Wifi Interference
Wifi Interference
I'm running apple airport extreme with multiple airport express units extended the network at my home. I've noticed that some of my Insteon devices quit responding to Indigo. When I go to my airport utility and change the channel, the problem is solved until it starts happening again. I'm wondering if anyone else is having the same issue? If so, is there a channel 1-11 with less interference?
Re: Wifi Interference
It's not really possible for the radio signals from AirPort base stations to interfere with INSTEON radio signals. INSTEON uses s specific frequency around 915 MHz while all wifi devices use various frequencies in either the 2.4 GHz (2400 MHz) band or the 5.4 GHz (5400 MHz) band. Both of those bands are way too far apart to interfere with 900 MHz band radios. So selecting a specific wifi channel will make no difference as none of them will interfere.
However, the AirPort electronics may either be creating line noise on your power line or "dampening" (muting) the power line frequency used by INSTEON modules to communicate over the power line. Also, surge protectors often dampen the 131 kHz INSTEON power line carrier, so if your AirPorts are plugged into surge protectors, they could likely be causing the problem. The fact that changing the AirPort channel seems to resolve the issue may simply be that changing the channel forces the AirPort to reboot. That reboot may change the condition of the power source electronics in the AirPort (thus temporarily reducing power line interference).
Try this... Pick one of the AirPorts to which changing the channel helps the INSTEON signal. Unplug the surge protector the AirPort is plugged into, or if the AirPort isn't plugged into a surge protector, unplug the AirPort from the wall. Leave it unplugged longer than it usually takes for the INSTEON communication problem to re-appear. If the INSTEON communication problem doesn't re-appear, you've found the source of the problem and you'll want to get a FilterLinc to plug your surge protector/AirPort into. I have lots of FilterLincs in my house because without them my INSTEON network is nearly useless. They make a big difference, especially with digital electronics and surge protectors.
However, the AirPort electronics may either be creating line noise on your power line or "dampening" (muting) the power line frequency used by INSTEON modules to communicate over the power line. Also, surge protectors often dampen the 131 kHz INSTEON power line carrier, so if your AirPorts are plugged into surge protectors, they could likely be causing the problem. The fact that changing the AirPort channel seems to resolve the issue may simply be that changing the channel forces the AirPort to reboot. That reboot may change the condition of the power source electronics in the AirPort (thus temporarily reducing power line interference).
Try this... Pick one of the AirPorts to which changing the channel helps the INSTEON signal. Unplug the surge protector the AirPort is plugged into, or if the AirPort isn't plugged into a surge protector, unplug the AirPort from the wall. Leave it unplugged longer than it usually takes for the INSTEON communication problem to re-appear. If the INSTEON communication problem doesn't re-appear, you've found the source of the problem and you'll want to get a FilterLinc to plug your surge protector/AirPort into. I have lots of FilterLincs in my house because without them my INSTEON network is nearly useless. They make a big difference, especially with digital electronics and surge protectors.