This window is where you enter information about an X10
switch. For the Name field, enter something that briefly and
uniquely describes the switch. Use the Description field if you
have any more information you want to put about the switch. These fields
will show up in the selection list and in the log file.
The House Code is the X10 house code that the switch is set for. This can be A though P. The default house code for X10 devices is A. You may want to pick a different one than that for your devices just in case your neighbor gets X10 and doesn't change the house code. Otherwise it's possible your switches may conflict with your neighbors. This could still happen if you change it, but it's not as likely.
The Unit Code is the unit code of the particular X10 device. Usually, devices that you want to control with a key chain remote should occupy the lowest unit codes, then those you want to control with a remote should occupy the next unit codes, and devices that you will only control via Home Domination are the best choice for the higher codes. However for some of these remotes, you can program the starting unit code, so then it doesn't really matter which unit codes you use as long as they are next to each other.
The Pilot Sensor can be used if you have a sensor that can detect if the device is on or off. This allows the status of the switch to be updated even if it is manually switched. For instance, perhaps you have a motion sensor and a switch in a room with no windows. X10 motion sensors can be set up to use the next unit code to indicate whether it is day or night. So if the motion sensor is set up for A1, then you can add one sensor for A1 to detect motion, and another sensor for A2 to detect if it's day or night. If it's a dark room then you can assume that if A2 is on that the light is off, and if it is off, then the light is on (since the sensor is on at night, off during the day).
If the Don't Show in Activity List check box is checked, then when the switch is triggered, it won't show it in the log on the main screen. This can be handy if it's a switch that is triggered frequently, and you don't want it to clutter the log. By default, it will show up in the log when it's triggered.
If the Include on Main Window check box is checked, then it will appear on the "Switches" tab. The switches tab allows you to see what switches have been triggered recently. It can also manually be triggered from that window so you can simulate the switch being triggered. By default, it will be shown in the switches tab on the main window.
The Access Level field indicates the access level a user must have in order to control the switch. For instance, if the access level is "General", and a user's item access level is "Limited", they will not be able to trigger the switch from the Switches tab on the main screen or from the network client, where if the user has an item access level of "General" or Privileged", they will be able to trigger it. If the access level is set to Privileged, then only people with an item access level of "Privileged" will be able to trigger the switch.