Special Plug Design

sternn

Im not too sure if this is the best place to put this, but I have a design question to any electrical designers out there:

Is it possible to fit a plug with a 2 way infrared switch for on/off and link that to a timer which would be displayed on a small led display on the plug? The plug should be no bigger than 2x2 inches. I'm just wondering is it possible to put all this together, and run it off the power that flows through to the appliance?

mazthespark

Mitent be impossible if we knew what it was for mite be able to to offer more advice

DublinDilbert

Can you draw a simple diagram to illustrate your idea?

There are already remote control "plug" sockets available:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=348217

Why do you want to use IR for the remote?

sternn

The idea of the plug is that you enter a password to set a countdown time for the power to stop flowing through it. And the time cannot be reset until the time runs out. This plug would be directly wired to an appliance / any electronic item. Its to restrict time on use of an item. And if the plug was taken out, it would still require a password to run when plugged in.

mazthespark

could a key be used or something similar instead of a keypad( mite save space) think you could buy something like that somewhere not quite sure where i saw it.

DublinDilbert

Yep its technically possible to do this...

Davy

You can get countdown timers on programmable plug in timers, but dont know if their a one with security lock like you want.

Similar: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-44912-Digital-Timers/dp/B00142GPXO

M cebee

the security 'element' requires the plug to be hardwired alright.
so therefore it needs to be more durable than the remote control sockets.

another way of maintaining security would be 'non-standard' remote control sockets and plugs


the plug is obviously a simple device for connecting and isolating appliances,not sure if it's a great idea integrating these controls into the plug itself.

davelerave

Stoner

i've never heard of a count down timer unit that was password protected.

Bruthal

A reset button with key is a possible way to do that. Press the button to energise a relay and start the timer , when the timer counts down it turns off relay powering the socket. Then need key to reset.

The earlier mentioned maplin remote control switches could be used instead of the key reset.
You could use the remote to reset the relay and timer to start timing down again. One of them
MCB size modular timers would possibly do.