Propagator project - automatically turn on light bulb

Other Hardware General Electronics
1

Hi all,

I'm quite a newbie with Arduino but keen to do what I think will be a easy hack to build an automated propagator with my daughter.

Essentially I want to create a box with some plants inside, hook up an Arduino controller (Uno) and perform the following:

  1. Monitor temperature (simple, can hook up a temp sensor and use serial monitor)
  2. When temp drops, switch on a light to increase heat in box (not so simple, reading online gets me confused about voltages etc. I am in Ireland so we have type G power sockets, 230v and frequency 50hz according to Ireland - Power Plugs & Sockets: Travel Adapter Needed?.
  3. Soil monitor to display a light when the soil is low (easy, already have a project that does this).

So, basically I am really stuck with how to turn a power socket on and off. I've read about relays etc and looked at some instructables articles but most of them seem to be using different voltages etc.

Can anyone recommend a good option for me here?

Thanks.

2

This will work

Don’t worry about the different voltage just so long as the relay you use can take the AC voltage and current you want.

3

Maybe, given your daughter is around the project, something pre-made and safe would be a good idea. Such as this?
s-l300 (18).jpg

s-l300 (18).jpg

4

Thank you @grumpy-mike for your reply, appreciated. Had I not seen the next message from @paulRB I would have used it, but Paul thanks so much this is exactly what I am after and certainly a lot safer for both myself and my daughter!

Have a nice day and thanks for your time.