Elk M1 and 240V relays?

C

cezar_oz

Member
A quick and perhaps a silly question: can I use relays
(e.g. http://www.ness.com.au/ViewProduct.asp?ProductNumber=101-196 or:
http://elkproducts.com/products/elk-9200.htm) to selectively break 240V electric circuits?

E.g. if I wire a heavy duty relay into each circuit in parallel with a breaker - and be able to hook it up to M1 - I should be able to use M1 to control these circuits (on/off) based on whichever rules I program?

If this makes sense, what kind of relays would work best in this scenario?


thanks heaps
 
cezar_oz said:
A quick and perhaps a silly question: can I use relays
(e.g. http://www.ness.com.au/ViewProduct.asp?ProductNumber=101-196 or:
http://elkproducts.com/products/elk-9200.htm) to selectively break 240V electric circuits?

E.g. if I wire a heavy duty relay into each circuit in parallel with a breaker - and be able to hook it up to M1 - I should be able to use M1 to control these circuits (on/off) based on whichever rules I program?

If this makes sense, what kind of relays would work best in this scenario?


thanks heaps
Click to expand...

How many amps will be going thru the relay? You're in Australia, right? So it's a "single hot wire" 240vac circuit?

Keep in mind that "off" for some devices is not the same as cutting power to the device.
 
The problem you might have is the coil current for the 240V relay could exceed the controlling power of the ELK. You might want to investigate using solid state relays. The advantage there is that their control current is usually close to that of just an LED lamp. The negative is that they have maybe a volt or so of drop when on, meaning they could generate some heat, depending on the load. For example, 1 volt with a 24A load would generate 24watts of heat. Still, in the long run, I think you will be better off with solid state relays in some type of metal enclosure.
 
Are you thinking about Euro spec lighting circuits? If so, I would go UPB if a US form-factor switch will work for you. We do make them here for Euro spec.
 
AutomatedOutlet said:
Are you thinking about Euro spec lighting circuits? If so, I would go UPB if a US form-factor switch will work for you. We do make them here for Euro spec.
Click to expand...

I was thinking about UPB, but we're looking to use Clipsal push button 240v switches:
http://www.clipsal.com.au/trade/products/p...ess_push_button
and http://www.clipsal.com/saturn/home

There seems to be only one mob in Australia that makes UPB switches/dimmers and they are stupidly expensive. PM me if there is something specific you have in mind
 
Ira said:
How many amps will be going thru the relay? You're in Australia, right? So it's a "single hot wire" 240vac circuit?

Keep in mind that "off" for some devices is not the same as cutting power to the device.
Click to expand...

Each relay will need to handle between 10-15A I recon. We'll probably end up having a single phase connected to the house which gives a bit over 100A in total.
 
ano said:
The problem you might have is the coil current for the 240V relay could exceed the controlling power of the ELK. You might want to investigate using solid state relays. The advantage there is that their control current is usually close to that of just an LED lamp. The negative is that they have maybe a volt or so of drop when on, meaning they could generate some heat, depending on the load. For example, 1 volt with a 24A load would generate 24watts of heat. Still, in the long run, I think you will be better off with solid state relays in some type of metal enclosure.
Click to expand...

Good point. Are there any solid state relays that are particularly "Elk-friendly"?
 
cezar_oz said:
ano said:
The problem you might have is the coil current for the 240V relay could exceed the controlling power of the ELK. You might want to investigate using solid state relays. The advantage there is that their control current is usually close to that of just an LED lamp. The negative is that they have maybe a volt or so of drop when on, meaning they could generate some heat, depending on the load. For example, 1 volt with a 24A load would generate 24watts of heat. Still, in the long run, I think you will be better off with solid state relays in some type of metal enclosure.
Click to expand...

Good point. Are there any solid state relays that are particularly "Elk-friendly"?
Click to expand...

Hi Cezar

I use those Omron "ice cube" relays to switch 240v loads...works fine for up to 10 amps... You need to use 12vdc coils...

Im not sure why you would want to wire the relays contacts in parallel with a breaker ???

Frank
 
I suggest using one of the relay outputs available for the M1, such as the M1RB board and switch 12VDC through its contacts which will switch the coil voltage on whatever type relay you use such as mechanical or Solid State Relay.
 
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