4-Channel 1-Amp SPDT Signal Relay Shield + 4 GPIO with IoT Interface
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Highlights
- 4-Channel SPDT Telecommunications Relay Controller
- 4-Channel Programmable Digital Input/Output
- Compatible with Electron, Photon, Bluz, or RedBear
- ESP8266 and USB IoT Interface Modules are Also Available
- Adaptable to Onion, PyCom, Raspberry Pi, Arduino
- Switch Low-Power Signals up to 1 Amp at 12VDC or 120VAC
- MCP23008 I2C Controlled SPDT Low-Power Signal Relays
- World’s Most Expandable Controller with I2C Expansion Port
- Wireless Remote Operation with Key Fob Expansion Option
- Use the Arduino Wire Language to Control Relays using I2C Bus
- IFTTT Firmware Available for Internet Relay Control
- Example Libraries Available on GitHub
This IoT 4-channel low-power signal relay controller is capable of hosting many types of IoT communication modules, including Particle Photon, Electron, Arduino, and more. On-board SPDT relays are ideally suited for low-power signal switching applications, up to 1 Amp at 12VDC. NCD SPDT relay controllers have three connection terminals for user-access to each relay. We use high-quality Omron relays with a low on-resistance between contacts. Designed primarily for resistive or mildly capacitive low-power signals, the on-board relays in this design focus on signal integrity, making it an ideal choice for telecommunications and low-power audio switching applications.
This controller is based on the MCP23008, a common I2C interface chip for GPIO applications. In this design, the GPIO port is used to control 4 on-board SPDT relays. Four programmable Digital Input/Output port pins are also available via screw terminals for use in Contact Closure detection applications or monitor and control external TTL circuits. Three on-board address jumpers allow up to 8 similar devices (based on the MCP23008 or MCP23017) to be chained to the same I2C bus for individual control. On-board status LEDs display the on/off status of each relay. This controller may be powered using our optional power supply or with 12VDC and direct screw terminal connection of bare power wires. Each relay is accessible to the user via screw terminals, capable of accepting 14 AWG wire.
IFTTT
Leverage the power of IFTTT.com and Particle services to do almost anything. Send a tweet if someone rings your doorbell, send a notification to your phone if someone opens a door, turn on almost anything right from your phone with simple setup, the possibilities are endless. NCD provides this controller with a optional pre-programmed Particle Photon module for easy connection to IFTTT. No programming required! Just use the simple IFTTT interface to setup your different configurations.
Powered By Particle
Give your Particle Photon the power to interact with the real world in ways never before possible. Use the optional Particle Photon module pre-flashed with our custom IFTTT firmware, NCD compatible shields allow for control of many types of relays, monitoring digital and analog sensors, and much much more. Chain I²C accessory boards to your system to add whatever you may need for your next control and automation project.
What is the NCD IoT Interface?
The NCD IoT Interface provides users with a means of changing or upgrading the IoT communications technology as new technologies emerge. The NCD IoT Interface is directly compatible with Particle Photon for WiFi communications, Electron for Cellular Communications, Bluz for Bluetooth. Optionally, adapters may be installed to provide a direct interface to Arduino Nano, Micro, USB, PyCom WyPy, Onion Omega, Raspberry Pi, and much more. The NCD IoT interface allows you to re-use your hardware so it never becomes obsolete! Based on I2C communications, the NCD IoT Interface uses only 2 GPIO lines of your microcontroller, freeing the rest of your CPU for other tasks.
nodeLynk™ IoT Device Expansion
This is a IoT Device which accepts a common processor and provides on-board sensing or control capabilities. This IoT device may be expanded to include additional hardware functionality using nodeLynk Expansion Devices. The NCD IoT socket found on IoT devices is capable of directly handling NCD ESP8266 and ESP32 series processors as well as Particle Photon and Particle Electron. We also manufacture many adapters for the NCD IoT socket for Arduino Nano, Micro, and Feather microprocessor modules. Between the socket is a nodeLynk connector, which is used for I2C Expansion.
What is nodeLynk?
Chain expansion devices using nodeLynk. Connect a wide variety of accessories to expand the capabilities of a nodeLynk compatible controller. Use nodeLynk to add Relay Controllers, Sensors, PWM Drivers, Displays, and a wide variety of 4-20mA, 0-10V ADCs and DACs, as well as a wide array of TTL & Isolated GPIO devices. All nodeLynk devices use I2C communications to chain devices together. nodeLynk is an easy way to expand functionality without soldering. nodeLynk allows expansion in seconds so you can focus on your software and firmware development.
Unlimited I2C Expansion
Based on our plug-and-play nodeLynk I2C interface standard, all NCD IoT devices are equipped with a nodeLynk I2C expansion port, making it easy to expand to a wide variety of sensors, current monitors, relay controllers, PWM controllers, and much more! We are always designing new nodeLynk expansions for our plug-and-play nodeLynk I2C framework. We are dedicated to building a product line of interconnected devices to simplify all forms of automation. Re-use or upgrade your hardware in seconds by selecting the modules that best fit your needs, and chaining them together using the included nodeLynk I2C expansion cables!
1-Amp SPDT Signal Relay
This controller uses a 1-Amp small signal relay, allowing control of low-power telecommunications signals up to 12VDC at 1 Amp. Ideal for audio, telecommunications, and very low power switching applications. This relay has a low On resistance. The 1-Amp signal relay is of the SPDT variety, which provides Common (C), Normally Open (NO), and Normally Closed (NC) connections. Common is connected to NC when the relay is off. Common disconnects from NC and connects to NO when the relay is activated. All connections are made via screw terminals, capable of accepting up to 16 AWG wire.
