Re: [mh] Appliance On/Off Detection

[Matthew W. <mat...@us...>]

Joel Davidson wrote:
> 
> I'm in the middle of a h/w and s/w project to build a smart powerstrip
> that can monitor 4 outlets and tell mh the current usage using a lower
> current family of the ACS parts.  The boards are designed and built and
> now I have to write the s/w for the pic microcontroller to read the
> chips, format the data and send it out the serial port to mh.  Hope to
> have something done in a month or so, depending on work, life, and
> everything else.  I'll let the list know when it's presentable.
> 
> The family I'm using comes in 0-5A and 0-15A parts.
> http://www.allegromicro.com/sf/0704/index.asp
> 

Joel,

Those are definitely interesting devices and look perfect for your
application and would fit well into mine.  I'm a little worried about having
to put the device in-line with that much current.  I know that the part is
safe, it's my soldering skills that worry me!

Instead, I'm going to stick with my current transformer idea.  It just feels
safer to me.  However, due to difficulty in finding the parts that I
originally designed for, I have decided instead to use the following:

1.  DCL-100 Current Clamp Head:
http://www.circuittest.com/English/Content/Items/DCL-100.asp

2.  Analog Devices AD736 RMS to DC converter:
http://www.analog.com/en/prod/0%2C2877%2CAD736%2C00.html

For my dryer application, I'll be using passing one of the +120 V phases
through the current transformer to measure its current.  I'll likely buy a
short dryer extension cord and expose the 120V insulated conductor that way.

Matt
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