Illuminated Optical Magnifier

The Illuminated Optical Magnifier combines a passive optical lens with an active mains-powered LED illumination circuit to inspect fine details. At the core of the optical system is a convex lens with a focal length of approximately 10cm, mounted inside a structural PVC pipe enclosure alongside dual printed circuit boards (PCBs). To provide clear visibility of the inspected object, the device features a ring of 8x white LEDs arranged around the viewing area. Because these LEDs operate via standard mains electricity, the internal power circuit must condition the high-voltage alternating current before it reaches the illumination elements. A flexible power cord feeds the 230V mains voltage into a diode bridge rectifier composed of diodes D1 through D4, which converts the incoming AC voltage into a pulsating DC waveform. A snubber capacitor C1 is integrated into the circuit to suppress voltage spikes and transient electrical noise, protecting the downstream components. Following rectification, smoothing capacitor C2 filters out the remaining voltage ripple to deliver a more stable DC supply. Finally, inductor coil L1 helps manage current flow, while a series current-limiting resistor R1 regulates the total current passing through the 8x white LEDs to prevent thermal runaway and ensure reliable operation.