I have a voltage divider which is supposed to function as a crude input protection for an ADC (differential reading). I am familiar in calculating basic voltage dividers and this basically is just that, but somehow I am stuck now.
The ADC will see 0.24 volt since that is the differential voltage between the points A and B. But I am struggling to find the right equation to calculate the actual input voltage. Maybe someone is able to point me into the right direction.
Thanks, V.
Edit: I've been juggling with the formula a bit and it seems like I got my solution. So the voltage drop across R2 is supposed to be: UR2 = Uin * R2/(R1+R2+R3). Rearranging that formula will give me the input voltage.
I tried to verify that in practice and built a quick test-setup on a breadboard.
Rtotal = 20.74 kOhm
R2 = 0.9834 kOhm
VR2 = 0.2372 Volt
The equation gives me 5.003V, opposing to 5.01V which I've fed into the circuit. But I guess that's okay since I have to take some measurement error into account.
Output voltage is 1/21 of input voltage (21:1 ratio).
Your formula UR2 = Uin * R2/(R1+R2+R3) seems right.
Are you sure you can use that diagram?
Most A/Ds must have BOTH inputs voltages within their own VCC-GND.
Or even less than that (common mode range).
I don't see any reference to the A/D's ground (or VCC).
Leo..
Wawa:
Are you sure you can use that diagram?
Most A/Ds must have BOTH inputs voltages within their own VCC-GND.
Or even less than that (common mode range).
I don't see any reference to the A/D's ground (or VCC).
Yes, I am sure. I'm using an ADS1115 which has its upper and lower limits at VCC+0.3V and GND-0.3V. I'll be using the differential measurement to pick up the voltage coming from a hall sensor for current measurement. The hall sensor will output +/- 5V (according to the current flow). I do not expect to see that much (more like +/- 2V) but still I need to protect my inputs (voltage spikes, current).
Idahowalker:
The op may find this info to be useful https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/ReadAnalogVoltage, which was found by entering the words "arduino uno read volts" into my favorite internet search engine.
Thank you for your incredibly helpful link. Unfortunately the ADC of the Arduino is not suitable for what I want to do.
Vulpecula:
Yes, I am sure. I'm using an ADS1115 which has its upper and lower limits at VCC+0.3V and GND-0.3V.
Also sure, can't do that if you don't refer the inputs to some voltage.
Imagine the bottom part of the 1k resistor 'floating' on about -0.5volt.
Then the top part of the resistor is about -0.25volt.
Both inputs are outside the measuring range (GND-VCC), and the A/D will return zero.
As said, both inputs MUST be kept within VCC/GND of the A/D.
So what are you measuring.
Leo..
Hi,
Why do you need to read differential voltage from a Hall Effect device?
Can you post a circuit diagram of your project so we can see how you aim to measure the current detected by the Hall Effect Device.
Can you tell us your application?
Part numbers would be helpful too.
Differential input circuitry will not protect your analog inputs as it is all referenced to gnd.
Your Hall Effect device will provide the isolation protection from the measured current.
Wawa:
Also sure, can't do that if you don't refer the inputs to some voltage.
Imagine the bottom part of the 1k resistor 'floating' on about -0.5volt.
Then the top part of the resistor is about -0.25volt.
Both inputs are outside the measuring range (GND-VCC), and the A/D will return zero.
As said, both inputs MUST be kept within VCC/GND of the A/D.
That should be the case if the measured device had a common ground shared with the measuring device which is not the case. As far as I understand it, the ADC references differential, meaning A0 against A1 (and not against GND).
@TomGeorge: I am using a hall sensor to measure the current going into electric motors (see attached PFD for more info).
As far as I understand it, the ADC references differential, meaning A0 against A1 (and not against GND).
No, that is not how the ADS1115 works. The inputs are referenced to the ADC ground and internal VREF, and the difference between them is constructed.
Both of the the input voltages must be positive with respect to the ADC ground and within the allowed range, which depends on how the gain section is configured. Furthermore the difference between the two is also limited, to +/- 4.096/(PGA gain) V.
Please explain the real purpose of this circuit. "crude input protection" does not make sense.
jremington:
Please explain the real purpose of this circuit. "crude input protection" does not make sense.
So I need to measure a heck of a current. Therefore I have a hall sensor which gives me an output referenced to its own ground (as seen in the PDF earlier). The potential on that output pin will range from -5V to +5V according to the current (-300A min, +300A max).
Testing this with different voltage sources with different polarities gives me the correct values. So if there is something wrong with this circuit, can you tell me what?
jremington:
No, that is not how the ADS1115 works. The inputs are referenced to the ADC ground and internal VREF, and the difference between them is constructed.
I think this is NOT how ADS1115 works. AFAIK the ADS charges its internal sampling cap to the measured voltage difference, than it disconnect it from input pins and than measures voltage in the cap. I am quite sure it does not measure both voltages in single-ended mode and subtract them later. It makes no sense. I don't see any problem in measuring a floating voltage that does not share common ground with the system containing the ADS1115.
jremington:
You may not but the manufacturer certainly does. That is why there are limitations on input voltages.
Sure, but when the measured circuit is floating with respect to ADS's ground the protection diodes will "drag" it to the suitable range. It is the same as measuring part of the circuit with a DMM.
jremington:
The ADS1115 is an absolute ADC, with its own internal reference.
Yes. And compares voltage in the sampling cap to this reference. Internal vs external reference has nothing to do with differential vs single-ended conversion.
EDIT: that part is stupid - it is a sigma-delta ADC, not SAR as Arduino has. I don't know how differential sigma-delta ADCs work and it is well possible they subtract the results.
jremington:
That is a 10V swing, which cannot be measured by the ADS1115 anyway.
In that case I might just shift the signal up and do a single ended measurement. Shouldn't that do the job? Of course, I will need a common ground in that case and use a voltage divider to split up the 0 -10 volt range.