No readings from CT Sensors on live feeds

Robert.Wall · 2018-06-27T16:23:16.582Z

I think you mean “Shield_CT1234_Voltage”.
That should certainly be calculating the powers for all 4 inputs, provided you’ve not disabled them at line 57 or so.
Are the values you see small, or a solid zero?

Robbrad · 2018-06-27T16:24:07.768Z

Found the issue.

One of my shields isn’t working and it just so happens that that shield had all the CTs for my upstairs circuit.

Now to try and find why this shield isn’t working. Sketch uploaded ok and RF works

Something is up with the CT side

Robbrad · 2018-06-27T16:24:53.889Z

They bounce around a bit from zero to small minus numbers and a small positive numbers

Robert.Wall · 2018-06-27T16:31:33.933Z

OK, that proves the Arduino and input is working - that’s noise you’re seeing.
So I’d check the c.t.'s themselves: tip to sleeve with the c.t. off the cable and unplugged, you should read about 100 Ω.

If you have an a.c. milliamps range on your meter, you should see 50 mA per 100 A of primary current, measuring tip - sleeve.

Have you soldered the sockets on the correct (= non-component) side of the pcb? I assume so as one channel works, but it’s worth a mention.

One problem we used to have was, the input sockets were extremely stiff, and hard to get the plug fully home. You should see no sleeve between the body of the plug and the body of the socket.

Robbrad · 2018-06-27T16:40:32.135Z

Oh god… I can’t believe I have done this.

On the shield that doesn’t work for the CT sensor inputs I have soldered them to the wrong side of the board.

Time for some heart breaking solder clean up.

I wouldn’t mind so much but this is my second shield. First worked perfectly

Sorry to waste your time

Robert.Wall · 2018-06-27T18:00:52.139Z

Don’t try to unsolder them. Just link the ring and tip connections at the socket.

Random CT Readings on emonesp Hardware

You’re not the first. There is an alternative quick fix to avoid removing all the connectors that basically involves soldering some small link wires to the pcb at the (upsidedown) connectors to link the ring and tip pins. [edit] - See First open energy monitor project (PART 2) | Archived Forum there is a picture of a pcb with the links drawn in about 2/3 of the way through) [edit2] - better still, here it is [image]

Robbrad · 2018-06-27T18:48:36.820Z

I’ll try this if I get a third Arduino. For now to keep it clean I have ordered another shield

Thanks for your help

Bill.Thomson · 2018-06-27T19:14:26.913Z

Sounds like including a note with the shield kit that points out the correct side of the board to install the jacks on might help with this issue. Kept simple and direct to the point, attached to the board itself, say with tape, would (hopefully) make it easy to spot.

Robert.Wall · 2018-06-27T21:53:13.170Z

Robert’s (not another one!) experience having previously successfully assembled one Shield just emphasises how conditioned we are to putting all the components on one side of the board. It’s a pity that the socket pins are symmetrical and it’s possible to fit it on the “right” (but incorrect) side.

@Gwil’s recently changed the words for the build guide in Resources. I think that even a printed note in the kit could be worthwhile. I’ve no idea how many Shield kits have been sold and assembled, but we’ve seen and know about a good half-dozen assembled wrongly like this - there could have been many more.

If the pcb is ever revised, a warning on the wrong side legend might also help.

borpin · 2018-06-28T07:49:38.807Z

An annotated picture is often the clearest way of emphasizing this sort of thing.

‘Does mine look like this picture…’

Robert.Wall · 2018-06-28T08:20:19.688Z

I’m not sure what more can be suggested, short of printing the pictures from here (just above “Hardware Setup Instructions”) and packing that with the kit.

borpin · 2018-06-28T08:45:12.136Z

Yes those photos are great. If there is a written set of instructions sent out, then yes, I’d include the photo on them.

Robbrad · 2018-06-28T13:13:40.800Z

It was an assembly speed record

Speed and excitement was part of the issue I guess

My suggestion would be if there is no detriment then if you can solder a wire in place to fix is to make the PCB have this channel printed there also. Then it could go on either side

I enjoy soldering so I don’t mind doing a 3rd board.

Robert.Wall · 2018-06-28T13:34:54.262Z

borpin:

If there is a written set of instructions sent out

To the best of my knowledge, that’s a no, there isn’t.

Robbrad · 2018-06-30T17:35:48.994Z

Hi @Robert.Wall I got my new board all soldered up and working however sensor 1 is reading VERY high 14500 Watts and doesn’t settle

Do you know what might cause it

There is no sensor connected to it

Robbrad · 2018-06-30T18:37:11.397Z

image1242×2208 272 KB

Robert.Wall · 2018-06-30T18:57:39.388Z

You’re using the same sketch as before?
Which version of emonLib?

Have you checked voltages?
The 5 V rail from your Arduino?
The midpoint - the junction of R1 & R6, with and without a plug inserted?
Is the 33 Ω burden present & correct?

Robbrad · 2018-06-30T19:25:53.287Z

Yep same sketch as before and same sketch as the working shield but different channel.

I’m not using the 5v rail from the Arduino, Just usb power.

Ct sensors work on port 2 3 and 4, see screenshot but port 1 is the one reading high.

Resistance on main resistors looks good
R5 to R16 reads 33k

How do I check the mid point

image2138×2851 2.2 MB

Robert.Wall · 2018-06-30T19:43:16.032Z

Robbrad:

R5 to R16 reads 33k

I’m not sure what you mean there - R16 is a placeholder to give the holes for a wire-ended component to replace R5 if the burden needs changing. R5 should be 33 Ω.

Robbrad:

How do I check the mid point

Measure the voltage from R5 (either end) to GND. It should be zero without a plug inserted. You’ll need to insert a plug to remove the “inner” connection to GND on the socket’s switch contacts to read a voltage, which should then be half-supply, 2.5 V
Also check that voltage makes it to the Arduino itself. Or check continuity. We have known broken tracks.

Robbrad · 2018-06-30T19:49:42.115Z

Let me check that.

Bit more info for you

Without the 9v ac connected I get solid zero readings on serial monitor

image1511×2015 1.5 MB

Soon as I connect the ac 9v I get the high reading