INTL 3:770/1 3:770/3   
   REPLYADDR dave@davehigton.me.uk   
   REPLYTO 3:770/3.0 UUCP   
   MSGID: <423fc3e15b.DaveMeUK@BeagleBoard-xM> bc834b52   
   REPLY:  a83d6c09   
   PID: SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
   In message    
             Adrian  wrote:   
      
   > I'm looking for a USB controlled mains switch (230V AC) that I can  connect   
   > to a PI to turn a mains power supply on and off.   
   >   
   > I've done a bit of digging around on the net, and the options seem to  fall   
   > into two categories, either a relay device which means having to  rewire   
   > the device (which I'd rather avoid), priced around 30Euros or one  that   
   > sits in line (between the device and the supply).  The latter  appears to   
   > be in excess of 100Euros, which is considerably more than I  want to pay.   
   >   
   > Any suggestions on where to look ?  I'm not interested in a wireless   
   > solution, as it is likely to be used in places where signals are not   
   > reliable.   
      
   I did a bit of searching around.  AliExpress sell various models of   
   USB mains-rated relay boards.  Various models offer 5V, 12V or 24V   
   operation.  I see from a later posting that your RPi is in an IP55   
   plastic box, so I'm jumping to the conclusion that you're happy with   
   a bit of DIY to turn it from a board into a solution.   
      
   If I were doing it this way, I think I'd go for a 12V powered board   
   and have a separate PSU, rather than burden the RPi's supply further   
   as many people have problems that are traceable to inadequate power   
   supplies.   
      
   It sounds like you may have to build a USB library for the relay   
   boards - I don't know.   
      
   If I were doing the overall job that you're doing, I wouldn't use   
   USB, I'd use a GPIO pin to switch a different relay board on/off.   
   Much easier (and I've done lots of work on USB firmware and drivers).   
      
   David   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: Agency HUB, Dunedin - New Zealand | Fido<>Usenet Gateway (3:770/3)   
   SEEN-BY: 10/0 1 19/10 103/705 105/81 106/201 124/5016 128/187 129/305   
   SEEN-BY: 153/757 7715 154/110 218/0 1 601 700 840 220/70 221/1 6 360   
   SEEN-BY: 226/17 30 100 227/114 229/110 111 114 200 206 300 317 400   
   SEEN-BY: 229/426 428 470 550 616 664 700 705 240/1120 266/512 267/800   
   SEEN-BY: 291/111 292/854 301/1 113 812 310/31 320/219 322/757 335/364   
   SEEN-BY: 341/66 342/200 396/45 460/58 633/280 712/848 770/1 3 100   
   SEEN-BY: 770/330 340 772/210 220 230 902/26 2320/105 5020/400 1042   
   SEEN-BY: 5075/35   
   PATH: 770/3 1 218/840 221/6 301/1 218/700 229/426