Can someone explain to me, as I'm no electrical engineer, how I would use a current transducer/sensor like those by CR Magnetics to detect the state on my tv or other home theater part. They have a lot listed with different specs, so how would I know which one I need? I do have a Global Cache that handles the IR, and it should be able to determine sensor input based on the relays on the back, so something that would activate those. I'm pretty much lost here.
current sensing
- Thread starter DeLicious
- Start date
123
Senior Member
I recently won a used AMX PCS2 on eBay for less than $30.
It looks like a powerbar and contains two outlets. Each outlet is monitored by an internal current sensor. Each current sensor indicates if the connected load is ON/STANDBY/OFF by opening/closing associated relay-contacts. LED lamps show the status of just about everything. It allows you to adjust the threshold levels for detecting ON/STANDBY/OFF states.
There may be other brands that offer a similar product.
Alternately, you can use a current sensor to drive the relay input of a GC-100. A bit more work involved ... mostly in trying to get everything looking neat and shock-proof.
One of the two AC wires must pass through the current sensor (may need to wrap it around a few times to increase sensitivity). The whole thing should sit in a proper box since we're dealing with 120VAC. There's a How To available that describes how to do this in more detail.
It looks like a powerbar and contains two outlets. Each outlet is monitored by an internal current sensor. Each current sensor indicates if the connected load is ON/STANDBY/OFF by opening/closing associated relay-contacts. LED lamps show the status of just about everything. It allows you to adjust the threshold levels for detecting ON/STANDBY/OFF states.
There may be other brands that offer a similar product.
Alternately, you can use a current sensor to drive the relay input of a GC-100. A bit more work involved ... mostly in trying to get everything looking neat and shock-proof.
One of the two AC wires must pass through the current sensor (may need to wrap it around a few times to increase sensitivity). The whole thing should sit in a proper box since we're dealing with 120VAC. There's a How To available that describes how to do this in more detail.
Rupp
Senior Member
Here's how I do it using the CRMagnet and a X10 Powerflash unit.
http://board.homeseer.com/attachment.php?a...mp;d=1218160726
Using this split core current transformer. Look at CR 3110
http://www.crmagnetics.com/newprod/splitco.asp
There are also some users using the very inexpensive DS10A RF door and window sensors to monitor this wirelessly using a small circuit. Here's a link to the circuit. It requires a login to see this thread on the HomeSeer message board.
http://board.homeseer.com/showthread.php?t...light=CRmagnets
There's also a link for Cocoontech.com here for similar information:
http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php...hl=CR+magnetics
damage
Senior Member
if you have to split your power cord, use an extension & split that
WayneW
Senior Member
split core = clamp on
meaning you don't have to thread the wire through it... kinda like a regular washer versus a split lock washer
Regardless of using solid cor or split core, you will need to split the pair of AC wires to only measure one leg.
drvnbysound
Senior Member
I read about this one on a thread earlier today on another site:
http://www.xantech.com/Controls/Controller...Switchers/CSM1/
http://www.xantech.com/Controls/Controller...Switchers/CSM1/
You can also buy something like a WPA-3 from here: http://www.brultech.com/price2c.html
(I'm sure the xantech just has something like that built-in.)
(I'm sure the xantech just has something like that built-in.)
drvnbysound
Senior Member
the xantech one appears to have a proprietary connector on the bottom for the output. and as for splitting my cords to only feed one side through even a split core monitor, i'll try to avoid that to start with
Here is another link.. doesnt look so "proprietary" to me.. simply a 3.5mm plug:
http://www.smarthome.com/81822/Xantech-Cur...ule-CSM1/p.aspx
Other information quoted from the thread I originally read:
"you can cut the 1/8" mini off the end and terminate it directly into your IO port of your crestron or amx unit
There's also an additional piece that you can get with it if you are not using an automation processor (Crestron or AMX..)"
I assume you can integrate this with an Elk or HAI as an non-alarm zone of some sort??? and just have the status reported.
