Switch on mains device from my PC
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Switch on mains device from my PC
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Michael C
Guest
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2005 2:26 pm    Post subject: Switch on mains device from my PC Reply with quote
I have a program that I have written that works with a certain camera. I'd
like to be able to switch the camera on and off from within my program. All
I'm after is something like a powerboard that connects to the usb port that
I can turn each socket on and off though some sort of command. Does anything
like this exist? I thought it might for home automation but couldn't find
anything that did exactly what I want. It doesn't have to be a 4 way
powerboard, 1 would do.

Thanks again,
Michael
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rowan194
Guest
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2005 9:20 pm    Post subject: Re: Switch on mains device from my PC Reply with quote
You mentioned home automation, have you looked at X10 products? Tricky
Dicky sell them.

Actually, after a quick look it seems all they have now is a remote
control. They used to have things that let you hook up a computer, turn
lights on and off, etc. Perhaps I'm looking on the wrong part of the
site.
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Michael C
Guest
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2005 10:41 pm    Post subject: Re: Switch on mains device from my PC Reply with quote
"rowan194" <googlegroups@sensation.net.au> wrote in message
news:1130602833.547425.64290@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Quote:
You mentioned home automation, have you looked at X10 products? Tricky
Dicky sell them.

Actually, after a quick look it seems all they have now is a remote
control. They used to have things that let you hook up a computer, turn
lights on and off, etc. Perhaps I'm looking on the wrong part of the
site.

I've had a pretty good look at home automation. The problem is they don't
have anything that switches power on and off from the usb port because usb
can't extend between your PC and where ever the thing you are switching is.
It does seem like it is possible to control it from your PC but through a
wireless link or something. The sites I've looked at have been *extremely*
vague as to how it all works. I found something that works through ethernet
but getting my customers to set up ip addresses and have a second network
connection near the pc is too complicated.

Michael
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Skeleton Man
Guest
Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 3:15 am    Post subject: Re: Switch on mains device from my PC Reply with quote
Quote:
I have a program that I have written that works with a certain camera. I'd
like to be able to switch the camera on and off from within my program. All
I'm after is something like a powerboard that connects to the usb port that
I can turn each socket on and off though some sort of command. Does anything
like this exist? I thought it might for home automation but couldn't find
anything that did exactly what I want. It doesn't have to be a 4 way
powerboard, 1 would do.

If I understand correctly, this is what you want, a USB Relay Card:

http://www.ar.com.au/~softmark/page32.html

It looks like it comes in kit form and it's priced at $115.50 ($105 + GST)

Regards,
Chris



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Michael C
Guest
Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 7:09 am    Post subject: Re: Switch on mains device from my PC Reply with quote
"Skeleton Man" <invalid@guestwho.com> wrote in message
news:1130623955.828254@donna.bmts.com...
Quote:
If I understand correctly, this is what you want, a USB Relay Card:

http://www.ar.com.au/~softmark/page32.html

It looks like it comes in kit form and it's priced at $115.50 ($105 + GST)

That's exactly what I want except to be able to safely and legally switch
240V, basically the same thing inside one of those 4 way powerboards.

Michael
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Michael C
Guest
Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 8:25 am    Post subject: Re: Switch on mains device from my PC Reply with quote
"Skeleton Man" <invalid@guestwho.com> wrote in message
news:1130648444.345649@donna.bmts.com...
Quote:
By safely and legally switch 240v you mean something that you can plug a
standard 3 pin plug into ? (without cutting, etc)

Yep, I'm hoping for something that will work out of the box.

Quote:
The kit says it has an input isolation voltage of 2500V, so switching 240V
I
would think should be fine.. what if you cut the ends of an extension
cord
(for input and output) or something along those lines ? maybe you can come
up
with something and then have it electrically tested and tagged ? (that way
it's
legal)

From what I understand it's expensive to get anything passed for 240V mains
and it opens up the possibility of me being sued if someone gets
electrocuted. I could use this kit for low voltage switching but it might be
a bit much trouble for the scope of this project to get it switching mains.

Michael
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Michael C
Guest
Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 8:25 am    Post subject: Re: Switch on mains device from my PC Reply with quote
"rowan194" <googlegroups@sensation.net.au> wrote in message
Quote:
Are they residential or business customers? From memory they need to be
on the same power phase for X10 to work.

They are dentist.

Quote:
If you do a google AU search for "X10" you can probably find something
suitable. This is one kit I've found:

http://www.eon3.com/content/products/product-detail.asp?intProductID=565

That is close to what I'm after although not quite perfect. Serial would be
ok but combined with having to have a sender and receiver it is getting a
bit complicated. I'm suprised nothing exists considering the range of
electronics available today but I guess there just isn't much need for it.

I could just use the relay kit someone suggested and use it only for cameras
that have an external power supply.

Michael
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Skeleton Man
Guest
Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 8:25 am    Post subject: Re: Switch on mains device from my PC Reply with quote
Quote:
If I understand correctly, this is what you want, a USB Relay Card:

http://www.ar.com.au/~softmark/page32.html

It looks like it comes in kit form and it's priced at $115.50 ($105 + GST)

That's exactly what I want except to be able to safely and legally switch
240V, basically the same thing inside one of those 4 way powerboards.

