How to control a power socket from a RasberryPi

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › How to control a power socket from a RasberryPi

LesF

176 posts

Master Geek

#223609 8-Oct-2017 13:10

I have a RPi managing jobs on my 3D printer, using Octoprint for the manager and a webcam for checking that it hasn't messed up.

When a job finishes I can tell the app to disconnect from the printer, which drops the USB connection and hopefully always leaves it with heaters turned off, but I would also like to be able to switch off the main power supply to the printer.

I have looked at some home automation power plugs which have a wifi remote control, are any of these able to be controlled via a RasberryPi running Linux?

What safe and reliable options would you recommend?

Ge0rge

2052 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1879367 8-Oct-2017 13:31

If you're telling the app manually (ie it's not doing it automatically at the end of the print run) to disconnect, perhaps a WeMo switch might be an option? then, after you've told the RPi to disconnet, use the WeMo app to turn the switch off as well.

LesF

176 posts

Master Geek

#1879382 8-Oct-2017 13:49

Cool, there is a command-line tool for that NPMJS belkin-wemo-command-line-tools

I would like to make this part of a web interface, so that I can leave a large print job running when I go out. Also making a camera mount with pan/tilt controls using Arduino gear, which will be the main focus of that web interface (ooh a pun).

frankv

5680 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#1879530 8-Oct-2017 21:26

I have the 12V supply to my 3D printer go via a RPi-controlled relay board. The relays are good for 10A, so I use one relay for the heated bed supply and another for the printer (and a third to turn LED lighs on/off). These relays are able to handle 250V AC, so you could do that too. However, I'm wary of working with mains, just because it's legal to play with 10A@12VDC, but not 0.5A@230VAC, so it doesn't destroy your insurance cover.

I'm sure you could control a Wemo (or similar) from a RPi. With a bit of luck, you should be able to Google protocols and maybe even find a RPi app that does it for you. I've reverse-engineered some Wifi-controlled LED controllers by using Wireshark to capture how a supplied phone app talked to the device. Simple UDP one-way messaging.

Tinkerisk

4224 posts

Uber Geek

#1879571 8-Oct-2017 23:50

LesF:

What safe and reliable options would you recommend?

I'm using 'fhem' on a RPi3. You can integrate nearly everything (regarding function AND of the shelf systems) - already existing and even new (i.e. Ikea, Hue, Heater Systems, Audio, TV, ...) stuff to it ... and: it's open source.

It mostly uses commercial 868MHz, 433MHz or even wired components with their relevant protocols - IP as well (I'm not familiar with your allowed frequency ranges).

If you don't fear CLI and some kind of initial familarization effort it's perfect for you and expandable ... https://fhem.de/

Edit: I forgot to mention 'Alexa', if you Claim to have that 'women' in your house as well ... ;-)

Have fun!

- NET: FTTH, OPNsense, 10G backbone, GWN APs, ipPBX
- SRV: 12 RU HA server cluster, 0.1 PB storage on premise
- IoT: thread, zigbee, tasmota, BidCoS, LoRa, WX suite, IR
- 3D: two 3D printers, 3D scanner, CNC router, laser cutter

lchiu7

6470 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1880503 10-Oct-2017 17:48

Probably not quite what you want but I control electrical outlets using plugin wall modules from Dlink and Insteon via Alexa (and Google Home) to a RPi running OpenHAB and HABridge.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

chimera

506 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1881984 11-Oct-2017 15:19

Sonoff is your best bet. They rock.

https://www.banggood.com/DIY-Wi-Fi-Wireless-Switch-For-Smart-Home-With-ABS-Shell-p-1019971.html

+ hack to this firmware...

https://github.com/arendst/Sonoff-Tasmota/wiki

then easily control via wifi