Hi guys I was working on a dimmer here and I was kinda stuck on how to hook up the 50K pot. I did easy circuits before and I have no training in this field what I know is from the wold wide web. Now I'm kinda stuck on how a pot works, see this is the curcuit I'm working on.... **broken link removed**
and this is how I have it hooked up but it keeps the light on the whole time it does not dim can someone please tell me what I am doing wrong. **broken link removed** **broken link removed**
Do not connect a solderless breadboard to 110VAC or you'll invent fire. Bare wires = danger and possible more fire.
Solder, insulation and HV skills will keep you safe and alive.
Plus that's a logarithmic volume control, not what you need for a dimmer.
That circuit has no earth ground and needs to be double insulated so there is no chance that a dangerous voltage can be exposed. It should never be connected to mains power while the insulated enclosure is open. After building it you should really have it checked over by a qualified electrician before plugging it in.
Bill, where do you see a log marking on the pot? I agree it's probably not up to the task (pot *or* switch) but it could be linear, no?
All in all, mains-powered circuits are not for the beginner. That thing could hurt you, kill you, or start a fire, and that picture just scares the willies out of me.
I am surprised that nobody else noticed that those two wires are not connected to the ends of the pot as in the diagram. Instead they are connected to the switch. That's why the circuit won't work.
Other than that, use insulated wire and solder the joints on the pot, and beware of electrocuting yourself!
I am surprised that nobody else noticed that those two wires are not connected to the ends of the pot as in the diagram. Instead they are connected to the switch. That's why the circuit won't work.
Other than that, use insulated wire and solder the joints on the pot, and beware of electrocuting yourself!
The POT has a switch, generally used on a volume control for off / on. It could be a linear, but my moneys on log because of the switch (which isn't in the schematic though)
The POT has a switch, generally used on a volume control for off / on. It could be a linear, but my moneys on log because of the switch (which isn't in the schematic though)
you can use your breadboard! get some insulated wire! and get yourself a three pin pot, that thing you have created scares me
are you just wanting to use a pot to dim a LED?
just connect your pot in series with your LED and, of you go , done!!!
Use a 9V battery to be on the safe side and put a 350ohm resistor in series as well so you don't exceed 20mA(assuming the LED has a voltage drop of 2V)
Hey guys thanks for looking after me but I didn't ask for safety 101, I just wanted to know if that is the right pot or not, and are the CONNECTION on the right points not what they look like.
shaneshane1 said:
you can use your breadboard! get some insulated wire! and get yourself a three pin pot, that thing you have created scares me
are you just wanting to use a pot to dim a LED?
just connect your pot in series with your LED and, of you go , done!!!
Use a 9V battery to be on the safe side and put a 350ohm resistor in series as well so you don't exceed 20mA(assuming the LED has a voltage drop of 2V)
This is not for a LED and I'm not using any LED's.
Sorry to sound all uptight but with this project and my C++ Project I'm just going over the roof in frustration. So all I'm asking for is advice not a lesson on what electricity does!!!
Hey guys thanks for looking after me but I didn't ask for safety 101, I just wanted to know if that is the right pot or not, and are the CONNECTION on the right points not what they look like.
Hold on, chill out. Nobody's telepathic here. We saw something unsafe. Like seeing someone try to clean a gun with the breach closed or stoke a fire using a full gas can.
What the connections look like gives some indication of how they will behave when you turn it on. The notes aren't aesthetic, they're practical. Just twisting leads like that is something that I've found, through painful experience, makes circuits behave oddly.
This is not for a LED and I'm not using any LED's.
Sorry to sound all uptight but with this project and my C++ Project I'm just going over the roof in frustration. So all I'm asking for is advice not a lesson on what electricity does!!!
Maybe you should explain what you're trying to do, not how. Could be there's a simpler (and safer) option. Nobody here wants to give advice and then read about it the next morning in the paper.
Hey guys thanks for looking after me but I didn't ask for safety 101, I just wanted to know if that is the right pot or not, and are the CONNECTION on the right points not what they look like.
It would be irresponsible and negligent to not inform someone that their circuit was potentially dangerous and could kill them and or cause property damage. It was obvious from the photo that you're not an electrician.
Working with low voltage devices (<10V, <1A) is generally considered safe, but working with 110VAC or higher often requires certification or at the least an apprenticeship.
Some folks seem to think because they saw something on the web or in these forums it's all good. Take a look at the 220V 555 burglar alarm thread, the OP blamed the forum members for not informing him it wouldn't work; who in their right mind would build it in the first place. Every one here said it was a bad design, guess we should have added a poor one too.
What course combines C++ with mains electrical anyway? If it's not a course then sign up for some formal night school on electricity if it's a hobby. Else stay away from your power lines.
It would be irresponsible and negligent to not inform someone that their circuit was potentially dangerous and could kill them and or cause property damage. It was obvious from the photo that you're not an electrician.
Working with low voltage devices (<10V, <1A) is generally considered safe, but working with 110VAC or higher often requires certification or at the least an apprenticeship.
Well actually Mr.Blueroom I have been doing house wiring for the past 10 years so I know what it is like and how it feels like to have a little bit of energy hit you (happened twice in 10 years). Had this been a 220-240 volt circuit then s**** it I would never come close to it.
blueroomelectronics said:
Some folks seem to think because they saw something on the web or in these forums it's all good. Take a look at the 220V 555 burglar alarm thread, the OP blamed the forum members for not informing him it wouldn't work; who in their right mind would build it in the first place. Everyone here said it was a bad design, guess we should have added a poor one too.
What course combines C++ with mains electrical anyway? If it's not a course then sign up for some formal night school on electricity if it's a hobby. Else stay away from your power lines.?
And who says I'm combining C++ with mains electrical? This project is on a totally different side of the area, and C++ is a totally different item I just completed my Computer science degree and spending 5 years in school...I think I should know what is combined in C++