Hello,
I want to control the throttle on an Engine that spins a generator based on the voltage output of the generator. I know I could use a Servo to control the throttle but what I cant figure out is how can I read AC Voltage with the Arduino? Iv Googled all around about this but I want to be sure im doing the exact right thing.
The range of voltage I want to monitor is from around 80v-200v.
Let me know if you need to know anymore information. Thanks for the help.
but what I cant figure out is how can I read AC Voltage with the Arduino?
That's because you can't. You could convert the AC to DC, and pass that DC through a voltage divider, to get a maximum of 5.0 volts, then have the Arduino read that.
Safest way I can think of is the cheapest clamp meter you can find with a serial port. Is it definitely voltage you want to measure?
I assume you need the Arduino to be isolated from the output of the generator, and the generator produces AC at a frequency of around 50 or 60Hz at its nominal output. I would connect a transformer to the generator output, the kind of transformer that is designed to produce 6v output at 240vAC input. Connect the transformer secondary as I have shown in the attached schematic. If you make repeated analogRead calls on pin A0 and A1, the difference in readings will follow the sinusoidal voltage, and you can calculate the peak and RMS values.
