instructables

AC Voltmeter Using Arduino

by Abhrodeep Chanda

This is a simple circuit to ascertain the AC voltage using the Arduino UNO without any AC voltmeter!! ENJOY!!

Step 1: COMPONENTS REQUIRED

Read explanation for knowing each ones use... 4)Zener Diode (5V)

1) Step-downTransformer (12V or 6V), i have used 6V 5)Capacitor (1uF preferably or else 10uF more time to
one discharge charge!!)

2) Resistor (2P- 1K ohm as I used 6V Tx, for 12V its 1K 6) Adruino UNO or any obviously and some jumpers(2)
and 4.7K )
All this are the components that are required to draw
3) Diode(1N4007) the project into existence...

AC Voltmeter Using Arduino: Page 1

AC Voltmeter Using Arduino: Page 2
Step 2: Circuit Diagram and Explanation
Can you see that circuit?? OHHH... yes nothing in it
1)Step-down transformer(220V to 6V AC) but the
arduino can't take AC voltage to read that also 6V
2)Lets get the 6V down to 5V operating voltage of
Arduino so that it can measure or read, so voltage
divider using 2 1k resistor so it comes to 3V
AC(approximately)
3) To get a DC we have used a diode as a ha lf w a v e
re ct i e r
4)Now 5V DC has to be maintained not more than that
AC Voltmeter Using Arduino: Page 3
so we have used a capacitor to stabilize the voltage
and a zenver diode as v o lt a g e re g ula t o r that
keeps 5V at terminals always!!
So, now the circuit part is done now we will take out
jumpers from terminals shown in circuit diagram(i.e.
across zener diode) and put the jumpers(+) to A0
a na lo g pin of Arduino and (-) to GND of Arduino.
If you dont know the anode and cathode of diode
refer to internet its easy! s ilv e r s ide
ca t ho de (1N4 0 0 7) AND bla ck s ide
ca t ho de (z e ne r dio de ).
Step 3: Arduino and Code!

Arduino's pin A0 and Gnd as been used to analyse the
coming voltage with respect to AC mains...
5V input at A0 pin refers to 1023 bit value of arduino...
So, 220V AC (r.m.s.)= 311V(peak) corresponds to
1023bit
1bit correspond to = 311/1023 , Thus we have taken,
b=analogRead(A0) and ac voltage=a=(b*311/1023)
BUT, if we just say serial print Arduino will
continuously plot voltage so we have made a
program to show output only if the input changes.
Thanks for reading this small but useful project if you
dont have ac voltmeter near you.
I will come up with IoT projects from the next one.
Code: Github link to ino le

Now the voltage that we get is peak voltage to get

r.m.s. we divided peak/sqrt(2).

AC Voltmeter Using Arduino: Page 4

Hello Sir,
I tried the above circuit with the same code but I did not get the output as expected and shown in
the screenshot.Lot of fluctuations.I need your help.Kindly reply me when you are free
please recheck your circuit and the polarities of the diodes (zener as well). If you did run the same
code then surely the problem lies in the circuit MOSTLY POLARITIES OF COMPONENTS.
Thank you for your reply Sir.Can you provide your contact number I ned to talk to you regarding a
problem I am facing.Because I ned to explain my circuit problem.Please
you can contact me at abhrodeepc07@gmail.com but right now im unable to provide my number
as its a corporate number. Thank you.
I think the capacitor is too big. A quick voltage change (up to down) is not detected until the
capacitor discharge itself.
Yes right just for voltage stability I used it but one can use lesser value one.

how 3V AC is converted to 5V DC by rectifier .....I know rectifier will convert AC to DC but how 3 v
to 5v converted
I know AC is little bit confusing with max, rms and all that. Please try it you will be amazed to get
4.99V DC at the terminal.
I will suggest you to please read half wave rectifier, the dc voltage is not calculated like you are
thinking. Please refer to the image i have attached in comment.
VDC = VMAX/ = 0.318VMAX =VRMS x 0.45
So what's our rms voltage around =6V now Calculate VDC...

AC Voltmeter Using Arduino: Page 5

Note: It's around 2.7V but due to inaccuracies it will go 3V as we dont get everything exact.

what is the current capacity of this voltmeter?

Hello, its a voltmeter so as described, it is made up of Arduino thus it can handle 5V i.e. 230V
corresponding to 5V by the use of transformer, zener diode and capacitor. Lastly, a voltmeter is a
galvanometer with high resistor in series so that negligible current flows through it. Thus this circuit
is for 5V, can't say the current rating as current is not a factor here. Now don't go for 440V !! for
household voltage and lower voltages its safe. No current actually goes from the circuit to arduino
just the potential is measured.
+1
People ask the darnest things ;-)
Hey man nice work... I tried to do it... But the output is working only for some period of time ... After
few hours the output put is not working values are not matching with the multimeter ...
May be the capacitor you are using is getting depleted, means it isn't storing charge as usual. So
change it as well as the zener diode. Check it and let me know.
useful..!

Thanks!

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