Computer Controlled Mains Socket?

I,m looking for something like this, Intelligent Mains Extension

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instead of being current sensing (I have a UPS, so this won`t work) is controled by usb or other computer method.

Does anyone do a kit or module for an opto isolated mains relay?

I could build something around one of these.

I want to switch off all the other mains powered items pluged into my computer when I turn off the PC.

Thanks.

Bye for now.

Clive.

Reply to
Clive Savage
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Err, plug the thing in after the UPS?

Reply to
Ian Stirling

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> but instead of being current sensing (I have a UPS, so this won`t

Can you not just click the socket switch to off when the p.c. has shut down ? You would of course have to ensure that power for all the items comes from a single switched socket as mine does.

Pete

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Reply to
Peter Stockdale

If you think about it, the PC has to have power available under all conditions to be able to switch on other things, so this can't include the UPS.

It would be possible to make a high input impedance device that sensed the switch contacts on the PC - if these are available via an external power take off, but this would need to be permantly powered, so probably not worth the hassle. Alternatives would mean re-wiring the PC switch to feed a mains relay direct.

I've just got a 20 amp wall switch which feeds a spur that all the computer stuff is plugged into. Sometimes the basics are easier.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

I find a finger on the socket switch works very well and doesn't cost much more than a few calories of power....

Reply to
:::Jerry::::

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>

Maybe the other appliances are not on the UPS?

You could have a contactor (large relay) triggered by 5V or

12V from a spare disk drive connector, but as you say, it would be a good idea to have an opto-isolator there, and you probably don't want to drive the contactor directly from the PC's power supply. You can buy opto-isolated solid state relays, which you could use to switch a mains driven contactor (I have done this in a different application). Mains contactors can hum though if you get a bad one.
Reply to
Andrew Gabriel

I don't suppose this is much consolation, but the PCs of yesteryear had a switched mains outlet next to the mains inlet, for that purpose (well, for the monitor actually, but it was easy to extend it for other stuff). I wonder why they don't make them like that any more.

Reply to
Mike Barnes

Depending on the load on the mains side, you may find a simple mains-rated relay, rather than a Contactor, is quite adequate. If what you're running is stuff like a scanner, the odd external CD burner and maybe an outboard tape drive, there are plenty of reliable-enough 5A or

10A contact-rated relays in the RS/Maplin/Farnell catalogues which will run off the 12V handily found on a disk drive connector (if none spare, use a "Y splitter" as sold in any "white box" computer dealer). That's what I did to have the kids' iMac control power to its external FireWire hard drive: you'll find a more detailed description of the "circuit" (grand name for a fuse, two diodes, and a resistor - all in the interests of kindness to the iMac PSU in the event of a short on the cable running to the relay box) at groups.google.com's Advanced Search with uk.d-i-y as group, zaba as author, and "imac relay" as keywords).

I'd only hesitate using a "mere" 10A rated relay if one of the loads was a laser printer - these pull a heftyish inrush current as the fuser warms up from cold. Even so, any decent quality 10A-rated relay won't mind at all. As Andrew G mentions, "proper" contactors can hum rather rudely (and not all that tunefully - every song they sing seems to consist only of the bottom bagpipe part, at sthg like the G 2-and-an-alf octaves below middle C ;-)

HTH - Stefek

Reply to
Stefek Zaba

You can buy a multi-outlet 13 amp socket strip where the first socket senses a load and switches on the rest for well under 10 quid these days. Which makes building a device switched from its low voltage rail a bit pointless, cost wise.

But neither solves the OP's problem.;-)

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

Oh yes they do.

Reply to
Nick Finnigan

I'd say because of larger CRT monitors. Their switch on surge can be high

- and PC switches are only rated at a few of amps. Besides, most have so much outboard gear that one outlet isn't much use. Then there's the temptation to use it for everything outboard...

The RPC I'm using at this minute has such an outlet. But it's not used. Two six way outlets screwed to the back of the desk instead.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

Because they're soft-switched in the power supply now. There isn't a switched mains point you can tap off a socket.

Reply to
Andrew Gabriel

Are you sure? The power supply on my PC has a monitor socket - but it's permanently live - i.e. it *doesn't* go off when you switch the PC off!

Reply to
Set Square

Good point.

Reply to
Mike Barnes

From my display system development days for a large "blue" IT manufacturer I seem to remember the switches were rated at 80A inrush for EMEA and 160A for the US. There were several reasons the outlet was removed: cost, reliability (no control of what people connected to it), soft power switching.

Reply to
Dave

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No need for an opto-isolated relay. Essentially all mains relays with a 5V coil will work on 500ma coil current. So, take a USB lead, dissect out the 5V and 0V wires (black and red) connect to the relay coil, and viola.

Reply to
Ian Stirling

Define 'switch off' the PC.

Reply to
Nick Finnigan

Have you checked out this theory with UK Rec. Gardening ?

Pete

Reply to
Peter Stockdale

I have no idea what you're talking about, sorry.

Reply to
Ian Stirling

OK - shut down the software, but leave it physically connected to the mains. E.G. "Start/Turn Off Computer" in Windows. [I have one of these smart extension leads, with the computer base unit connected to socket 1. Turning off the computer in this way causes all the peripherals plugged into the other sockets (monitor, printer, scanner, speakers, etc.) to be turned off - BUT the monitor socket on the back of the power supply is still live].

Reply to
Set Square

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