Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Hardware and software requirements
First, let's look at the components we will need in this project. Just as in the previous
chapter, you will need an Arduino Uno board and a board with the CC3000 Wi-Fi chip. For
more information on how to choose these two boards, please refer to the previous chapter.
Then, you will need a current sensor. I used a ITead Studio breakout board that hosts the
AC712 current sensor. This sensor is an analog sensor that returns a signal that is propor-
tional to the measured current. Later in this chapter, we are going to learn how to calculate
the measured current from the output's voltage. You can find more information on how this
sensor works inside the datasheet of the sensor at
https://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/
The following is an image of the board that I used:
You can see in the preceding image that the board has three pins: G for ground, V for VCC,
and S for signal, which will deliver the output voltage that is proportional to the measured
current.
You should be able to use other suppliers for this sensor, such as Adafruit, SparkFun, or
SeeedStudio. Just make sure the sensor board you are using is compatible with the 5V
voltage level of the Arduino board.
You will also need two power cables with standard power plugs (one male and one female)
to connect a device to your project and to connect the project to a power socket on the wall.
Of course, you should use a power plug according to the standard of the country you are
living in. For this project, I used standard 230V European power plugs. The power cable in
