SRI CHAITANYA SCHOOL ( C B S E )

BANGALORE

A PROJECT REPORT
ON
TO REASEARCH AND MEASURE A.C CURRENT STRENGTH

FOR THE CBSE 2024 EXAMINATION

AS A PART OF THE PHYSICS (042)

SUBMITTED BY
VISHAL.S

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF

Mrs DEEPA M
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I WOULD LIKE TO SINCERELY AND PROFUSELY THANK OUR PHYSICS FACULTY .

MRS DEEPA M FOR HER GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT IN COMPLETING OUT PROJECT.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO EXTEND MY GRATITUDE TO MY PRINCIPAL
MRS TANSEEN KHAN FOR PROVIDING ME MORAL SUPPORT TO CREATE THIS PROJECT.
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXTEND MY SINCERE THANKS AND
GRATITUDE TO OUR PARENTS FOR BEING A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION AND PROVIDING
TIME AND FREEDOM TO CREATE THIS PROJECT.

Signature of the teacher /guide

Signature of the Principal
Deepa M
INDEX

S.No CONTENT PAGE

NO.
1 Introduction 3

2 Need of ac current 4
measurement

3 Multimeter 5

4 Transformer and 7
Aurdino

5 Pic microcontroller 14

6 Clampmeter 17

7 Oscilloscope 19

8 Conclusion 24

9 Bibliography 25

2
 Introduction

Smart power monitoring is getting increasingly

popular to improve energy efficiency in
medium/small scale industries, multi-story buildings,
etc. We have previously built a smart energy meter
which can measure power and report usage online.
While this type of system is popularly used in energy
meters, another most commonly available technique
to measure current is by using a current transformer
(CT). CT can detect and measure AC current in
machines and other AC appliances to monitor the
current consumption and thus the health of machine
or AC appliance.

3
Need of AC Current Measurement
The fire incidents that occur due to short circuit causes lot of
damage to assets and people. According to the Chief Fire
Officer of Mumbai city, short circuits has caused 80% of
Mumbai fires over the past three years. By measuring the AC
current in real time, the damage caused by short circuit can be
prevented by detecting the short circuit immediately. AC
current measurement is also very useful in industrial
automation and for metering and protection of the system. It is
also used for power quality analysis and energy management
system.

What is AC Power Measurement?

The electrical power can be AC power or DC power, energy

meter is used for measuring power. There are various types of
energy meters, which are classified as digital energy meter,
electronic energy meter, wattmeter, three-phase energy meter,
single-phase energy meter, AC power measurement meter,
and so on.The AC power is given by the product of RMS
voltage value across the load, RMS current across the load,
and power factor of the load.

4
DIFFERENT WAYS TO MEASURE CURRENT
THROUGH AN AC CIRCUIT

Multimeter

How to measure ac voltage

Digital multimeters

Steps for measuring AC voltage with a digital multimeter

1. Turn the dial to ṽ. Some digital multimeters (DMMs)
also include m ṽ . If voltage in the circuit is unknown, set
the range to the highest voltage setting and set the dial on
ṽ.
Note: Most multimeters power up in Autorange mode.
This automatically selects a measurement range based on
voltage present.
2. First insert the black lead into the COM jack.
3. Next insert the red lead into the VΩ jack. When finished,
remove the leads in reverse order: red first, then black.
4. Connect the test leads to the circuit: black lead first, red
second.
Note: ac voltage does not have polarity.
Caution: Do not let fingers touch the lead tips. Do not
allow the tips to contact one another.
5. Read the measurement in the display. When finished,
remove the red lead first, black second.

5
Analysis of AC voltage measurements

● In general, all ac voltage sources vary from fluctuation in

ac voltage over power distribution systems.
● When different from an expected measurement, voltage
is more likely to be lower than normal.
● Generally speaking, voltage measured in ac power
systems should be within -10% and +5%.
● Voltage measurements taken at various points in a system
vary as the chart below.

