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  3. Transformer-less power supply

Transformer-less power supply

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  • gohanG Offline
    gohanG Offline
    gohan
    Mod
    wrote on last edited by
    #4

    Overvoltage protection? Fuse?

    Suresh MaliS 1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • Suresh MaliS Suresh Mali

      Hi,
      Can I use a Capacitor-Resistor voltage dropper circuit without isolation to power up my Node like the one in below image.

      alt text

      I understand the node would not be mains isolated and would be a risk if touched. Apart from this are there any other risks or performance issues that I should be concerned of before I dive into constructing this circuit. I will add a LDO regulator at the output to get a regulated supply.

      Please share your thoughts and views. Thanks

      sundberg84S Offline
      sundberg84S Offline
      sundberg84
      Hardware Contributor
      wrote on last edited by
      #5

      @Suresh-Mali - if you open up a commercial product there are a lot of these examples with transformerless power-supply. The main difference is that they are tested in a professional environment and certified before use. Its much smaller but since you don't have the isolation from the transformer its harder to do safe.

      Can you? Yes
      Is it safe? Impossible to say before tested professionally.
      Would your insurance cover it if your house burn down? No not likely...

      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

      1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • gohanG gohan

        Overvoltage protection? Fuse?

        Suresh MaliS Offline
        Suresh MaliS Offline
        Suresh Mali
        wrote on last edited by
        #6

        @gohan Overvoltage and short I guess can be solved if I use an MOV and Fuse.

        T 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • Suresh MaliS Suresh Mali

          @gohan Overvoltage and short I guess can be solved if I use an MOV and Fuse.

          T Offline
          T Offline
          Toyman
          wrote on last edited by Toyman
          #7

          @Suresh-Mali
          I am currently working on reflashing a nrf51822 based smart socket to mySensors. The schematics were reversed-engineered by another guy, but it might be helpful to you as it
          a ) transformer-less
          b ) professionally tested (more or less)
          https://habrastorage.org/files/2e9/76f/0b3/2e976f0b321e470a8d44a37717bc7098.jpg

          Suresh MaliS Nca78N sundberg84S 4 Replies Last reply
          0
          • T Toyman

            @Suresh-Mali
            I am currently working on reflashing a nrf51822 based smart socket to mySensors. The schematics were reversed-engineered by another guy, but it might be helpful to you as it
            a ) transformer-less
            b ) professionally tested (more or less)
            https://habrastorage.org/files/2e9/76f/0b3/2e976f0b321e470a8d44a37717bc7098.jpg

            Suresh MaliS Offline
            Suresh MaliS Offline
            Suresh Mali
            wrote on last edited by
            #8

            @sundberg84 Thanks for your valuable information.

            1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • T Toyman

              @Suresh-Mali
              I am currently working on reflashing a nrf51822 based smart socket to mySensors. The schematics were reversed-engineered by another guy, but it might be helpful to you as it
              a ) transformer-less
              b ) professionally tested (more or less)
              https://habrastorage.org/files/2e9/76f/0b3/2e976f0b321e470a8d44a37717bc7098.jpg

              Suresh MaliS Offline
              Suresh MaliS Offline
              Suresh Mali
              wrote on last edited by
              #9

              @Toyman That helps. Thanks.

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • Suresh MaliS Suresh Mali

                Hi,
                Can I use a Capacitor-Resistor voltage dropper circuit without isolation to power up my Node like the one in below image.

                alt text

                I understand the node would not be mains isolated and would be a risk if touched. Apart from this are there any other risks or performance issues that I should be concerned of before I dive into constructing this circuit. I will add a LDO regulator at the output to get a regulated supply.

                Please share your thoughts and views. Thanks

                Suresh MaliS Offline
                Suresh MaliS Offline
                Suresh Mali
                wrote on last edited by
                #10

                @Suresh-Mali I modified the above schematic, just to add some protection and regulation.
                0_1507188250336_AC_DC_Transformerless.png

                gahlawathomeG 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • T Toyman

                  @Suresh-Mali
                  I am currently working on reflashing a nrf51822 based smart socket to mySensors. The schematics were reversed-engineered by another guy, but it might be helpful to you as it
                  a ) transformer-less
                  b ) professionally tested (more or less)
                  https://habrastorage.org/files/2e9/76f/0b3/2e976f0b321e470a8d44a37717bc7098.jpg

                  Nca78N Offline
                  Nca78N Offline
                  Nca78
                  Hardware Contributor
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #11

                  @Toyman could you provide a link to the product please ?

