Discussion:
relay board
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john larkin
2025-03-24 14:33:25 UTC
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Here's another PCB:

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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.
bitrex
2025-03-24 15:05:32 UTC
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Post by john larkin
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
john larkin
2025-03-24 15:26:02 UTC
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Post by bitrex
Post by john larkin
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.
bitrex
2025-03-24 16:09:53 UTC
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Post by john larkin
Post by bitrex
Post by john larkin
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
john larkin
2025-03-24 16:19:02 UTC
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Post by bitrex
Post by john larkin
Post by bitrex
Post by john larkin
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.
Lasse Langwadt
2025-03-26 16:13:57 UTC
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Post by bitrex
Post by john larkin
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
john larkin
2025-03-26 18:33:22 UTC
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Post by Lasse Langwadt
Post by bitrex
Post by john larkin
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.
piglet
2025-03-26 23:24:52 UTC
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Post by john larkin
Post by Lasse Langwadt
Post by bitrex
Post by john larkin
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
john larkin
2025-03-27 00:36:35 UTC
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On Wed, 26 Mar 2025 23:24:52 -0000 (UTC), piglet
Post by john larkin
Post by Lasse Langwadt
Post by bitrex
Post by john larkin
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

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