AC Detector

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  • Last Post 29 January 2014
hdrider465@gmail.com posted this 11 January 2014

Anybody have an idea how to implement an AC detector. I'm looking for a Z-wave device that can report the presence of 110V AC. A scenerio would be that something / someone is turning on / off a circuit. The Zwave device would singal when this has happened.

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Axial-User posted this 11 January 2014

Does your use case center around a single outlet or switch, or does it need to monitor more than a single outlet/switch?

ftsikogi posted this 11 January 2014

You could try using a battery operated door sensor with a binary input (http://www.visionsecurity.com.tw/haproductspage2154159.html) in conjuction with a small relay.
The coil of the relay will be connected to the AC power and the contact pins to the input of the sensor.
When the AC power drops the sensor will change its status to tripped/open.
Hope that helps.

hdrider465@gmail.com posted this 11 January 2014

Does your use case center around a single outlet or switch, or does it need to monitor more than a single outlet/switch?


I was thinking a single outlet / switch - but might be useful as a circuit breaker detection also. If a CB trips alert me.

SickPup404 posted this 13 January 2014

For a switched location, you could use an Aeon Labs In-Wall Switch in conjunction with a standard 2-way light switch. I use these to control porch, garage, and barn lights via ICHA, but when I hit the switches manually, their status gets updated in ICHA.

hdrider465@gmail.com posted this 14 January 2014

For a switched location, you could use an Aeon Labs In-Wall Switch in conjunction with a standard 2-way light switch. I use these to control porch, garage, and barn lights via ICHA, but when I hit the switches manually, their status gets updated in ICHA.


I've got a few of these - I love them - But they require AC power to operate - so if the CB tripped it would not work. I ordered a couple of AC relays and will wire them up to a battery operated window sensor. That will cover all of my scenarios

Thanks

hdrider465@gmail.com posted this 16 January 2014

You could try using a battery operated door sensor with a binary input (http://www.visionsecurity.com.tw/haproductspage2154159.html) in conjuction with a small relay.
The coil of the relay will be connected to the AC power and the contact pins to the input of the sensor.
When the AC power drops the sensor will change its status to tripped/open.
Hope that helps.


Took your idea but after looking at AC relays they are pretty large.
Decided on a small 5V USB Power cube, a 5V relay and a door / window sensor. I'll post some pics once I have it built.

hdrider465@gmail.com posted this 29 January 2014

[quote=hdrider465@gmail.com]You could try using a battery operated door sensor with a binary input (http://www.visionsecurity.com.tw/haproductspage2154159.html) in conjuction with a small relay. The coil of the relay will be connected to the AC power and the contact pins to the input of the sensor. When the AC power drops the sensor will change its status to tripped/open. Hope that helps.

Took your idea but after looking at AC relays they are pretty large. Decided on a small 5V USB Power cube, a 5V relay and a door / window sensor. I'll post some pics once I have it built. [/quote]

OK - Here it is http://sdrv.ms/Lm9cMd I have the 5V from the USB plug wired up to a 5V relay - The relay is connected up to the door sensor terminals. When there is power - the relay is closed and the sensor reports as un tripped. When the power drops out. the relay opens and the sensor reports as tripped.

I am using these in a few use cases 1) Garage Freezer - monitor the outlet to alert me if the power goes out ( The outlet is on a GFI circuit that gets tripped some times 2) Solar Power - I have an off grid solar system - I am using this to let me know when the inverter drops off line due to low batteries 3) Alarm System - I have a Sky Link alarm system with a silent alarm module - This module plugs into an out let and then you plug a light into it and it will flash when the alarm is tripped. I can now capture this and alert me via email text etc..

monkey-magic posted this 29 January 2014

That looks quite neat.

I'll have to keep this in mind.

Josh

ftsikogi posted this 29 January 2014

Excellent job!

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