Detecting 60hz AC Current?

Status
Not open for further replies.
H

haxor12

New Member
I'd like to build a handheld device which can detect a 60hz AC wire inside of a wall. Any advice/tips on how to do this would be much, much appreciated.

Thanks!
 
Go to Home Depot and lay about $10 on the counter. They sell a "stud finder" which includes the 60Hz detector...
 
Boncuk said:
What? So expensive?

They're 1.5 EURO in Germany (US$2.00)!
Click to expand...

Yeah, I bought mine about 10 years ago while they were made in the USA. The one that they sell today is made in CHINA.
 
haxor12 said:
Thanks for the tips, I was most interested in learning to build one myself
Click to expand...

Get a small audio transformer. Chisel off the bar on one side of the core to leave an open E.

Hook it to an ic amplifier (opamp or audio amp) with a gain of several hundred, gain optimized at 60 Hz.

Hook it to headphones and/or a meter-rectifier detector circuit.
 
There are many ways to skin a cat.
Modify a transformer as Mike suggests, or use a linear output Hall efect sensor.
 
You can also use a 4017 ic.
wire up to 9 volt battery

Leave input (14) open circuit,
Put 15 cm wire on it as areal.
connect one led to one of the outputs and loop o/p 10 to 1.
The led will flicker at 1/10 of the frequency.

I see if I can find schema for it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Test an AC Current Sensor Transformer
Replies
4
Views
418
ThomsCircuit
G
  • Locked
  • Question
AC Motor controller to shift frequency from 50Hz to 60Hz
2
Replies
34
Views
7K
Ian Rogers
A
  • Question
Converting frequency on US devices (60Hz - 50Hz)
2 3 4
Replies
70
Views
9K
SKamaro
S
AC/DC Transformer with 240V output
2 3 4
Replies
63
Views
7K
ThomsCircuit
D
How fast should a power supply current limit cut in?
Replies
16
Views
1K
Nigel Goodwin
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…