IR Light Dimmer

[fedail]

IR Light Dimmer v.1

are they mean by phase and neutral is 220v or 110v

how they connect this circuit to it

 

[Hero999]

It's designed for 220V operation.

It's on Electronics Lab which means there's a good chance it's full of errors and will fail.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

It's designed for 220V operation.

It's on Electronics Lab which means there's a good chance it's full of errors and will fail.

The only obvious problem on a quick look is that it's completely lacking in any filter components.

It also says that the HEX file isn't available, and not even for sale.

 

[marcbarker]

Circuit doesn't look that bad to me, for a mass-manufactured product is a good starting point. Having said that, in standard form if it was a commercial product it'd probably fail EMC test. It would need to be developed a bit more.

I like the way they block the sale of the hex code for it. Prevents people from building them too easily. If someone is prepared to write the code for it, hopefully will be committed enough to realise how potentially lethally dangerous a circuit like this is for a home electronics project. There's no easy way to test it, if you connect a scope to it: bang!, if you develop the code with a PIC emulator: bang! if you touch it with soldering iron: bang! if you touch it: ouch! , or ouch!, bump! (as you fall to the ground unconscious)

 

[Hero999]

All of that can easilly be tested using an isolation transformer.

Using a the differential setting on a scope is also another good way of testing mains circuits but it cuts the number of channels in half.

 

[marcbarker]

Bit of an investment is an Isolating Transformer. Years ago when I worked on the bench, the 'done thing' then by people was disconnect the earth off the scope. Bit silly, you got a shock off the scope each time you touched it . We're 240 V mains here in UK, that's nearly 400 V peak, nearly 1/2 a kV! A battery powered plastic scope is another way. Yes a proper isolating transformer prevents bang! when connecting scope, but I think it gives one a false sense of security, but that's me.

 

[Boncuk]

this circuit is good enough for the trashcan as long as the software is not included.

 

[marcbarker]

circuit is good enough for the trashcan.

Horses for courses. Most of this circuit was likely lifted from a mass-manufactured mains-powered product, where cost savings have to be made to stay competitive, or else fall by the wayside. No consumer wants to pay more for a product if there's a cheaper sold one elsewhere that does the same job, consumer isn't impressed by things he doesn't know or care about. I've seen these transformerless non-isolated power supplies often, this is about average for them.

But to use this as a circuit for a home hobbiest project, or even for industrial electronics product I'm with yourself, nigel and hero about it.

 

[blueroomelectronics]

It would be a poor choice for a project if you're not familiar with working around lethal voltage. You could simulate it with a low voltage bulb till you worked out the programming.

 

[fedail]

so it is a dangers project, what should i do if i want to make like this circuit

 

[ericgibbs]

so it is a dangers project, what should i do if i want to make like this circuit

hi,
Unless you are prepared to write the program for the existing circuit in order to make it work, I would suggest you locate a complete dimmer project including the program.

 

[fedail]

mmmmmmmm! ok i will

 

[marcbarker]

If you really must make a controller involving mains power line voltage, then choose a circuit that uses an Opto-Isolator between the mains voltage and the rest of the controller. Ensure all the mains voltage stuff is insulated and touch-proof, right up to the opto-isolator. Remember, you're the person responsible for your safety, and you need to be aware of what the risks are and how you address them. Don't forget Darwin's Law of natural selection operates quite well here!

 

[mneary]

There aren't any signs that the site has been updated since 2004.