AC Current Switch to monitor water pump status

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datahawk

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#175266 23-Jun-2015 13:49

I'm looking for a reasonably priced 'AC Current Switch' to attach to our (rural lifestyle block) water pump that is located in my workshop to monitor when it switches on/off and how long it has been running for.

Example: http://www.veris.com/Item/H609.aspx

Searches for these in NZ have not returned useful pricing results so far.

I currently use Global Cache 'iTach' products for much of my home/office automation and I/O control is handled by bash scripts or PHP that I write and run on my Linux servers. I also have a custom built text alert system to notify me of unusual events.

I can detect the status of low voltage relays or dry switches so a 'current switch' clipped over the 230V phase wire of the pump lead should give me a nice easy safe way to establish the on/off status of the pump without over the top I/O controllers.

Anyone have tips as to where I can get these AC Current Switches locally ?

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cisconz
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#1329897 23-Jun-2015 13:55

Have you though about these?

Available from Go Wireless

Hmmmm

gzt

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#1329921 23-Jun-2015 14:31

Some ideas here:

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11005

gzt

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#1329925 23-Jun-2015 14:40

Thinking again. The easy solution is a 240 primary relay.

http://www.jaycar.co.nz/Electromechanical-Components/Relays-%26-Accessories/Panel-Mount/240V-AC-Panel-Mount-Relay/p/SY4044

Edit: not a great solution if you don't want to build a mains appliance.

datahawk

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#1329943 23-Jun-2015 14:55

gzt: Thinking again. The easy solution is a 240 primary relay.

http://www.jaycar.co.nz/Electromechanical-Components/Relays-%26-Accessories/Panel-Mount/240V-AC-Panel-Mount-Relay/p/SY4044

Edit: not a great solution if you don't want to build a mains appliance.

That's what I was thinking just before your edit :)

Yes, I'm trying to avoid having to build something (even though I like tinkering). I'm hunting for 230V AC plug and play monitoring options at this stage.

gzt

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#1329955 23-Jun-2015 15:03

Maybe some kind of optical to detect when a parallel light is on is easier.

Those precise industrial current sensors are overkill for the application but they are certainly cheaper on Amazon. ; ).

datahawk

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#1329976 23-Jun-2015 15:15

Those precise industrial current sensors are overkill for the application but they are certainly cheaper on Amazon. ; ).

Agreed and coincidentally, I just purchased a couple of 'current switches' that were quite cheap on ebay at US$12.00 each.

Shipping cost more than the switches and our current exchange rate really 'stings' but NZ$80.00 all up for two of them including US shipping does not upset me too much.

I'm still interested in any other NZ options that anyone can report.

datahawk

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#1329980 23-Jun-2015 15:21

cisconz: Have you though about these?

Available from Go Wireless

Thanks, that is a nice tidy system I have not come across.

If I can write my own code to 'talk' to it without using it's own software, it might be an option for other parts of the house.

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Handle9

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#1329993 23-Jun-2015 15:30

I'm pretty sure that JA Russell or an electrical wholesaler stock them - they might call them Hawkeye rather than Veris.

They work great for fan and pump status monitoring, we use hundreds of H-800 CTs but source them direct from veris.

datahawk

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#1330047 23-Jun-2015 16:35

Handle9: I'm pretty sure that JA Russell or an electrical wholesaler stock them - they might call them Hawkeye rather than Veris.

They work great for fan and pump status monitoring, we use hundreds of H-800 CTs but source them direct from veris.

Thanks for that info and very appropriate because I was trolling ebay earlier and bought 2 x new Hawkeye H608 models because they were very cheap and looked like what I wanted.

These are the adjustable trip point version. Can these be used in place of a fixed trip switch to simply detect a pump running or stopped or am I going to need an appropriate controller ?

I'm pestering you because anyone who says they use hundreds of anything usually means they know their stuff! :)

Edit: Spelling

Handle9

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#1330153 23-Jun-2015 19:05

Yep. They are the same as a fixed switching point, just with a pot on them to adjust the switching current.

They are a clean contact output so you can use them as a hard wired interlock or just into a controller which accepts clean contacts.

datahawk

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#1330158 23-Jun-2015 19:16

Handle9: Yep. They are the same as a fixed switching point, just with a pot on them to adjust the switching current.

They are a clean contact output so you can use them as a hard wired interlock or just into a controller which accepts clean contacts.

Superb, many thanks for the confirmation.

pipe60

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#1333072 28-Jun-2015 20:50

Intech Instruments have what your looking for(Cant post the link).

We use a few of the current to 4-20ma transmitters.

Going to do something similar for the pumps on our lifestyle block except will use 4-20ma loops in to PLC then control every thing from HMI.

Handle9

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#1333090 28-Jun-2015 22:06

Just out of interest why would you use an analogue CT for pump status? Sounds like a very expensive way of doing it.

richms

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#1333092 28-Jun-2015 22:10

Probably to see if its stalling or trying to pump air. I know that my pool pumps current goes up somewhat when its getting blocked up.

Richard rich.ms

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#1333141 29-Jun-2015 06:43

Just adding this in here incase someone wants to look into them for a project.....

http://www.ezyswitch.co.nz/

I used one for opening a gate on rural property where we could not get any for of IP control to the position, worked brilliantly.

Edit: I purchased these from Stewarts Electrical (JARussell).

"Setting the Standard in Quality and Commitment"

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