart. (See “Plug ’N Power Sys-
tem Chart” on Page 24.)
See “Operation” on Page 14 to test each module. See
“Troubleshooting” on Page 22 if your system does not work
properly.
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OPERATION
Operation of a Plug ’N Power system is simple, but be sure
that you have a complete chart of your system close by so
you know exactly what you are controlling. See the “Plug ’N
Power System Chart” on Page 24.
Note: Each switch on your controller performs two functions
— ON or OFF, BRIGHT or DIM, and so on. These functions
are clearly marked. Pressing the top of a rocker switch acti-
vates one function and pressing the bottom activates anoth-
er. When you press a button, the transmit indicator lights,
indicating that a signal has been sent.
CONTROLLING MODULES BY UNIT
CODES
You can control any module or group of modules that you
set for a particular unit code. Of course, all of the modules
must be set to the same house code as the controller. (See
“House Codes” on Page 5.)
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1. Set the mini controller’s selector switch to the desired
unit code range (1–4or 5–8).
2. To turn on all the devices connected to modules with
the same unit code setting, press ON for the desired
unit code switch (1/5, 2/6, 3/7, or 4/8).
3. To turn off all the devices connected to modules with
the same unit code setting, press OFF for the desired
unit code switch (1/5, 2/6, 3/7, or 4/8).
TURNING ON ALL LIGHTS
To turn on all the lights that are connected to light dimmer
modules, wall switch modules, or 3-way switch modules,
press
ALL LIGHTS ON.
Warning: Do not use a module that responds to the ALL
LIGHTS ON command to control potentially dangerous devic-
es (such as heaters or fans, for example).
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Note: The modules must be set to the same house code as
the controller, but not necessarily the same unit codes. In
fact, modules set to unit codes 9–16 respond to ALL LIGHTS
ON even though your mini controller cannot independently
control modules set to unit codes above 8. (If you are using
the mini controller as a second controller in a Plug ’N Power
system, you might encounter this situation.)
TURNING OFF ALL UNITS
To turn off all devices that are connected to modules that
you set to the same house code as the controller, press ALL
UNITS OFF. This feature is especially useful when you want
to turn off everything at the same time.
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DIMMING LIGHTS
You can dim any lights that are connected to lamp dimmer
modules.
1. Set the mini controller’s selector switch to the desired
unit code range (1–4or 5–8).
2. Press the ON switch for the unit code of the lamp dim-
mer modules you want to dim (1/5, 2/6, 3/7, or 4/8).
3. Hold down DIM until the light dims to the desired level. If
you dim the lights too much, hold down BRIGHT to raise
the light level.
Caution: Do not connect anything other than a lamp to a
lamp dimmer module. The dimmer circuit might damage
other devices.
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MANUAL CONTROL OF LIGHTS AND
APPLIANCES
Even though your lights and appliances are connected to
Plug ’N Power modules, you can still turn most of them on
and off manually.
• For most products, simply turn the power switch off and
back on again.
• For 3-way lamps, you might have to turn the lamp’s
switch several times before the light turns on.
• You always have manual control of wall switch modules
by simply using their on/off buttons.
• You cannot manually turn on instant-on TVs that are
connected to Plug ’N Power modules.
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INTERCOM INTERFERENCE
Some intercoms also send signals through the house wiring.
If you have this type of system, it is likely that it will interfere
with the operation of your Plug ’N Power system. However,
it will interfere only when both systems are in use at the
same time (if you leave an intercom in a child’s room in the
transmit mode, for example). If this is a problem, use an in-
tercom that has its own separate wiring system.
POWER INTERRUPTIONS
When power is restored after a power failure, lamp dimmer
modules and both types of wall switch modules default to
OFF. Appliance modules remain in the state they were in be-
fore the power failure.
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SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
• Do not attempt to control lights or appliances that ex-
ceed the ratings of the modules. If you want to control
appliances that exceed the ratings of the standard mod-
ules, ask your RadioShack salesperson for assistance.
• Do not connect a heating appliance to your Plug ’N
Power system.
• If you want to control fluorescent, mercury vapor, sodi-
um vapor, or low-voltage lights, ask your RadioShack
salesperson for assistance.
• Do not use lamp dimmer modules to control light fix-
tures that have built-in dimmers.
• Do not use wall switch or 3-way switch modules to re-
place switches that control wall outlets or non-lighting
devices.
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