Posted: 7/31/2009 8:59:07 AM EDT
| I wanted to install a gauge that will display how many amps my panel is drawing from my generator circuit. I know I have seen them before, but I am not certian what they are called. Anyone? |
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Quoted:
I wanted to install a gauge that will display how many amps my panel is drawing from my generator circuit. I know I have seen them before, but I am not certian what they are called. Anyone? Ammeter. Or a volt meter and a shunt resistance. The shunt resistance goes in the line and the voltage across it is proportional to the current flowing. Many ammeters are actually a shunt and a volt meter. A few are actual moving vane ammeters but htese are expensive precision instruments. You might be able to get away with a simple clamp on ammeter. |
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Quoted:
Many ammeters are actually a shunt and a volt meter. I think all ammeters are this. A few are actual moving vane ammeters but htese are expensive precision instruments. Please explain what a moving vane ammeter is. I've never heard of such a thing. Are you referring to an analog indicator? If so, that is just the type of indicator. The indicator displays the voltage drop across the shunt, hence, it is a voltmeter which has been calibrated to read in amps (as are all ammeters). |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Many ammeters are actually a shunt and a volt meter. I think all ammeters are this. A few are actual moving vane ammeters but htese are expensive precision instruments. Please explain what a moving vane ammeter is. I've never heard of such a thing. Are you referring to an analog indicator? If so, that is just the type of indicator. The indicator displays the voltage drop across the shunt, hence, it is a voltmeter which has been calibrated to read in amps (as are all ammeters). Moving vane ammeters use a coil wrapped around a form. Current in the coil pulls a metal vane into the form against a spring as the current increases. While originally used for DC, they can also be designed to work on AC. There are numerous methods of making DC ammeters that do not use a shunt at all. They use permanent magnets and the magnetic field the current creates to move a pointer. |