Analog Mains Frequency Meter


Posted on Mar 9, 2013

Mains frequency is pretty stable and it is unlikely that you have to measure it but if you have an emergency generator you might find this circuit useful as it will give an indication whether the generator is running too fast or too slow. Actually you can use the mains frequency to calibrate it by adjusting the 25K multiturn trimmer until it reads 0. The odd looking components values are easily obtained using standard values: 3777 is 3900 in parallel with 120K?, 4020 is 3900 and 120 in series, 570nF is 470nF with 100nF in parallel and 400nF is 4 x 100nF capacitors in parallel. Components should be chosen for their stability and precision. 1% tolerance would be ideal but 5% is acceptable so long as you measure them with a good meter.


Analog Mains Frequency Meter
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Analog Mains Frequency Meter - image 1
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Capacitors should be properly rated for direct connection to the mains and resistors should have a low temperature coefficient as it will adversely affect the zero setting and change the filters response. The 100?F capacitor could be occasionally reverse biased with a voltage of 0.1-0.2 V. There is no problem for the capacitor which is generously rated. Operation is quite simple: connect it first to the mains, wait about 4-5 minutes until all resistors reach their working temperature, calibrate, and then connect to the generator. Variation in the mains voltage will not change the zero setting but will make the meter more or less sensitive: for example, a reading of 51 Hz will show as 51.1 with a 10% supply voltage increase. Full scale deflection is around +/- 2 Hz. If you wish to accommodate a wider range of +/- 3.5 Hz, typical for a petrol driven generator, you have to change the 2.2K? resistor to 12K?. WARNING! This circuit is directly connected to the mains and should be assembled in a box which will avoid access to any of its part and care must be exercised when calibrating the unit. If you live in the States or you have a 110 VAC, 60 Hz mains, you may try the second circuit: the reported values are calculated values, I did not actually test the unit. The odd capacitors values are easily obtained with the combination of standard values: 0.94 is 2 x 0.47 in parallel, 1.056 is 1?F + 56nF in parallel and 1.1 is 1 +...




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