1. Forum
  2. Usenet
  3. SCI.ELECTRONICS.DESIGN

  • relay board

    From john larkin @21:1/5 to All on Mon Mar 24 07:33:25 2025
    Here's another PCB:

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yxqdj418jx1ttuusqqehg/P946_Relays_A11.jpg?rlkey=hxshyt4mze59k31xpnsi3bfzc&raw=1

    I figured we could have a relay board in our modular power system, and
    my PCB layout guy had time, so I did one.

    Then I figured that instead of fuses to protect the contacts and PCB
    traces, I could use Hall sensors and drop out a relay if the current
    exceeds 8 amps. Then I figured I may as well report the currents to
    users. And why not voltage too? Then it became a programmable circuit
    breaker module. With average and RMS voltage and current and power
    measurement and waveforms. And programmable ganging. And plugin fuses
    for bussing. Somebody stop me.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From bitrex@21:1/5 to john larkin on Mon Mar 24 11:05:32 2025
    On 3/24/2025 10:33 AM, john larkin wrote:

    Here's another PCB:

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yxqdj418jx1ttuusqqehg/P946_Relays_A11.jpg?rlkey=hxshyt4mze59k31xpnsi3bfzc&raw=1

    I figured we could have a relay board in our modular power system, and
    my PCB layout guy had time, so I did one.

    Then I figured that instead of fuses to protect the contacts and PCB
    traces, I could use Hall sensors and drop out a relay if the current
    exceeds 8 amps. Then I figured I may as well report the currents to
    users. And why not voltage too? Then it became a programmable circuit breaker module. With average and RMS voltage and current and power measurement and waveforms. And programmable ganging. And plugin fuses
    for bussing. Somebody stop me.


    Better is the enemy of the good

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From john larkin @21:1/5 to bitrex on Mon Mar 24 08:26:02 2025
    On Mon, 24 Mar 2025 11:05:32 -0400, bitrex <user@example.net> wrote:

    On 3/24/2025 10:33 AM, john larkin wrote:

    Here's another PCB:

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yxqdj418jx1ttuusqqehg/P946_Relays_A11.jpg?rlkey=hxshyt4mze59k31xpnsi3bfzc&raw=1

    I figured we could have a relay board in our modular power system, and
    my PCB layout guy had time, so I did one.

    Then I figured that instead of fuses to protect the contacts and PCB
    traces, I could use Hall sensors and drop out a relay if the current
    exceeds 8 amps. Then I figured I may as well report the currents to
    users. And why not voltage too? Then it became a programmable circuit
    breaker module. With average and RMS voltage and current and power
    measurement and waveforms. And programmable ganging. And plugin fuses
    for bussing. Somebody stop me.


    Better is the enemy of the good

    Selling more is better than selling less.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From bitrex@21:1/5 to john larkin on Mon Mar 24 12:09:53 2025
    On 3/24/2025 11:26 AM, john larkin wrote:
    On Mon, 24 Mar 2025 11:05:32 -0400, bitrex <user@example.net> wrote:

    On 3/24/2025 10:33 AM, john larkin wrote:

    Here's another PCB:

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yxqdj418jx1ttuusqqehg/P946_Relays_A11.jpg?rlkey=hxshyt4mze59k31xpnsi3bfzc&raw=1

    I figured we could have a relay board in our modular power system, and
    my PCB layout guy had time, so I did one.

    Then I figured that instead of fuses to protect the contacts and PCB
    traces, I could use Hall sensors and drop out a relay if the current
    exceeds 8 amps. Then I figured I may as well report the currents to
    users. And why not voltage too? Then it became a programmable circuit
    breaker module. With average and RMS voltage and current and power
    measurement and waveforms. And programmable ganging. And plugin fuses
    for bussing. Somebody stop me.


    Better is the enemy of the good

    Selling more is better than selling less.


    With respect to hardware UIs my heuristic is that number of users who'll
    use a given feature declines exponentially with the depth of the menu
    dive they must go on to get to said feature

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From john larkin @21:1/5 to bitrex on Mon Mar 24 09:19:02 2025
    On Mon, 24 Mar 2025 12:09:53 -0400, bitrex <user@example.net> wrote:

    On 3/24/2025 11:26 AM, john larkin wrote:
    On Mon, 24 Mar 2025 11:05:32 -0400, bitrex <user@example.net> wrote:

    On 3/24/2025 10:33 AM, john larkin wrote:

    Here's another PCB:

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yxqdj418jx1ttuusqqehg/P946_Relays_A11.jpg?rlkey=hxshyt4mze59k31xpnsi3bfzc&raw=1

    I figured we could have a relay board in our modular power system, and >>>> my PCB layout guy had time, so I did one.

    Then I figured that instead of fuses to protect the contacts and PCB
    traces, I could use Hall sensors and drop out a relay if the current
    exceeds 8 amps. Then I figured I may as well report the currents to
    users. And why not voltage too? Then it became a programmable circuit >>>> breaker module. With average and RMS voltage and current and power
    measurement and waveforms. And programmable ganging. And plugin fuses >>>> for bussing. Somebody stop me.


    Better is the enemy of the good

    Selling more is better than selling less.


    With respect to hardware UIs my heuristic is that number of users who'll
    use a given feature declines exponentially with the depth of the menu
    dive they must go on to get to said feature

    We don't want complexity to drive away users, which suggests limiting
    or at least simplifying features.

    I think we'll make power metering an extra-cost option, partly for
    that reason.

