This breaker is a combined overcurrent and leakage device. It had a fault where it wouldn't reset, and the issue was annoyingly trivial.
If you wonder why there's an awkward bit in the video it's because I left the camera running when I was exploring the circuitry. The channels Patreons suggested I leave it in as a glimpse of what goes on in the jump-cuts.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:- http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kWIITspYvk
Although the cheap strings of 100 (10M) LED lights are often advertised as being suitable for outdoor use, they really aren't. Not only from an electrical safety perspective (inadequate insulation and strain relief) but also because they have no sealing, and water will wick into the sleeving round the LEDs and result in rapid DC accelerated corrosion of the steel LED leads.
This set were out for only around three weeks and in that time they were exposed to a modest amount of rain. you can see that corrosion has already started, particularly where contaminated water has penetrated. (Dirty water is more conductive than clean water.) I'm tempted to put these lights back outside to see how long they last.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5jOPaLZd6k
Healthy Papa's back with an amazing home DIY tip for ensuring your bottom is always vibrant and sterile.
This wonderfully invigorating project involves diffusing the wondrously healthful Deep Heat through a roll of standard toilet paper to energise it and turn it into SUPERHERO toilet paper for an unforgettable bottom-contact experience.
Remember to subscribe to Healthy Papa for more top tipz.
Note that the liberation of oily vapours of unknown combustibility in your oven may not be a good idea and therefore it should not actually be done.
Some people's bottoms may be sensitive to the ingredients used in Deep Heat and therefore you should test a small area of their bottom with a dab of Deep Heat on your finger first.
(This is a spoof "tutorial" video. Don't actually apply Deep Heat to your bottom as it causes a strong burning sensation.)
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7dzQFk81rU
I've had this for a while, so it seemed a good idea to take it to bits and analyse the circuitry. It's a small plug-in device that uses a fan to blow air through a ceramic tube with a corona ozone generator.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STkMRTNDEFk
There are a few different styles of these ripple projectors. I'll be uploading a video of a 5V version with a different remote in the near future, but lets take a look at this one first.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkoi4eZeXq0
For those who just want to know the bare facts about this charger, here's a super-short 2 minute version.
If you want to know more the full version of the video has schematics, circuit description and data on specific components.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0yrCSD3FAM
Long story short, it looks a well designed and safe charger. Just as we'd expect from IKEA.
It's also VERY affordable.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg00YL8Q9Ss
I had another go at getting this thing to communicate with various devices and step the voltage up for higher power delivery, but drew a blank. It just didn't happen.
It would have been handy to have a USB-C breakout PCB to check voltages, since the middle output didn't seem to activate at all, even for 5V.
This is one of many clone power supplies being sold on eBay at a higher price than a safe and compliant charger from somewhere like IKEA. There's absolutely no guarantee of safety with the grey import units. A good USB charger is an essential part of modern digital life, so it pays to get a good one and also a decent cable for your higher power items. These units from unaccountable sellers often pose a high shock and equipment damage risk through cost cutting and bad design.
The circuitry is quite intriguing because of the way they have implemented the ability to initially have a standard 5V supply, but then allow two different ICs to negotiate a higher voltage with the connected equipment and then override the preset 5V reference to raise it to the desired level.
The two power supply modules are quite unusual for having separate rectifiers and smoothing capacitors on the primary side. They could have used a single rectifier and smoothing capacitor. I wonder if it's to avoid interaction, or just based on a duplicated single power supply design.
The use of a TL431 shunt regulator with a near-50/50 divider to hit its threshold of 2.5V with a supply rail of 5V is quite neat.
The primary side control chips are almost certainly a clone of another prominent IC like a Viper 22A
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:- https://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's algorithm quirks, allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.
#ElectronicsCreators
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN-728RHYbM
A test to see if ordinary LED lamps can be under-run like Dubai lamps to make them last longer with reduced intensity and heat.
To limit the current I used different values of series capacitor, which has a soft limiting effect, making it compatible with traditional capacitive dropper and linear regulator based lamps.
This technique does not work with some lamps with switchmode based power supplies. They will tend to strobe due to the way the circuitry works.
This project involves mains voltage, and suitable precautions should be taken during your experimentation.
The trickiest bit about making a Dooby lamp is finding a place to put the capacitor. In some capacitive dropper based LED lamps it's easy, since their covers may unclip allowing the original high value capacitor to be changed for a lower one. For other lamps like the glass filament styles the capacitor will need to be put inline external to the lamp. That could be in a lamp extender (if you can get one that is easy to open), in a ceiling rose, in the wiring box of a chandelier or in the lightswitch enclosure. Doing it at the lightswitch opens up the possibilities of letting the lamp be switched between full intensity mode or a lower security/night light mode. With two switches you could have the option of on, dim or off.
A benefit of using a capacitor is that it is a soft, efficient and low noise way of dimming to a fixed level. The power factor will generally be no worse than the original, and a suitably rated capacitor will be virtually indestructible in this application.
From my tests the following 400V AC capacitors worked well for a European 220-240V supply:-
470nF converted most lamps to approximately 2W
220nF converted most lamps to around 1W
100nF converted most lamps to around 0.5W
47nF was not measurable. Probably around 0.2W
22nF was not measurable. Probably around 0.1W
10nF (ceramic capacitor). Some lamps won't glow because they have an internal shunt resistor to avoid nuisance glowing due to capacitive switch-wire coupling. But others will glow at a surprising intensity for the tiny current. (I was really surprised at the intensity of some lamps.)
For 120V supplies the capacitors should be 250V AC film capacitors and the values may have to be higher - like 1uF or more. The capacitors are common and cheap, so they can be experimented with. They can be connected in parallel for higher capacitance.
I used a 1 Megohm resistor in parallel with the capacitors during my tests, as the capacitors can store a charge and may give a slight zap if not discharged. In final use the resistor can be soldered or twisted directly to the capacitor leads.
The capacitors will run cold and should be insulated properly if used behind switches or in junction boxes. That could be
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISTB0ThzhOY
If there's one thing that's better than a set of dodgy Chinese fairy lights, it's a set of dodgy fairy lights that have tried to kill a groom on his wedding day. I was sent this set by Phil who got zapped while setting the lights up for his own wedding. The lights also have an LED that has been showing signs of extreme arcing and burning. That's just the icing on the (wedding) cake.
This investigation has also made me aware of a rather exciting fault condition that could potentially occur with the longer strings of lights.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifTI0GfoAFg
A look at the circuitry inside a cheap bluetooth speaker that screws into a standard lampholder.
The quality of construction suggests that it's a highly evolved product. They've managed to fit the whole circuit on a single sided PCB which is quite a feat.
The only thing that lets the unit down is what appears to be an incorrect remote control that has been supplied with it.
Although I unclipped the front cover, it appears to be fitted with a bayonet cap arrangement and just pops apart when the front is twisted slightly. (Potentially exposing live connections inside.)
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.
#ElectronicsCreators
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM8w4Js2U5s