Beginner
10 min

Achieve precise and reliable measurement of voltage and current with ACS37800KMACTR-030B3-I2C and ATmega328

Reliable current measurement capabilities for loads up to 30Amps

PWR Meter 3 Click with Arduino UNO Rev3

Published Jul 15, 2024

Click board™

PWR Meter 3 Click

Dev. board

Arduino UNO Rev3

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

ATmega328

Provide valuable data for monitoring power consumption and detecting potential issues in industrial equipment

A

A

Hardware Overview

How does it work?

PWR Meter 3 Click is based on the ACS37800KMCTR-030B3-I2C, a simple solution for voltage, current, and power monitoring from Allegro Microsystems, which simplifies the addition of power monitoring in 60Hz to many AC/DC applications. The ACS37800KMCTR-030B3-I2C includes a copper conduction path that generates a magnetic field proportional to the applied current, sensed differentially to reject errors introduced by common mode fields. It is particularly well suited for high isolation, achieving reinforced isolation ratings of 4800VRMS and a reliable bidirectional current sensing range (±15A/±30A/±60A). With high configurability and integrated features, this Click board™ can fit most power monitoring applications. The ACS37800KMCTR-030B3-I2C measures the voltage applied to the REF terminal, in the range from 9.5 to 27V, by resistor dividing it down to fit the input range of the onboard voltage sense

amplifier and add isolation. On the other hand, the current applied to the current sensing terminals is measured using the integrated current loop and galvanically isolated Hall sensor. Both analog signals are then sampled using integrated high-accuracy ADCs before entering the digital system. The metrology engine later determines the frequency, calculates RMS values of current, voltage, and power, and provides a range of averaging and configuration options. PWR Meter 3 Click communicates with an MCU using the standard I2C 2-Wire interface to read data and configure settings, supporting Standard Mode operation with a clock frequency of 100kHz and Fast Mode up to 400kHz. The ACS37800KMCTR-030B3-I2C can be enabled or disabled through the EN pin routed to the RST pin of the mikroBUS™ socket, hence, offering a switch operation to turn ON/OFF power delivery to the ACS37800KMCTR-

030B3-I2C via TPS2041B. Along with the ability to measure current and voltage, it also has two LED indicators, DIO0 and DIO1, for the realization of visual detection of some anomalies in operation, such as undervoltage and overvoltage reporting, and fast overcurrent fault detection. The DIO0 LED default state application is for zero crossing, while DIO1 stands for overcurrent detection. In addition to the LEDs, this information can also be detected through the INT and AN pins of the mikroBUS™ socket, marked as D0 and D1. This Click board™ can be operated only with a 3.3V logic voltage level. The board must perform appropriate logic voltage level conversion before using MCUs with different logic levels. However, the Click board™ comes equipped with a library containing functions and an example code that can be used as a reference for further development.

PWR Meter 3 Click - 30A hardware overview image
PWR Meter 3 Click - 30A Warning image

Features overview

Development board

Arduino UNO is a versatile microcontroller board built around the ATmega328P chip. It offers extensive connectivity options for various projects, featuring 14 digital input/output pins, six of which are PWM-capable, along with six analog inputs. Its core components include a 16MHz ceramic resonator, a USB connection, a power jack, an

ICSP header, and a reset button, providing everything necessary to power and program the board. The Uno is ready to go, whether connected to a computer via USB or powered by an AC-to-DC adapter or battery. As the first USB Arduino board, it serves as the benchmark for the Arduino platform, with "Uno" symbolizing its status as the

first in a series. This name choice, meaning "one" in Italian, commemorates the launch of Arduino Software (IDE) 1.0. Initially introduced alongside version 1.0 of the Arduino Software (IDE), the Uno has since become the foundational model for subsequent Arduino releases, embodying the platform's evolution.

Arduino UNO Rev3 double side image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

AVR

MCU Memory (KB)

32

Silicon Vendor

Microchip

Pin count

32

RAM (Bytes)

2048

You complete me!

