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Monitoring elektricity

Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2011 10:13 pm
by structor
I recently ordered several jeenodes (I somehow missed the workshop from this forum :?) .

My first project is inspired by airsensor.co.uk/component/zoo/item/ener ... nitor.html.

I have build-up the schema from the url. I have applied a tsl261R as sensor, the biggest problem I currently have is that the TSl261 only produces 0.2V when the LED is on. This is not sufficient to act as a logical 1. My question is on this forum several users have a setup alike mine, what do you use as sensor and do you amplify the input signal?

Re: Monitoring elektricity

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 12:07 am
by panosnl
Hi,

I am also in the process of using a jeenode for gas,water and electricity.
After internet research it was clear to use a phototransistor instead of a photodiode or LDR.
I tried a phototransistor in front of the pulsed LED an it detects the pulses nicely without any extra hardware.
Now I am facing a new challenge: Getting the sensor readings into Jeemon or Domotiga. I hoped some (almost) ready software could be used. It looks like that more coding is required than I hoped for.

Re: Monitoring elektricity

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 9:13 pm
by structor
What type of phototransistor are you using?

I am using a TSL261, which actually does have an amplifier component the only problem is that it does not amplify enough. If I look at the datasheet the 260 which has more amplification will give me roughly 0.6V, which is still not enough.

To get the sensor readings in my domotica system will require some coding, but i don't expect any problems there ;)

Re: Monitoring elektricity

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 2:43 pm
by panosnl
I have a BPW40 ( http://www.voti.nl/winkel/catalog.html?T-BPW40 ) which is a normal fototransistor. You have a photo to voltage device it seems.

The BPW is is more an on/off switch and is also sensitive to visible light.

Take also a look at a jeenode project; http://jeelabs.net/projects/11/wiki/Ele ... tion_meter