Hi Guys,
I am sorry if this question has been asked more times than where babies come from. I have ordered many many things online and they are slowly arriving over the weeks.
I am creating a home automation light system. I have changed the relay i am using like 5 times as I learnt more about relays, upgrading from the cheap relay modules of 2-7 dollars to the more expensive dual altching bare relays for 6-12 dollars each...
I have purchased a bunch of 5v coil, dual latching relays capable of 16A 250VAC. I have a bunch of these:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/131942763948?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
a bunch of these:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/331627685381?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
and heaps of transistors, resistors and diodes....
The goal is to make relay modules that will go inside my wall and that I can control with my microcontroller. This leaves me with two main questions:
1.---------->>
What is the best way to power my module within the wall cavity. My options include subverting the mains power into a ac->DC 5v step down module such as this:
or using the 100s of metres of cat 6 cable I have to run into the wall cavity from the roof and then power using a power adapter from a central place (such as the garage). I could also consider controlling the relay module through the cat 6 as well, otherwise with the step down, I might have to go down the path of an RF receiver and sender
2.------------>>
What is the best way to attach a bare relay and make a connection to the screw terminal? Do i take apart an old copper wire and then just solder it in place? Do I instead just use solder to make a path between the connections? Do people ever use glue to ensure that the relay stays attached to the perfboard. Please help.
Thank you in advance for any help or tips.
What is your plan to connect the light? How are you going to put these in the wall? You are dealing with mains power, and you run the risk of starting a fire if you are not careful. If you are planning on having a wall outlet attached to the relay, then it needs to conform to the house circuit you are attaching it to.
You might want to think about using wifi and making these in a small project box with a pigtail that plugs into the wall. You can then mount a small power supply and your relay board inside. With proper planning, the box would only be the size of a computer power supply box, and you get the benefit of being able to move it at will.
Hi,
The goal is to make relay modules that will go inside my wall and that I can control with my microcontroller. This leaves me with two main questions:
Not a good idea, your insurance company would have a fit.
Houses with some form of automation, either have relays in the control box with all the fuses etc where they are accessible.
Or use approved outlets especially designed for home automotation.
Tom.... 
the best bet is get a copy of electrical code for your area and follow it or use certified home automation equipment
What is your plan to connect the light? How are you going to put these in the wall? You are dealing with mains power, and you run the risk of starting a fire if you are not careful. If you are planning on having a wall outlet attached to the relay, then it needs to conform to the house circuit you are attaching it to.
You might want to think about using wifi and making these in a small project box with a pigtail that plugs into the wall. You can then mount a small power supply and your relay board inside. With proper planning, the box would only be the size of a computer power supply box, and you get the benefit of being able to move it at will.
Thanks for your reply. To connect the light I was going to connect both states of the switches to a dual latching relay, which then leads to the light. This way i can always turn off the light and always turn it off. I was planning on having all the components within an enclosure box mounted onto the back of a blank face plate (so i can have easy access to the wall if i need to change something.
Not a good idea, your insurance company would have a fit.
Houses with some form of automation, either have relays in the control box with all the fuses etc where they are accessible.
Or use approved outlets especially designed for home automotation.
I would have to get it all signed off by an electrician. Would you say this would still not be acceptable?
the best bet is get a copy of electrical code for your area and follow it or use certified home automation equipment
Do you mean like Livolo?
Thank you for your help so far guys.
If anyone can provide advice on how to solder the relay to the perfboard I would be very much appreciative.