Subj : Re: USB controlled mains switch To : All From : Adrian Date : Sun Jan 19 2025 14:01:10 In message <6pru5l-oju1.ln1@q957.zbmc.eu>, Chris Green writes >Adrian wrote: >> I'm looking for a USB controlled mains switch (230V AC) that I can >> connect to a PI to turn a mains power supply on and off. >> >> I've done a bit of digging around on the net, and the options seem to >> fall into two categories, either a relay device which means having to >> rewire the device (which I'd rather avoid), priced around 30Euros or one >> that sits in line (between the device and the supply). The latter >> appears to be in excess of 100Euros, which is considerably more than I >> want to pay. >> >I don't understand the difference. Surely anything that's going to >turn something on/off needs to be "one that sits in line (between the >device and the supply)" doesn't it? > The cheaper option involves cutting the plug off the item, and hard wiring it into the board. I've got two problems with that. Firstly, it means that I can't readily reuse that item elsewhere as I'd have to replace the plug (a bit of a faff if it is temporary move), and secondly if I'm trying to control something fed via a wall wart then it gets messy unless I leave the wall wart powered all the time (which I'd rather not do), and switch between it and the device. >Do you mean (the ones that cost 100 Euros or more) something that >already has a mains plug and socket on it? I think they're going to >be expensive simply because they aren't much in demand. What 'the >world' wants is a WiFi connected switch and they're two a penny of >course. > Trust me to be awkward :-) > >> Any suggestions on where to look ? I'm not interested in a wireless >> solution, as it is likely to be used in places where signals are not >> reliable. >> >I think you'll probably have to bite the bullet and get a relay board >of some sort. Does it **have** to be USB? There's lots of quite neat >relay hats for the Pi. > No, but USB seemed to be the most likely solution as it works equally as well for Non-Pi situations. Power may also be an issue. My initial requirement is for a low power device, which (without checking the numbers) might be within the capability of running directly from the Pi, but I can foresee needs where that won't be the case, so a standard solution has its attractions. Thanks Adrian -- To Reply : replace "bulleid" with "adrian" - all mail to bulleid is rejected Sorry for the rigmarole, If I want spam, I'll go to the shops Every time someone says "I don't believe in trolls", another one dies. --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05 * Origin: Agency HUB, Dunedin - New Zealand | Fido<>Usenet Gateway (3:770/3) .