Searching for an AC outlet that I can turn on/off with digital control

Hello everyone,

I am working on a project where I have a regular old wall plug in 120V AC device that I want to turn on/off using external hardware according to a sensor data.

My idea is to connect the sensor to a microcontroller and then use a microcontroller output pin to act as a digital switch to turn an intermediate wall outlet plug on/off.

The problem is that I cannot find the a component that plugs into the wall that can be turned on/off and can likewise have the regular AC device plug in to that as normal.

If thats not clear, I want to find something that looks like:
https://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00MvUtuWAKfhks/AC-Outlet.jpg

Which can serve as an on/off controllable intermediate between the wall outlet and a regular AC device. I would like the output pin of an MCU to serve as the on/off trigger.

I have been searching for hours but am not getting anywhere. Anyone have a clue what such a part would be called?

Any other thoughts on doing what I have outlined (i.e. safety, etc.). The reason I want to go on/off is because I don't want to have to worry about lower end current limits for the AC device as that will be somewhat interchangeable, otherwise I'd do something to scale the current from the wall.

Do you mean this type of gaget?

Thanks for the reply but that is not really what I am looking to do. I am not intending to make a wireless device, just something like:

Wall outlet -> [Male side of plug in 1 - Plugin 1 - Female side of plugin 1] -> [Male side of plugin for regular AC device - Power cord - Device ]

You know, similar to the old gray 3 prong to 2 prong adapters we all used in the 90's except that I want to be able to control it so that I can cut the power to the device or turn it back on. So there would be a microcontroller link between the device and the plug

Like X10 stuff?

Just order an enclosure, two panel mounted wall outlets and a relay and stick it into a box. You won't find anything quite as small as what you are asking for because a fairly hefty relay is required for 15-30A current. And a little NMOS to drive the relay, though that could go with your MCU on the PCB.

Just this thing really:
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9842

Look into home automashoin stuff. Like this;

**broken link removed**

Hello, I hope this post isnt dead and you may be able to help me. I'm not very electronics smart but with some help I think I can buy or build what I need or wanting. I want some 110v outlets that can be turned off and by a wireless signal. I know these are readily available in many configurations. I want to take something like this https://deals.ebay.com/blog/40-off-5-pack-dbtech-wireless-remote-control-power-outlet/ and modify all the outlets to come off and on with one signal and also modify or build a new controller that will send an on signal when energized and turn outlets off when d-energized.

Basically what Im trying to do is turn multiple outlets off and on with an on off daylight timer.

Timer is based from on at dark for specified amount of time.
I have a timer that does this, it energizes one built in outlet **broken link removed**

I could use this to set the amount of run time I want. If there is something that I can plug into my timer (Or will do all of this) that can activate wireless outlets automatically please let me know.

Look at Wemo at Amazon.com

There is the PS and GS series here: https://www.polycase.com/ I don't like the 2-prong series because they aren't polarized.

I too have been muddling in making something similar, although I some some other constraints.

I like the idea of a separate box. If can be hidden behind close to the wall furniture.

I want an activation signal LED visible, but not on the AC side and I'd like the ability to turn-on without a control signal and turn-off with or without a control signal.

It's not formulated in my mind yet, but I'll probably start with a snubberless triac and a DPDT OPTOMOS relay, A standard 3-prong outlet and an IEC cord. Input would be at least +V, Ground and control.

So, one side of the Optoisolated relay would control the triac and the other and the other man the indicator.

Is there a way to link the wemo items together and have multiple outlets come on at same time? Also is there a photo sensor that I can program to run say 2/4/6/8hrs after dusk? I have lights on multiple floors and multiple areas that I want to come on and off at the same time without any human interaction (ie having to turn on with remote)

You should look into UPB, Insteon etc. One place to start is www.smarthome.com Automation controllers can accomplish this. It's probably better to use an astonomical timer which calculates the time of sunset. I have one timer controlled by a plug-on version of an astronomical timer.

grandquads said:

Is there a way to link the wemo items together and have multiple outlets come on at same time? Also is there a photo sensor that I can program to run say 2/4/6/8hrs after dusk? I have lights on multiple floors and multiple areas that I want to come on and off at the same time without any human interaction (ie having to turn on with remote)

Click to expand...

As to the photo sensor. I have a few old Westinghouse 6 Outlet Yard Stakes (that is what they call them if you Google it) that have several timing modes. The mode I like and use I program to turn on at darkness and turn off 6 hours later. Come Christmas around here that turns on around 5 PM (darkness) and lights off around 11 PM. They are weatherproof making them useful. Obviously for good use of the photo cells they need to be outdoors.

As to the rest of what you are looking to do I guess some depends on for example if the outlets you want to control share the same or multiple branches at the breaker box? I also like what KISS mentions as to a timer that calculates the ever changing sunset. That would be cool. There is all sorts of home automation stuff out there these days. May as well start looking for those things as Christmas is coming.

Ron

Ok I found something that would probably work although for 5 outlets its over $300. This is not going to happen. Here is something else that needs some modifying take make it work my way. I can get a bunch of these as seen on TV wireless switch and receivers for next to nothing and if I could get them all to switch from the same signal they would work. Then I would to build or modify the switch to come on when 110v is applied and it to shut off when the voltage is removed

https://www.amazon.com/Heath-Zenith-BL-6136-WH-Wireless-Switch/dp/B000OUW7MA

Is there anyone who has played with this and could shine some light on how to get the outlets all coded to receive the same signal. As far as the switch goes im sure it has a battery and all I would have to do is hook a power supply directly to the terminals and leave the switch in the on position and plug the power supply into my current timer. When timer comes on power supply send juice and switch sends signal. Now getting them all to accept the same signal or at worst I guess I could power all the switches. But that would be major bulk to deal with.

Have you looked at the X-10 stuff?
The sunset controller can be modded to work with a dry contact.