This looks neat: https://www.openhasp.com/0.7.0/

Ryan Castellucci :nonbinary_flag:

I actually had empty wall boxes put in my house for something like this.

The problem is, the COTS modules that this works with expect an AC connection, and the "for future use" boxes have Cat6 + a pair of low voltage wires run to them.

Ryan Castellucci :nonbinary_flag:

I will not run 230V AC over the low voltage wires. It would work fine because low current, but still, no.

Graham Sutherland / Polynomial

@ryanc O_O yeah no

Ryan Castellucci :nonbinary_flag:

@gsuberland I mean, obviously, but isn't dielectric breakdown the limiting factor on the voltage the wire can run?

Aside from blatantly violating electrical code, as long as it's fused, it doesn't seem actually risky.

(again, I am absolutely not going to do that)

Ryan Castellucci :nonbinary_flag:

@gsuberland The less sketchy option would be to bypass/replace the built in power supply with one that runs on a lower DC voltage.

Graham Sutherland / Polynomial

@ryanc the insulation also has to be properly rated to handle the surge current before the fuse blows, and contain the energy sufficiently so you don't end up with a fire. that's why cat6 comes in regular patch cable type and plenum-rated types to meet fire code. the latter is mostly for PoE, so I'm not sure I'd trust it for carrying mains.

Graham Sutherland / Polynomial

@ryanc it would *probably* be fine in the same way that squinting while using an angle grinder instead of wearing safety glasses is *probably* not going to leave you blind lol

Graham Sutherland / Polynomial

@ryanc yeah, or even just PoE

Ryan Castellucci :nonbinary_flag:

@gsuberland It's Cat6 plus a pair of something intended to carry DC, will need to check later, but it's probably 1mm.

Graham Sutherland / Polynomial

@ryanc oh, right, I thought you were talking about running 230VAC down cat6!

that's probably not that bad then. as long as the insulation is thick enough you'll be able to run 230V down that just fine.

Ryan Castellucci :nonbinary_flag:

@gsuberland Yeah, PoE is an option, especially since I have a 48 port PoE switch where the wires terminate.

Ryan Castellucci :nonbinary_flag:

@gsuberland but for PoE I'd still need to bypass the normal power supply

Ryan Castellucci :nonbinary_flag:

@gsuberland unless tiny PoE to 230V AC inverters exist?

Ryan Castellucci :nonbinary_flag:

@gsuberland Yeah, would be surprised if the wire isn't rated at least 400V.

Graham Sutherland / Polynomial

@ryanc I've never seen one but you could use a PoE splitter with 12VDC or 24VDC output and feed that into a tiny inverter. would be very inefficient though.

Ryan Castellucci :nonbinary_flag:

@gsuberland I was actually talking to insurance companies today, and one of them was on about "DIY mishaps", lol.

Ryan Castellucci :nonbinary_flag:

@gsuberland Indeed. I have done things like modifying fairy lights to run from PoE before, though.

The problem is the splitters for PoE tend to be too big to fit in a switch box.

æ ⎎

@ryanc @gsuberland step down to 6vac and then back up to 230vac

Graham Sutherland / Polynomial

@astrid @ryanc cat6a can have a little 6A, as a treat

Ryan Castellucci :nonbinary_flag:

@gsuberland @astrid I mean, stepping down to 46VAC then back up would probably be fine, actually?