Wiring Diagrams
Essential
Documentation
Tutorials
- Alexa Garage Door Opener Voice Activated
- Controlling Inductive Devices: Managing Induction & Electromagnetic Interference
- Introduction to Computer Controlled Relays and Switching
- Relay Logic
Community Repositories
IFTTT Time Activated Relay Switch
Learn how to configure IFTTT to control Relays from NCD.io. The interface for IFTTT has changed, but this article still provides a good overview of how automation can be achieved using IFTTT without any programming.
NCD and IFTTT
Learn how NCD works with IFTTT. IFTTT is a powerful and open ended cloud solution that allows our Relay Controllers to React to Virtual data with no programming. Control Relays by email, google docs, and many other online channels.
Introduction to Relay Control
This video will guide you in determining which relay controller you need for your application as well as a general overview of the differences between Relay Options. If you’re new to our products or just need a refresher for a new application this is a great place to start.
Induction Suppression
Learn about Induction and how it comes into play with Relay Controllers. Induction suppression can make your Relay Control applications intermittent and unreliable. This video will show you what causes it, how to avoid it, and how to account for it in your application.
Integration Notes
All relays on this device are of the SPDT variety, providing 3 connections to each relay: Common, Normally Closed, and Normally Open. The Common connection is always connected to the Normally Closed connection when the relay is off. When the relay switches on, the Common connection is disconnected from the Normally Closed and Connected to the Normally Open. External loads may be wired to be off all the time and turn on when the relay turns on. Optionally, external loads may be wired to be on all the time, with the external load switching off when the relay is activated. Relays are rated at for Low-Power Signals up to 1 Amp at 12VDC or 120VAC. Relays are controlled using the MCP230xx Series Programmable GPIO Port Expanders from Microchip Technology. Relays are controlled by a MCP23008 using GPIO0:3, GPIO4:7 are available for user interface via screw terminals. Controlling on-board relays is easy: Set GPIO0:3 as Digital Outputs. Next, set the on/off status of GPIO0:3 to activate the corresponding relays. LEDs indicate the status of on-board relays. All of these operations are handled for you when using the drivers supplied in our GitHub repository (ControlEverythingCom). Induction suppression capacitors are strongly advised for inductive switching applications (anything that generates a magnetic field). Induction suppression capacitors will prolong the life of the relays and help prevent malfunctions when switching high voltages.
IoT Interface Compatibility
NCD IoT Interface devices are designed to plug in to many popular IoT computing platforms. This allows the “brains” from other manufacturers to directly plug into our devices for easy plug-and-play operation. IoT interface devices use I²C as the underlying communications technology. The notes below will guide you into plugging 3rd party IoT technologies into our devices, we will highlight any adapters that may be required in this section. Please note that all IoT Interface Devices act as a I²C Master Device, and may be expanded by connecting to any of our Cross-Platform nodeLynk I²C Slave Devices using the nodeLynk I²C Output.
NCD IoT Interface Direct Connection
The following devices directly plug into NCD IoT Interface controllers without a adapter.
- Particle Electron
- Particle Photon (Particle.io)
- Bluz Module (Bluz.io)
- ESP8266 Module
If using a Particle Photon or Particle Electron communications module, the PKFR Key Fob Receiver overlay shield may be used to add long-range wireless Key Fob remote control to the communications module.
NCD IoT Interface Adapters
Use the following adapters will adapt the IoT Interface for I2C communications with other popular computing platforms:
- Arduino Nano using the Arduino Nano Adapter
- Arduino Micro using the Arduino Micro Adapter
- Onion Omega 1&2 using the OC Adapter
- Pycom WiPy using the WiPy Adapter
- Pycom WiPy2 & LoPy using LoPy Adapter
- Adafruit Huzzah ESP8266 using the Adafruit Huzzah Adapter
- Windows using USB Interface and the USB IoT Interface Adapter
Convert IoT to I2C Interface Devices
- This device may be converted to an I²C slave device using the I2C to IoT Interface Adapter, ideal for use with Raspberry Pi, Beaglebone, Arduino Uno, and BridgeX5.
Arduino Interface
- Use the I2C to IoT Interface Adapter and a Arduino Uno Interface Adapter
- Use the I2C to IoT Interface Adapter and a Arduino Nano I²C Shield
- Use the I2C to IoT Interface Adapter and plug into any Arduino Nano Master Device
- Use the I2C to IoT Interface Adapter and plug into any Arduino Micro Master Device
- Use the I2C to IoT Interface Adapter and plug into any Arduino Due Master Device
BeagleBone Interface
- Use the I2C to IoT Interface Adapter and a BeagleBone I²C Interface Adapter
Banana Pi Interface
- Use the I2C to IoT Interface Adapter and a Banana Pi I²C Interface Adapter
C.H.I.P. Interface
- Use the I2C to IoT Interface Adapter and a C.H.I.P. I²C Interface Adapter
Raspberry Pi Interface
- Use the I2C to IoT Interface Adapter and a Raspberry Pi I²C Interface Adapter
- Use the I2C to IoT Interface Adapter and a Raspberry Pi 2/3 I²C Interface Adapter
- Use the I2C to IoT Interface Adapter and a Raspberry Pi Zero I²C Interface Adapter
Windows 8/10 PC Interface
- Use the I2C to IoT Interface Adapter and a USB to I2C Converter
- Use the I2C to IoT Interface Adapter and a BridgeX5 Series Controller
Key Fob Compatibility
NCD IoT Interface devices are also compatible with a 418MHz Key Fob receiver (Part Number: PKFR), allowing your Particle Electron, Photon, or Bluz to receive and process remote Key Fob commands up to 750 feet away. Up to 40 remote controls may be associated to the PKFR. Program your IoT communications module to receive wireless remote control commands using a Key Fob. Compatible with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8-Button MS Series Key Fobs from Linx Technologies.