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  1. Home
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  3. Safe In-Wall AC to DC Transformers??

Safe In-Wall AC to DC Transformers??

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  • petewillP petewill

    Does anyone know of any 120V AC to 5V DC transformers that are safe to put in a wall electrical box? I have been using old cell phone chargers for most of my projects but I was recently pondering putting something right in the wall. Since shipping can take so long I thought I'd ask now before I even start on the project.

    I did some searching and couldn't find anything so I thought I'd ask the experts here.

    Thanks in advance!

    EDIT 9/7/2016
    Watch out for Fakes! Read more here: https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/1607/safe-in-wall-ac-to-dc-transformers/355
    If in doubt you can get them directly from the vendor here: http://www.hlktech.net/product.php?CateId=10

    EDIT 12/28/2015
    After MUCH discussion on this here are the findings of this thread (as of now):

    Here is the diagram for how things should be wired:
    HLK-PM01-Wiring.jpg

    These are the parts I ordered. I haven't tested any of these parts yet as this project has been put on the back burner for now :(. I am in the USA so this is spec'd for 120 VAC. If you're using 240 you will need to change the size of the Varistor but everything else should be fine for 240.

    Also, see these posts for more discussion/ideas if interested:
    http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/1540/110v-230v-ac-to-mysensors-pcb-board
    http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/2488/in-wall-pcb

    Varistor for 120VAC - http://www.ebay.com/itm/321024816822?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

    73°C Thermal Fuse - http://www.ebay.com/itm/221560426284?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=520415979885&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

    250V 300mA Slow Blow Fuse - http://www.ebay.com/itm/111433875797?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=410420838583&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

    HLK-PM01 - http://www.ebay.com/itm/351418782712?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

    Pete

    Moshe LivneM Offline
    Moshe LivneM Offline
    Moshe Livne
    Hero Member
    wrote on last edited by
    #3

    @petewill got these http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shippingn-2pcs-lot-HLK-PM01-AC-DC-220V-to-5V-mini-power-supply-module-intelligent/32296988259.html in the mail today. not as sexy as the ones @Didi lists but maybe cheaper? Haven't tried them yet.

    1 Reply Last reply
    1
    • scalzS Offline
      scalzS Offline
      scalz
      Hardware Contributor
      wrote on last edited by
      #4

      Hi,
      I have ordered same as @Moshe. I think those @Didi listed are larger and expensive. It is not very easy to find something small and cheap, or it needs to make your own.

      Moshe LivneM 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • scalzS scalz

        Hi,
        I have ordered same as @Moshe. I think those @Didi listed are larger and expensive. It is not very easy to find something small and cheap, or it needs to make your own.

        Moshe LivneM Offline
        Moshe LivneM Offline
        Moshe Livne
        Hero Member
        wrote on last edited by
        #5

        @scalz I actually ordered the same as you :relaxed:
        they look very well made. I am not equipped to test any of the parameters but i am sure that for me they will do.

        1 Reply Last reply
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        • scalzS Offline
          scalzS Offline
          scalz
          Hardware Contributor
          wrote on last edited by
          #6

          @Moshe Livne : yep! it is the smallest and cheapest I have found. What could be great would be to find cheap and little core transformer to make custom step down.

          Moshe LivneM 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • sundberg84S Offline
            sundberg84S Offline
            sundberg84
            Hardware Contributor
            wrote on last edited by
            #7

            As long as they dont catch fire and deliver 5v im happy! :fearful:

            DidiD 1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • scalzS scalz

              @Moshe Livne : yep! it is the smallest and cheapest I have found. What could be great would be to find cheap and little core transformer to make custom step down.

              Moshe LivneM Offline
              Moshe LivneM Offline
              Moshe Livne
              Hero Member
              wrote on last edited by
              #8

              @scalz How do you connect these to the mains? direct soldering and heatshrink over?

              1 Reply Last reply
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              • sundberg84S sundberg84

                As long as they dont catch fire and deliver 5v im happy! :fearful:

                DidiD Offline
                DidiD Offline
                Didi
                wrote on last edited by
                #9

                @sundberg84 said:

                As long as they dont catch fire and deliver 5v im happy! :fearful:

                That´s the problem i see with the cheap ones

                if (knowledge == 0) { use BRAIN; use GOOGLE;use SEARCH; } else {make POST;}

                1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • DidiD Didi

                  @petewill said:

                  Does anyone know of any 120V AC to 5V DC transformers that are safe to put in a wall electrical box?

                  here you go
                  http://www.recom-international.com/pdf/Powerline-AC-DC/RAC03-SCR_277.pdf

                  http://www.tracopower.com/products/tiw.pdf

                  Moshe LivneM Offline
                  Moshe LivneM Offline
                  Moshe Livne
                  Hero Member
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #10

                  @Didi These are huge... they are 5x5cm. Do you have any idea of their pricing?

                  DidiD 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • Moshe LivneM Moshe Livne

                    @Didi These are huge... they are 5x5cm. Do you have any idea of their pricing?

                    DidiD Offline
                    DidiD Offline
                    Didi
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #11

                    @Moshe-Livne

                    About 20-25 euro

                    if (knowledge == 0) { use BRAIN; use GOOGLE;use SEARCH; } else {make POST;}

                    Moshe LivneM 1 Reply Last reply
                    1
                    • DidiD Didi

                      @Moshe-Livne

                      About 20-25 euro

                      Moshe LivneM Offline
                      Moshe LivneM Offline
                      Moshe Livne
                      Hero Member
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #12

                      @Didi ouch!

