120v control

[james]

thanks, the info you've provided is greatly appreciated.

Does this look like the hardware necessary for connecting an IC to a relay? or is there potentional for failure here?

[ronsimpson]

Try this.
12 V relay coil?

[owali]

I want to try and automate my new home for fun. I would also like to learn how to control 120v appliances with a PIC. I would like connect some sort of sensor (maybe pressure) to the PIC to help control the appliance automatically.

Besides the sensor, PBP, PIC chip, what special hardware would I need for this? Does anyone have some sample code about this sort of thing?

Thanks

[Charles Linquis]

Use a solid-state relay. OMRON and others make them and they can be driven directly from a PIC pin.

[b1arrk5]

I've used the X-10 example in the PicBasic Pro manual along with a TW-253 interface to control lights, and turn the Christmas tree on and off. The modules are inexpensive, I got mine from Radio Shack. For driving relays I usually use the ULN2803, a darlington driver chip that will drive up to eight relays, (but not all eight at once,) I also like the Omron relays.

Jerry.

[malc-c]

Use a solid-state relay. OMRON and others make them and they can be driven directly from a PIC pin.

I agree - simple to interface, and quiet in operation - I used 8 in a "disco light controller" to switch 240 vac spot lamps. They can be expensive, but if you're lucky, e-bay can result in a cheap purchase

EDIT:

Just searched e-bay - 240v 4 amp SSR - pack of 4 for a buy now price of £5.99 plus £2.50 PPH
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/solid-state-re...QQcmdZViewItem

[CocaColaKid]

The only problem with SSR is you need an appropriately sized heatsink whereas a standard relay does not. However you can't drive a power relay directly from a PIC. Either way has it's advantages and disadvantages. Also you can get SSR zero-cross switching built into them. This is really nice for switching inductive loads like motors.

[ruijc]

Dont want to steal the thead, but,

i have one 5v relay ( EDR201A0500 ) and it can switch up to 250VDC.

My question is, with this relay can i connect the pic directly to the relay ( no transistor required ) ?


Edit:
http://www.ece.com.tw/product/relay/edr/edr.htm

It does say "The high sensitivity allows direct driving by TTL", so it means i do not need the transistor. And this is a cheap relay (2.5 euros )
.