Hello Everyone,
I'm developing a project that requires me to monitor standard household 120VAC from an AVR. If there is a solution, it must be cost efficient(no more than $15) and if possible, easy to implement.
Is there a solution that fits my needs? Could someone point me in the right direction? Any help would be gratefully appreciated.
Atmel has an AVR note about directly connecting mains to an AVR using a 1Mohm resister ( http://www.atmel.com/dyn/resourc... ) Personally, I wouldn't connect my AVR directly to mains (I'd use a step-down transformer and surge protection), but you might want to read Atmel's application note to learn more about monitoring mains directly with an AVR.
Consider using the AC transformer powering the AVR.
Before turning the AC into DC, you could put up a measuring point; for instance a few serialized resistors.
Say, your AVR runs at +5V, you have an AC transformer transforming from 120VAC to 12VAC, then a bridge rectifier and a few capacitors to stabilize the DC, a 7805 to get the voltage down to +5V.
On the point before the bridge-rectifier, you'd probably want a ladder; something like..
220kOhm + 10kOhm + 10kOhm + 220kOhm
The two 220k is connected directly to the two 12VAC points (the bridge rectifier inputs), the point, where the two 10k meet is the ground/zero voltage point; connect this directly to your GND.
Now make a measuring point between just one of the 220k and 10k resistors; it'd measure something like -12*10/230V...12*10/230V = approx. -0.52V...+0.52V.
If I didn't make a mistake, that should work; however, it's up to you, to verify what I've written is true. Always use a multimeter or an oscilloscope before you add the AVR.
You should be able to get a complete 5VDC power supply for less than $5.
Unfortunately, I'm not very much into programming the AVR yet; other people must assist you there (setting up and using the ADC, etc).
Is this a "stand alone" monitor that does not need to be connected to anything else? If so, an Avr can be paired with a LCD display, powered directly from the line *without* a transformer, and could accurately display true RMS line voltage. This minimum parts count/minimum cost arrangement would of course need to be in an insulating enclosure, since all the parts would be at line voltage potential. You would basically have the Avr chip, display module, a diode, a zener, four caps, five resistors, and the box.
Tom Pappano
Tulsa, Oklahoma
I'm planning to integrate the 120VAC Monitor with an LCD and UART/USART.
It looks like it's going to cost a lot more than $15!
Leon
I'm planning to integrate the 120VAC Monitor with an LCD and UART/USART.
If you are going to connect to other devices via a serial line, then a transformer would be the way to go. Measuring line voltage from the transformer secondary would not be the most accurate method but may be good enough for your purposes. You could perhaps use resistive dividers direct to the line and make differential measurements of the true line voltage, but you would want to be sure you had a good ground connection so the low voltage side could remain ground referenced.
Tom Pappano
Tulsa, Oklahoma
You can get an idea how to make transformerless device here:
http://www.h-kloosterman.nl/dimm...
but be VERY VERY CAREFUL !!! , otherwise it could really cost you much more than 15$ :)
Best regards,
Gintaras
Hello Everyone,I'm developing a project that requires me to monitor standard household 120VAC from an AVR. If there is a solution, it must be cost efficient(no more than $15) and if possible, easy to implement.
Is there a solution that fits my needs? Could someone point me in the right direction? Any help would be gratefully appreciated.
http://focus.ti.com/lit/ds/symli...
Digikey lists single qty cost as $15.70/ea
Ta da!
If you don't need the power (for the AVR) from the AC you can make a little circuit on the hot side, that is feed form the AC and make a freq. that change as the AC voltages change (that can be made for under $1) then send that freq over a opto coupler and have the AVR to calc the voltages (from the freq) and send it over RS232 and show it on a & seg display.
That should be less than $5 so your box and connectors will be the expensive part.
Jens
Jens has a good idea. I would use one Avr on the "hot" side to do RMS voltage measurement and squirt the data through an opto to a second Avr on the "cold" side which has the display and external data interface. Very inexpensive and would perform quite well.
Tom Pappano
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Why wouldn't an AC transformer be accurate? A simple wall wart with AC output should do.
Once it's calibrated, what would cause inaccuracies?
If you don't need the power (for the AVR) from the AC you can make a little circuit on the hot side, that is feed form the AC and make a freq. that change as the AC voltages change (that can be made for under $1) then send that freq over a opto coupler and have the AVR to calc the voltages (from the freq) and send it over RS232 and show it on a & seg display.
That should be less than $5 so your box and connectors will be the expensive part.Jens
Can you elaborate a bit on how to make this (VCO?)? Seems like a great way to have a nice isolated measurement.
Why wouldn't an AC transformer be accurate? A simple wall wart with AC output should do.Once it's calibrated, what would cause inaccuracies?
I'm probably just being too picky 8-) The OP did not say what kind of accuracy he needed. The problem with a small transformer would be changes in its secondary voltage with changes in load, and distortion of the wave form caused by the capacitor input filter. These errors may be of little concern to the OP.
Tom Pappano
Tulsa, Oklahoma
The problem with a small transformer would be changes in its secondary voltage with changes in load, and distortion of the wave form caused by the capacitor input filter.
The problem with a small transformer would be changes in its secondary voltage with changes in load,
Tom Pappano
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Why would the load change? All it would be used for is to sample the voltage.
One concern would be if the "sinewave" of the AC power changed to something not quite a sinewave. That could be caused by things like switching power supplies. But any device plugged in to the mains would experience that, so maybe that's not bad.
If you really want to get sophisticated, I guess there are several things you could measure. Phase shift or power factor, and any variation in the ratio between peak voltage and RMS voltage, which would indicate the wave shape changed.
Why would the load change? All it would be used for is to sample the voltage.
Can you elaborate a bit on how to make this (VCO?)? Seems like a great way to have a nice isolated measurement._________________
Clancy
If you need AC power you could change the opto to a cheap transformer and the get the power + AC voltages (freq) that way !!!
Jens
Just an other way to do it.
Make a 50V voltages compare on the high side, and when over then turn the opto on, and then calc the % of time the signal is on. :)
Jens
