4
\$\begingroup\$

I'm quite into DIY projects and I am looking at making an electrical unit out of a Raspberry PI and a computer monitor.

I was wondering if someone could provide me any information on what I should do to comply with the safety standards, for example when I integrate the Raspberry PI to use the monitors supply of 240v.

How should I correctly insulate the live feed with this unit, and would by modifying the standard configuration (how the monitor came) make it unable to be PAT tested again?

This may seem a little vague, but like I said it's just a hobby.

\$\endgroup\$
4
  • 5
    \$\begingroup\$ No offense, but if you have to ask it, the answer is : don't. Your first experience with mains level voltage shouldnot be tampering with an existing product. \$\endgroup\$
    – stevenvh
    Commented Sep 28, 2012 at 13:42
  • 2
    \$\begingroup\$ Take steven's advise. If you want to 'integrate', keep the monitor intact and add a wall-wart (or a powered USB hub!), a mains distribution strip, and put that in a separate box with the Pi. Or choose an LCD monitor that is LED-illuminated and has a brick-style external power block. Those don't use high voltages internally (the ones with FL illumination do). \$\endgroup\$
    – Wouter van Ooijen
    Commented Sep 28, 2012 at 13:54
  • \$\begingroup\$ @stevenvh None taken, it's a very good point. I think I should take a course to really understand electrics. ' \$\endgroup\$
    – Jake Andrew
    Commented Sep 30, 2012 at 22:06
  • \$\begingroup\$ @WoutervanOoijen That sounds like a good idea - thank you for the advice. Yes they generally use about 12/24v. \$\endgroup\$
    – Jake Andrew
    Commented Sep 30, 2012 at 22:07

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
3
\$\begingroup\$

For a safe DIY project, you should keep the monitor and the Raspberry PI separate and in enclosed cases. Each with its own power supply. Ac for the Monitor, Dc for the Raspberry PI.

would by modifying the standard configuration (how the monitor came) make it unable to be PAT tested again?

If you take it apart and modify it then the answer is yes. Or at least unable to pass testing.

You should really stay away from using the 240vAc supply. Are you sure the monitor takes 240v, there isn't an external ac to dc adapter? If there is you may be able to take the dc voltage and drop it to 5v for the Raspberry PI. You will want to keep an eye on the ac to dc converter to make sure you aren't trying to pull too much amperage and it's not overheating. If there is no external or obvious ac to dc adapter, I'm guessing it's a CRT monitor then, and you will need a separate power supply to convert that 240vAc to 5vDc with at least .8amps available, for the Raspberry PI, you have a couple methods of doing this.

  • Use an external wall wart and then you will have the 5vDc and 240vAc lines running to your project.
  • Dismantle a power supply that you use for the Raspberry PI (or build your own) and connect that to the monitors incoming AC, and mount it inside the monitors housing or outside if there is no room. This way you would only have 1 power plug for you project. And if you are able to mount everything inside the monitor, it would look like it is just a monitor. Note that I only recommend mounting stuff inside a monitor as a DIY project. Be Careful!

Another thing you want to be careful of is the electrical noise that the electronics of the monitor may produce. This could cause the Raspberry PI to not work as desired.

Be very careful messing with AC and mains power! And inside the monitor (if you are opening it up) you need to be extremely careful on what you touch. There could be enough power stored in a capacitor to hurt and possibly kill you.

\$\endgroup\$
2
  • \$\begingroup\$ Thank you for the very detailed and good answer - it's much appreciated. That part sounded good: "•Dismantle a power supply that you use for the Raspberry PI (or build your own) and connect that to the monitors incoming AC". Yes I have seen the affects of a capacitor and a penny - it's quite dangerous! I always make sure I statically discharge myself but that is nothing compared to the power in them! \$\endgroup\$
    – Jake Andrew
    Commented Sep 30, 2012 at 22:09
  • \$\begingroup\$ My experience with PAT testers is they have no way to know or care if the equipment is in it's original condition. As long as the equipment passes their tests and doesn't look obviously dangerous they will stick a PASS sticker on it. \$\endgroup\$
    – Peter Green
    Commented Dec 11, 2023 at 21:59

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.