                      DidiD 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • Moshe LivneM Moshe Livne

                        @Didi ouch!

                        DidiD Offline
                        DidiD Offline
                        Didi
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #13

                        @Moshe-Livne said:

                        @Didi ouch!

                        Yes,but they have over temperature protection :wink:

                        if (knowledge == 0) { use BRAIN; use GOOGLE;use SEARCH; } else {make POST;}

                        Moshe LivneM 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • DidiD Didi

                          @Moshe-Livne said:

                          @Didi ouch!

                          Yes,but they have over temperature protection :wink:

                          Moshe LivneM Offline
                          Moshe LivneM Offline
                          Moshe Livne
                          Hero Member
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #14

                          @Didi it is cheaper to buy better fire and life insurance :wink:

                          DidiD 1 Reply Last reply
                          2
                          • Moshe LivneM Moshe Livne

                            @Didi it is cheaper to buy better fire and life insurance :wink:

                            DidiD Offline
                            DidiD Offline
                            Didi
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #15

                            @Moshe-Livne said:

                            @Didi it is cheaper to buy better fire and life insurance :wink:

                            That´s a good point :joy:

                            if (knowledge == 0) { use BRAIN; use GOOGLE;use SEARCH; } else {make POST;}

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • scalzS Offline
                              scalzS Offline
                              scalz
                              Hardware Contributor
                              wrote on last edited by scalz
                              #16

                              @Moshe Livne: it is ordered, I have not them yet. I hope it will be good quality.I don't know.
                              I agree with you for fire and co. But I think in commercial products they don't use big things.
                              As we can see on some picture here : http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Free-Shipping-Livolo-Luxury-White-Crystal-Glass-Switch-Panel-EU-Standard-VL-C701-11-110-250V/500715_512886492.html
                              Sure it is maybe not top quality, but I think in fibaro or other it's near the same thing. but I am not sure as I have none. And of course they have enclosure (maybe flame retardant).
                              Maybe I am not enough paranoid...or you can for example put an onboard temperature sensor for additional security.
                              But of course, ac is very dangerous, you must know what you do if you don't want to die. You have to take all securities like you said.

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • petewillP Offline
                                petewillP Offline
                                petewill
                                Admin
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #17

                                Thanks for the quick replies! I am torn. The ones @Didi posted look great but they are large and expensive. The ones @Moshe-Livne and @scalz ordered look appealing because of cost and size but I don't want to sacrifice safety for cost. It looks like they have temperature protection but I don't know enough about electronics to test for safety. Hmm...

                                My "How To" home automation video channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_Evyh5PQALx4m4CQuxqkA

                                BulldogLowellB 1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • petewillP petewill

                                  Thanks for the quick replies! I am torn. The ones @Didi posted look great but they are large and expensive. The ones @Moshe-Livne and @scalz ordered look appealing because of cost and size but I don't want to sacrifice safety for cost. It looks like they have temperature protection but I don't know enough about electronics to test for safety. Hmm...

                                  BulldogLowellB Offline
                                  BulldogLowellB Offline
                                  BulldogLowell
                                  Contest Winner
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #18

                                  @petewill

                                  I wonder if you could open one of these and solder to the USB power leads...

                                  petewillP 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • BulldogLowellB BulldogLowell

                                    @petewill

                                    I wonder if you could open one of these and solder to the USB power leads...

                                    petewillP Offline
                                    petewillP Offline
                                    petewill
                                    Admin
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #19

                                    @BulldogLowell Yeah I was thinking about that too. I'm really trying to keep costs down though. When I hit the $25 price point it's almost as much as a standard z-wave switch when all the other parts and time are included.

                                    My "How To" home automation video channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_Evyh5PQALx4m4CQuxqkA

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • RJ_MakeR Offline
                                      RJ_MakeR Offline
                                      RJ_Make
                                      Hero Member
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #20

                                      My only recommendation; (if you are going to put this in side a utility box, in the wall) might want to find a solution that has the 3 standard safety features. (OTP, OVP, SCP)

                                      These work well, but you need to follow the data-sheet for noise and ripple control.

                                      RJ_Make

                                      petewillP 1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • RJ_MakeR RJ_Make

                                        My only recommendation; (if you are going to put this in side a utility box, in the wall) might want to find a solution that has the 3 standard safety features. (OTP, OVP, SCP)

                                        These work well, but you need to follow the data-sheet for noise and ripple control.

                                        petewillP Offline
                                        petewillP Offline
                                        petewill
                                        Admin
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #21

                                        @ServiceXp Thanks! I wonder if I can steal one of those from an existing device. Any idea what those would be used on?

                                        (OTP, OVP, SCP)

                                        Also, is that Over Temp Protection, Over Voltage Protection and Short Circuit Protection??

                                        These say they are certified and have temp, voltage and short circuit protection. Think it can be trusted?
                                        http://www.ebay.com/itm/351418782712?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

                                        My "How To" home automation video channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_Evyh5PQALx4m4CQuxqkA

                                        Moshe LivneM RJ_MakeR 2 Replies Last reply
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                                        • sundberg84S Offline
                                          sundberg84S Offline
                                          sundberg84
                                          Hardware Contributor
                                          wrote on last edited by sundberg84
                                          #22
                                          This post is deleted!
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