Multi-level Voltage Training Kit

Today I would like to share how to build a training kit with multi-voltage power supply and DIN rail equipment mounting.

Main material list:

⦾ 0.5 meter x DIN rail 35mm width, 7.5mm height.

⦾ 1pcs x Terminal Block - 12 Position.

⦾ 1pcs x Acrylic plate thickness 5mm, LxW = 180x120mm in my case.

⦾ 1pcs x On-Off Round Rocker Switch.

⦾ 1pcs x LED 5mm/10mm.

⦾ 1pcs x Resistor 330 Ohm.

⦾ 4pcs x PVC Three Way Tee Ø21mm.

⦾ 4pcs x PVC Four Way Tee Ø21mm.

⦾ 2pcs x PVC Pipe Tee Ø21mm.

⦾ 2pcs x PVC Elbow Ø21mm.

⦾ 3pcs x PVC Connector Ø21mm.

⦾ 1 meter x PVC Pipe Ø21mm.

I had one PSU from broken computer case, named AcBel CE2 400W. Detail information is as picture below.

The PSU needs a cable connection to the computer motherboard to be controlled to turn on/off. When we push the power button on our computer case, it connects the green wire to a ground - black wire, telling the PSU to turn on. To test PSU temporarily & doublecheck the voltage of each wire color, I simply connected green wire to black wire at 20 pin connectors.

I assembled a PVC frame with a handle, it contains a PSU inside with dimensions LxWxH about 200x165x160mm. This type of PSU has 2 openings for ventilation with fan at top and ventilation holes at side.

I installed a terminal block 12 positions on the acrylic plate. I also drilled some holes for the power switch, LED, and holes for cabling.

Soldering two wires green - black to rocker switch.

Fixing the acrylic plate to PVC frame and connecting cables to terminal. I also used one led for power indicator, it had one limit current resistor 330 ohm connected to 5V output from PSU. Terminal block - 12 positions arragement is as follow:

⦾ +12V - Yellow: 2 positions (plus 2xGND).

⦾ +5V - Red: 2 positions (plus 2xGND).

⦾ +3.3V - Orange: 1 position (plus 1xGND).

⦾ -12V - Blue: 1 position (plus 1xGND).

Instead of terminal block, we can use banana connectors for more convenience, like a lot of projects are done related to ATX power supply on Instructables.

I measured, cut and installed one DIN rail 35mm on the left side of my trainning kit.

Similarly I mounted a DIN rail on the right side.

A DIN rail is a standard type widely used for mounting circuit breakers and industrial automation equipment. I have a hobby of combining industrial control equipment and electronic devices, so that's why I used DIN rails and screw terminal blocks.

For electronic board brackets mounting to the 35 mm DIN rail, we can go to "Thingiverse" or "Printables", find related boards or equipment and print them out.

Trial clip to the DIN rail.

I mounted some boards to trainning kit on the left side, they're: Arduino Mega 2560 and double side prototype PCB 100x100mm. Note that the device should not be placed in a position that blocks the ventilation openings.

And on the kit right side, I mounted L298N motor driver, 1-channel relay module, Arduino Uno R3 with quad DC motor shield.

The indicator LED will be lit up when there is power at the output.

I also made another kit and mounted a Siemens LOGO PLC, Arduino Uno R3 plus motor shield L298P on the rail. As you can see, I used a 20x20mm PVC cable tray to organize the cables.

For further expansion, I can mount a 24VDC power supply on the rail as picture below.

All the PVC fittings have openings holes at bottom so I can extend my training kit in this direction.

Just stack more PVC fittings and mount more DIN rails as shown below.

Thank you for reading my work!!!