ECN Forum Forums Technical Discussion Electrical Theory and Applications CT fun

Initially I just want to light a LED but from there I can do anything. I do have a DiDo card in a PC that can look at these things.

Running twisted pair from each location back to a central point?

Yup, probably CAT3 for things coming from the garage, simply because I have a 6 pair cable in place already. (actually 2 but one is in use). I would like to know if my well pumps are running among other things.

If the output from the CT could turn on the LED of an optocoupler, a single ended power supply could provide a go/no go DC output to a digital I/O card or even an unused parallel port.

How would you determine what is proper operation?

If this thing really gets going I will be using my DIDO card into an old PC.
I also have some plans for a parallel port data collection deal.

I am not really sure what "normal" is until I actually run it a while. I am eventually trying to assemble some real time load data to get an idea what I would need for a battery backed up solar array

It is mostly just a "gee whiz info" project I am doing in my spare time.

This is the CT device I came up with to get the CT in a regular box and get the low voltage on the outside.
This 3/4" adapter is potted solid with epoxy. The resistor is inside.

How is the load monitoring project coming along?

I have been building cabinets for a few weeks. The CT deal is on the back burner.

http://gfretwell.com/ftp/tambour%20door.jpg

Scope? I have a fluke scopemeter I might like to part with. From memory it is a 97? 2 channel. Around 40mhz? 1 of Fluke's original scopemeters. I was taking an electronics course i never finished and got caught up in the whole electronics stuff so I bought it off Ebay for $700. Definitely works great but can't recall if i also replaced the rechargeable battery or not.
Not really looking to hijack the thread.

Cheers

Greg,
Did you build that cabinet?
I like it, guys that can work with timber get my vote, every time!

BTW, Mike, the Scope-meter Fluke were selling is really only a gimmick.
I owned one for about a year and let's be honest, as "ruggedised" as they say it is, it wasn't that great.
It doesn't like being dropped at all, especially when it's so hard to hold in your hand (too top heavy).
Mine died a death when an apprentice I had working for me dropped it in a tank of water.
So much for the IP-65 (NEMA-6) rating it was supposed to have.
If I really needed a scope, I'd be using the one I own, it's done a LOT of work out in the field.


{Edit: Greg I was looking a bit closer at your pics and thought why the hell has Greg got a bottle of water in his cabinet?.
I blew it up and saw you probably shouldn't drink that, unless you're having a really BAD day!}