Hello I am looking for advice on using an Arduino to turn a small AC load on and off. The load is a cannabilized LED array inside of an LED bulb that's made to screw into an Edison socket; essentially all of the "guts" of a standard LED bulb.
I already have and know that I could most easily use a relay shield, but it makes a loud clack when energizing/de-energizing that I want to avoid. Thanks for the recommendations.........
So I guess I didn't post an actual question which is: how do I best/most easily switch an AC circuit that just feeds a single Edison socket LED bulb using an Uno/Nano? I want to avoid using a SEEEDUINO relay shield (not that I have ANYTHING against the company or the device) that I already possess just because I don't want the noise of the relays energizing/de-energizing.
Thanks all......
Use a solid state relay for that.
If small AC load means relatively high voltage draining little current. Up to 2A is very cheap.
Like this?
SSR
450 mA current rating.
I've bought the OMRON ones - readily assembled circuits. Easy to connect and use..
https://www.google.de/search?q=omron+arduino+ssr
Have fun.
Looks like just what the doctor ordered......thank you very much!
It never ceases to amaze me how much has changed in the last 20 years or so in electronics......
I am coming to realize that it is far better to check to see if there isn't an already-made device than to start from scratch with the idea of making everything myself......
Same here.. 
However switching of high voltage appears to be quite a standard task.. ,)