Difference between revisions of "MainsFrequency2.0"

From RevSpace
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Software)
m (Software)
Line 69: Line 69:
 
* install platformio
 
* install platformio
 
* enter the esp8266sampler directory
 
* enter the esp8266sampler directory
   cd esp8266esampler
+
   cd esp8266sampler
 
* compile and upload
 
* compile and upload
 
   pio run -t upload
 
   pio run -t upload

Revision as of 13:51, 20 March 2023

Project MainsFrequency2.0
Netfrequentiemeter.jpg
A simple mains frequency counter
Status In progress
Contact bertrik
Last Update 2023-03-20

Introduction

This project is a reboot of this earlier main frequency counter, aiming for more accuracy and lower latency.

It's based on the Arduino platform, using an ESP8266 to do the wifi/network/MQTT stuff. The frequency measurement principle is to measure the time between zero crossings (in a statistically robust way).

Concept

Instead of just counting pulses from zero-crossings, we sample the actual 50 Hz waveform and try to estimate the zero-crossing as accurately as possible.

Desired end result:

  • get more accurate frequency measurement, aiming for 1 milli-Hertz accuracy
  • get more responsive frequency measurement, i.e. instantaneous value (1 second), not a running average over 50 seconds.

A suitable module for relatively safely sampling the mains voltage is this ZMPT101B module. It contains a transformer and an op-amp circuit.

More information about this module:

Algorithm for getting accurate instantaneous frequency out of it:

  • Sample the mains frequency waveform during approximately one second (say 5 - 10 kHz)
  • Determine the median, lower and upper quartiles of the waveform, and shift data so its values are symmetrically around zero
  • Calculate zero crossings by doing linear regression to find the zero-crossing of the wave in the region around the zero crossing (in between the quartile values), this gives sub-sample time resolution
  • The linear regression runs a kind of state machine, just keeping track of sum(x), sum(y), sum(x*x), sum(x*y) is enough to perform a linear regression at any time
  • Do this over the approximately 50 cycles contained in the one second data and determine average frequency

-> this should give about 1 millihertz frequency resolution in one second

Hardware

For measurement with an ESP8266, like a Wemos D1 mini or nodemcu, you need to put a 180k ohm resistor in line with the output from the ZMPT101B to the A0 input. The A0 input already has a 220k/100k resistive divider, effectively becoming a 400k/100k resistive divider with the series resistor, scaling down the 0-5V range to the 0-1V range required for the ADC on the ESP8266.

The "blue pill" seems to have too low accuracy of the built-in crystal, about 100 ppm, while we need about 20 ppm to get 1 mHz resolution. Notes about blue pill crystal accuracy: https://sparklogic.ru/arduino-for-stm32/accurate-blue-pill-clock-frequency-adjustment.html

Connections
ZMPT101B Wemos D1 mini Remark
GND GND Ground
VCC 5V Powers the ZMPT101B from the wemos D1 mini
OUT A0 Analog mains waveform, 0..5V, 180 kohm resistor in series

Software

Github project: https://github.com/bertrik/MainsFrequency

To flash the esp8266:

  • install platformio
  • enter the esp8266sampler directory
 cd esp8266sampler
  • compile and upload
 pio run -t upload