AC Current Monitor Senses high current-flow into power cables No wire-cutting, three versions available Circuit diagram: To pin (1) of {IciA) To pin) onaacia)Parts: RL,F2,20 AK 1/90 Resistors 23 ,F4 BACK Ls Reaiotore RS 100R 1/4 Resistor (See Totes| Ré LOK «1/20 Teammer Cermet RY, FLD, IM 1/40 Resistors Ro B2K 1/2 Resistor RII to Ri7, AK 1/40 Resistors cL, c3, L00nF 2S¥ Electrolytic Capacitors cz, ca IpF 63 Electrolytic Capacitors DL sun. Red LED D3,D4 iWaocz 1o0v 1a piodes 2,D5,6 D7. LEDs (Any color and cise) a BC327 45 800mA PHP Transistor IC, TLO61 Low cucrent BIFET 0p-Amp (First version) x1, IM3$6 Low Power Dual cp-sup (Second version| rer, M324 Low Power Quad Cp-amp (Third version) LL 10aH miniature Inductor (See Notes) RL Reley with SPDT 2a @ 220 switch Co1l Voltage 1z¥. Corl resistance z00-300 onm a, Tyo ways output seekerDevice purpose: This circuit wes designed on request, to remotely monitor when @ couple of electric heaters have been loft on, Its conser must be placed in centact with the foadar ta bo able to manitor when the pawer cable is drawing current, thus causing the circuit to switch-an @ LED The circuit and its sensor coil can be placed very fer from the actual load, pravided on easy access to the power cable is available Any type of high-current load ar group of loads can be manitared, ¢.9. heatars, motors, washing machinas, dish-washers, elacinc avens etc., provided they dissipate 4 power comprised at least in the 0.5 ~ 1kW range, This design features three versions, The basic cne illuminates a LED when the lead is cn. ‘Tho second version activates a Relay whan 2 pre-set currant valuo flaws inta the powor cable, The third version cwitches-on D7 when the laad power is about 1kW, D6 when the load power 's about 2KW and DS when the load power is about 3kW. Circuit operation: ‘The basic circuit is shawn top left in the drawing and must be used in al three versions: IC1 acts as @ differential amplifier having @ gain of 220. The small AC voltage picked-up by L1 is therefore amplified to @ value capable cf criving the LED D1. The second version is drawn bottom left, must be connectod to the basic circuit and uses a dual op-amp: therefore IC1 will be laaeled IC1A and its pin layout varies slightly. IC1B acts a5 2 voltage comparator and its threshald voltage can be precisely set by means of trimmer RO. Qt is the Relay driver and D2 illuminates when the Relay is on. You can use the Relay contacts to drive an alerm or a lamp when the AC load exceeds & pre~ set value, e.g. 2kW, ‘The third version is shown to the night of the drawing, must be connected ta the basic circuit and uses a quad op-ama, therefore IC4 will be labeled IC18 and its gin layout varies slightly. IC18, C and D are wired as comparators. They switch on and off the LEDs, roferring ta voltages at ther non-inverting inputs set by the voltage divider rasistor chain RIt-R14, Notes: © The pick-up coll Li is ¢ common LomH miniature inductor, having the shape of a small restangular plastic box of 10974 mm. with radial leads © This inductor rust be placed tightly against cne wire of the power cable, leaving the other wire seme centimeters apart © The sensitivity will be doubled if the inductor is placed tightly between the two wires as shewn in the diagram, top left. On the cantrary, de nat place the inductor against paired wires as the signal tends ta cancel and the circuit will not work © The LED limiting resister RS should have a value comprised in the 190R - 1k range, depending on the output voltage obtained. @ LED Di and its limiting resistor RS can be cmitted in versions twa and three of the circuit, © Versions ane and three draw = small current, thus allowing possible 9Y battery operation,