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Topic: Make your own Switched PDU. - page 2. (Read 2269 times)

legendary
Activity: 3822
Merit: 2703
Evil beware: We have waffles!
August 24, 2016, 07:09:14 PM
#11
Search the RasPi/Audrino/BeagleBone sites for a lot of home automation projects that do just this kind of thing. Why reinvent the wheel?

Most of the projects only take the power load so far (typically 15A) but no reason you can't use their outputs to drive heftier contactors. For that matter, all server PSU's have a low power (5vdc) toggle to turn the DC on and off...
legendary
Activity: 1500
Merit: 1002
Mine Mine Mine
August 24, 2016, 04:45:38 PM
#10
SSD + rpi done deal
legendary
Activity: 3374
Merit: 1859
Curmudgeonly hardware guy
August 24, 2016, 03:18:18 PM
#9
I don't know about your main breakers, but mine would take a very sturdy servo to toggle 'em over. Kicking off isn't too difficult, but kicking back on has a fair bit of pressure on it.

What about using a normally-open relay driven off some networked GPIO? Someone on here was talking a month or two about making his own networked switchable PDU and I think he got laughed off, but that seems to me a lot less jankety than wiring a servo to a cellphone and attaching it to a breakerbox.
sr. member
Activity: 366
Merit: 250
August 24, 2016, 03:12:24 PM
#8
Here's my dream list:

#1: Turn on/off outlets is key.
#2: CT on each outlet.
#3: Temperature sensor
#4: Web interface - nothing special, just something to control and get data

I don't think it's a good idea to use a servo or actuator to reset a breaker - if you're throwing a breaker, something pretty bad is happening.  And resetting it remotely could be REALLY bad, since you don't necessarily see what caused the issue.

I use a TrippLite server PDU's, and to be honest they're pretty marginal.


all the tripplite switched units ive seen are costly as can be or a measly 20a whih gets me nowherfe in terms of roi

as for tripping a breaker with a servo you are only tripping the breaker for one of two reasons

1) a unit needs a hard reset. aka trip the breaker and reset all easily just like if you unplugged and replugged in the pdu

2) there is a problem you see remotely and throw the breaker as a saftey precaution

what r the schematics for a cheap servo throwing the main? for example. 200amp box. entire load is servers. Trip the main reset all systems. all systems running off cheap non switched pdu wired straight into box. (already have all that dont just need trip mechinism)

i can wire np

seems much simpler to do it that way then build and entire PDU. also a lot cheaper.
sr. member
Activity: 366
Merit: 250
August 24, 2016, 03:10:32 PM
#7
Here's my dream list:

#1: Turn on/off outlets is key.
#2: CT on each outlet.
#3: Temperature sensor
#4: Web interface - nothing special, just something to control and get data

I don't think it's a good idea to use a servo or actuator to reset a breaker - if you're throwing a breaker, something pretty bad is happening.  And resetting it remotely could be REALLY bad, since you don't necessarily see what caused the issue.

I use a TrippLite server PDU's, and to be honest they're pretty marginal.


all the tripplite switched units ive seen are costly as can be or a measly 20a whih gets me nowherfe in terms of roi

as for tripping a breaker with a servo you are only tripping the breaker for one of two reasons

1) a unit needs a hard reset. aka trip the breaker and reset all easily just like if you unplugged and replugged in the pdu

2) there is a problem you see remotely and throw the breaker as a saftey precaution
legendary
Activity: 2464
Merit: 1710
Electrical engineer. Mining since 2014.
August 24, 2016, 02:58:42 PM
#6
I think that even though I could come up with schematics for this, you would have problems with electrical knowledge, acquiring the parts etc.
And depending how much features you want into it, the parts are gonna cost as well.
legendary
Activity: 1932
Merit: 1042
https://locktrip.com/?refId=40964
August 24, 2016, 02:43:17 PM
#5
Here's my dream list:

#1: Turn on/off outlets is key.
#2: CT on each outlet.
#3: Temperature sensor
#4: Web interface - nothing special, just something to control and get data

I don't think it's a good idea to use a servo or actuator to reset a breaker - if you're throwing a breaker, something pretty bad is happening.  And resetting it remotely could be REALLY bad, since you don't necessarily see what caused the issue.

I use a TrippLite server PDU's, and to be honest they're pretty marginal.


sorry but what do you mean about "#2: CT on each outlet."
hero member
Activity: 687
Merit: 511
August 24, 2016, 01:01:36 PM
#4
Here's my dream list:

#1: Turn on/off outlets is key.
#2: CT on each outlet.
#3: Temperature sensor
#4: Web interface - nothing special, just something to control and get data

I don't think it's a good idea to use a servo or actuator to reset a breaker - if you're throwing a breaker, something pretty bad is happening.  And resetting it remotely could be REALLY bad, since you don't necessarily see what caused the issue.

I use a TrippLite server PDU's, and to be honest they're pretty marginal.
sr. member
Activity: 366
Merit: 250
August 24, 2016, 12:35:09 PM
#3
Yes exactly. I would like that to. In theory you could bread board the smoke alarm into the breaker switch (actuator) also so if the alarm went off it would auto shutoff until you dial into your cam system and asses the damage. The main problem i see is two things

1) parts list? Seriousy... who the heck knows? Just for the pdu you would need 8guage 240v wire. I beleive a grounding bar for the box (pdu) and I would presume another 2 bars to split the 2 hot 120v leads. how to enclose this is another story / mystery. Truthfully when all is said and done it may just be much easier to buy a basic triplite PDU and figure out something with the actuator.

2) wiring all the parts together. we almost need an expert to draw a wiring diagram for this whole thing. I know how to wire and read diagram but i am not so great with parts list and the actual schematic at my current tech level.

Help friends. We love you.
sr. member
Activity: 324
Merit: 250
August 24, 2016, 10:11:07 AM
#2
I don't really have much to add aside from the fact that I like the idea. Personally, I'd like to have remote access to switch the breakers on\off in case I get a smoke alarm notification. What you're talking about could accomplish that.
sr. member
Activity: 366
Merit: 250
August 24, 2016, 08:49:34 AM
#1
Good morning internet family,

I have been doing quite a bit of contemplating. Switched PDU's are hella expensive. Furthermore even if cheap most are only a measly like 20-30amp.

Which brings me to building my own PDU.

What is the deal? I am familiar with 240v wiring. I would imagine I would be fine as long as i incorporate a fuse? I couldn't realistically draw much more then 30amp per unit i build due to hardware and wire limitations (its tricky to wire 200amp main lines into a self made pdu box hard to find hardware etc)

So I have been thinking I could probably build each pdu for about $50. Which brings me to my next question. How to switch the pdu.

An easy method i am thinking is mount a board (wood) next to my electric box. A small cheap servo or actuator in place to flip said breaker (or flip the main)

additionally it would be boss if I could wire in a cell phone trigger for the actuator, as if my network drops i can reset the entire system from a cell phone (or internet i could wire both).

Any advice and pointers would be great. Switched pdus are hella expensive and i dont have gaypal or scambay. Would love to hear everyones input including how to wire a cellphone actuator or networked actuator etc Smiley

happy mining family
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