Home automation has been a hobby of mine since 2008. I have used X-10, Insteon, and now most recently, Z-wave. With old X-10 switches, you barely had any choice for non-dimming loads: you had a couple of relay switch models that were very noisy, and all of these were Decora style switches. I never liked Decora style, but X-10 was an economical option at the time. Insteon has offered the ToggleLinc for years, but it still doesn't feel like a normal switch. With the micro switch, you just wire it in behind your existing switch. It should fit, but it's tight. This micro switch is slightly smaller than the Z-Wave version, but the difference isn't really as big as you'd think when you read the dimensions of both products.
These are the pros:
1. This switch is quiet. You barely hear the relay click when it turns on or off.
2. It's fast. There is almost no delay in switching that you might notice with some of the old X-10 modules. For comparison, Insteon ON/OFF switches should send commands out at around 13 kilobits/sec, while X-10 products transmit data at 60 bits/sec. Z-wave is even faster at up to 40 kilobits/sec. These are like EPA mileage estimates, though, and don't actually give information about reliability and real world speed.
3. It's relatively small. You should be able to easily fit one of these in a single gang, 18 cubic inch box behind a regular toggle switch. I have several duplex switches where I have squeezed two modules behind the switch in 22 cubic inch, single gang boxes. I wouldn't recommend this, though. In some cases, I cut an opening for a dual gang box and installed a retrofit plus two toggle switches in the duplex switches place.
4. It's a repeater, controller, and responder. This means it will repeat Insteon commands, so your network is strengthened. It can be set to control other Insteon devices. This is useful if you have, for example a bunch of Insteon controlled floor lamps that you always turn on or off in combination with this device and you don't have a remote handy and/or local control is inconvenient. It will likewise respond to other Insteon devices in a group.
5. You can use it in your X-10 system if you don't have an Insteon controller. It will receive and transmit X-10 over the power line, it looks like, but I don't use this feature. It does not repeat X-10 commands, so if you are looking for an alternative to installing a phase coupler to improve X-10 signals on different phases, this isn't it.
Here are the cons:
1. It's not 100% reliable for all installed modules. Sometimes commands are missed by my software/controller set-up. I use the Insteon 2413U PowerLinc (USB) Controller with HomeSeer HS3 software and an additional 3rd party plug in. According to this software, 1 of 6 micro modules fails to receive a command 19% of the time. To be fair, the other 5 miss commands 0-2% of the time.
2. As with all Insteon and Z-wave modules, you need an Insteon-specific controller to actually control the modules. There are non-software options out there for all three protocols: X-10, Insteon, and Z-Wave. Just check the Smarthome website for these types of devices. I have seen this listed as a complaint for Insteon devices, but it's not really a con for me.
3. Unlike its Z-Wave counterpart, the Insteon module doesn't collect any energy usage data. I actually prefer the slightly larger Aeon Labs Z-wave module for this reason. With these I can actually tell if a switched device is in use based on the reported Watts used. This works well if you want to wire it in behind an outlet that controls a plasma TV, for example. For lights, though, the Insteon is great. You can tell the switches ON/OFF status remotely, which is enough for my lighting applications. Again, though, you have to have the software and controller to take advantage of these advanced features.
4. Programming the device can get very complicated. If you stick to the defaults (, it's totally fine.
5. The leads for the sensing wires are a joke. I think they're 26 gauge. I spliced them to some stranded 18 AWG copper wire and connected that to the switch. This is just much sturdier.
6. For multi-way wiring (3-way switches), you need multiple modules. Insteon doesn't make cheaper auxillary or slave switches. Keep in mind you need hot, neutral, and a connection to the load for each installed Insteon module.
7. It's not dual band for Insteon commands. It only transmits these commands over RF, which in most cases is a more reliable form of communication than over the power line. If you want to use an Insteon device to bridge your two (or three) electrical phases in your home, look for Insteon products labeled dual band. These will receive an RF signal and retransmit it over the powerline on the phase on which it's installed. This can be important if you have a lot of power line only Insteon devices that just aren't responding reliably. Insteon commands transmitted on one phase must go all the way back to the transformer outside your house before they are received by devices on the other phase. These signals are likely to degrade.
| Manufacturer | Insteon |
|---|---|
| Part Number | 2443-222 |
| Item Weight | 2.4 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 3 x 3 x 2.25 inches |
| Item model number | 2443-222 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | 4.20in. x 4.20in. x 1.30in. |
| Color | White |
| Style | Micro On/Off Module |
| Material | Metal |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Number Of Pieces | 1 |
| Mounting Type | Wall Mount |
| Switch Style | Toggle Switch, Pushbutton Switch |
| Special Features | Easy to Install |
| Usage | Commercial/Residential |
| Included Components | Quick Start Guide (1x), Insteon 2443-222 Micro On/Off Module (1x) |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Warranty Description | 2 year manufacturer, limited |
