120VAC to 5VDC

Question

How would I go about converting 120VAC to 5VDC?

vsluiter · Answer

Hello Harrison, If you want to do some more design work (and get a more stable / power efficient solution than the cap dropper), or look how simple phone chargers work, take a look at the site of Power Integrations . They provide the switching IC's that do the conversion in -for example- phone chargers. This reference design might do what you want! Victor

bodgy · Answer

If you are a beginner and would like to build your own power supply, you should consider making an isolated power supply, from both a safety and not blowing up your Arduino accidently point of view. You would need to use a power supply that has a mains transformer in it. This would be pretty simple to make, but on th eother hand as has been mentioned you could buy a mains rated plug pack that has all the safety features built in. For a home made one, you need a fuse, 120 -> 9v transformer, a diode bridge or just two diodes (depends on the transformer you buy), a capacitor and a voltage regulator 7805 or similar. That will make a basic power supply. The transformer needs to be rated at, at least 1.8VA . Circuits with actual parts and part numbers can be made if you wish. There are many websites with basic linear power supply circuits. Colin