System Voltage Ranges*

Service Range Point of Use Range

Supply
Satisfacto Acceptabl Satisfacto Acceptabl
ry e ry e

120, 1Φ 114 - 126 110 - 127 110 - 126 106 - 128

120/240, 114/228 - 110/220 - 110/220 - 106/212 -

1Φ 126/252 127/254 126/252 127/254

6
Transformer and Arduino
In this project, we are going to measure the value of AC
current with the help of a Current Transformer (CT). The
system also includes a rectifier and amplifier circuit for signal
conditioning. We have used a 16x2 LCD display with a
monitor to display the measured value of current. There are
many ways to measure AC current like Inductive Sensor, Hall
effect sensor, etc. but we are using the current transformer in
this project. Using this project, we will be able to measure AC
current of range 0.1Amp – 5 Amp.
Current Transformer for AC Measurement
Using a Current transformer for measuring AC current is
a very safe approach because there is no physical connection
between the measurement circuit and the AC current carrying
wire. Hence, current transformer is used in industry to
measure the high AC current value. Current transformers are
used in industry for commercial metering, recording, current
sensing, monitoring, and control. Current transformers are
used to monitor high voltage line across the power grid. In
industry, CTs are frequently known as current sensors.

HWCT-5A/5mA Current Transformer

Current Transformer (CT) is a current measuring device used
to safely reproduce a low-level current that accurately
represents a higher current level for the purpose of metering
or protection. CTs are closed loop instruments consisting of a

7
magnetic core and a secondary winding around the core. For
this tutorial, we will be using the HWCT-5A/5mA current
transformer which is shown below.
How does a Current Transformer Work?
According to Faradays Ampere law, “If a magnetic field is
integrated around a close loop of wire, the value of that
integral is equal to the net current enclosed by the loop”.
The primary winding of CT, the main loop has the wire with
the current we wish to measure passed through the center of
the core. The primary winding that carries the main current is
said to have a single loop or winding. The wire produces the
magnetic field that drives the current on the secondary
winding, which is used as output of the CT.

Calculating Current Ratio in Current Transformer

The current on the secondary winding is proportional to the
current flowing through the center of the core. Let's suppose
the current ratio of CT is 5A:5mA, which means 5 amps on
the primary circuit would produce 5 milliamps on the
secondary winding.
CT is a type of a transformer so, it must satisfy the amp-turn
ratio equation.
Turns Ratio = Np / Ns = Is / Ip

Where,
Np = Turns in Primary winding

8
Ns = Turns in Secondary winding
Ip = Current in primary winding
Is = Current in secondary winding

Calculation of Ns :
If the current ratio for given CT is 5A:5mA , then
Ns = ( Np * Ip ) / Is
Is =5 mA , Ip = 5 A , Np = 1
So, Ns = 1000

Role of Burden Resistor with Current Transformer

CT burden resistor is a resistor which is connected across the
secondary winding of current transformer. The burden resistor
is used to protect the current transformer under the open
conditions. Secondary winding of CT should be always in a
closed circuit to avoid high voltage built up in the second
terminal. Secondary winding terminal may be open due to
loose connection, cable failure, soldering failure and high
voltage will be built across the Secondary winding terminal.
So, Burden resistor is used to avoid this type of failure. It is
also used to develop some voltage across the secondary
windings.

9
Burden Resistance Calculations
The following calculations can be used to determine a suitable
burden resistor for CT. Here, we did not consider the
impedance of secondary windings of CT. By considering
impedance of Secondary winding, we will get more accurate
value of burden resistor.
Burden Resistance= (Var * Ns) / (2√2 * Ipmax)
Where,
Var = Analog Reference Voltage of ADC 10 bit which is set to 5.0V
Ns = Num of turns in secondary windings
Ipmax = Maximum primary current will be flown in primary winding
For example –Var = 5 V , Ns = 1000 , Ipmax = 0.081 Amps
Then, Burden resistance = 22 kΩ

Circuit Diagram to measure AC Current using Arduino

10
The previous schematic shows the Circuit diagram for current
measurement using the current transformer.

Arduiono Gnd – I2C Gnd

Arduino 5V - I2C Vcc
Pin A4 - I2C SDA
Pin A5 - I2C SCL

We have used the AC voltage source as a Secondary winding

voltage in the above circuit diagram. This is how the Rectifier
and amplifier circuit looks like in breadboard.
As we can see in this circuit, a red color wire passing through
the current transformer, we are going to measure current value
passing through this wire. 20k + 2k resistances and Zener
diodes are connecting parallel with CT. This resistance is
burden resistance of CT (22k) and Zener diodes improve the
safety of circuit. Here, we also connected one Schottky diode
that will behave as half wave rectifier.

How does Current Measurement Circuit Work?

First of all, both the terminals of the bulb are connected to
both the terminal of the transformer and one wire of the bulb
passed through the hole present in the middle of the current
transformer, this wire acts as the primary winding for the
current transformer.

