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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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  • GertSandersG Offline
    GertSandersG Offline
    GertSanders
    Hardware Contributor
    wrote on last edited by
    #259

    My guess is that the HLK-PM01 is of the same quality, but it only gives 700mA @ 5V. On my repeater it never feels warm at all (and this is in a completely closed box).
    You could add a temp sensor to monitor and set an alarm in your home control system, maybe a solution to feel more secure.

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    • lrtsenarL Offline
      lrtsenarL Offline
      lrtsenar
      wrote on last edited by
      #260

      What do you think about this ? 1.79$ 5V @ 700mA dim: 3cm x 2cm x 1.8cm :
      http://www.ebay.fr/itm/321846469504?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

      alexsh1A 1 Reply Last reply
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      • GertSandersG Offline
        GertSandersG Offline
        GertSanders
        Hardware Contributor
        wrote on last edited by
        #261

        That is similar to the HLK-PM01, but without any of the certifications the HLK-PM01 received. And it is completely open, so unsafe in my view.

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        • P Offline
          P Offline
          pdey
          wrote on last edited by
          #262

          I use these in Australia:
          https://www.clipsal.com/Trade/Products/Electrical-Accessories/Electronic-Accessories/USB-Charger

          AS/NZ safety certified, etc.

          1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • C Offline
            C Offline
            Chester
            wrote on last edited by
            #263

            @pdey What is the per unit cost of those? And do they fit easily inside the wall box say sideways to allow for arduino etc to also fit?

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            • Cliff KarlssonC Offline
              Cliff KarlssonC Offline
              Cliff Karlsson
              wrote on last edited by
              #264

              @Chester said:

              @pdey What is the per unit cost of those? And do they fit easily inside the wall box say sideways to allow for arduino etc to also fit?

              I looked around a little and they where pretty hard to find but the prices I found where 30-35 $/unit + shipping. To expensive for me.

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              • P Offline
                P Offline
                pdey
                wrote on last edited by
                #265

                @Chester: They're usually about $30-35 per unit. On the expensive side, but I'd prefer to have something buried in my wall that I know I won't have to pull out in 12 months time - and also that is unlikely to start a fire...

                They're quite small. Designed to fit into the Clipsal faceplates for Cat5/Cat6 jacks.

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                • sundberg84S Offline
                  sundberg84S Offline
                  sundberg84
                  Hardware Contributor
                  wrote on last edited by sundberg84
                  #266

                  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ceramic-Slow-Blow-Fuse-3-6-x-10mm-Axial-Leads-125V-250V-0-1A-6-3A-10-30pcs-/111433875797?var=&hash=item19f1fa0155

                  Hi all! I tested the Slow BLow fuse after @m26872 was a bit suspissions and it didnt blow. Looks like its some sort of bi-directional TVS and not a fuse. I could "run" a 1000Watt vaccum on this "fuse" which at 240v/200mA should blow at 48 Watt.

                  Good find by m26872

                  Controller: Proxmox VM - Home Assistant
                  MySensors GW: Arduino Uno - W5100 Ethernet, Gw Shield Nrf24l01+ 2,4Ghz
                  MySensors GW: Arduino Uno - Gw Shield RFM69, 433mhz
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                  petewillP 1 Reply Last reply
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                  • sundberg84S sundberg84

                    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ceramic-Slow-Blow-Fuse-3-6-x-10mm-Axial-Leads-125V-250V-0-1A-6-3A-10-30pcs-/111433875797?var=&hash=item19f1fa0155

                    Hi all! I tested the Slow BLow fuse after @m26872 was a bit suspissions and it didnt blow. Looks like its some sort of bi-directional TVS and not a fuse. I could "run" a 1000Watt vaccum on this "fuse" which at 240v/200mA should blow at 48 Watt.

                    Good find by m26872

                    petewillP Offline
                    petewillP Offline
                    petewill
                    Admin
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #267

                    @sundberg84 Thanks for posting this. I'll have to take a look at mine to see if I got the same thing. That sucks that you didn't get what you ordered. Can you post a link when you find some new ones that you plan on using?

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

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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

                      N Offline
                      N Offline
                      nunver
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #268

                      @petewill Thank you very much for this excellent thread. It's great to see the community is in agreement on how to implement a safe power supply.

                      Just one comment; for 220V, shouldn't we opt for a lower amp rating fuse? If we stay with 300 mA, I am thinking we will not protect the device?

                      petewillP 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • dakkyD Offline
                        dakkyD Offline
                        dakky
                        wrote on last edited by dakky
                        #269

                        hmm have some questions too:

                        1. is this setup only needed/recommended for in wall setups? or do you use this for all ac/dc converters?
                        2. does someone has a picture for me to share, how this looks in reallive?
                          I'm not shure how to build my node in this case
                        3. what kind of cables (profile) do you use for the "high voltage" parts?

                        Controller: Raspberry Pi 2 :: Openhab2 :: with @TimO MySensors Binding
                        Gateway: Arduino MEGA 2560 R3 :: W5100 :: Ethernet GW

                        Software: MySensors 2.0development

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                        • sundberg84S Offline
                          sundberg84S Offline
                          sundberg84
                          Hardware Contributor
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #270

                          @nunver - A question i have also asked myself doing my PCB - i dont know if it makes any difference but HLK has a maximum imput of 200mA (1A spikes) according to its datasheet. What is the logic here and why - anyone that can explain?

                          @dakky I think this would be just as great for a outside ad/dc converter, the main idea is to protect us but in-wall you dont have the ability to remove the heat made from the HLK that easy. Pictures from my PCB here (Not completed) but based on this thread.

