in this article, I will use the current monitor based on the ZXCT series IC for measuring current voltage and watts.
Part list:
Arduino-compability board
High side current sense monitor ZXCT1010 (PDF)
0.1R 1W 1% shunt resistor
1K resistor
2.4K resistor
500R Trimmer Potentiometer
Nokia 5110 (optional)
Plastic enclosure
In my task needed measure the load current of not more than 2A, the range of 200 mA to 1.5 A. Load power supply voltage: 12 volts.
Voltage drop across the shunt with a maximum load current of 2A: VsenseВ =В RSВ * ILOAD, where RS – resistance of the shunt, ILOAD– the load current. VsenseВ =В 0.1 * 2 = 0.2V.
Heat loss in the shunt with a load of 2A amount: PD = I2R = 22 * 0.1 = 0.4 Watts.
IC output current: В Iout(max)В =В GtВ x Vsense(max), for ZXCT1010 value Gt is 0.01. Therefore Iout(max)В = 0.01 * 0.2 = 0.002 A.
Calculate the resistance at maximum load current of 2A. RGВ = VoutВ /В IoutВ = 5 V / 0.002В A = 2500 kOhm. The closest value of the resistor: 2.4K. For given value the output voltage of the IC is: VoutВ =В RGВ *В IoutВ = 2400 * 0.002 = 4.8 V.
If the resistance RG = 2.4K and the minimum current of load will be 200 mA, the voltage from the IC is: VoutВ = В RGВ * (GtВ *В RSВ * ILOAD)В = 2400 * (0.01 * 0.1 *0.2) = 0.48 V. Thus with a load current of 200 mA, the voltage supplied to the ADC is 0.48V, when the load current of 2 A, respectively, 4.8V.
To measure the voltage used voltage divider. To get the output voltage of 4V with 12V input, we use the calculator voltage divider, divider values to be 1K and 500 Ohms.
For more detail: DIY DC Amp Volt Watt Meter