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Using an Arduino to Turn on the Lights

Former Member

I've recently been working with home automation stuff using Arduino and Raspberry Pi. I only got into electronics just a few months ago and I need some help on this design I'm working on. The idea is to be able to remotely trigger lights that are already hooked up to a wall switch, I'd like to still be able to use the switch though as well. I created a schematic in Fritzing as it is the most user friendly software I know of, there is also a visual diagram and a PCB layout. To  be able to control the arduino wirelessly I use the HopeRFM69HW module, I didn't include this in the layout because it is not important and not what this is really about. The circuit works (at least in theory) by triggering a relay using an Arduino Pro Mini, when tripped the 110V flows through the relay and into the light. Hopefully some of you can give me some pointers on whether or not this will work and if it does not how I could fix it. Thanks!

 

I've included several PDF's all named accordingly to what they are, keep in mind on the PCB with components file things like the button and light would not actually be mounted on the board but attached with wires leading off the board.

Attachments:
imageRelay_bb.pdf
imageRelay_pcb_components.pdf
imageRelay_pcb_no-components.pdf
imageRelay_schem.pdf
  • 0

    Your low voltage wiring on the PCB go between the mains terminals of the relay, this is not a good idea, these need to be as far away as possible from the mains voltages

     

    There is a lot of rules and regulations regrding the insulation and handling of mains in electronic systems and this vaaries between jurisdictions and countries so be sure to follow the rules for your location

     

    If you hae never woked on LETHAL voltages before then get someone experianced to help and oversee the mains side of things (You mention only getting into electronics a few months ago but dont mention if you have electrical skills or not.)

     

    Technically your circuit should work but I would add a resistor of a few hundred ohms in series with the LED, this will limit the current through it and prevent damage to the MCU pin it is connected to

     

    If this is your first venture into "Automation" then i would for safety sake try with low power lighting like LEDs, you can get some great 10W LEDs that will work very well and un of a safe power supply / adapter and still provide the learning experiance.

     

    MAINS is nothing to trifle with and not worth the risk as a learning project. Once your trained and have built up the skills and experiance then re-visit it, till then I would sugges the safer route of he low voltage but equally fun Power LED's, even adding full blown RGB power LEDs can be great fun. I am currently experementing with a 50W RGB LED, that would be equivelent to perhaps a 500W candecent bulb... cool stuff (Well not really, it still gets very hot and needs significant cooling image )


    Be safe and live to create tomorows projects, not just todays.

  • 0 in reply to Robert Peter Oakes

    Thanks for your input, as far as my electrical skills go I am pretty inexperienced. I'm only 16 years old and the only real "electrical" work I've done is mount and wire up some lights in my attic to a switch. I do want to clarify that although I may some day want to do this project, witch my current knowledge it was more of just a proof of concept type thing.

     

    I'm trying to learn more about how AC voltage works and this definetely wouldn't be the project to start on. I'll check out those LED's you mentioned and experiment around. Thanks again!

     

    Brayton

  • 0 in reply to Former Member

    You can also consider using low voltage AC bulbs and devices. It is simply a case of getting a nice AC transformer wall wart that gives out say 12VAC, then you can play with AC but in a safe way

     

    good luck and dont forget were here to help and willing to do so

     

    Peter

  • 0 in reply to Former Member

    Great you recognise your limits. ...it's safer that way. image

     

    You might want to look at using some of the 433Mhz RF Outlets sued in the Forget Me Not challenge, and mentioned in other places.

    These allow you to remotely control outlets but in total safety.

     

    Mark