Simplest dusk sensor yet, with nice case for projects

While placing an order for a PIR sensor from a prominent UK supplier I added this dusk sensor in because it looked very "eBay".

It turns out that it may not be ideal for its intended application, but it would make an excellent case for mounting outdoor electronics. Light, temperature and humidity sensors come to mind, but it could also house a USB WiFi dongle or other active antenna for connections between buildings.
An interesting possibility would be to 3D print custom base inserts for specific applications.

I have a few reservations about its original purpose. The relay switching is not a precise digital event, so it depends on the relay maintaining contact pressure with falling coil current, until it drops out. It may be that it does decisively break the circuit when used like that. Something that is important with inductive loads to minimise arcing.

The other oddity is its use of single insulated cores with no obvious way to cover them. In the case of general maintenance operatives there's a risk that if they get handed something like this to install they will just assume that exposed wires are OK and fit it. That would pose the risk of accelerated UV degradation in addition to the lack of the double insulation required for cables outwith an enclosure.

One scenario this might find use is where it's mounted within a clear fronted electrical enclosure with something like an LED power supply, but that would affect its light detecting ability, and clear front enclosures generally cost more than standard ones, meaning it could be cheaper to use a proper external sensor with a plain enclosure.
The use inside a clear lid enclosure could have advantages in a factory assembled box with everything pre-wired inside though.

I'd say this product is more valuable for its case than its circuitry. Let me know what you think in the comments area.

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