Another energy meter from Texas Instruments using MSP430AFE2xx. Link here (PDF) This application report describes the implementation of a single-phase electronic electricity meter using the Texas Instruments MSP430AFE2xx metering processors. It includes the necessary information with regard to metrology software and hardware procedures for this single chip implementation.
Author Archives: DP
App note: Atmel AVR465: Single-phase power/energy meter with tamper detection
A good read from Atmel on their 8-bit microcontroller single-phase energy meter design. Link here (PDF) This application note describes a single-phase power/energy meter with tamper logic. The design measures active power, voltage, and current in a single-phase distribution environment. It differs from ordinary single-phase meters in that it uses two current transducers to measure […]
Free PCB coupon via Facebook to 2 random commenters
Every Friday we give away some extra PCBs via Facebook. This post was announced on Facebook, and on Monday we’ll send coupon codes to two random commenters. The coupon code usually go to Facebook ‘Other’ Messages Folder . More PCBs via Twitter on Tuesday and the blog every Sunday. Don’t forget there’s free PCBs three […]
A two channel SI5351 signal generator
DuWayne Schmidlkofer has a nice write-up on building a two channel SI5351 signal generator: After getting the sketches written for the SI5351 board written to support multiple display types, I decided I need to write one more. Now that Pete is moving the Simpleceiver to a single conversion super-het, I will have to worry about […]
Simulating 3-phase AC for energy monitor testing
Tisham Dhar blogged about his 3-phase synthesizer: Finding 3-phase is difficult, convincing the owner of the said supply to test some home made hardware is even more so. After building a 3-phase energy monitor my testing options for it appeared very limited. So I set about making my own low-cost 3-phase energy monitor calibration system. See […]
SMA solar readout
Jean-Claude writes: This is the first post of a 3-part series about reading out an SMA solar inverter over Bluetooth and displaying some readings every few seconds. Long-time readers may remember the Solar at last weblog post from several years ago and the SMA Relay, based on a JeeNode v6. The Bluetooth readout code was derived […]
Vintage MIDI: Roland MT-32, Roland SC-55, HardMPU, and an Xi 8088
Dr. Scott Baker writes: In this video, I decided to upgrade my home built PC from AdLib sound to MIDI. I tried out a couple different midi modules, the Roland MT-32 and the Roland SC-55. I learned that I’d need an MPU-401 or compatible ISA interface, and I explored the alternatives, eventually settling on the […]
#FreePCB via Twitter to 2 random RTs
Every Tuesday we give away two coupons for the free PCB drawer via Twitter. This post was announced on Twitter, and in 24 hours we’ll send coupon codes to two random retweeters. Don’t forget there’s free PCBs three times a every week: Hate Twitter and Facebook? Free PCB Sunday is the classic PCB giveaway. Catch […]
PICKit 3 Mini
Reviahh has published a new build, the PICKit 3 Mini: Previously, I made a Pickit 3 clone – (see previous blog post). It works well, but I have often wondered just how little of its circuitry was needed to program and debug the boards I make. For instance – I primarily use the newer 3.3V PIC32 […]
Modifying a computer ATX power supply for higher output voltage
Kerry Wong wrote a post on his blog showing how he modified the 12V rail of a TL494 based ATX power supply to 14.6V for 4S LiFePO4 battery charging: To charge the 110Ah battery bank I built, I need a power supply that can provide at least 10A at 14.6V. Since I have many old […]
App note: Capacitance change with applied DC voltage
Tantalum comparison to other types of capacitors shows stable capacitance in this app note from Vishay, Link here (PDF) Tantalum capacitors in general – and Vishay’s 298D/TR8/TM8 MicroTan tantalum capacitors in particular – demonstrate very stable performance over the DC voltage (bias) applied in an application. At the same time, the majority of capacitors utilizing […]
App note: Extend current transformer range
Design note from Texas Instruments on technique in resetting and negative voltage generation from current transformers. Link here (PDF) Transformers are used extensively for current sensing because they can monitor currents with very low power loss and they have wide bandwidth for good waveform fidelity. Current transformers perform well in applications with symmetrical AC currents […]
Free PCB coupon via Facebook to 2 random commenters
Every Friday we give away some extra PCBs via Facebook. This post was announced on Facebook, and on Monday we’ll send coupon codes to two random commenters. The coupon code usually go to Facebook ‘Other’ Messages Folder . More PCBs via Twitter on Tuesday and the blog every Sunday. Don’t forget there’s free PCBs three […]
Revisiting the DSETA board with an AT89C51ED2
An update on Jesus Echavarria’s DSETA board we covered previously: Some months ago I review the DSETA board due the obsolescence of the microcontroller. I use this board in some projects succesfully. But when I try to manufacture a batch of this boards, I found that the microcontroller (AT89C51RE2) was obsolete. So, the board needs […]
Multiface 128 recreation project
Steve Smith has been working on a Multiface 128 recreation project: On to the Multiface 128 recreation project. I have been attempting to find a source for an AT&Y SPEC-MATE, which is a lesser-known snapshot interface for the earlier Sinclair Spectrums. During my search, I came across 슬롯사이트, a website offering reviews and recommendations for […]
Yaesu FT-1000D receiver repair
Alan Wolke (a.k.a W2AEW) writes, “A local ham radio friend dropped off his Yaesu FT-1000D transceiver for me to take a look at. He said that the receiver was “dead”. This video documents my debug process and the repair and final check out.”
#FreePCB via Twitter to 2 random RTs
Every Tuesday we give away two coupons for the free PCB drawer via Twitter. This post was announced on Twitter, and in 24 hours we’ll send coupon codes to two random retweeters. Don’t forget there’s free PCBs three times a every week: Hate Twitter and Facebook? Free PCB Sunday is the classic PCB giveaway. Catch […]
PCB Businesscard Nextgen: NFC enabled
A followup to the PCB business card post, Sjaak writes: Designing a PCB business card seems to be the go-to for a hobbyist electronic engineers. Most people design either a passive PCB, USB HID/MSD device or battery powered LED frenzy. Uptill now I haven’t seen any cart that has a RFID, not even regular paper […]
Teardown and testing of an 800W PureSine inverter
Kerry Wong has posted a detailed teardown and testing of a Reliable Electric 800W PureSine Inverter: The last ingredient for my backup power project is an inverter. Since the battery bank I built is a 12V 1.5kWh one, an inverter that can handle a load between 500W and 1000W would be a suitable choice. In […]
Free PCB Sunday: Pick your PCB
We go through a lot of prototype PCBs, and end up with lots of extras that we’ll never use. Every Sunday we give away a few PCBs from one of our past or future projects, or a related prototype. Our PCBs are made through Seeed Studio’s Fusion board service. This week two random commenters will […]