Michael Cunningham wrote:
> I am rather new to PIC development but I am learning fast. I would like to
> build a circuit to measure the amount of AC current in AMPs flowing through
> a wire. Any suggestions on how to measure the current without directly
> connecting to the wire which will be carrying up to 125vac @ 30 amps.
>
> Can the PIC ADC be used for this purpose? Eventually I would like to drive an
> LCD with the value in amps.
>
> Any suggestions on where to begin?
>
> Thanks,
> Mike
>   
I would use a bridge, a cap, and a Current Sensor made by Allegro Semi. 
They interface directly to a PIC ADC
and can measure up to 50A. You have to change AC to DC (the bridge), so 
there is a small but correctable
error at low currents.

We use it all the time; costs about $6 USD. Sold by Newark, among others.

--Bob Axtell
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