EL-20 [Filename: ACPROBE.

DOC] AC Voltage Probe

June 4, 1997

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David H. Cowling La Tech University Electrical Engineering PO Box 10348 T.S. Ruston, LA 71272 (318) 257-2857 (318) 257-4922 cowling@engr.LaTech.edu Design Project 3-6 Weeks Laboratory/Classroom/Home

Summary Often during periods when repair of various electrical systems is undertaken, the ability to determine the presence of lethal AC voltages on such systems before contact is desirable. As an example if the run capacitor associated with the condenser blower of a home airconditioner is to be changed out, it is nice to know that no lethal AC voltages are present on the terminals of this condenser. Or as a second example if a broken light-bulb is to be changed in the living room lamp, one is glad to be able to check the cord leading to the lamp to be sure that the lamp does not have potential applied before one takes a pair of needle nosed pliers to the glass shard that remains in the lamp socket. A solution to this problem is in the design and implementation of a sensitive voltage probe which will react to the AC potential field surrounding a terminal or surrounding a line cord when these have AC potential applied with respect to ground. Therefore the object of this project is to design and construct an AC Voltage Probe which will detect the presence of an AC potential (120 VAC or larger) on a terminal, single conductor, or parallel conductor, without making a physical connection.

ABET Descriptors Engr Sci Content: Type: Elements: Features: Constraints: Effort: Electronics, Fields System Analysis, synthesis, construction, evaluation Design methodology, creativity, open-ended Safety, reliability, size, Team

EL-20 [Filename: ACPROBE.DOC]

June 4, 1997

AC Voltage Probe

Often during periods when repair of various electrical systems is undertaken, the ability to determine the presence of lethal AC voltages on such systems before contact is desirable. As an example if the run capacitor associated with the condenser blower of a home airconditioner is to be changed out, it is nice to know that no lethal AC voltages are present on the terminals of this condenser. Or as a second example if a broken light-bulb is to be changed in the living room lamp, one is glad to be able to check the cord leading to the lamp to be sure that the lamp does not have potential applied before one takes a pair of needle nosed pliers to the glass shard that remains in the lamp socket. A solution to this problem is in the design and implementation of a sensitive voltage probe which will react to the AC potential field surrounding a terminal or surrounding a line cord when these have AC potential applied with respect to ground. Therefore the object of this project is to design and construct an AC Voltage Probe which will detect the presence of an AC potential (120 VAC or larger) on a terminal, single conductor, or parallel conductor, without making a physical connection. The object of this project is to design the electronics, choose the product package, layout a circuit board which will both fit and mount in the chosen package, construct the device and finally, to test the completed prototype. The final voltage probe should be sensitive enough, to react to a twisted pair line cord connected to 120 VAC and at the same time be small enough to be easily carried. It should be small enough so that it may be used in tight places. It should be battery powered and provide both a visual and an audible warning of the presence of potential.

EL-20 [Filename: ACPROBE.DOC] AC Voltage Probe

June 4, 1997

Objectives/Comments: This project is best handled by teams that have either two or three students. The prototypes which result should be able to detect the presence of 120 VAC on a twisted pair line cord (for example the AC line cord on a computer). A really sensitive probe will detect the potential at a wall socket and if a parallel conductor line cord is present will be able to determine which side of the line cord is the hot side. Engineering Notes: This device needs to be made small enough that it may be easily used. The probe can also be constructed as a part of the actual circuit board. A typical electronic configuration is shown in the block diagram. The AC amplifier needs to have a very high input imp-

AC Amp probe

Detector

Trigger

Warning

dance. The gain required is however not large. My experience has shown gains in the neighborhood of 10 are sufficient to provide the required triggering signal from small physical probes. JFETs, MOSFETs or JFET OP AMPs will all operate satisfactorily as the input voltage gain stage. Students may calculate the expected input voltage from a fields approach. However, if this project is to be strictly an electronics design project then the expected input voltage may be measured with a small flat coil of wire (looking like a small surface area) connected to the x10 test lead of an oscilloscope. Safety also needs to be addressed in this design. If the probe physically touches 120 VAC the electronics in the circuitry of the probe would in all probability short and provide a direct path for the high potential to the person holding the device. This could be quite dangerous. Therefore as a safety precaution, the probe end of this device should be wrapped with heat shrink and a capacitor capable of withstanding 500 or 600 volts should be inserted in series between this probe end and the detection electronics. Expected Outcomes: Students who have completed this project come away feeling they have accomplished something. For some students this will be the first project in which they built something that they could take home and actually show.