Current Alarm with Shut-Off

Thread Starter

My Tech Guy

Joined Feb 18, 2009
31
I would like to plug my woodworking router into a circuit that would monitor the amperage of the router motor. If the router is accidentally stalled (for any reason) and the amperage goes above a set point (1 to 7 amps) then the power to the router will be shut off.

What would be the easiest way to build a circuit like this? Are there any devices on the market that I would be able to use like this? I have seen industrial versions of this, but not low amperage 120 volt versions. Thanks in advance for any information about this circuit.
 

MaxHeadRoom

Joined Jul 18, 2013
28,619
On the link if you go to Sensors> current sensors you will see the CSDA series, you can select a set point operation or a analogue output option type if you wish.
You would need to interface it to some kind of μp if you want say a digital display, if just a set point switch off, then it could be done with simple logic etc.
Max.
 

Thread Starter

My Tech Guy

Joined Feb 18, 2009
31
Did you read the FB comment?
"Yet another Chinese product with no documentation, 3 trimmer pots on board, wonder what their purpose is???"
Yes I did see that. Was searching for a manual but no joy. I also looked at your Honeywell suggestion and TheButtonThiefs suggestion but I've never used anything like that, and without a detailed schematic or more detailed information I couldn't use them, especially since they are around $150.00 - $200.00 a pop. I thought finding something would be much more straight forward. Guess I'll just keep looking. Thanks for trying.
 

Thread Starter

My Tech Guy

Joined Feb 18, 2009
31
Looking at one of these PKE32s I don't see a way to mount it in a case.

Is this going to be a issue? I thought I saw in one of the manuals for it that it slides on some rails in the back.

How do you guys mount these in a case?

BTW, you guys have been great with all of your help. Really appreciate it!
 

AnalogKid

Joined Aug 1, 2013
10,987

TheButtonThief

Joined Feb 26, 2011
237
Looking at one of these PKE32s I don't see a way to mount it in a case. Is this going to be a issue? I thought I saw in one of the manuals for it that it slides on some rails in the back. How do you guys mount these in a case?

BTW, you guys have been great with all of your help. Really appreciate it!
This type of breaker mounts to a TS35 DIN rail, the same type of DIN rail that's found in a domestic consumer unit that the MCB's mount to. In fact, the PKE32 has the same profile as an MCB (as you can see in the image below) so will also fit into a consumer unit but you'll generally find them on bigger electrical panels.

destacker (4).jpg
 

MaxHeadRoom

Joined Jul 18, 2013
28,619
Generally the smallest length of DIN rail I have purchased was 1m long, they can usually be had at any local electrical supply house catering to contractors etc.
The Amazon link also looks like the right item.
Max.
 

TheButtonThief

Joined Feb 26, 2011
237
Would I be able to buy a small piece of the rail somewhere?

I need to have the breaker mounted in a case of some sort.
Yes indeed you can (the one you've linked looks like one of the better quality ones) and yes indeed you would, especially if there are airborne particles or if your machinery is outside. You can buy IP45 rated terminal boxes of various sizes which have receiver holes for mounting DIN rail inside. Generally, if you're mounting a breaker of some sort into one of these boxes (instead of just terminals), then it's best to go for one with a transparent cover so as to see if anything has tripped without having to unscrew the cover.
 
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