Mains power control

RE: Mains power control

gadget.iom — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 18:18:04 GMT

In terms of physical design this approach seems to be safer:

[View:/resized-image/__size/250x100/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-159093ba-b495-4714-88d0-9a1f932f2792/contentimage_5F00_178486.jpg:250:100]

RE: Mains power control

gadget.iom — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 12:57:42 GMT

Not specifically Pi related, but this always sends shivers down my spine!

http://www.anthony-dacko.net/PSTN-DTMF-Unit.htm

...of particular interest is the fact that despite lots of (annoying) flashing warning images he continues to wire the circuit in a switched-neutral configuration.

RE: Mains power control

Robert Peter Oakes — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 23:38:26 GMT

Looking at the pictures, aside from the fact it is on Vero board, the first one is probably the safest out of all of these. And is not bound by the codes as it is obviously built for personal use (Or I would hope so [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-159093ba-b495-4714-88d0-9a1f932f2792/contentimage_5F00_1.png:16:16] )

It is well mounted, strong strain relief on the mains cable, outlet is screwed down and no exposed connectors, we can not see the underside of the relay so we don't know the protective measures taken there but based on the rest, probably some Vero traces ripped out to provide additional clearance, even a slight indication of insulating tape on the bottom of the board, even though it is well glued down to the wood. Does it meet code, of course not but it looks like the creator has taken the time to make it reasonably safe considering the type of construction.

The PI Plate temp controller is lightly to be the one to shock people because who is not used to simply pulling the USB cable out, and then grabbing the board to take it apart. It would be far better to be at the end of a length of ribbon cable, with mounting holes to allow secure mounting . Oh and a BIG warning label about high and lethal voltages being present... It has none of that.

The middle board simple needs some strain relief (Even a cable tie or two on the inside side of the grommets would have worked there and added significant safety for so little cost.

RE: Mains power control

Problemchild — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 16:00:37 GMT

You could forgive the first one Shabaz as a prototype but he's 1 step away from "cooking tonight "if one of the Live wires comes adrift ..nasty especially with the metal buttons as well . Not sure if the chip is an Optoisolator or controller not that this would help the free wire situation on some Vero [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-159093ba-b495-4714-88d0-9a1f932f2792/6505.contentimage_5F00_403.png:16:16]

RE: Mains power control

Problemchild — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 15:43:12 GMT

It's a pitty that the Kickstarter will probably get massive funding only to find they then need to do equally massive updates when it fails EU/FCC or what ever regulations. Obviously this shape has been chosen to keep to the Pi low voltage card shape that isn't that great for 5V never mind 115/240 ... boom boom shake the room [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-159093ba-b495-4714-88d0-9a1f932f2792/contentimage_5F00_403.png:16:16]

RE: Mains power control

Robert Peter Oakes — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 15:33:47 GMT

yup, putting mains that close to the PI is definitely asking for trouble, both to the developer and to the user, it is just a matter of time before the developer inadvertently grabs the board to remove it forgetting they have left the mains plugged in

RE: Mains power control

mcb1 — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 15:14:25 GMT

Shabaz

Looking at them ...(and cringing) they aren't compliant in New Zealand (or Australia) either.

The middle one doesn't even have strain relief, and the least they could have done is made the earth lead the longest wire.

The safest way I found is the RF controlled outlets.

The 'Watts Clever' brand is able to be controlled using RCSwitch library and are made in ever counties flavour.

https://code.google.com/p/rc-switch/wiki/HowTo_Send

mark