Mains Remote-Alert

Beeper and/or LED remotely-operated via mains supply

line
Simple circuitry, easy to build units

Transmitter circuit diagram:

Transmitter parts:
R1____________220K 1/4W Resistor
R2____________470R 1/2W Resistor
R3____________100K 1/4W Resistor
R4______________1K 1/4W Resistor

C1_____________10nF 400V Ceramic or Polyester Capacitor

C2____________330nF 400V Polyester Capacitor
C3______________1n5 63V Ceramic Capacitor (See Notes)
C4_____________10nF 63V Ceramic or Polyester Capacitor
C5____________100µF 25V Electrolytic Capacitor

D1,D2________1N4007 1000V 1A Diodes

D3_________BZX79C30 30V 500mW Zener Diode

Q1,Q2_________BC546 65V 100mA NPN Transistors

L1_______________IF Transformer for AM receivers, 445-470KHz

P1_____________SPST Mains suited Pushbutton

PL1____________Male Mains plug & cable

Receiver circuit diagram:

Receiver parts:
R1____________220K 1/4W Resistor
R2____________470R 1/2W Resistor
R3____________150K 1/4W Resistor
R4______________2K2 1/4W Resistor
R5____________100K 1/4W Resistor
R6_____________47K 1/4W Resistor
R7______________2K2 1/4W Resistor (Optional)

C1____________100nF 400V Polyester Capacitor

C2____________330nF 400V Polyester Capacitor
C3______________1n5 63V Ceramic Capacitor (See Notes)
C4,C6_________330pF 63V Ceramic Capacitors
C5,C7_________100µF 25V Electrolytic Capacitors

D1,D2________1N4007 1000V 1A Diodes

D3_________BZX79C12 12V 500mW Zener Diode
D4,D5,D6_____1N4148 75V 150mA Diodes
D7_____________5mm. Red LED (Optional)

Q1,Q2_________BC547 45V 100mA NPN Transistors

L1_______________IF Transformer for AM receivers, 445-470KHz

BZ1___________Piezo sounder (incorporating 3KHz oscillator)

PL1____________Male Mains plug & cable

Device purpose:
Pressing the pushbutton of the transmitter, a sound and/or light alert is activated in the
receiver. The system uses no wiring or radio frequencies: the transmitted signal is
conveyed into the mains supply line. It can be used at home, in any room from attic to
cellar, simply plugging transmitter and receiver in the wall mains sockets. Transmission
range can be very good, provided both units are connected to the mains supply within the
control of the same light-meter.

Transmitter circuit operation:

Q1 and Q2 are wired as a Darlington pair to obtain the highest possible output from a
Hartley type oscillator running at about 135KHz frequency. The 230Vac mains is reduced
to 30Vdc without the use of a transformer by means of C2 reactance, a two diode rectifier
cell D1 & D2 and Zener diode D3.
The oscillator output is taken from L1 secondary winding and injected into the mains
wiring by means of C1.

Receiver circuit operation:

The 135KHz sinewave generated by the transmitter is picked-up from mains wiring by
C1 and selected by the tuned circuit L1-C3. Q1 greatly amplifies the incoming sinewave
and converts it in a 12V-peak squarewave. D4 & D5 limit the input voltage at Q1 base to
less than 1V-peak to avoid damaging of the transistor due to the high voltage transients
frequently occurring on the mains line. D6 eliminates any negative component of the
signal and Q2 drives the load. C7 is necessary to smooth the signal residues appearing
across the load.
The 12Vdc supply for this unit is obtained as described above for the transmitter circuit.

Notes:

• Transmitter and receiver coils L1s must be tuned regulating their ferrite cores to
obtain maximum output at C3 leads, either in transmitter and receiver.
• This setup is better done using an oscilloscope and placing the two units as far as
possible to each other.
• The tuning of the coils at 135KHz frequency should be obtained with the ferrite
core almost totally inserted in its slot, if 455KHz IF transformers are used for both
L1s.
• Using IF transformers different from those specified, a change in both C3s value
could be needed. The value of these capacitors may vary from 1 to 3.3nF but must
be the same in transmitter and receiver.
• The load can be a beeper, a LED or both. Omitting the beeper and choosing the
LED as the only load, its limiting resistor R7 should be reduced in value to about
1K, to increase device brightness. In this case, a 10mm. diameter LED type or
greater, can also be useful .
• Warning! These units are connected to 230Vac mains, then some parts in the
circuit boards are subjected to lethal potential! Avoid touching the circuits when
plugged and enclose them in plastic boxes.
Having Questions?