Analog Pin MOSFET 120v Source

Other Hardware General Electronics
1

Hey everyone, I'm looking for some advice on a project. Keep in mind I'm new when it comes to understanding circuits/electrical components

Basically I'm trying to place a MOSFET in between an inverter (110-120v) and some EL wire to allow full adjustment to the intensity of the light based on the output from an analog pin. I'm a bit confused as to whether a MOSFET alone will be able to perform the task. I can't find a MOSFET that will work with a 120v source that also has a gate range of 0-5v (or in other words the arduino can fully open the MOSFET).

There is a very likely possibility that I'm misunderstanding the data sheets and that there are MOSFETs that will work with an arduino. I currently have a TRIAC on order but that will only allow the arduino to control the EL wire to be on or off.

Thanks in advance.

2

in between an inverter (110-120v) and some EL wire to allow full adjustment to the intensity of the light

inverter output is ac, and mosfet is working with dc.
apple <> orange

3

So MOSFET is a no go. Any other way to achieve the effect I'm looking for?

4

I guess you ask is how to dim EL wire.

  • EL wire requires a driver/inverter that can provide 400-2000 Hz, 60-120VAC (that's RMS not peak-to-peak!) Higher frequency/voltage results in a brighter wire
  • EL wire is capacitive, and cannot be PWM'ed or easily dimmed

Google "dim EL wire", you will find what you need.

5

Thanks for the quick replies. Seems beyond my current abilities at the moment so I'll just stick to the TRIAC I ordered.

6

Krzr93:
I currently have a TRIAC on order but that will only allow the arduino to control the EL wire to be on or off.

Not so.
Whether this inverter will take kindly to triac-based control technique (operation) is a possible concern.

7

Are you just pointing out the potential issue with the inverter or something else when I said "on or off"?
I've heard about the possible concerns of running the inverter without the load of the EL wire connected but I haven't seen any actual manufacturer warnings or actual issues online.

8

Krzr93:
Are you just pointing out the potential issue with the inverter or something else when I said "on or off"?

Yes to both, I think.
What's your level of experience with triacs?

Krzr93:
I've heard about the possible concerns of running the inverter without the load of the EL wire connected but I haven't seen any actual manufacturer warnings or actual issues online.

The issuing issue that I was angling at [ :slight_smile: ] is how the inverter would perform given a phase controlled input.
It may be possible to do AC phase control of the inverter output, but the freqs mentioned by sonnyyu, 400-2000Hz, are pretty fast. All I've ever done is 60Hz.

9

good catch.

The output waveform of inverter, TRIAC support such frequency will be required very high dv/dt and pricy.
it is not smart move.

10

Plan B;-

Make dimmable inverter yourself.

http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/391/HV850-38205.pdf

HV850MG-G, Mouse, $2.05