Converting to touch sensitive lamp

[mozza666]

Hi All I'm looking for a bit of electrics advice from you guys.

I've made a pipe fittings lamp like this, http://www.kozo-lamp.com/#Kozo 3 , and want to make it a touch triggered lamp like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haPMOB485I4&list=UUUNO76TsanfCJeiYsIDdXgQ.

I'm out of my depth with electrics so any assistance would be appreciated. Any advice I find seems simple enough until I discover it's American and i'm told their wiring systems are all different so most won't work as easily.

I've discovered this little device which seems to be a kind of inline resistive switch might work. http://www.relco.it/italiano/catalogo/10/2010/348.pdf

It's available in the UK via Mr Resistor site.

At present the lamp hasn't been cabled so presumably the 3rd wire could be used to manage the touch part of the switch if I connected it to the metal of the lamp (obviously not using it as an earth)

Anyway, any advice gratefully received.

Cheers

Craig

 

[bernardgreen]

In a touch sensitive lamp the touch area has to connected to the sensing electronics via a very high value resistance to ensure that in any fault condition the sensing area cannot become live. All other metal parts need to be earthed unless the construction ensures double insulation of all exposed metal parts from any conductors, live or neutral.

To make it safe will require some modification to the construction of the lamp unless it is already double insulated. Then there is the problem that the amount of live cable inside and close to the intended touch sensitive area may make touch sensing un-reliable if not impossible.

 

[mozza666]

Sounds like a bit of a risk given all of the possibilities. I'd still like other peoples opinions or ideas though. I assume the american systems must be completely different as they can effectively turn any lamp into a touch lamp by plugging the standard socket into a mains adapter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0WuFKkXCnk&list=UUUNO76TsanfCJeiYsIDdXgQ&index=1

If touch control isn't an option, any ideas how this could be working or done:

i.e using the tap as a dimmer > Is it a really tiny dimmer control fitted in the pipe do you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbhtui6XcPg

 

[wizbongre]

I don't know how but manufacturers can make touch sensitive lamps (just google touch sensitive lamps and switch to shopping for a small range) however they probably have the safety, testing and manufacturing resources to do so and deliver a safe product.

I'm sure with a fair bit of effort you could create one yourself, the question is always going to be around how safe it actually is?

 

[mozza666]

Most (if not all) touch lamps sold in the UK have a small module embedded in the lamp base, in my case I can't do that so was looking for an inline option. Due to the wiring setup in the USA they can and do use inline modules to make the lamp touch sensitive.

I'm fairly convinced an inline module over here is all but impossible, but hey i'm no electrician.