Poor man's PQ monitor

[grich]

I ran across this in Radio World, a publication for broadcast technical folk...

http://www.rwonline.com/pages/s.0056/t.14508.html

Scary? Useful? Scary-useful?

 

[electricalperson]

thats a good idea

 

[mdshunk]

Scary? Useful? Scary-useful?

None of the above. I say it's "American Ingenuity".

 

[nakulak]

I like it. The idea is so simple. Makes me wonder why some genius hasn't made a similar interface to piggy back it onto your wireless network as an rf signal so you could monitor your power from any computer on the network.

 

[wireguru]

neat idea, but a bad way to go about it. I dont trust that little transformer for isolation from mains to computer. Should have a few thousand volts of optical isolation.

 

[zbang]

neat idea, but a bad way to go about it. I dont trust that little transformer for isolation from mains to computer.

Why not? That's all there is in most power supplies. Use a listed transformer and be done with it. If you really want to, add a second isolation transformer. (FWIW, I think my old Dranetz uses transformers that are about a 3/4" cube.)

To make things more interesting, I'd "customize" the recording software to process out the 60 Hz fundamental and display that separately from the raw input. That'll give a nice view of harmonics & transients.

 

[grich]

None of the above. I say it's "American Ingenuity".

I think it's a cool idea too. I was just curious what real sparkies thought of this.

... Makes me wonder why some genius hasn't made a similar interface to piggy back it onto your wireless network as an rf signal so you could monitor your power from any computer on the network.

To make things more interesting, I'd "customize" the recording software to process out the 60 Hz fundamental and display that separately from the raw input. That'll give a nice view of harmonics & transients.

...and you're thinking of improvements for it, too :smile: You guys rock!

 

[Ground Loop Guru]

Great Idea - Just Use a Safer Transformer

Great Idea - Just Use a Safer Transformer

neat idea, but a bad way to go about it. I dont trust that little transformer for isolation from mains to computer. Should have a few thousand volts of optical isolation.

The only thing that needs to change to make this setup safe (and eliminate the need for the safety-grounded box and fuses), is to use a European (240 VAC, 50/60 Hz rated) "wall wart" plug-in transformer that outputs 5 or 6 volts AC. If it is approved by all the major agencies (UL, TUV, etc.) it will be a safe, double-insulated, thermally-protected unit.

Bill Whitlock, president & chief engineer
Jensen Transformers, Inc.
Chatsworth, CA

 

[76nemo]

Cool!!!!!!!

Cool!!!!!!!

Has anyone here had their curiousity get the best of them and tried this yet?

 

[wirenut1980]

Has anyone here had their curiousity get the best of them and tried this yet?

Maybe when I am retired...in about 33 years. :grin: This is a great idea and would love to try it.

 

[catchtwentytwo]

Has anyone here had their curiousity get the best of them and tried this yet?

I passed it on to an IT guy who likes to tinker and has an understanding of power. If he actually tries it, I let you know. Better his PC than mine!:roll:

 

[glene77is]

I have a question.
Since the transformers are resonant at 60 Hz,
does this limit the Voltage information available on the Secondary?