In wall - PCB, (AC to DC 5v)

[sundberg84]

This post is archived!
Please use this thread to post questions:

https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/2783/in-wall-ac-dc-pcb-for-mysensors

Project can be found here:
https://www.openhardware.io/view/13/In-Wall-ACDC-Pcb-for-MySensors

---

---

---

---

---

---

Hi!

As i mentioned in another post i had this idea to stack two PCB on top of each other to fit inside a wall appliance box. This idea has evolved (see below).

Im aware of the big security risk here, and have tried to read:

• http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/1607/safe-in-wall-ac-to-dc-transformers
• http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/1540/110v-230v-ac-to-mysensors-pcb-board

EDIT 03/1/2016
After discussion on this here are the findings of this thread (as of now):

I will update this post with BOM and eagles files as soon as i get a node running.

...............................
BOM/README: http://1drv.ms/1kCzue5
GERBER: InWallMySensor3.0.rar
EAGLES: InWallMySensor3.0Eagles.rar
Build images: http://1drv.ms/1lsleox
...............................

If you are using this design, please know about the risks when you work with high power. This design has no guarantee s so use it on your own risk!

[Samuel235]

This looks a fantastic step in the right direction for where this development should/could go, well i think so anyway. I can't make any comments on the actual circuitry of this project, however like i said, i think its an awesome leap in the development for MySensors and the possibilities it brings to the avid home user that was out of the box solutions. Keep up the appreciated work.

[ahmedadelhosni]

Good step. Is there any 3d pictures ?

The nrf is pointed upward. Won't it be outside the 2.5x5 space ?

[sundberg84]

No 3D pictures, I dont know how to make that - but ill see if i can learn.
Yea, the nrf is outside to dont block the radio waves... it might be a litte to much, I will make some more measurments:

[Samuel235]

Do we know if the radio signals will get distorded or blocked in any way if installed into a metal/galvenised socket box? I'm really interested in something like this for the 'standard' style lightswitches i'm making at the moment.

[ahmedadelhosni]

@samuel235 You can test and monitor the performance. Watch also this antenna modification by @petewill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpMnauHeR7Y

[Samuel235]

@ahmedadelhosni I have seen how you can increase the signal reading capabilities, i was just wondering if the steel backbox would affect the rate at which the signal came into the radio with it being inside of the metal box.

[sundberg84]

@samuel235 Probably! I had this problem when i had the radion in between two pcb a while ago. Relocating the radio changed the effect on it so I think there might be problem if ju isolate the radio with metal.

[m26872]

@sundberg84 I don't like the creepage distance to those display-pins in the middle of the relay footprint. It looks like there's plenty of space to move it, eg beneath "sensors". Also due to the EMI-risk from relay switch.

Maybe you also want increase the width and solder-mask the middle of the relay high power traces.

The panelizing holes will probably be hard to break without damage to the pads. At least try to move them closer together.

[Samuel235]

So, i need to test my module inside of a metal backbox then, and if it receives interference we could do with coming up for a solution because most of the 'older' UK Style houses that i work within use metal back boxes. So if we could come up with a work around, it would broaden the possible audience.

[sundberg84]

@samuel235 I would have tried to attach the radio with jumper wires and put the radio outside the metal box somehow.

[Samuel235]

That would be incredibly difficult to do if you're using a metal box purely for the reason of having no room between the brick and the plasterboard (Or whatever finished product you use over where you live).

[petewill]

@samuel235 You will probably have to face the radio so it's pointing through the plastic cover (not the metal box) and use repeaters in the rooms where necessary.

[Samuel235]

@petewill I shall give this a test! I'll report back soon, hopefully.

[bjacobse]

Looks great, will you consider to create a version with 2 relays so it will be similar like the Fibaro 2 relay or Qubino 2 relay
I also live in Sweden (Using same wall mechanical dimensions) and are searching exactly for a Mysensor relay 2 device to hide in the wall

link to Fibaro 2 Relay zwave device

[sundberg84]

@bjacobse My thought was to first create one working pcb to start with and leave the upper side for sensors.
This way you can recreate that upper pcb for the needs you have and just add it as a shield to the lower pcb.

[scalz]

@sundberg84: hi nice idea :smiley:
just for curiosity, what does "sweden" box look like??? I live in France, and here the most common style/size is like this: http://www.leroymerlin.fr/v3/p/produits/boite-d-encastrement-legrand-pour-mur-creux-d-67-mm-e29984
is it like yours??

[korttoma]

This is what I have in my walls and these in the roof in a house in Finland. I bet they are similar in Sweden.

[scalz]

thx :smile:
it seems you have good quality/strong box :wink: not cheap, a little bit bigger than ours. interesting to see difference. so in future, if I will make something inwall for me, it will fit to "nordic" box. cool. unfortunately maybe not the holes...I will check this. but it's not a big problem I think. good to know.

[sundberg84]

Yea. Mine is about d =6,5 mm as well. Reminds of yours.