How to measure Current with a Pic

[Squibcakes]

Allegro make some really good current sensors which look like a TO-220 style case with built in shunt. Cant think of the part number at the mo but I've used in the past and work well up to 60amps.

Just following up .. here is link to what i used (although it has been replaced by newer part.. http://www.allegromicro.com/en/Produ...0756/index.asp

[circuitpro]

I am working on a project in which we are using a LMP8601. This part converts the current through a shunt resistor to a voltage that can then be measured by your PIC's A/D converter, or in our case, we are feeding the output to a window comparator for a "go-no go" digital output that goes directly to a PIC i/o pin. This part is available from both Mouser and Digikey I believe. The theory is explained pretty well in the datasheet.

[languer]

The key to your request is the following (imho):

The load can be between 0 and 20 amps. I would like to be able to monitor the current in to the PIC.

If you want to monitor current from 0 to 20A (both ends inclusive), then the Allegro parts are probably best.

However, if all you need is to set a reasonable trip point (e.g.) 10A at which an overcurrent signal trips; then a sense resistor followed by some form of a comparator is probably easiest and less expensive. We have normally used something like the LT1787 with multiple parallel power-rated 0.1ohms or less sense resistors. The power rating will depend on how many sense resistors are in parallel, how much margin you deem necessary above your maximum current.

[Charles Linquis]

I'm a fan of the Allegro devices. So much simpler than dealing with low-value shunt resistors. Isolated too. Unless you have a pretty good understanding of analog, just use an Allegro. Up to 30A in an SO-8 package. The offset from zero is about 10% of the supply and the output is linear - 133mV/Amp.