Hi Guys
Your warnings about this type of circuit are 100% correct. You have to know what you are doing when working with/on stuff like this.
Suffice to say....and this is important...if the circuitry is handled correctly and the designer is aware of the risks involved and the outer casing is good...you will end up with a product that is exceptionally reliable...
Doable..but not for experimenters.
So whilst I am a huge supporter of this simple and reliable way of reducing mains voltage....I don't actively promote it.
I don't want to kill a member here.
On another note though...I know of another popular Forum that has banned transformerless power supply discussion or posts. Heck, at least here at ETO we explain WHY they are dangerous.
BUT, these little supplies are amazingly robust and good at what they do used the right way.
Just me,
tvtech