Powering an Arduino with AC source

Greetings!

So you want to power an Arduino board directly from AC supply without using a whole SMPS or Charger circuit?

there's a simple Circuit with which you an exact do that but without using any transformer or Inductor.

THAT Circuit is called "CAPACITIVE DROPPER CIRCUIT" and it is a type of transformerless power supply, converting AC mains input to a much lower voltage output for low-power components without the cost and bulk of a transformer.

the goal here is to make a small and cheapAC to DCconverterfor Powering an Arduino board so it can be used in AC Automation stuff.

one example is an AC Light Trigger with Arduino Nano which Has LDR and Relay to Trigger AC Light Connected to Relay at night time.

Warning!

You should not attempt to build, test, or use this type of circuit unless you are experienced in handling AC mains and high voltage.

Even the circuit's DC side is not completely safe so avoid making any direct Contact or do not try to touch the circuit with your bare hands.

It can be pretty deadly so don't try this without any safety precautions.

Materials

you gonna need the following materials for this built, which are all available on utsource's website. ThanksUTSOURCE.net to offer electronic components for this project! you can check UTSOURCE.net, they deal in all kinds of electronics components like for example all the Components used in this project!

• 0.1uF 300v Capacitor
• MB10F Bridge rectifier
• 10ohms 1W resistance
• 5V Zener diode
• 470uf Capacitor
• SMD LED
• 1K Diode
• Arduino (any board)

ASSEMBLY

So our setup will work according to this scheme,

which is basically 0.1uf Cap connected in series with the one end of MB10F and another end is connected with 10Ohms Resistance also in series with the AC Source.

the key player in this circuit is this MB10F which is a Bridge Rectifier that Rectifies the AC Signal.

After rectification, across the positive and negative end, we get the stepped down Voltage but its not safe to work yet so we need to add a 5V Zener along with a 470uF cap which will act as a filter.

You can set up a breadboard version of this but I prepared a PCB for this setup. just don't use normal Arduino Jumper wires for Connection because they are not rated for AC applications.

I then assembled and solder everything on the PCB in the right order.

TESTING

After soldering everything properly, add this circuit to any AC PLUG, I had this AC Night Bulb Lower body which has AC Plugs so I Soldered the circuit with it.

check the voltage across the DC side, which should be voltage under 5V.

After getting the 5V Reading, we can add an Arduino With it, just connect the VCCof Arduino with this circuit's Positive end and GND to Negative.

(Upload the Code to your Arduino before Connecting the Board with the Dropper Circuit)

Video-