Author Topic: Cheap simple isolated AC -> 5V 50ma supply ?  (Read 9946 times)

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Offline tntTopic starter

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Cheap simple isolated AC -> 5V 50ma supply ?
« on: August 04, 2012, 03:51:03 pm »
Hi,

I'm looking for a way to takes mains (240V AC) and get 5V 50ma regulated out of it.

Now the conditions are:
 - Cheaper than 13 eur : There are dedicated modules that do 5V 600ma for 13 eur at farnell but I don't nee 600ma ...
 - Isolated : What its powering will have touch sensors ... I don't want to touch something that is not isolated from mains
 - Small : I don't want a big linear supply with a large transformer. The farnell module is ~ 30mm x 30mm x 20 mm
 - Integrable on the PCB: I know I could take appart a random wall wart but I want something I can just design in my PCB. Parts of the PCB already have mains access (for SSR / current sensing / ...).
 - Using off the shelf component : No widing my own transformer or stuff like that.
 - As simple as possible

Anybody got ideas ?

Cheers,

    Sylvain
 

Offline poorchava

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Re: Cheap simple isolated AC -> 5V 50ma supply ?
« Reply #1 on: August 04, 2012, 05:09:51 pm »
You can search ebay/DealExtreme/Aliexpress/etc for Mains->USB adapters meant for charging phones. I've seen those go as low as $2 so they're very cheap. What i don't know though, is to what degree can those be stripped off the plastic enclosure in order to fit pcb. Whole adapter is a bit bigger than 30x30mm, but I don't know how big the functional internals are (or how they are designed for that matter). IMO worth trying for that kind of money.
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Offline T4P

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Re: Cheap simple isolated AC -> 5V 50ma supply ?
« Reply #2 on: August 04, 2012, 05:19:24 pm »
They work and that's all we need to know  ::)
Well i can only guarantee they work best to 300mA but anything above that ... all bets are off (above 300mA you get starved current output + lots of noise)
 

Offline tntTopic starter

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Re: Cheap simple isolated AC -> 5V 50ma supply ?
« Reply #3 on: August 04, 2012, 05:56:32 pm »
As I said, I don't really want to buy wall wart and have to tear them appart.
 

Offline T4P

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Re: Cheap simple isolated AC -> 5V 50ma supply ?
« Reply #4 on: August 04, 2012, 06:05:53 pm »
As I said, I don't really want to buy wall wart and have to tear them appart.

Do you have to? Just get those that you can open with a screw
 

Offline muvideo

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Re: Cheap simple isolated AC -> 5V 50ma supply ?
« Reply #5 on: August 04, 2012, 06:28:22 pm »
I think an EE20 transformer fits the requirements,

http://www.nordtek.com/index.php?m=products&id=81

unless you find an off the shelf switcher that fits your needs.
Fabio Eboli.
 

Online mikeselectricstuff

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Re: Cheap simple isolated AC -> 5V 50ma supply ?
« Reply #6 on: August 05, 2012, 06:53:02 am »
These look suitable - 1W PCB mounting SMPS modules :
http://www.mornsun-power.com/cn/product_inf.aspx?typeID=17#
May be hard to find in small qtys though
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Offline amyk

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Re: Cheap simple isolated AC -> 5V 50ma supply ?
« Reply #7 on: August 05, 2012, 08:45:02 am »
They work and that's all we need to know  ::)
Well i can only guarantee they work best to 300mA but anything above that ... all bets are off (above 300mA you get starved current output + lots of noise)
OP only needs 50mA. Even the cheapest Chinese should be able to manage that easily.
 

Online mikeselectricstuff

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Re: Cheap simple isolated AC -> 5V 50ma supply ?
« Reply #8 on: August 05, 2012, 08:50:35 pm »
They work and that's all we need to know  ::)
Well i can only guarantee they work best to 300mA but anything above that ... all bets are off (above 300mA you get starved current output + lots of noise)
OP only needs 50mA. Even the cheapest Chinese should be able to manage that easily.
..just better hope the isolation holds up and it doesn't catch fire the first time it sees a mains transient.
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Offline mariush

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Re: Cheap simple isolated AC -> 5V 50ma supply ?
« Reply #9 on: August 05, 2012, 09:41:18 pm »
4$  http://uk.farnell.com/myrra/44087/transformer-1-5va-12v/dp/1689049
      230v -> 12v 1.5VA  ... 27 mm x 32mm x 25mm  ...

