+6 votes
by (470 points)
Hey Folks - looking for a simple solution to shut off power to an outlet if a laser or optical sensor is tripped. Pretty much a garage door sensor that cuts off power when a visual line is broken. Would prefer it to not be smart or WiFi based at all as it will be needed in a remote location with not wifi. Thoughts? Thanks! Cliff
Hey Folks - looking for a simple solution to shut off power to an outlet if a laser or optical senso

7 Answers

+3 votes
by (270 points)
Any low voltage optical sensor with a timer based relay interface will do the trick. I’d make my own rig in a gubbins box
by (470 points)
@hewitt14324 like these guys? Any recommendations on the relay?  
by (270 points)
@babbitt21530 they would most certainly do the job. I’m based in the uk so lot to sure what brands are available to you but i tend to use Omron relays. This article will help with wiring  You would just need a timer relay that will sense the voltage switched through the through-beam sensor. With an output rated to the ac voltage you require.  
https://www.se.com/uk/en/faqs/FA142566/
+4 votes
by (6.3k points)
If you have a Harbor Freight out there (real popular in California) I'm sure I've seen that in there catalog, or something adaptable.  
+5 votes
by (6.3k points)
How much power are you wanting to control?  
by (470 points)
@dispassionate would like to just turn off a 110 outlet when the photo beam is broken.  
+6 votes
by (5.2k points)
Just build a small circuit to do it, few resistors, and transistors and maybe a custom chip from China should do it . google it
+4 votes
by (5.2k points)
In fact a laser switch made to operate a reply the cuts the power
+1 vote
by (3.8k points)
You want a garage door sensor, 120v relay, and old extension cord.  
by (470 points)
@ens9525 the 120v relay shuts off the power to the extension cord when the door sensors tripped?  
by (470 points)
Any guidance on a relay to buy?  
by (3.8k points)
@babbitt21530 relays can be wired both ways. The relay will power your device and the sensors. Depending on how you wore the sensors to the relay they can work when the laser completes the circuit or breaks the circuit. Do a google search on 120v relay wiring.  
+4 votes
by (380 points)
About a year ago I saw a post about this. Someone used a Chamberlain drive way sensor. If something breaks the beam, then it sends a signal to a base station. The base station has contacts that can be wired to a Zwave door sensor that reports to a hub. Then you put a smart plug where you want the power shut off.  
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