Accessories

Click Shield for Arduino UNO has two proprietary mikroBUS™ sockets, allowing all the Click board™ devices to be interfaced with the Arduino UNO board without effort. The Arduino Uno, a microcontroller board based on the ATmega328P, provides an affordable and flexible way for users to try out new concepts and build prototypes with the ATmega328P microcontroller from various combinations of performance, power consumption, and features. The Arduino Uno has 14 digital input/output pins (of which six can be used as PWM outputs), six analog inputs, a 16 MHz ceramic resonator (CSTCE16M0V53-R0), a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and reset button. Most of the ATmega328P microcontroller pins are brought to the IO pins on the left and right edge of the board, which are then connected to two existing mikroBUS™ sockets. This Click Shield also has several switches that perform functions such as selecting the logic levels of analog signals on mikroBUS™ sockets and selecting logic voltage levels of the mikroBUS™ sockets themselves. Besides, the user is offered the possibility of using any Click board™ with the help of existing bidirectional level-shifting voltage translators, regardless of whether the Click board™ operates at a 3.3V or 5V logic voltage level. Once you connect the Arduino UNO board with our Click Shield for Arduino UNO, you can access hundreds of Click boards™, working with 3.3V or 5V logic voltage levels.

Click Shield for Arduino UNO accessories 1 image

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

Overcurrent Fault
PC0
AN
Device Enable
PD2
RST
ID COMM
PB2
CS
NC
NC
SCK
NC
NC
MISO
NC
NC
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
NC
NC
PWM
Zero Crossing
PC3
INT
NC
NC
TX
NC
NC
RX
I2C Clock
PC5
SCL
I2C Data
PC4
SDA
NC
NC
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Click board™ Schematic

PWR Meter 3 Click - 30A Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

Click Shield for Arduino UNO front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Arduino UNO Rev3 as your development board.

Click Shield for Arduino UNO front image hardware assembly
Arduino UNO Rev3 front image hardware assembly
Charger 27 Click front image hardware assembly
Prog-cut hardware assembly
Charger 27 Click complete accessories setup image hardware assembly
Arduino UNO Rev3 Access MB 1 - upright/background hardware assembly
Necto image step 2 hardware assembly
Necto image step 3 hardware assembly
Necto image step 4 hardware assembly
Necto image step 5 hardware assembly
Necto image step 6 hardware assembly
Arduino UNO MCU Step hardware assembly
Necto No Display image step 8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 9 hardware assembly
Necto image step 10 hardware assembly
Debug Image Necto Step hardware assembly

Track your results in real time

Application Output

1. Application Output - In Debug mode, the 'Application Output' window enables real-time data monitoring, offering direct insight into execution results. Ensure proper data display by configuring the environment correctly using the provided tutorial.

2. UART Terminal - Use the UART Terminal to monitor data transmission via a USB to UART converter, allowing direct communication between the Click board™ and your development system. Configure the baud rate and other serial settings according to your project's requirements to ensure proper functionality. For step-by-step setup instructions, refer to the provided tutorial.

3. Plot Output - The Plot feature offers a powerful way to visualize real-time sensor data, enabling trend analysis, debugging, and comparison of multiple data points. To set it up correctly, follow the provided tutorial, which includes a step-by-step example of using the Plot feature to display Click board™ readings. To use the Plot feature in your code, use the function: plot(*insert_graph_name*, variable_name);. This is a general format, and it is up to the user to replace 'insert_graph_name' with the actual graph name and 'variable_name' with the parameter to be displayed.

Software Support

Library Description

PWR Meter 3 Click demo application is developed using the NECTO Studio, ensuring compatibility with mikroSDK's open-source libraries and tools. Designed for plug-and-play implementation and testing, the demo is fully compatible with all development, starter, and mikromedia boards featuring a mikroBUS™ socket.

Example Description
This example demonstrates the use of PWR Meter 3 Click board by reading and displaying the voltage, current, and power RMS measurements.

Key functions:

  • pwrmeter3_cfg_setup - Config Object Initialization function.

  • pwrmeter3_init - Initialization function.

  • pwrmeter3_default_cfg - Click Default Configuration function.

  • pwrmeter3_get_dio0_pin - This function returns the DIO0 pin logic state.

