How to Build Bluetooth Enabled Standard US 15A Receptacle using Intel Edison

Mitch

This is a great idea but we have some concerns over the electrical safety aspects.

The community is international, and therefore different laws apply, but safe electrical practices should always apply.

We've identified these issues :-

1. The box is metal but is earthed only via the screw from the sockets. (In the picture below the box is completely unearthed until assembled)

2. The USB lead should be 50mm away from mains voltages, but having it next to the mains cable is increasing any spikes, etc.

3. Your fixing of some the boards is not permanent and therefore over time they could come in contact with the terminals.

4. The relay might be mains rated but only a few of these modules have the required track width and electical isolation to be safe.

5. The relay is labelled as 10A with no fuse to reduce it to less than the 15A source. (You also label this as 15A)

With all due respect I'm not sure why you needed an outdoor enclosure.

I couldn't see any protection/sealing on the cables, and since it is portable it can have moisture come in from the rear side of the cover.

I know you did mention it wasn't waterproof so why bother with this enclosure and cover.

Please don't feel you are being personally targeted.

We highlight unsafe practices regardless of who posts them in the hope that people understand the dangers of mains voltages.

Thanks

Mark

A disclaimer has been placed in the video

A disclaimer has been placed in the video

Hi Mitch,

Whereabouts in the 35 minute video is the disclaimer? I can't see it, perhaps I missed it if it was brief.

(Remembering the boy from Ohio who was trying to build a Jacob's Ladder from Youtube videos; if some people

can't see the disclaimer then others may miss it too).

I have taken down the video.  No one has to worry about anyone getting killed.

Hi Mitch,

I can still see it, here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2M41n6fyiI&feature=youtu.be

(I cleared my cache too). Maybe it is accidentally still cached on my side. Is it still visible for others, or just me?

Mitch

Thanks for your response.

I wasn't expecting the video to be removed, but maybe some explanations here on the element14 website rather than just a link.

It is a good detailed explanation but just needs tweaking slightly to make it safer.

Robert Peter Oakes and I are more than happy to assist with advice in order to help you make it safe.

Would you consider posting it as a blog here rather than a video.?

Thanks

Mark

the link still works.