PCB mount AC/DC converters in the UK

[Clive Backham]

I'm looking for a very low power AC/DC converter (240VAC to 12VDC or
24VDC). It only needs to switch a relay, so it seems silly to use a
transformer+regulator and I would prefer a small PCB mount component.
After fairly extensive web searching I've found two candidates: Recom
RAC05-12SB/24SB and Aimtec AME05-12SZ/24SZ. But I cannot find any
supplier in the UK for either of these devices.

Does anyone know where in the UK I might get either of these, or
alternatively are there any other devices of a similar type I can
consider?

 

[Clive Backham]

After fairly extensive web searching I've found two candidates: Recom
RAC05-12SB/24SB and Aimtec AME05-12SZ/24SZ. But I cannot find any
supplier in the UK for either of these devices.

Sorry, please ignore. I have found the Recom device at RS.
(Searching for RAC05 didn't work; searching for RAC5 did).

 

[Clive Backham]

Why not use a mains relay?

It's a bit complicated. The application is to switch on power
amplifiers when a source component (Slim Devices Transporter) is
turned on. I can arrange to get a 3.3V DC signal out of the
Transporter when it's on, but cannot find any relay capable of
switching 10A mains AC with a coil that triggers at such a low
voltage. So first I have to step it up with a transistor, which in
turn needs a power supply. I happen to already have a relay that
triggers on 24VDC, so I thought that the neatest solution is to use
the mains that's going to be switched by the relay as the initial
power source. Hence the requirement for a 24VDC PSU. And I didn't want
to be bothered with transformers and regulators.

 

[Tomi Holger Engdahl]

It's a bit complicated. The application is to switch on power
amplifiers when a source component (Slim Devices Transporter) is
turned on. I can arrange to get a 3.3V DC signal out of the
Transporter when it's on, but cannot find any relay capable of
switching 10A mains AC with a coil that triggers at such a low
voltage. So first I have to step it up with a transistor, which in
turn needs a power supply. I happen to already have a relay that
triggers on 24VDC, so I thought that the neatest solution is to use
the mains that's going to be switched by the relay as the initial
power source. Hence the requirement for a 24VDC PSU. And I didn't want
to be bothered with transformers and regulators.

When all you want to do is to turn on 24V relay, you don't need
any regualtors. A simple unregulated 24V power supply will do as
well on your applications. 24V relays can nicly take slightly higher
or lower voltage than their nominal voltage without problems.

Another approach:
Take a small SSR that you can drive from 3.3V power source and
can control mains AC at low current. Make that SSR to control
the coil current to 10A capable relay or contactor (mains voltage coil).