Problems using differential Op Amp as ADC input

Thread Starter

dball387

Joined Sep 15, 2013
22
Hello all,
I am having problems using a differential Op Amp to detect voltage drop across a small shunt resistor:Voltage drop across it is about 0.04v
I set up the Op amp as an ADC input with op amp gain of 2 (i think):
10k on both Vin pins to op amp with the ground resistor and the feedback resistor as 20k.
When current flowed through the shunt, the ADC value increased by 2 (and it was stable: only occasionally fluctuating +-1 from the increased value )

However, I would prefer a throw of perhaps 4+ debug values but when i set up for 4x gain (replacing the 20k with 40k), the ADC values went haywire!
It was fluctuating +-10 values and i have no clue what is going on.

Also, when current through shunt was 0, i got an ADC value of about 140...Why is this and can i reduce it whilst getting higher gain?
Because i would prefer to start much closer to 0 and get more playing room :)

Help would be very much appreciated,

Thanks in advance,

D
 

crutschow

Joined Mar 14, 2008
34,285
The common-mode gain of your circuit is determined by the resistor tolerances. This will give an output offset voltage for any DC voltage on the measurement shunt resistor.

What DC voltage level is on the shunt resistor?

You can null this offset voltage by changing one of the 40kΩ resistors to 37.5kΩ and add a 5kΩ pot in series (connected as a rheostat).
 

Thread Starter

dball387

Joined Sep 15, 2013
22
-Across the shunt resistor, V+ is 12 volts (or there abouts) with range of about 0.02 to 0.6 volt drop across the shunt resistor, (depending on the rest of the circuitry-this op amp and adc is for current sense of the main circuit)

-Resistor tolerances?
How does this relate to the base value that i got when the power supply was detached from the main circuitry ie no potential or current across shunt?

- Also, do you have any ideas about the mad fluctuations or what might cause them?

Thanks for replying ;) ,

D
 

crutschow

Joined Mar 14, 2008
34,285
The common-mode gain gives an error when the 12V is applied. Otherwise it doesn't affect the output voltage

If you have an offset with no voltage on the shunt resistor, then that is likely due to intrinsic op amp offset. What op amp are you using and what is it powered by?

What does 10 counts in "mad fluctuations" amount to in volts?

If the fluctuations are due to noise, then you could add a LP filter capacitor across each 40k resistor to reduce it.
 

Thread Starter

dball387

Joined Sep 15, 2013
22
It is a 741 type op amp between 5v and 0v ground. (op output going to pic or similar so 5v max)
The fluctuations amount to to about +- 0.2 volts. Aiming for resolution of about 0.02 (or 0.01 ideally: we can always hope ;) )
Will try the capacitors to see if they help ;)

Thanks again,

D
 

ErnieM

Joined Apr 24, 2011
8,377
Posting your circuit would surely help us help you.

There are dedicated IC called "current sense amplifiers" that are intended to measure the voltage on a "floating" shunt resistor, then amplify and transfer that voltage to a ground referenced output.

They are particularly ideal for driving an A2D. One example
 

Thread Starter

dball387

Joined Sep 15, 2013
22
really just a high side current sensing amp.
Rs is 0.1 Ohm
R2 and R4 = 20k (stable) or 40k (unstable)
R1 and R3 = 10k
with amp output as ADC input

Got rail to rail ordered (MAX 4389 if my memory serves) to try out within a day or 2 :>

Cheers,

D
 

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Thread Starter

dball387

Joined Sep 15, 2013
22
Ohh!
A rare sighting of a traditionalist :p Down with caps!

Nah. just wasnt sure where i should add them :)
Stupidity: Not allergy :p

D
 
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