Hey everyone, I am posting this because I would like to know if anyone knows of any controller boards in the marketplace, that can be programmed using the Arduino IDE but already has a design that allows control over 120v circuits by incorporating relays or the like, and maybe have extra protection for the higher power application. I am just looking for something that can control christmas lights on the house through Arduino, where I can write code, connect the 120v lights to the controller, and plug the controller into an outlet. I know I have seen something similar

 

There are relays which have low voltage coils which can switch grid voltage on an off. https://www.sf-innovations.co.uk/product-page/mains-switch-relay-for-the-raspberry-pi-and-arduino is an example where the tricky stuff is done for you.

 

There are relays which have low voltage coils which can switch grid voltage on an off. https://www.sf-innovations.co.uk/product-page/mains-switch-relay-for-the-raspberry-pi-and-arduino is an example where the tricky stuff is done for you.

There are relays which have low voltage coils which can switch grid voltage on an off. https://www.sf-innovations.co.uk/product-page/mains-switch-relay-for-the-raspberry-pi-and-arduino is an example where the tricky stuff is done for you.

This is almost like what I was looking for but one with more inputs for the microcontroller, I might get one anyway because those look like they could be fun

 

I saw your user name and thought "What's he going to want to do?"but OK, Christmas lights. If you don't have experience with microcontrollers then an actual Arduino is your best bet, and you can drive a solid-state relay directly from its digital output. I suppose it's a bit awkward that if you just had a low-voltage circuit to drive, you'd run the whole thing off a wall wart power supply, but in this case you'd need access to the 120V line as well, so you'd end up plugging in twice.

 

An Arduino based system may be the easiest.
But, just for interest, have you looked at the Sonoff series of devices?
They can be programmed from the Arduino IDE ( make sure they are NOT connected to mains when you do this!!!!) and give you RF or WiFi control. Quite cheap too.
Here is just one example device...
https://itead.cc/product/sonoff-basicr2/ref/3/

Have a search on line for example applications.

 

This one from amazon looks like what you are looking for, at least part of it. You'll need an arduino already. Its got level shifters on the board so all you should need to do is connect the arduino to the broke out control pins and have you're relay setup. I didn't but you might be able to find one with an arduino built into it but I didn't see one in my searching.