                          Controller: Proxmox VM - Home Assistant
                          MySensors GW: Arduino Uno - W5100 Ethernet, Gw Shield Nrf24l01+ 2,4Ghz
                          MySensors GW: Arduino Uno - Gw Shield RFM69, 433mhz
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                          • N nunver

                            @petewill Thank you very much for this excellent thread. It's great to see the community is in agreement on how to implement a safe power supply.

                            Just one comment; for 220V, shouldn't we opt for a lower amp rating fuse? If we stay with 300 mA, I am thinking we will not protect the device?

                            petewillP Offline
                            petewillP Offline
                            petewill
                            Admin
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #271

                            @nunver I am by no means an expert in this (which is why I started the post :)) but it is my understanding that the fuses are there to protect your house (not sensor) from damage if something goes wrong. I can't remember where I read it but it was advised if the 300ma fuse blows the HLK should be replaced as a safety precaution.

                            @dakky

                            is this setup only needed/recommended for in wall setups? or do you use this for all ac/dc converters?

                            So far I have always used phone chargers for all my sensors which haven't been in the wall. I have never had an issue. I use the phone chargers because I can usually get them free from work when they are recycled. The HLK is much smaller though so it's a great option.

                            I'm not shure how to build my node in this case what kind of cables (profile) do you use for the "high voltage" parts?

                            Good question. I'd be curious to hear what others are doing. I haven't had time to build an in-wall sensor yet but I was planning to use 14 gauge wire because that's what is in most of my house.

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

                            N 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • petewillP petewill

                              @nunver I am by no means an expert in this (which is why I started the post :)) but it is my understanding that the fuses are there to protect your house (not sensor) from damage if something goes wrong. I can't remember where I read it but it was advised if the 300ma fuse blows the HLK should be replaced as a safety precaution.

                              @dakky

                              is this setup only needed/recommended for in wall setups? or do you use this for all ac/dc converters?

                              So far I have always used phone chargers for all my sensors which haven't been in the wall. I have never had an issue. I use the phone chargers because I can usually get them free from work when they are recycled. The HLK is much smaller though so it's a great option.

                              I'm not shure how to build my node in this case what kind of cables (profile) do you use for the "high voltage" parts?

                              Good question. I'd be curious to hear what others are doing. I haven't had time to build an in-wall sensor yet but I was planning to use 14 gauge wire because that's what is in most of my house.

                              N Offline
                              N Offline
                              nunver
                              wrote on last edited by nunver
                              #272

                              @petewill I am no expert either, which is why I am reading this thread :smiley:. It is true that we protect the home, not the device. But fire starts at the device if not properly protected. The rating of the device says absolute maximum 0.2 A. This translates to 24W for 120 V and 44 W for 220 V, if my math is correct. Since this is way above the supply rating of the device, we must consider 0.2A as really absolute maximum. So, if we want to protect, in my opinion, we need 0.2A fast acting fuse.

                              Again, not an expert, so please disregard this post if I make no sense :smiley:

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                              • sundberg84S Offline
                                sundberg84S Offline
                                sundberg84
                                Hardware Contributor
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #273

                                What about that the HLK can manage spikes up to 1A (according to datasheet). If so, this will blow the fuse even it its not necessary, atleast if you have a fast one?

                                Controller: Proxmox VM - Home Assistant
                                MySensors GW: Arduino Uno - W5100 Ethernet, Gw Shield Nrf24l01+ 2,4Ghz
                                MySensors GW: Arduino Uno - Gw Shield RFM69, 433mhz
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                                • HenryWhiteH Offline
                                  HenryWhiteH Offline
                                  HenryWhite
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #274

                                  Here's some more valuable information about the HLK: http://lygte-info.dk/review/Power Mains to 5V 0.6A Hi-Link HLK-PM01 UK.html

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                                  • sundberg84S sundberg84

                                    What about that the HLK can manage spikes up to 1A (according to datasheet). If so, this will blow the fuse even it its not necessary, atleast if you have a fast one?

                                    N Offline
                                    N Offline
                                    nunver
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #275

                                    @sundberg84 Correct, need to move the fuses out of varistor loop, between varistor and HLK.

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                                    • sundberg84S Offline
                                      sundberg84S Offline
                                      sundberg84
                                      Hardware Contributor
                                      wrote on last edited by sundberg84
                                      #276

                                      @nunver - Its not a good idea to have the varistor before the fuses i think... we have discussed this above and here
                                      Since varistors only can handle a short period with high load you need the fuses first.

                                      Controller: Proxmox VM - Home Assistant
                                      MySensors GW: Arduino Uno - W5100 Ethernet, Gw Shield Nrf24l01+ 2,4Ghz
                                      MySensors GW: Arduino Uno - Gw Shield RFM69, 433mhz
                                      RFLink GW - Arduino Mega + RFLink Shield, 433mhz

                                      N 1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • sundberg84S sundberg84

                                        @nunver - Its not a good idea to have the varistor before the fuses i think... we have discussed this above and here
                                        Since varistors only can handle a short period with high load you need the fuses first.

                                        N Offline
                                        N Offline
                                        nunver
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #277

                                        @sundberg84 Yes you are correct there as well. Maybe two fuses like you have but different locations?

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                                        • TD22057T Offline
                                          TD22057T Offline
                                          TD22057
                                          Hardware Contributor
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #278

                                          FYI: Here's an emissions test of the HLK-PM01. I don't have any experience with this sort of thing so I'm not sure what to make of the results:
                                          https://skippy.org.uk/quick-look-at-the-hlk-pm01/

                                          petewillP 1 Reply Last reply
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