Hey everyone!
I am relatively new to the Arduino platform and want to make a simple web server on my Arduino via the Ethernet Shield to be able to control my table lamp (which uses a standard bulb).
Now I know the coding part, but not the hardware.
Do I need a relay or a transistor or a transformer ? If yes, then what type ? And how do I connect it and where do I connect it ? Please answer in detail. Without schematic. I can't understand that.
Thanks and may God bless you.
I think the safest and most straight forward interface would be to use a SSR (solid state relay), made for AC.
the input to the ssr should be hooked to ground, and one of the output pins. The output of the ssr (made for AC), should be hooked in series with our lamp. In other words, you can open/cut one wire on the lamp, and screw those two open wires to the two output pins of the ssr.
Warning, working with ac 120 or 240 can be dangerous. You may want to have someone with electrical experience do the AC wiring.
Use a Powerswitch tail .
An SSR is the easiest way. I used that for the compressor on my heatpump.
Just connect the Controlside to ground and a digitalpin.
And the 120v/230v AC side in series with the load.
An SSR is fine if the bulb is an incandescent bulb, but not if it is a compact fluorescent or LED bulb. This is because AC SSRs leak a small amount of current when they are off.