Ive created a really interesting project for my final year, wireless stage light controller, using a PC with an application i have programmed using VB.NET, talking to 2 receivers via FM wireless link (900MHz band)...
Each reciever has a pic 16f877a that is doing a great job at controlling four light outputs (through 4 triacs)..
I have 2 way comms too so if 1 reciever goes down, the VB app will update almost instantly, now i want to find out the status of each bulb, so current sensing is required... now is where i need some advice...
Firstly i want to know if a bulb has blown, or if its been disconnected, i.e. NO CURRENT FLOW when it has been commanded...
Also i want to know how much current is being taken, to work out what power rating the bulb is... P = I V where I will be read by the A/D and V will be 240V AC...
There are a few ways to do this, but i cant get the basis of it..
Current Transofrmer/Transducer, most of them that are avail start from 1A, nd a 40w bulb only produces 0.17A, i could wrap the primary around at least 6 times to get a reading?
I dont mind making my own toroid=, i have tried but the oscilliscope reads SPIKES @ 100Hz, which i dont understand why spikes and not an ac waveform, i hoped to rectify the output and send this voltage to the A/D but i dont know how too
HELPPPP!!!
Each reciever has a pic 16f877a that is doing a great job at controlling four light outputs (through 4 triacs)..
I have 2 way comms too so if 1 reciever goes down, the VB app will update almost instantly, now i want to find out the status of each bulb, so current sensing is required... now is where i need some advice...
Firstly i want to know if a bulb has blown, or if its been disconnected, i.e. NO CURRENT FLOW when it has been commanded...
Also i want to know how much current is being taken, to work out what power rating the bulb is... P = I V where I will be read by the A/D and V will be 240V AC...
There are a few ways to do this, but i cant get the basis of it..
Current Transofrmer/Transducer, most of them that are avail start from 1A, nd a 40w bulb only produces 0.17A, i could wrap the primary around at least 6 times to get a reading?
I dont mind making my own toroid=, i have tried but the oscilliscope reads SPIKES @ 100Hz, which i dont understand why spikes and not an ac waveform, i hoped to rectify the output and send this voltage to the A/D but i dont know how too
HELPPPP!!!