  • pwrmeter3_get_dio1_pin - This function returns the DIO1 pin logic state.

  • pwrmeter3_read_average_rms - This function reads the voltage and current RMS measurements averaged from a specified number of samples.

Application Init
Initializes the driver and performs the Click default configuration which sets the DC measurement and VRMS thresholds to about 28V for overvoltage and about 9.3V for undervoltage flag.

Application Task
Reads the voltage and current RMS values averaged from 500 samples, then calculates the power from it and displays the results on the USB UART. Also if an UV or OV flag is detected it will be logged accordingly.

Open Source

Code example

The complete application code and a ready-to-use project are available through the NECTO Studio Package Manager for direct installation in the NECTO Studio. The application code can also be found on the MIKROE GitHub account.

/*!
 * @file main.c
 * @brief PWR Meter 3 Click example
 *
 * # Description
 * This example demonstrates the use of PWR Meter 3 Click board by reading and displaying
 * the voltage, current, and power RMS measurements.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 *
 * ## Application Init
 * Initializes the driver and performs the Click default configuration which sets the DC measurement
 * and VRMS thresholds to about 28V for overvoltage and about 9.3V for undervoltage flag.
 *
 * ## Application Task
 * Reads the voltage and current RMS values averaged from 500 samples, then calculates the power from it
 * and displays the results on the USB UART. Also if an UV or OV flag is detected it will be logged accordingly.
 * 
 * @note
 * In case of 15A or 60A versions of PWR Meter 3 Click board the PWRMETER3_MAX_CURRENT macro from pwrmeter3.h file
 * must be adjusted for accurate current measurements.
 *
 * @author Stefan Filipovic
 *
 */

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "pwrmeter3.h"

static pwrmeter3_t pwrmeter3;
static log_t logger;

void application_init ( void ) 
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;  /**< Logger config object. */
    pwrmeter3_cfg_t pwrmeter3_cfg;  /**< Click config object. */

    /** 
     * Logger initialization.
     * Default baud rate: 115200
     * Default log level: LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG
     * @note If USB_UART_RX and USB_UART_TX 
     * are defined as HAL_PIN_NC, you will 
     * need to define them manually for log to work. 
     * See @b LOG_MAP_USB_UART macro definition for detailed explanation.
     */
    LOG_MAP_USB_UART( log_cfg );
    log_init( &logger, &log_cfg );
    log_info( &logger, " Application Init " );

    // Click initialization.
    pwrmeter3_cfg_setup( &pwrmeter3_cfg );
    PWRMETER3_MAP_MIKROBUS( pwrmeter3_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    if ( I2C_MASTER_ERROR == pwrmeter3_init( &pwrmeter3, &pwrmeter3_cfg ) ) 
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Communication init." );
        for ( ; ; );
    }
    
    if ( PWRMETER3_ERROR == pwrmeter3_default_cfg ( &pwrmeter3 ) )
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Default configuration." );
        for ( ; ; );
    }
    
    log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
}

void application_task ( void ) 
{
    float v_rms, i_rms;
    if ( PWRMETER3_OK == pwrmeter3_read_average_rms ( &pwrmeter3, &v_rms, &i_rms, PWRMETER3_DEF_AVG_SAMPLES ) )
    {
        if ( !pwrmeter3_get_dio0_pin ( &pwrmeter3 ) )
        {
            log_printf ( &logger, " Over-voltage detected!\r\n" );
        }
        if ( !pwrmeter3_get_dio1_pin ( &pwrmeter3 ) )
        {
            log_printf ( &logger, " Under-voltage detected!\r\n" );
        }
        log_printf ( &logger, " Voltage: %.2f V\r\n", v_rms );
        log_printf ( &logger, " Current: %.2f A\r\n", i_rms );
        log_printf ( &logger, " Power: %.2f W\r\n\n", i_rms * v_rms );
    }
}

int main ( void ) 
{
    /* Do not remove this line or clock might not be set correctly. */
    #ifdef PREINIT_SUPPORTED
    preinit();
    #endif
    
    application_init( );
    
    for ( ; ; ) 
    {
        application_task( );
    }

    return 0;
}

// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END

Additional Support

Resources

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