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • T Toyman

                    @Suresh-Mali
                    I am currently working on reflashing a nrf51822 based smart socket to mySensors. The schematics were reversed-engineered by another guy, but it might be helpful to you as it
                    a ) transformer-less
                    b ) professionally tested (more or less)
                    https://habrastorage.org/files/2e9/76f/0b3/2e976f0b321e470a8d44a37717bc7098.jpg

                    sundberg84S Offline
                    sundberg84S Offline
                    sundberg84
                    Hardware Contributor
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #12

                    @Toyman said in Transformer-less power supply:

                    @Suresh-Mali
                    I am currently working on reflashing a nrf51822 based smart socket to mySensors. The schematics were reversed-engineered by another guy, but it might be helpful to you as it
                    a ) transformer-less
                    b ) professionally tested (more or less)
                    https://habrastorage.org/files/2e9/76f/0b3/2e976f0b321e470a8d44a37717bc7098.jpg

                    Even if you take a tested product and reverse-enginner it it's not tested and approved any longer when you build it yourself.

                    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

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • rvendrameR Offline
                      rvendrameR Offline
                      rvendrame
                      Hero Member
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #13

                      Despite the security (which of course is the most important aspect here), such kind of circuit usually consumes from 2 to 10w (depending on AC voltage and C1 value), no matter in standby or not. I did some testing in the past and at end I dropped in favor of hi-link and similar small PSUs.

                      Home Assistant / Vera Plus UI7
                      ESP8266 GW + mySensors 2.3.2
                      Alexa / Google Home

                      Suresh MaliS 1 Reply Last reply
                      2
                      • rvendrameR rvendrame

                        Despite the security (which of course is the most important aspect here), such kind of circuit usually consumes from 2 to 10w (depending on AC voltage and C1 value), no matter in standby or not. I did some testing in the past and at end I dropped in favor of hi-link and similar small PSUs.

                        Suresh MaliS Offline
                        Suresh MaliS Offline
                        Suresh Mali
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #14

                        @rvendrame My current design uses Hi Link 5V PSU, however I am looking at lowering the cost and this was one of the options.

                        I also reverse engineered some cheap 5v phone chargers, its an SMPS based design using single transistor. Are safe as there is isolation.

                        This might be my next option to look into. The problem is with the transformer. How do I get the transformer to my specification. Do I wind them myself? will have to look into it.

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • rvendrameR Offline
                          rvendrameR Offline
                          rvendrame
                          Hero Member
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #15

                          You can find "Hi-link like" PSUs at Aliexpress for less than $2 USD. Not sure how less you can reach by producing them by yourself.

                          Home Assistant / Vera Plus UI7
                          ESP8266 GW + mySensors 2.3.2
                          Alexa / Google Home

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          2
                          • gohanG Offline
                            gohanG Offline
                            gohan
                            Mod
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #16

                            I would not save too much on something that may burn down your house

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            1
                            • TmasterT Offline
                              TmasterT Offline
                              Tmaster
                              wrote on last edited by Tmaster
                              #17

                              myself already debate a little of this kind os tranformless power supply a few months ago.
                              here: https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/6927/3-3-or-5v-tranformer-for-mysensors-projects/11

                              at the time i found how my zwavemodules worked.and that is the skematic:
                              0_1507718124037_upload-6cf91f85-89d8-496d-bfae-544251642ec2

                              It's tested by them and working on my house for more than 3 years and no problem.

                              the point that i reach is: doesn't worth build all this crap when a 2€ mini transformer do the same but safer.

                              i'm a arduino fan .Even sometimes don't undestanding how to use it :P

                              Suresh MaliS 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • TmasterT Tmaster

                                myself already debate a little of this kind os tranformless power supply a few months ago.
                                here: https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/6927/3-3-or-5v-tranformer-for-mysensors-projects/11

                                at the time i found how my zwavemodules worked.and that is the skematic:
                                0_1507718124037_upload-6cf91f85-89d8-496d-bfae-544251642ec2

                                It's tested by them and working on my house for more than 3 years and no problem.

                                the point that i reach is: doesn't worth build all this crap when a 2€ mini transformer do the same but safer.

                                Suresh MaliS Offline
                                Suresh MaliS Offline
                                Suresh Mali
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #18

                                @Tmaster Thanks for bringing this up. I was able to find LNK family ICs where I'll be able to source at cheaper price. I have ordered some LNK306 to test them. Cost me 80Rs/$1 and some cents. Will test once I receive them and post the results.

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • Suresh MaliS Suresh Mali

                                  @Suresh-Mali I modified the above schematic, just to add some protection and regulation.
                                  0_1507188250336_AC_DC_Transformerless.png

                                  gahlawathomeG Offline
                                  gahlawathomeG Offline
                                  gahlawathome
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #19

                                  @Suresh-Mali I recall from discussion back that using a Linear regulator like 7805 at the end of this sort of power supply is almost always a bad idea. Here every design use Zener for a reason. Zener will only dissipate heat when there is extra power available. Linear regulator will always dissipate power leaving less available power for your application.

                                  1 Reply Last reply
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