The AC Switch Block allows a conventional 5V signal to control a much larger AC line. The switch can handle up to 16 Amps of current provided it is kept cool enough. At 110V, this is more than 1500W. We suggest that this limit be approached very carefully and recommend staying far beneath this.

Once an AC line is connected to the AC terminals, several places on the board will become live. This makes it absolutely essential that the board be mounted in a way that will prevent short circuits and accidental human contact. This is true even for rough prototypes or trial hook ups. Treat AC line voltages with much respect.

How Do I Use This?
With your AC device unplugged, first determine which cable from your AC device's power cord should be switched. It's best to switch the "live" or "hot" wire. On any AC outlet, there are usually 3 slots (sometimes 2). The right slot, which is slightly smaller than the left slot, is the "live" slot - check which prong plugs into this slot when you plug the AC device in to confirm which wire is live.

Once you've determined which wire is live, snip it in two somewhere along its length, strip about 1/8" insulation away from both the open ends, and tin the exposed wires. Make sure to leave enough slack on the cord for the two tinned ends to be inserted to the two AC connectors on the AC Switch Block.

A small 5V signal applied to the D0 input will control the switch that turns the AC device on and off. Run a wire from the 0V connector on the AC Switch to the ground of the device providing the 5V signal. Double check that all your connections are correct, and plug in the AC device to the wall - now, a 5V signal on the D0 input turns the device on and a 0V signal turns it off.

Applications
-Automate Your Household. Many household appliances such as lights, fans, blenders, drills, vacuums, etc. run on AC power. Now you can use the behavior from a Poly Block an Intro Module, or any other device that put out 5V, to control these kinds of devices.