Certify a high voltage relay system in NZ

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Certify a high voltage relay system in NZ

itxtme

2102 posts

Uber Geek

#259899 29-Oct-2019 12:25

We are wanting to create a system for use with our infrastructure that allows us to control a 5v relay from a router GPIO and works essentially like a switch with the phase power going through the Sensor on the relay and out of the Normally Open over 240v

I have put this together and it works just as expected, but obviously we cannot be cutting down wires and installing this equipment like I did for the test around NZ. My question is around producing this, and getting it signed off for use. What does this involve? Is it getting each unit we make in an enclosure tested or is there a way to just produce a specification and follow that?

As you can tell this is way outside of any knowledge I hold, so after some info from people in the know as to how to meet standards we would need to with 240v.

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#2345823 29-Oct-2019 14:12

I imagine it would be exactly the same process and getting something like a Sonoff certified - it needs an SDOC.

Basically it boils down to it costs waaaay too much to get the testing done. I assume this is mostly due bureaucratic rubbish with a small amount of safety requirements sprinkled in for good measure.

JeremyNzl

359 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2345842 29-Oct-2019 14:30

The hardware would have to be in a secure enclosure.

Fused appropriately for the components and wires

As above nz certified components sdoc.

And installed by an electrician

richms

28168 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#2345845 29-Oct-2019 14:37

240v is not high voltage.

You may be able to find something that will do what you need already made. In the US there is what adafruit call the powerswitch tail which is a relay in a short extension cord. Something similar may exist here.

Richard rich.ms

itxtme

2102 posts

Uber Geek

#2345850 29-Oct-2019 14:44

So it looks like SDoc required. If it was designed with inputs much like an inverter then I assume it would not need an electrician to install it?

I am just doing some searching on the cost to get this lab tested, but I fear chevrolux is on the money and its all going to be cost prohibitive :/

Appreciate the point in the right direction from you both

itxtme

2102 posts

Uber Geek

#2345852 29-Oct-2019 14:45

richms:

240v is not high voltage.

You may be able to find something that will do what you need already made. In the US there is what adafruit call the powerswitch tail which is a relay in a short extension cord. Something similar may exist here.

Yep https://www.adafruit.com/product/2935 this is exactly what we are after, I saw it last week. They sadly do not make a 240v version, and I have been looking every which way

JeremyNzl

359 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2345880 29-Oct-2019 16:05

itxtme:

So it looks like SDoc required. If it was designed with inputs much like an inverter then I assume it would not need an electrician to install it?

I am just doing some searching on the cost to get this lab tested, but I fear chevrolux is on the money and its all going to be cost prohibitive :/

Appreciate the point in the right direction from you both

All sdoc ensures is that parts are compliant with nz standards, all parts to make this are available from any electrical wholesaler.

Installation for a legal install would require an electrician, as it appears this is not replacing a light or plug in your own home as nz law allows.

Electrician will provide Code of compliance c.o.c which states all work and supplied parts meet nz regs.

You risk no insurance at a minimum for undertaking your own electrical work

nickb800

2715 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2345882 29-Oct-2019 16:11

If it's just turning mains power on and off then there are heaps of DIN mount relays/contactors available with 24 volt coils. Get a sparky to install the relay and leave a tail for you to supply the 24 volts, which can easily be controlled by 5v relay modules. You can get small 1 way surface mount DIN enclosures if it wouldn't go in a main switchboard.

If you want to sense power too, then you could use coils (for current) and an old transformer style plug pack for voltage

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itxtme

2102 posts

Uber Geek

#2346106 29-Oct-2019 21:57

Its for PoE so 48 volt af standard. The main idea is to simplify installations, but give better control of the end device in remote situations. Having a sparky install is not required in most situations currently, so not really wanting to head down that line. Thanks for the ideas, looks likely GPIO is out, and I will stick with the WIFI based switch approach.