11
Due to the AC current in the primary winding, AC voltage is
induced in the secondary winding as well. Now to convert this
AC voltage into DC voltage, it is sent to half wave rectifier,
half wave rectifier is forward biased in positive half cycle and
reverse biased in negative half cycle. In figure, Vi is input sine
wave pulse and Vo is output sine wave pulse.

An electrolytic Capacitor is added to the output of the have

wave rectifier to receive only the DC voltage. This capacitor
only forwards the DC voltage in the circuit. The output
voltage that is obtained from the rectifier circuit is in very less
magnitude, so we use amplifier. we have used non inverting
operational amplifier with 10k and 1k feedback resistor value.
As we know output of non-inverting operational amplifier is:
Vout = (Rf / R1 + 1 ) Vin

Where,
Rf = Feedback resistor value (10k)
R1 = 1k
Vout = Op-amp output voltage
Vin – Voltage applied at non inverting terminal of op-amp.

After putting all the values in equation we got

Vout = 11 * Vin

12
11 is close-loop gain for this op-amp. Now, the amplified
output voltage is sent to the Arduino, after that, the value of
the primary winding current is received in the LCD screen.

Output of AC Current Measurement Circuit

As the voltage is varied from the Auto transformer, the value
of the current in the primary winding changes, which we
measure with a digital multimeter.

Change in the value of the primary winding current is also

visible in the LCD screen. As we can see in the image below,
the actual current value and measured current value is almost
same.
Measuring a smaller value (less than 0.2 A) of current shows a
fluctuation in measured current value at second decimal place.
This happens because of the very small value of AC current
but if we measure a large value (more than 0.5A) of current,
then fluctuation does not appear. Here, we used metal film
resistor but we can get more accurate results by using
precision metal film resistor.

13
PIC Microcontroller
The microcontrollers generally operated and manufactured to

work with voltage ratings less than or equal to 5V. So, it is not

possible to directly measure AC voltage greater than 230V by

giving high input voltages to microcontrollers which may

cause temporary or permanent damage to microcontrollers.

AC Voltage Measurement using PIC Microcontroller

Hence, it is required to step down the high AC voltage around

230V to 5V for measuring voltage using microcontrollers.

The AC voltage measurement using a PIC microcontroller can

be done using a difference amplifier or potential transformer.

The difference amplifier or potential transformer is used to

step-down the voltage and then by using an analog to digital

converter or rectifier, the voltage reading is displayed on the

LCD display.

14
AC Current Measurement using PIC Microcontroller

The PIC microcontroller can be used for measuring AC

current with the help of difference amplifier, shunt resistor,

and analog to digital converter. Shunt resistors are used as

transducers for converting current into voltage as

microcontrollers directly can not read current. Thus, the

voltage across the shunt resistor can be measured using PIC

microcontroller which is again converted into current using

Ohm’s law. Thus, the measured AC current is displayed on the

LCD display.

Power Factor Measurement using PIC Microcontroller

The inductor & capacitor cause lagging & leading power

factor, the current lags voltage by some angle & current leads

voltage by some angle respectively. Thus, the power factor

can be defined as the cosine of the angle between current and

voltage and is given as

To measure the power factor using a PIC microcontroller, the

time difference between the voltage and current is determined

15
using zero-crossing detection with the help of a

microcontroller external interrupt pin. The interrupt is

generated whenever the voltage waveform’s zero crossings is

detected and the internal timer of the microcontroller is used

for measuring time. Similarly, whenever the current waveform

interrupt is generated, then the timer stops counting and thus

time difference is calculated.

This process is repeated for a number of times (say 20 to 30)

and the average value is taken for better results. Hence, the

time difference is used to determine the phase angle difference

between voltage and current. Thus, the power factor can be

calculated using a PIC microcontroller.

Now, by substituting the values of voltage, current, power

factor in the above power equation we can measure AC

power. The meter used for measuring power factor can be

called as power factor meter.

16
CLAMP METER

A clamp meter is an electrical testing device that is used to

measure current. It consists of a pair of jaws that open and
close around an electrical conductor, such as a wire or cable.
The jaws are connected to a meter that measures the current
flowing through the conductor.

Clamp meters are typically used to measure AC, but some

models can also measure DC. Many clamp meters also have
other features, such as the ability to measure voltage,
resistance, and continuity.

