> Found a great Microchip app note:

http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1824&
appnote=en021266)

BE VERY WARY of Microchip app notes dealing with power
switching. I don't recall if the above is it, but some people have
serious concerns about the safety of at least one


> Hi Jinx, and thanks for the info. In the first diagram, what are the
> squiggly things on the left?

> They looke vaguely coil-like, but I don't think that's what they are.

That's what they are alright, toroidal ferrite coils scavenged from
busted PC supplies. You'd recognise them, about 20mm diameter,
probably around 50-100uH

A few of those components are for spike suppression and could
actually be omitted. The 630V caps, the coils and the 10W
resistor for example. If you're getting them free from discarded
equipment though........  The capacitor is essential though

Working with mains in this situation is dangerous and you should
be using an isolating transformer. And especially if you want to
measure it with anything earthed like an oscilloscope. Connecting
scope E to circuit N is not good

Please be careful

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