This is a great beginner project or addon for rapid prototyping. I use this addon all the time for making Internet of things projects, home automation, ect.... Then when i get everything to work and i decide to start reducing its form. then i replace this with something more appropriate.

All you are doing is making a servo operate a switch that controls a device that in turn controls a larger power source. This is basically a relay for 120 Vac Appliances. The really cool thing is the timer functions still work on the face of the outlet controller. This is a great added bonus, you are basically multi-tasking. you can have the outlet work from the timer keys normal funtion. Then through a wireless transmitter or even the internet you can send a signal to the arduino to override the switch and turn on the device. Pretty Cool!!!!!

The power controller we are using is cheap and completely safe. You can find it at any store. We will not be modifying the outlet controller to an extent that it does not operate as intended by the manufacturer. We will drill one hole and fashion a wire to physically connect the servo to the switch.

Step 1: Hardware Needed:

Servo: a 90 degree servo is the cheapest, but almost any servo will do. $8 (cannot use continuous servo) we have to know the position of the servo at all times. A continuous servo cannot do that.

Light timer unit: Any local store should have them for about $4. Try to pick one that you think would be easy to work on You will most likely have a different timer than me. However the principal is the same. Make the servo activate or deactivate the override switch. You may get lucky and find a design that will work from just the servo without needing a wire.

Small thin Wire: like bailing wire. I used some junk wire from a mig welder. Just has to be strong enough not to bend when pushing and pulling the switch.

Hot Glue Gun: self explanatory.

Step 2: The Hook-up

Here is how to connect your Servo to your UNO. Its the normal hook up for a servo.

Red wire connects to 5volt pin ·

Black wire connects to Gnd (ground) pin ·

Yellow wire connects to pin 9. This is the signal wire that the UNO uses to tell the servo what position to go too.

Warning: if your project already has several sensors, then you may want to use an external 5v source for power. just remember to share the ground. However if this is the only thing that is attached to your MC then it should be okay.