instructables

DIY Current Meter Using Arduino

by sainisagar7294

The basics of measuring the current. Making a own current sensor to measure the current using voltmeter. YES CURRENT
USING VOLTMETER
Supplies:

Components required:
1) Arduino Nano
2) LM358
3) 10mV/A shunt resistor
4) 9-volt battery
5) 100k, 10k, 1k resistor.
6) I2C LCD 16*2
7) Connecting wires
8) Power supply
9) Load resistance (DC-motor)
10) Custom PCB(JLCPCB)

DIY Current Meter Using Arduino: Page 1

There are many methods to measure the DC current. Hall e ect sensors and dedicated hall e ect current measuring ICs
are available to measure Current precisely. But in this tutorial, we are going to cover very basic method to measure
current using shunt resistance in the circuit.
We will also make our own current sensor and turn it into fully functional PCB. You can refer to the previous video in
which we made a shunt which drops 10milli-volts per ampere. From there you can clear the concept of shunt resistor.
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DIY Current Meter Using Arduino: Page 2

A small resistance(known) in order of 0.01 to 0.1 ohm, which can be connected in series with the load so that voltage
drop across it can tell the current owing through the circuit. See this article "how to make a shunt resistor" this will also
clear calculations.
The current in the circuit is given by the ohms law: V=IR
If Shunt resistance of 0.01ohm and Voltage drop across it is 0.01volt then:
Current = V/R = 1Ampere
Try to make the shunt as small as possible and if you want to reduce the calculation then try to control the resistance in
integral number. Because I am using 10milli-ohm resistor which drops 10mV when 1 ampere is owing through it.

DIY Current Meter Using Arduino: Page 3

Because 10milli volt per ampere is very low, I want to measure a maximum of 5ampere. In this case only 50milli-volt ful ll
the needs. It is easy for us to calculate but microcontrollers would not give any output change on this small voltage
change.
So, we need a proper ampli er to amplify the signal, so that we can display values using Arduino microcontroller. We
have to go with instrumentation ampli er for better precision and accuracy but operational ampli er may do the ne
job. Here, I will use LM358 operational ampli er in non-inverting con guration mode. The gain of ampli er is multiplied
by the signal and then give an output.
Keep in mind, Arduino ADC can work at a maximum of 5volt, we also have to measure 5 amperes at max. So, we can
increase the ampli cation factor 1v per ampere. Which not only gives the better precision but also, we can measure the
current directly using any voltmeter.

DIY Current Meter Using Arduino: Page 5

Initially we are getting 10mV for 1ampere, to amplify the voltage to 1 volt we need a 100x gain. The non-inverting
con guration gain is given by 1+Rf/Rin.
Rf= 99k, Rin=1k gives the gain of 100. But here we are using 100k resistor with 1k resistor which is the general value and
gives a gain of 101 == 100. Which is almost equal, in the Arduino code we can do some changes to get the better
accuracy. Keep the reference level in mind while working with operational ampli ers.

DIY Current Meter Using Arduino: Page 6

We are amplifying 1volt to 1ampere which gives a full-scale resolution to Arduino ADC also we can measure the current
using any voltmeter. But here we are using 5v supply with the IC, which restrict a maximum gain to the supply voltage.
In case we have to measure 10Ampere or more then use a power supply greater than 10volt and then with the voltmeter
get the output directly form the output pin of Op-amp. Or you can push the ampli cation factor down to get an output
of 10amps @5volt i.e.- 0.5volt per amperes.

DIY Current Meter Using Arduino: Page 7

Pin 3 of the IC is the input which is also pulled down with 10k resistor to match the reference level. 100k, 1k resistor to
proving a gain of 100 to the system, the output of op-amp is given to the analog input of Arduino to measure the voltage
in terms of current and then to display the output.

DIY Current Meter Using Arduino: Page 8

I had given 2 PCB les one for the dedicated ampere meter and other one is for current sensor. So, either you can
measure using Arduino and I2C display with dedicated current meter or can measure using voltmeter from current
sensor.
The current meter con guration can be changed as per given resistance on the back silk layer of the PCB. If you want to
make the same les as mine then get them from here. This project is sponsored by JLCPCB, 5 pcs 2layer PCB in just $2.
Sign-up now using this link and get new user coupons of $54.

DIY Current Meter Using Arduino: Page 10

Try to install the latest version of the used libraries directly from Arduino IDE, manage libraries under tool menu.

DIY Current Meter Using Arduino: Page 11

#include <Wire.h>
#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>
int analogPin=1;
float current = 0;

LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27,16,2); // set the LCD address to 0x27 for a 16 chars and 2 line display

void setup()
{
lcd.init(); // initialize the lcd
lcd.init();
// Print a message to the LCD.
lcd.backlight();

}
void loop()
{
float c= analogRead(analogPin);
current= c/1023*5.0;
if (current<0.5)
{
lcd.setCursor(1,0);
lcd.print("Current=");
lcd.setCursor(4,1);
lcd.print(current*1.1);
delay(500);
}
else{
lcd.setCursor(1,0);
lcd.print("Current=");
lcd.setCursor(4,1);
lcd.print(current);
delay(500);
}
}

DIY Current Meter Using Arduino: Page 12

In the code at low ampere the output is not stable that why I introduce the IF statement below 0.5ampere and then you
can change the output factor to calibrate your sensor.
Mine one is working ne after calibration and now I can use this as a display or modify the code to make power meter.
Stay tuned for the other version of the current meters. I take electro noobs video of current meter as reference but there
are some mistakes. After realizing and wasting my time with that one I am representing this in front of you. So, that you
may get a basic idea to current measurement.

DIY Current Meter Using Arduino: Page 13