Build Your Own Infrared Remote Control Circuit – 3A Triac Design

Description

Many households today utilize at least a few infrared remote controls, whether for the television, the video recorder, or the audio system. Despite this commonality, who among us hasn't bemoaned the persistent illumination remaining after settling into a comfortable chair to watch a captivating film? This project proposes a solution to that persistent problem through its innovative design. Specifically, it addresses a typical on/off switch for infrared remote controls, but what distinguishes it from commercial products is its adaptability to any remote control device.

Consequently, the initial element enables the cessation of the light and allows for optimal enjoyment of your movie. The infrared receiving component of our project relies on a monolithic integrated receiver (Sony SBX 1620-52), offering a cost advantage compared to the components needed to achieve the same functionality. Following inversion by T1, the pulses delivered by this receiver trigger IC2a, which is a D flip-flop configured in monostable mode by feeding back its output Q onto its reset input through R4 and C3. The pulse generated on the output Q of IC.2A causes IC.2B to transition its state, resulting in the activation or deactivation of the LED contained within IC3.

Sony SBX 1620-52

The Sony SBX 1620-52 is a monolithic integrated receiver. This type of receiver is commonly used in remote controls and other devices that require infrared signal reception. It is characterized by its compact size, low cost, and high performance. It's a versatile component that provides reliable infrared signal processing.

D Flip-Flop

A D flip-flop is a type of digital logic circuit. It is used to store one bit of data. The D flip-flop is commonly used in digital circuits and digital systems. It’s a fundamental component for creating state machines and implementing various digital functions.

Circuit diagram:

This circuit is an opto triac with zero-crossing detection, which enables our setup to accomplish switching without noise. It actually triggers the triac T2 in the anode where the load to be controlled is found. The selected model allows us to switch up to 3 amperes, although nothing should prevent you from utilizing a more powerful triac if this model proves insufficient for your needs. To minimize its size and overall expense, the circuit is powered directly from the mains using capacitor C5, which must be a Class X or X2 model rated at 230 volts AC.

This type of capacitor, known as ‘self-healing,’ is the only type we should employ today for power supplies connected to ground. ‘Traditional’ capacitors, rated at 400 volts, typically do not possess adequate safety guarantees in this area. Considering the direct connection to the mains, it must be mounted in a completely insulated housing. A power outlet model functions effectively and can easily be integrated between the grounded wall outlet and the remote control device.

Based on this principle, this setup reacts to any infrared signal, and, as previously stated, this ensures compatibility with any remote control. However, it possesses a minor disadvantage: it might sometimes react to the normal operation of one of these devices, which could be undesirable. To mitigate this, we advise masking the infrared receiver window as much as possible, requiring you to point the remote control in its direction to activate it.