Hello,
I'm currently developping my own power monitor for the house and to get precision i detect led-flashes on the counter of the provider (1flash = 1wh)
First prototype is working.
My problem is that my arduino should be installed near this led nd this is 40m away from the house. I'm worring about moist...
I think i should install my arduino Inside a non-sealed box, right Inside the box of the network provider (see pic). Is this ok or should i use a sealing IP66 box, also Inside this provider-box. I'm worried about dew then...
David/
Sealed box is OK, arduino shouldn't generate enough heat to cause a problem. If worried about moisture then put some silica gel in there.
I would check whether it is legal to put stuff inside the utility cabinet: lots of places have pretty strict rules about that kind of thing.
Easy enough to test I guess- arduino has a built-in temperature sensor (not very accurate but good enough for this). Make a test sketch that outputs the temperature, put it in the sealed box and see if the temperature rises significantly or not.
Hello,
I used to install a lot of sensors in very wet, demanding conditions.
You need to use IP68 enclosures and cable glands, seal everything tight and pay attention to details like cable entries.
In very demanding situations, use one enclosure inside another so that you not relying one one set of seals.
As suggested, install self-indicating silica gel sachets.
Use a conformal spray over all the boards.
Most of this is extreme and providing you are not getting condensing moisture, there won't be much to worry about. The Arduino board will generate enough heat to prevent damaging moisture.
I wouldn't worry too much about the utility people. They supply gear like energy monitors to fit onto supply cables. They might own the supply cables, company fuse, time switch and consumption meter, but they don't own the hole in your wall it fits into. Show me a Land Registry document that gives them ownership of part of your property. You are hardly going to be criminal number one by putting a sensor or associated electronics onto your own property - provided you are not interfering with their gear - a Hall sensor or optical device does not stack up as interference. Plus given that in the UK at least, the only time a meter gets looked at is by sub-contracted meter reading companies, who couldn't care less, the odds of having any sort of run-in with a service provider is about nil.
Good luck and don't worry.
