AC power - Earth Ground givin only 80v

Hello

I was on my way to finish a small circuit when I realized it was self-killing itself out of power when it should actually do it's duty.

It's a basic remote AC wall switch layout that control a light, so two wires operated normally. I hacked a LEVITON switch to add my own IR sensor, and a pic to timerize things, but then the Drama came in view.

I get power until I activate the relay, but then my IC circuit dies as all power is bypassed thru the relay. Dumb thing!

**broken link removed**


So I taught I might run my 5vDc power sup with one AC power wire and the earth ground, but that yield only 80V and the power sup won't turn on it seems.

is there something obvious I could do, else than running another power line into the wall only to feed my circuit?


Ok, that is my first time with AC and it kinda scare me evertime I plug things for real(you should see me with the motorcycle helmet, ready to pass thru the wall


thanks to the AC/DC masters

You should NOT use earth wire for any other purposes than earthing ..
Your circuit must have proper connection to both power terminals, as shown on the attached picture ..

IanP

then I have to run another wire thru the wall because and of course, it's far away from the light :idea:

The Leviton Timer switch could do it with only 2 wires, but I can't tell if it uses the earthing or not.
It does however makes some high speed flickering like the annoying electronic dimmers from Lutron. That's why I wanted a relay.

thanks for the tips, i'll save the Earth and leave it alone



Dom