WiFi enabled socket teardown.
Added 2020-09-07 10:04:53 +0000 UTCThis was kinda interesting. It's quite well made with a few compromises, but demonstrates how impractical it is to mount RF communication devices into some walls.
The module can potentially be repurposed for 5V use.
Comments
Definitely flyback going by the dots. You have to consider the polarity of each end of the coil for it to make sense. In the abbreviated schematic the dot end is negative while the primary is active, and positive as the field collapses.
Big Clive
2020-09-09 03:16:43 +0000 UTCI have a similar unit in my kitchen, it works very well. And when I tell the smart system it’s bedtime she turns them off so I can’t leave things on over night. If your concerned about it being always on you can add an isolator I guess.
Adam Pepper
2020-09-07 22:42:33 +0000 UTCClive - I'm not a switcher expert but the winding direction dots give the impression it's a forward converter not flyback. But that doesn't make sense in the big picture - does it?
Mike Page
2020-09-07 21:37:15 +0000 UTCClassic marketing input after alpha demo: "can we swap these two LEDs?" No reason, they just need to contribute something at each stage. The wise engineer knows this, and plants some obvious mistakes for them to "correct".
Mike Page
2020-09-07 21:34:00 +0000 UTCArgh! Three leds in a row labled 3,1,2. What kind of psychopath does that???
Mark Trombley
2020-09-07 17:58:03 +0000 UTCI'd expect yes. But not between live and neutral.
Big Clive
2020-09-07 16:38:02 +0000 UTCI wonder if there is enough separation/isolation to withstand an insulation resistance test (Megger etc.)
2020-09-07 15:49:55 +0000 UTCI prefer to use plug in USB chargers/ supplies for the same reason, that when they do fail, (as they surely will eventually,) it is an expensive replacement. Very interesting though, the way it has been designed.
Mike Hughes
2020-09-07 13:09:40 +0000 UTCI always though that any built in electronics is a mad idea. The potential risk for failure is always high. I bought the best MK British made sockets in the 1980s and a few spares. Anything else I just plug in and if you need to upgrade your electronics, its easily done. Good tear down Clive.
Jeremy Travis
2020-09-07 11:56:51 +0000 UTCI have purely plug in wifi plugs and usb chargers for the very reasons you have mentioned.
Dr Andy Hill
2020-09-07 11:29:45 +0000 UTCI have a similar one and as a socket it's great. Does the job and I can power things. However, the wifi extender, not so much. The router in it seems to crash and the only way to restart it is to cycle the power for the whole ring. Which isn't great.
Martin Donnelly
2020-09-07 10:23:12 +0000 UTCClive I consider a tear-down video very disappointing unless it is absolutely replete with popping cracking noises. Yes I agree don't quite trust devices like this in my walls. I love seeing the dissection of the transformers and chokes. It really brings home the caution used in trusting inexpensively produced devices.
Michael Thompson
2020-09-07 10:21:47 +0000 UTCI'm not keen on hard wired electronics like you say, I do have one USB socket but I modded it before installation so that the circuit is only on when the left hand switch is on. I wouldn't install a Wi-Fi integrated socket, I do use wifi switching units (Sonoff) but even the inline units I have are through a plug with a fuse, having seen inside them I wouldn't be happy leaving them protected only by an MCB.
The Tinkering Shed
2020-09-07 10:19:34 +0000 UTC
