PowerSwitch Tail for 240V/UK

Preamble

Again from Building Wireless Sensor Networks, a project makes use of the PowerSwitch Tail to control a mains lamp, using a TTL signal.

PowerSwitch Tail II

However this is only designed for 120V (US).

IMPORTANT

The main thing to bear in mind is that the device will be controlling mains devices, up to 13A, and that as it is a remotely controlled device, that means that you will probably be using it when you are a long way from home, and as such, you will not be able to manually deal with any electrical issues, such as sparking, overheating and cut outs, as so you will want it to be as safe and reliable as possible. You don’t want to come home to a burnt out shell, now do you?

Options available for the UK market

So, what options exist for the UK, using the 240V mains?

• Well there is a PowerSwitch IIU-240V kit, but you have to wire up the cables yourself. Sure, it is not difficult, but then again, it won’t have a BS kite mark, now will it? 🙂
• Chinese naked circuits/modules off eBay – likely to catch fire. Plus, they seem to be capable of only handling 1A – 2A loads, which is insufficient. There are also, earthing, or a lack thereof, considerations. An example of such a module is the 5V 1 Channel SSR G3MB-202P Solid State Relay Module With Resistive Fuse 240V 2A, for £1.84

Solid State Relay Module with Resistive Fuse 240V 2A.JPG

There is the 1/2/3/4 Channel 5V LED Relay Module Raspberry Pi Arduino electric imp 240V 230V, for £3.00, which uses the ubiquitous 10A relay.

1 Channel 240V 10A Relay

• From Taiwan, 24V-380V 10A 250V SSR-10 DA Solid State Relay Module 3-32V DC To AC TOP, for £2. Seems to have the EU standards mark.

  

  3V-32V DC to 24V-380V AC 10A Relay

• RF switchable devices, used with Pi: Pi-mote Control starter kit with 2 sockets

Pi-mote remote controlled socket

Pi-mote controller board

 

Links

• Controlling dangerous electricity for the hobbyist- ec1mains1 – as well as listing the 240V kit vrsion of the PowerSwitch Tail, this also gives the alternative Winford Engineering option.
• Raspberry Pi • View topic – UK Mains Control which suggests the RF controlled option
• UK PowerSwitch Tail Alternative
• UK alternative to PowerSwitch Tail : electronics
• A look inside the PowerSwitch Tail, PowerSwitch Tail II | mbed

European Wiring Inside a PowerSwitch Tail II