AC Indicator LED - with Capacitor

162

04:52:27

This is a indicator LED circuit for mains 230 V AC at 50Hz

published 5 years ago

sijmen

5 years ago

Hi, I would be interested in comments with this circuit for a mains indicator LED. Is it safe to use as an indicator, or l likely to burn out easily?

sijmen

5 years ago

How can I tell if this will introduce noise onto the mains circuit. For example, if I was to use this in a power supply, would it add noise to the supply voltage?

hurz

5 years ago

As long you do not know how dangerous surprise the mains voltage has for you, you better do not publish such a unsafe circuit. The voltages inside Everycircuit are Peak voltages and NOT effective voltages or in RMS. To get the correct peak voltage setup you need to multiply the RMS voltage with √2 = 1.414 thats √2*230VAC=325Vpeak

sijmen

5 years ago

Thank you hurz, peek voltage verses RMS voltage is a very good point. I agree 230 volts is a dangerous voltage and should not be played with, but is the circuit really unsafe, and if so how?

rich11292000

5 years ago

You can order a neon indicator for 230 VAC. No crazy circuit needed.

sijmen

5 years ago

Yes Rich, I'm aware of that but I'm wanting to use more modern technology and the LED presents a nicer indicator. I've seen a lot of LED indicators used in cheap plug pack power supplies and plug boards, and most of these only use a LED and half watt resistor, but is does not seem safe as the resistor could burn out, as my calculations indicate that in that configuration the resistor should be at least 5 watt. So basically I'm specifically looking for a circuit to drive a LED off 230vac mains power.

rich11292000

5 years ago

A capacitor dropper circuit lacks galvanic isolation from the mains, exposing hazardous voltage, the circuit must be encased in a insulated box, any grounding will double the ground path or short to ground. The wasted wattage(heat) is intended to dissipate thru inductive loads in branch circuits. A small transformer is easier, safer, and more effecient to use, but is bigger and cost more.

add comment in editor

EveryCircuit is an easy to use, highly interactive circuit simulator and schematic capture tool. Real-time circuit simulation, interactivity, and dynamic visualization make it a must have application for professionals and academia. EveryCircuit user community has collaboratively created the largest searchable library of circuit designs. EveryCircuit app runs online in popular browsers and on mobile phones and tablets, enabling you to capture design ideas and learn electronics on the go.