Led limiting resistor

[Demon]

I don't understand why the need for complicated design.

Wouldn't an appropriately rated relay do the job just as well (isolate both sides), be easy to install and be able to withstand a lot more?

[igeorge]

I believe that the relay first will not withstand the 5 amps on the coil.
The second issue is that voltage is chopped by the SSR and heat controller, and the relay will come to a point when it will go crazy ON-OFF-ON , and the signal to CPU will be a pulsating one.
Thank you

[Demon]

I believe that the relay first will not withstand the 5 amps on the coil. ...

I would think that would depend on the rating of the relay.

...The second issue is that voltage is chopped by the SSR and heat controller, and the relay will come to a point when it will go crazy ON-OFF-ON , and the signal to CPU will be a pulsating one.
Thank you

That little detail might be a big problem.

[igeorge]

Thank you Demon,
I am testing now a ACS712 and in the scope it looks like a sine wave - 60 HZ, swinging between +1 volts to + 3.5 volts
I will get tomorrow an LTC1966 from Linear Technology , which is an RMS to DC converter and start working from there
Regards
Ion

[HankMcSpank]

Thank you Demon,
I am testing now a ACS712 and in the scope it looks like a sine wave - 60 HZ, swinging between +1 volts to + 3.5 volts
I will get tomorrow an LTC1966 from Linear Technology , which is an RMS to DC converter and start working from there
Regards
Ion

a liitle more meat on how you anticipate handling the 'trapping' of an element going open cicuit might be useful..... ie the whole signal chain, because I'm left wondering why you're using an RMS to dc converter (and a comparator) for a simple task that a pic can readily do for you.

[igeorge]

The pic is supposed to monitor 16 heaters. Can be done with a multiplexer, but my boss wants a visual LED for each burned heater, so in this case i decided to have 16 separated inputs. He wants the leds to represent the status of the inputs. He does not believe in multiplexing .... and he sign my check also

[HankMcSpank]

The pic is supposed to monitor 16 heaters. Can be done with a multiplexer, but my boss wants a visual LED for each burned heater, so in this case i decided to have 16 separated inputs. He wants the leds to represent the status of the inputs. He does not believe in multiplexing .... and he sign my check also

No, that bit is clear...what I'm getting at is how are you going to have the PIC 'monitor' (ie what's the PIC gonna be looking for ....a DC level? - therefore ADC, comparator, a small AC signal? therefore ADC to extract a non zero level)....you mentioned comparators....you mentioned RMS to DC converters .....a bit more clarity on your anticipated approach at the PIC itself will help everyone help you towards your end goal.

[rsocor01]

I believe that the relay first will not withstand the 5 amps on the coil.
The second issue is that voltage is chopped by the SSR and heat controller, and the relay will come to a point when it will go crazy ON-OFF-ON , and the signal to CPU will be a pulsating one.
Thank you

You can rectify the AC signal before feeding it to the relay. Add diodes and a capacitor and you are set. Like demon said, you might be making it more complicated than what it is.