1$ http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10228&cs_id=1022801&p_id=5277&seq=1&format=2  (cut the end of the cable, solder it to the pcb and the transformer pins)

~1$ pcb on the bottom with a small bit on the outside, maybe a fuse , 4 diodes, a ldo and 2 capacitors and you're done.

1-2$ plastic box to protect the insides.

 

Online tom66

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Re: Cheap simple isolated AC -> 5V 50ma supply ?
« Reply #10 on: August 09, 2012, 06:19:07 am »
Ringing choke converter. Capable of 100mA at 5V.

Make sure to use a low ESR cap on output.
 

Offline tntTopic starter

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Re: Cheap simple isolated AC -> 5V 50ma supply ?
« Reply #11 on: August 09, 2012, 11:32:45 am »
@tom66: Nice, thanks a lot, that's exactly what I was looking for.

Do you know if there is any off the shelf transformer that would be suitable for L1/L2/L3 ?
 

Online tom66

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Re: Cheap simple isolated AC -> 5V 50ma supply ?
« Reply #12 on: August 09, 2012, 11:49:11 am »
@tom66: Nice, thanks a lot, that's exactly what I was looking for.

Do you know if there is any off the shelf transformer that would be suitable for L1/L2/L3 ?

I think you'd need to wind your own. It's not too difficult - you'd need to buy the magnet wire and transformer cores, but they are standard.

If you were making enough you could get a quote from a manufacturer of transformers.
« Last Edit: August 09, 2012, 11:52:08 am by tom66 »
 

Offline arekm

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Re: Cheap simple isolated AC -> 5V 50ma supply ?
« Reply #13 on: January 14, 2015, 09:02:17 pm »
Are there any good, cheap (so likely chinese) power supplies these days? Few pcs only. Looking for 5V, 0.5A, 1A ones, enclosure not needed. The goal is to safely power arduinos (that are connected to user touchable buttons etc) from 230V.

Founds some http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-3V-5V-9V-12V-AC-DC-DC-DC-Power-Supply-Buck-Converter-Step-Down-Module-1A-600mA-/400761809788 but I assume aren't that great (if someone else could look and confirm)
« Last Edit: January 14, 2015, 09:06:54 pm by arekm »
 

Offline LukeW

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Re: Cheap simple isolated AC -> 5V 50ma supply ?
« Reply #14 on: January 15, 2015, 03:16:17 am »
But the above ringing choke converter schematic doesn't have any galvanic isolation from the mains!

Since you only want 50 mA, how about something like a transformerless RC dropper style power supply, followed by a voltage regulator, followed by something like an Analog Devices iCoupler IC to give you the isolation?
 

Offline poorchava

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Re: Cheap simple isolated AC -> 5V 50ma supply ?
« Reply #15 on: January 15, 2015, 06:29:35 am »
But the above ringing choke converter schematic doesn't have any galvanic isolation from the mains!

Since you only want 50 mA, how about something like a transformerless RC dropper style power supply, followed by a voltage regulator, followed by something like an Analog Devices iCoupler IC to give you the isolation?

It does give isolation, as long as C6 and C9 are properl rated.
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Offline dave_j_fan

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Re: Cheap simple isolated AC -> 5V 50ma supply ?
« Reply #16 on: January 15, 2015, 05:07:55 pm »
here i get chargers for 0.5$ (india ) ::)...lastime i was looking for even less  :-DD shop keeper got angry 
 

Offline Kalvin

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Re: Cheap simple isolated AC -> 5V 50ma supply ?
« Reply #17 on: January 15, 2015, 05:53:29 pm »
How about an USB charger: 5V @ 100mA with isolation. Just remove the covers and place it on the PCB inside the enclosure, if necessary.
 

Offline arekm

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Re: Cheap simple isolated AC -> 5V 50ma supply ?
« Reply #18 on: January 15, 2015, 06:00:37 pm »
Find good, cheap, tested, isolated usb charger first. (bought some goobay branded after reading http://www.lygte-info.dk/info/usbPowerSupplyTest%20UK.html to see how they look inside)
 


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