Hi! My friend and I are having trouble obtaining a solution to construct our prototype. First, lemme explain a bit about what we're doing. The name of our project (for our final year, which is this coming June) is "Smart, Eco Plugs".
Below are the functions of our device:
1. Provide readings for AC Voltage (On a PC / LCD screen, whichever suits the most / easier)
2. Enable auto-off or auto-on, depending on the need for power supply (eg. when an appliance is plugged in, for example a phone is charged, when it's full, our device will automatically turn off)
3. Control the intensity of current / voltage flowing through, which is useful to dim lights and such (with the help of a variable resistor)
Scenarios:
1. I have to use Arduino (Yun / Uno / as long as it's arduino) - SOLVED
2. C Programming (I have basic knowledge of those, but it'll be helpful if the masters could suggest me with better codes) - meh
3. How to provide AC Voltage reading?
4. Auto-off and auto-on, is it possible?
5. Intensity controller (I guess this can be solved through hardware *resistors* and software *programming(dimmer)* )
Solution:
1/2 - Suggestions would be helpful
3. I've scribbled throughout the net, and there's little info on AC Voltage reading provider except the one embedded within the multimeters, most of it are on DC Voltage readings. Hence, I decided to post my problem on the arduino forum, which can be browsed here
(http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=319154.msg2211004#msg2211004).
The "PQ Meter" is awesome, but it provides reading in dB, not Voltage; but I guess it can be changed through proper programming. My question is, if you were in my shoes, would you use an LCD screen instead of a PC (GUI) to provide the readings?
4. One of them suggested that I used a short time delay on my project, as it records drop in voltage and determines whether the device need supply of voltage or not. The question is, resources for it is quite barren and I've been looking for an alternative for it. Any codemasters out there with suggestions / experience regarding this?
5. Intensity controller, what kind of resistors / hardware that is suitable for this as it needs to handle high voltage?
Remarks:
Arduino can't handle high voltages, especially involving AC. Thus, we've came out with the solution of separating the sensor / actuator mechanism from the board; as the board will be using a separate power source (in this case batteries) to avoid it from getting damage.
Thanks admin and codemasters, and if there's any problem with my thread, do tell
This post has been edited by hamuza1809: May 22 2015, 12:07 PM
C Smart Eco Plug, Need Help!!