I'm about to commence building a project that's basically a USB-controlled dimmer. I think the main components will be:
I'm not so much concerned about the project working, but as this is my first project involving mains power I'd rather not build something that electrocutes me, or burns down my house.
Could someone with some experience in the field please recommend some best practices, and / or some online resources, suitable for project builders new to mains power?
Answer
The Phidget board that you refer to has digital outputs only.
The voltage-controlled dimmer has an optically-isolated analog input, which takes 0-10V on the non-mains side and generates an analog signal on the hot-side (the side connected to the mains) which is read by the dimmer board micro and used to control the dimmer.
The main point is that your USB board (and whatever circuitry you intend to use to control the optoisolator current) must only be connected to the photodiode (non-hot side of the optocoupler). If you try and interface it directly to the dimmer micro, plug the circuit into the mains then plug a computer into the USB port, you're going to have a catastrophic failure on your hands (since you'll be introducing an earth connection to the primary circuitry) or worse, end up electrocuting someone.
You must make sure that inside your plastic box, no part of your Phidget USB board is located near the mains areas of the dimmer board. In North America, depending on the voltages involved and the exact standard, 4 to 8mm spacing is fairly common.
Use wires with 600V insulation rating to connect between the Phidget and the optoisolator, in case they happen to come near any of the mains circuitry along their travels.
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