On Mon, Jun 4, 2012, at 01:18 PM, James Harper wrote:
I need a 240V switch that can be controlled via USB, also being able to measure the current flowing (or at least the presence/lack of some current) via USB. Linux compatible of course :)
Ideally this switch would have a dead mans reset too - my linux controller would need to send an 'on' signal every (say) 30 seconds or it would turn off automatically.
Any suggestions? I could probably build the 240V logic myself but aren't qualified and it would suck if something caught fire etc because I did something stupid :)
Thanks James
James, Two questions: 1. Can you separate the two functions into two devices: one to control 240V, the other to do the current measurement? 2. Do you have to use USB? Assuming the answers are "yes" and "no", have a look at the iBoot, which is a remote 240V switch. It has an Ethernet interface and can be controlled via a web client. It has different heartbeat/watchdog functions and a range of other useful features: http://www.zantech.com.au/power/reboot/iboot.html With the current measurement, assuming you want to measure the current of a 240VAC device, there are current clamps that output an XML stream via a USB or serial interface. One example: http://www.currentcost.com/ And details of how to drive it via Linux & Perl: http://www.jibble.org/currentcost/ Let us know how you go. Regards Graeme