    If people just want relays, I don't think the circuit breaker function
    will scare them off. They don't have to use it, and everybody already
    is used to circuit breakers.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Lasse Langwadt@21:1/5 to bitrex on Wed Mar 26 17:13:57 2025
    On 3/24/25 16:05, bitrex wrote:
    On 3/24/2025 10:33 AM, john larkin wrote:

    Here's another PCB:

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yxqdj418jx1ttuusqqehg/P946_Relays_A11.jpg?rlkey=hxshyt4mze59k31xpnsi3bfzc&raw=1

    I figured we could have a relay board in our modular power system, and
    my PCB layout guy had time, so I did one.

    Then I figured that instead of fuses to protect the contacts and PCB
    traces, I could use Hall sensors and drop out a relay if the current
    exceeds 8 amps. Then I figured I may as well report the currents to
    users. And why not voltage too? Then  it became a programmable circuit
    breaker module. With average and RMS voltage and current and power
    measurement and waveforms.  And programmable ganging. And plugin fuses
    for bussing. Somebody stop me.


    Better is the enemy of the good


    more like enemy of "good enough" aka. done

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From john larkin@21:1/5 to All on Wed Mar 26 11:33:22 2025
    On Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:13:57 +0100, Lasse Langwadt <llc@fonz.dk>
    wrote:

    On 3/24/25 16:05, bitrex wrote:
    On 3/24/2025 10:33 AM, john larkin wrote:

    Here's another PCB:

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yxqdj418jx1ttuusqqehg/P946_Relays_A11.jpg?rlkey=hxshyt4mze59k31xpnsi3bfzc&raw=1

    I figured we could have a relay board in our modular power system, and
    my PCB layout guy had time, so I did one.

    Then I figured that instead of fuses to protect the contacts and PCB
    traces, I could use Hall sensors and drop out a relay if the current
    exceeds 8 amps. Then I figured I may as well report the currents to
    users. And why not voltage too? Then it became a programmable circuit
    breaker module. With average and RMS voltage and current and power
    measurement and waveforms. And programmable ganging. And plugin fuses
    for bussing. Somebody stop me.


    Better is the enemy of the good


    more like enemy of "good enough" aka. done

    Done is an important engineering virue.

    If a bit of hardware could be applied with some code, it may well be
    worth putting on a board. Some customer might want a feature and it
    could be added quickly.

    Lots of people make electronic programmable circuit breakers, but
    generally don't include measurements or waveform acquisition. So why
    not? I have embarassing amounts of whitespace on this PCB.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From piglet@21:1/5 to john larkin on Wed Mar 26 23:24:52 2025
    john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> wrote:
    On Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:13:57 +0100, Lasse Langwadt <llc@fonz.dk>
    wrote:

    On 3/24/25 16:05, bitrex wrote:
    On 3/24/2025 10:33 AM, john larkin wrote:

    Here's another PCB:

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yxqdj418jx1ttuusqqehg/P946_Relays_A11.jpg?rlkey=hxshyt4mze59k31xpnsi3bfzc&raw=1

    I figured we could have a relay board in our modular power system, and >>>> my PCB layout guy had time, so I did one.

    Then I figured that instead of fuses to protect the contacts and PCB
    traces, I could use Hall sensors and drop out a relay if the current
    exceeds 8 amps. Then I figured I may as well report the currents to
    users. And why not voltage too? Then  it became a programmable circuit >>>> breaker module. With average and RMS voltage and current and power
    measurement and waveforms.  And programmable ganging. And plugin fuses >>>> for bussing. Somebody stop me.


    Better is the enemy of the good


    more like enemy of "good enough" aka. done

    Done is an important engineering virue.

    If a bit of hardware could be applied with some code, it may well be
    worth putting on a board. Some customer might want a feature and it
    could be added quickly.

    Lots of people make electronic programmable circuit breakers, but
    generally don't include measurements or waveform acquisition. So why
    not? I have embarassing amounts of whitespace on this PCB.







    I can see how having a record of events prior to the “breaker” opening could be useful.

    --
    piglet

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From john larkin@21:1/5 to erichpwagner@hotmail.com on Wed Mar 26 17:36:35 2025
    On Wed, 26 Mar 2025 23:24:52 -0000 (UTC), piglet
    <erichpwagner@hotmail.com> wrote:

    john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> wrote:
    On Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:13:57 +0100, Lasse Langwadt <llc@fonz.dk>
    wrote:

    On 3/24/25 16:05, bitrex wrote:
    On 3/24/2025 10:33 AM, john larkin wrote:

    Here's another PCB:

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yxqdj418jx1ttuusqqehg/P946_Relays_A11.jpg?rlkey=hxshyt4mze59k31xpnsi3bfzc&raw=1

    I figured we could have a relay board in our modular power system, and >>>>> my PCB layout guy had time, so I did one.

    Then I figured that instead of fuses to protect the contacts and PCB >>>>> traces, I could use Hall sensors and drop out a relay if the current >>>>> exceeds 8 amps. Then I figured I may as well report the currents to
    users. And why not voltage too? Then it became a programmable circuit >>>>> breaker module. With average and RMS voltage and current and power
    measurement and waveforms. And programmable ganging. And plugin fuses >>>>> for bussing. Somebody stop me.


    Better is the enemy of the good


    more like enemy of "good enough" aka. done

    Done is an important engineering virue.

    If a bit of hardware could be applied with some code, it may well be
    worth putting on a board. Some customer might want a feature and it
    could be added quickly.

    Lots of people make electronic programmable circuit breakers, but
    generally don't include measurements or waveform acquisition. So why
    not? I have embarassing amounts of whitespace on this PCB.







    I can see how having a record of events prior to the breaker opening
    could be useful.

    Good idea. We could act like a digital scope and save data before and
    after the breaker open trigger. That's a feature. We'll do it.

    Thanks

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)