Re: USB controlled mains switch

On 19/01/2025 14:01, Adrian wrote:

The cheaper option involves cutting the plug off the item, and hard
wiring it into the board.  I've got two problems with that.  Firstly, it
means that I can't readily reuse that item elsewhere as I'd have to
replace the plug (a bit of a faff if it is temporary move),

The easy solution to that is to get a short single socket mains
extension cable and splice the relay into that. It's then usable with
any device.

and secondly
if I'm trying to control something fed via a wall wart then it gets
messy unless I leave the wall wart powered all the time (which I'd
rather not do), and switch between it and the device.

If it's got a wall wart, it's far better to switch the low voltage side.
You can then use a less expensive non mains rated relay. Most wall wart
devices have a connector of some sort, so make an extension lead to
splice the relay into. If it is a hard wired one, you'll have to cut the
cable at some point, but fit some 5.5x2.1mm jack connectors so you can
rejoin it without the relay if needed.

---druck