Multimeter SD data logger

Using Arduino Storage
1

Any interest in a multimeter to SD data logging program?

I have been playing with a cheap, $30, multimeter with an RS232 interface. It even includes a k type thermocouple.

http://www.multimeterwarehouse.com/TP4000ZCSpec.htm

The included PC software did not function with my Win7 machine so I decided to try building an Arduino SD logger.

I found the meter's serial protocol http://www.multimeterwarehouse.com/TP4000ZC/TP4000ZC_serial_protocol.pdf.

I discovered that the RS232 cable is just two wires connected to an opto-isolator. I built a simple cable for the Arduino using a 10k resistor and a 3.5mm stereo plug.

I am able to read the meter's serial data using the Software Serial library and decode the data using the above specification for the meter chip.

Here are some sample records from a debug session.

24 -006.4 m V
35 01.17 n F
66 032.8 C
72 -001.3 u A
157 120.9 V AC
211 40.84 Hz
364 354.6 k Ohms
366 1.460 M Ohms

The first number is the time in seconds, the second number is the value on the meter's display.

The third column is the multiplier (n = 1e-9, u = 1e-6, m = 1e-3, blank = 1, k = 1e3, M = 1e6).

The fourth column is the unit (F = farad, C = degrees Celsius, A = amps, V = volts, Hz, or Ohms).

The fifth column contains AC or is blank.

I plan to write CSV files and write the multiplier as a number.

Several other meters use this chip.

2

I can hardly believe what I'm reading here......

I have two datalogging multimeters. The reason I have two is that the first one I bought has crappy software. It turns out that the second has crappy software too. They were bought to replace a dongle that actually has good software but is unreliable. I was only wondering under the shower a couple of nights ago, that I might be able to put this stuff to better use by way of an Arduino.

It looks like this is possible.

Karma to you.

The meter to I have to hand is a UT61C. It cost me a lot more than $30 but looks much the same as yours. It has two opto eyes under a sliding cover.

Are you essentially just using a 10k in series to connect the meter to a digital pin? I have just pulled the D9 plug apart. There is a lot of wiring there but it doesn't mean it is all used at the other end.

3

The UT61C sends 14 byte packets and several websites have the protocol. The protocol is in the file UT61BCD.LOG on this site.

http://www-user.tu-chemnitz.de/~heha/hs_freeware/UNI-T/

Here is the meter chip datasheet 富晶，類比晶片的首選.

Making an interface cable is a bit tricky. These meters have opto-isolators and use tricks to generate RS232 with power from control lines driven by the PC serial interface.

I was able to use 5V and a resistor to generate TTL serial from the output of the opto-isolator.

I don't know how the UT61C does it's serial.

4

I have posted a sketch for logging data from a TekPower TP4000ZC or Digitek DT4000ZC multimeter as TP4000ZC20130427.zip code.google.com/p/beta-lib/downloads/list.

Instructions for interfacing the meter to an Arduino are included. The interface consists of a standard audio cable with 3.5 mm plugs, a 3.5 mm socket, and a 10k resistor.

Here is the readme file:

The sketch TP4000ZC.ino is a data logger for TekPower TP4000ZC and
Digitek DT4000ZC multimeters.

This sketch requires the SdFat library located here:

Google Code Archive - Long-term storage for Google Code Project Hosting.

An Arduino interface for the meter is described in interface.txt.

logger.jpg shows my debug setup.

The meter protocol is defined in TP4000ZC_serial_protocol.pdf.

Links to other meter info are in meter_info_url.txt.

The sketch was debugged with an Adafruit Data Logging Shield but
any SD module/shield should work.

Data is logged to a file named DMMLOGnn.CSV where nn is a number 00-99.

The csv log file has three or four columns depending on the value of
MULTIPLIER_FORMAT.

For MULTIPLIER_FORMAT = 1 the format is:
,,

For MULTIPLIER_FORMAT = 2 the format is:
,,,

For MULTIPLIER_FORMAT = 3 the format is:
,,,
possible multiplier characters are

'n' - nano
'u' - micro
'm' - milli
' ' - multiplier of one
'k' - kilo
'M' - Mega

The following are configuration parameters:

const uint8_t DMM_RX_PIN = A0; // DMM connected to analog pin 0.
const uint8_t DMM_TX_PIN = A1; // Analog pin 1, not used.
const uint8_t SD_CS_PIN = SS; // SD chip select pin.

// Options for multiplier format are 1, 2, 3
#define MULTIPLIER_FORMAT 3

// If ECHO_TO_SERIAL is nonzero, print record to Serial.
#define ECHO_TO_SERIAL 1

5

I do appreciate that this is an old post. However, I wanted tie this thread to question I raised recently.

I was unable to replicate fat16lib attempt, I quote: "I discovered that the RS232 cable is just two wires connected to an opto-isolator. I built a simple cable for the Arduino using a 10k resistor and a 3.5mm stereo plug."

My new thread: Multimeter Interface RS232 to Arduino :: Talking Multimeter <Help> - Interfacing w/ Software on the Computer - Arduino Forum