Abstract:
A unit which can be connected separately in series
with each load to control multiple line-loads simultaneously using
Radio Frequency (RF) and a mobile device has been developed
during this study. Series connected remotely controllable
regulators are not widely available commercially and the few
available do not have the facility to control the multiple line loads
using a mobile application along with a RF remote controller and
also they are very expensive and even require an alternative wiring
system. The designed regulator provides the convenience of
controlling the current flow through appliances connected to a
single line power supply. A triac is used to control the power
supplied to the load, since it can control the current flow in both
halves of an AC current. The gate terminal is triggered by using a
diac. A Switch Mode Power Supply, powers the active components
of the regulator using the voltage drop across the triac. The
Bluetooth (HC-06) and RF (315 MHz RF receiver) modules are
programmed to receive inputs from the user to switch ON/OFF or
control the voltage supplied to appliances such as fans and light
bulbs. The Graphical User Interface enables the user to control the
appliances easily and much faster than in normal usage of
mechanical switches. The timer which allows the user to define
time intervals for predefined output levels, can set desired levels of
outputs for the appliances. This feature is not currently available
in normal regulators. The suggested method facilitate
simultaneous use of RF and the mobile devices as well as the ability
to control several appliances with a single unit enabling energy
conservation and ease of use. The cost of designing the unit with
discrete components being less than US$ 17, it can be concluded
that the model is cost effective since this method suggests two
modes of control of the appliances along with timer settings. [1-9].