By safely and legally switch 240v you mean something that you can plug a
standard 3 pin plug into ? (without cutting, etc)

The kit says it has an input isolation voltage of 2500V, so switching 240V I
would think should be fine.. what if you cut the ends of an extension cord
(for input and output) or something along those lines ? maybe you can come up
with something and then have it electrically tested and tagged ? (that way it's
legal)

Regards,
Chris



----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
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----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----
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rowan194
Guest
Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 8:25 am    Post subject: Re: Switch on mains device from my PC Reply with quote
Michael C wrote:
Quote:
"rowan194" <googlegroups@sensation.net.au> wrote in message
news:1130602833.547425.64290@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
You mentioned home automation, have you looked at X10 products? Tricky
Dicky sell them.

Actually, after a quick look it seems all they have now is a remote
control. They used to have things that let you hook up a computer, turn
lights on and off, etc. Perhaps I'm looking on the wrong part of the
site.

I've had a pretty good look at home automation. The problem is they don't
have anything that switches power on and off from the usb port because usb
can't extend between your PC and where ever the thing you are switching is.
It does seem like it is possible to control it from your PC but through a
wireless link or something. The sites I've looked at have been *extremely*
vague as to how it all works. I found something that works through ethernet
but getting my customers to set up ip addresses and have a second network
connection near the pc is too complicated.

Are they residential or business customers? From memory they need to be
on the same power phase for X10 to work.

If you do a google AU search for "X10" you can probably find something
suitable. This is one kit I've found:

http://www.eon3.com/content/products/product-detail.asp?intProductID=565

Basically all you would need is the sender and one of the power
switches. I do see that it requires serial, but as the page says a USB
to serial converter can be utilised.

HTH, and I wish Tricky Dicky still sold this stuff, because I'm now
inspired to have a play! :)
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prossid
Guest
Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 8:25 am    Post subject: Re: Switch on mains device from my PC Reply with quote
Michael C wrote:
Quote:
I have a program that I have written that works with a certain camera. I'd
like to be able to switch the camera on and off from within my program. All
I'm after is something like a powerboard that connects to the usb port that
I can turn each socket on and off though some sort of command. Does anything
like this exist? I thought it might for home automation but couldn't find
anything that did exactly what I want. It doesn't have to be a 4 way
powerboard, 1 would do.

Thanks again,
Michael

Silicon Chip November 04 issue - USB PowerUp - exactly what you are
looking for (I think)
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Michael C
Guest
Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 3:39 pm    Post subject: Re: Switch on mains device from my PC Reply with quote
"prossid" <prossid@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1130994292.352562.259810@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Quote:
Silicon Chip November 04 issue - USB PowerUp - exactly what you are
looking for (I think)

I've seen this and it's not quite what I'm after. There's powers on when the
PC powers on, you can't turn it on and off from software.

Michael
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swanny
Guest
Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 8:25 am    Post subject: Re: Switch on mains device from my PC Reply with quote
Michael C wrote:

Quote:
"prossid" <prossid@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1130994292.352562.259810@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

Silicon Chip November 04 issue - USB PowerUp - exactly what you are
looking for (I think)


I've seen this and it's not quite what I'm after. There's powers on when the
PC powers on, you can't turn it on and off from software.

Michael


Dontronics have some USB stuff, maybe there is something there that is

what you are after. (www.dontronics.com)
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Jasen Betts
Guest
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 4:25 pm    Post subject: Re: Switch on mains device from my PC Reply with quote
Michael C wrote:
Quote:
I have a program that I have written that works with a certain camera. I'd
like to be able to switch the camera on and off from within my program. All
I'm after is something like a powerboard that connects to the usb port that
I can turn each socket on and off though some sort of command. Does anything
like this exist? I thought it might for home automation but couldn't find
anything that did exactly what I want. It doesn't have to be a 4 way
powerboard, 1 would do.

If using linux read the Coffee-FAQ

if not the harware there described can probably be made to work in other
environments.

Bye.
Jasen
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Michael C
Guest
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 7:44 pm    Post subject: Re: Switch on mains device from my PC Reply with quote
"Jasen Betts" <jasen@clunker.homenet> wrote in message
news:slrndmrmkb.c4e.jasen@clunker.homenet...
Quote:

Michael C wrote:
I have a program that I have written that works with a certain camera.
I'd
like to be able to switch the camera on and off from within my program.
All
I'm after is something like a powerboard that connects to the usb port
that
I can turn each socket on and off though some sort of command. Does
anything
like this exist? I thought it might for home automation but couldn't find
anything that did exactly what I want. It doesn't have to be a 4 way
powerboard, 1 would do.

If using linux read the Coffee-FAQ

if not the harware there described can probably be made to work in other
environments.

I had a look but the problem is it's out of my budget to make my own product
that switches 240v because I believe getting it passed whatever it needs to
pass is expensive. I really need a ready made product.

Michael
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Dave
Guest
Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 3:35 am    Post subject: Re: Switch on mains device from my PC Reply with quote
Michael C wrote:
Quote:
I have a program that I have written that works with a certain camera. I'd
like to be able to switch the camera on and off from within my program. All
I'm after is something like a powerboard that connects to the usb port that
I can turn each socket on and off though some sort of command. Does anything
like this exist? I thought it might for home automation but couldn't find
anything that did exactly what I want. It doesn't have to be a 4 way
powerboard, 1 would do.

http://www.dataprobe.com/power/iboot.html

Possibly useful, not exactly cheap but it will work anywhere.

If you direct connect to the downlink port from the controller pc, you
should be able to write a simple script to control the unit.

Plus the added benefit you could control it from a very, very, very long
way away :)

It could also monitor the controlling pc to make sure it's still running
and reboot it if it isn't.

They even let you self drive a unit via an online demo:
http://www.dataprobe.com/camera/democam.html

Dave
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