The step-by-step process for measuring current with a

clamp meter:

● First, identify the area where you will be measuring

the current. Make sure there are no obstructions in the

way and that you have a clear view of the area.

● Next, locate the black and red leads on the clamp

meter. The black lead should be placed on the negative

17
 (-) side of the current, while the red lead should be

placed on the positive (+) side.

● Once the leads are in place, tighten the jaws of the

clamp meter around the conductor. Be careful not to let

the jaws touch each other, as this could result in an

inaccurate reading.

● Now, simply take a reading from the display on the

clamp meter. This will give you the current flowing

through the conductor.

● If you need to take multiple readings, simply release

the jaws of the clamp meter and move it to a new

location. Be sure to follow the same process for each

reading.

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 OSCILLOSCOPE
Most oscilloscopes only detect voltage directly, not current.
However, you can measure current with an oscilloscope in one
of the above two ways.

How to Measure Current With an Oscilloscope

Using a shunt resistor while measuring current with an

oscilloscope requires some math to do in your head to
interpret the waveform. This can get confusing if you have to
document your waveform. Using a current probe solves all

19
these issues by introducing an easy way to measure current
with an oscilloscope.

Oscilloscopes display and analyze the waveform of electronic

signals. In effect, the device draws a graph of the
instantaneous signal voltage as a function of time.
Oscilloscope current probes allow oscilloscopes to measure
current in addition to voltage, expanding their utility beyond
voltage measurement.

Using a Shunt Resistor

This is the most convenient technique if a current sense

resistor (“shunt” resistor) is built into the DC power supply. If
the common-mode signal is within the probe’s designated
operating range and the voltage drop is large, measuring the
voltage drop across the sense resistor with an active
differential probe yields good results.

Using a differential probe on low-level signals, on the other

hand, necessitates some attention to noise reduction in the
measuring equipment. To reduce measurement system noise,

20
use the lowest available probe attenuation and limit bandwidth
on the probe or the oscilloscope.

Using a Current Probe

An electromagnetic flux field forms around a conductor as

current flows through it. Current probes are designed to detect
the strength of this field and convert it to a voltage that can be
measured using an oscilloscope. This allows you to use an
oscilloscope to view and analyze current waveforms.

Current probes, when used in conjunction with an

oscilloscope’s voltage measuring capabilities, enable you to
make a wide range of power measurements. These metrics can
include instantaneous power, actual power, apparent power,
and phase, depending on the oscilloscope’s waveform math
capabilities.

Types of Current Probes for Oscilloscopes

21
Current probes are frequently employed in measuring the
current of power devices or power supplies, and they are
quickly becoming indispensable equipment for obtaining
precise current measurements with oscilloscopes.

There are several techniques for measuring electric current

that can be employed to meet those demands, but the most
typical techniques used with oscilloscopes are:

1. Clamp-on current probe: Either AC transformer or

hybrid Hall effect sensor/AC transformer
2. Rogowski coil: A convenient probe for large AC current
measurement

Clamp-on Current Probe

To measure current, current clamps have jaws that open and

clamp around an electrical circuit. They are quite useful

because they allow you to clip the probe around an existing

conductor without disconnecting and rerouting cables. Current

22
clamps measure the magnitude of direct and alternating

currents (DC and AC), as well as the phase shift and

waveform. The following figure is of a clamp-on current

probe.

The Rogowski coil

is an electrical device used to measure alternating current

(AC). It can also measure high-speed transients, pulsed
currents, and sinusoidal currents. The Rogowski coil was
named after the German inventor.

23
 Conclusion

The main objectives of this project was, exploring

the different ways to measure the ac current strength
and to understand the working of these instruments
as well There were five instruments that can be used
to measure the strength. In the first we used a
multimeter , second we used a transformer and an
aurdino. Third, we used PIC Microcontroller, fourth
Clamp meter, and fifth we used an oscilloscope.
Through this project we learnt the thorough in depth
ways of measuring the strength of ac current and
would prove to be of help to us in the future.

24
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

https://iotdesignpro.com/projects/detect-and-measure-ac-curre
nt-using-current-transformer-and-arduino

https://www.fluke.com/en-in/learn/blog/clamps/how-to-m
easure-current

https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/worksheets/basic-oscill
oscope-operation/#:~:text=One%20way%20to%20meas
ure%20AC,the%20exact%20same%20wave%2Dshape.

https://www.tek.com/en/blog/how-can-an-oscilloscope-m
easure-current

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