Skip to content

RPIZCT4V3T2

Find me in the shop

RPIZCT4V3T2 for raspberrypi zero smart meter

Overview

The RPIZCT4V3T2 can be configured to read both single phase and 3 phase systems.

Several temperature sensors can be interfaced. It has support for both DS18B20 temperature sensor and RTD thermocouples.

It is designed to host a user provided Raspberrypi zero.

The main PCB has provision for one extra mezzanine card to extend the number of sensors.

An enclosure solution is proposed using aluminium extruded case.

RTD MODULES ARE NO LONGER SOLD - The board will be provided without RTD support. We have dropped the development for these.

Specifications

cpu

  • Hosts RaspberryPi Zero
  • ATmega328 mcu (Arduino UNO)

Sensors

  • 4 CT sensors
  • 3 AC Voltage
  • 1 DS18B20 port (temperature)
  • 1 RTD Thermocouple port

Power

  • Powered from Raspberrypi (microusb)

Other

  • Fits in Aluminium Enclosure from Evatron
  • Option to stack mezzanine board for additional sensors.
  • AC Current sensor:
    • SCT-013-000
    • SCT-019
    • SCT-006
  • AC Voltage sensor:
    • UK: 77DB-06-09
    • EU: 77DE-06-09
    • US: 77DA-10-09
    • ZMPT101B
  • Temperature:
    • DS18B20
  • Temperature RTD:
    • PT100
    • PT1000 (modification required)

Temperature Sensor

DS18B20

The temperature port supports mutiple sensor on the same Onewire line.

The sketch is programmed to search for all connected probe at bootup and output all their values when polled.

Multiple probes should connected as shown below.

Connecting multiple DS18B20 probe together

When a new probe is connected the arduino mcu must be restarted for the new probe to be registered. You can reset the Arduino chip with the command below:

lcl-rpict-config.py -a

To connect multiple probe together we suggest the use of our DS18B20 junction board.

RTD Thermocouple

A MAX31865 RTD module is used to interface the RTD sensor with the arduino controller.

There is support for 2 3 and 4 wires thermocouples. Also both PT100 and PT1000 can be used.

Units are sold by default setup for 3 wires PT100 units. Other setup can be configured and require some basic soldering. Full details to configure the MAX31865 module are given by ADafruit webpage here.

https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-max31865-rtd-pt100-amplifier/rtd-wiring-config

RTD thermocouple used on Raspberry pi zero smart meter

Software Configuration

For any units ordered before the 1st of February 2022 the firmware version is version 3.
Please upgrade to firmware version 4.

Upgrading to sketch version 4

First make sure the lcl-package is installed if not done already.

wget lechacal.com/RPICT/tools/lcl-rpict-package_latest.deb
sudo dpkg -i lcl-rpict-package_latest.deb

Now starts a server instance on the Raspberrypi using.

lcl-server.sh

You can now access the Raspberrypi configuration server if you point your browser to the link below

http://raspberrypi:8000/

You can now edit the configuration.

web tool for RPICT hat on Raspberrypi smart meter

Data Output

Using the manufacture firmware the data output is:

NodeID P1 P2 P3 Irms1 Irms2 Irms3 Irms4 Vrms1 Vrms2 Vrms3 T

P1 is Real Power 1 from CT1/V1 Irms is the rms current on CT1 Vrms is the rms voltage T is the DS18B20 temperature. All additional DS18B20 will follow.

Real Powers are computed using the following rules:

RealPower1 -> CT1 & V1
RealPower2 -> CT2 & V2
RealPower3 -> CT3 & V3
Irms4 -> CT4
These rules can be modified in the configuration.

Other output type can be streamed out. This should be configured in the unit.

All outputs type available are

  • Vrms (V)
  • Irms (A)
  • Real Power (W)
  • Apparent Power (W)
  • Power Factor
  • Estimated Power
  • RTD Temperature
  • DS18B20 Temperature

Restore Default Config

You should have received a key when acquiring the unit. Use this key to download and restore the default configuration. If the key was XXXX then execute these commands below. Replace XXXX with your own key.

wget lechacal.com/hardware/c/XXXX.conf
lcl-rpict-config.py -w XXXX.conf

Simple Python Example

To work with the default configuration we have created a simple python program as demonstration. We invite you to look at the code.

To get the program and run it do the following commands:

wget lechacal.com/RPICT/example/RPIZ_CT4V3T2_DEMO_01.py.zip
unzip RPIZ_CT4V3T2_DEMO_01.py.zip
python RPIZ_CT4V3T2_DEMO_01.py

The output will look like this below.

python script demonstration for energy monitoring

Mezzanine Boards

RPIZ_CT4V3T2 has provision to stack an extra mezzanine board to extend the number of sensors. We currently have 2 type of mezzanine.

Generic Mezzanine

This is a basic board extending all unused I/O pins of the Arduino microcontroller. These are presented as male pin header. Ground and 5V are also available for each pin.

This will only be used if you are planning to write your own firmware.

Each available pins are listed below.

Atmel Pin Arduino Analog Arduino Digital
PC0 A0 D14
PC1 A1 D15
PC2 A2 D16
PC3 A3 D17
PC4 A4 D18
PC5 A5 D19
ADC6 A6 -
ADC7 A7 -
PD7* - D7
PD6* - D6
  • The PCB might have PD2 and PD3 marking which is incorrect.

mezzanine expansion for RPICT

CT8 Mezzanine

The CT8 mezzanine offers an extra 8 CT connection with a 12 bit ADC. Increasing the total number of CT to 12.

Enclosure

The board has been designed to fit inside an aluminium extruded enclosure. 3D printed end plates are provided. Enclosure kit is available in the shop.

enclosure for RPICZCT4V3T2 front enclosure for RPICZCT4V3T2 back

Files

Arduino Sketch

Default RPIZ_CT4V3T2 Sketch V1.0.0. --> For hardware version 1.3 only

Default RPIZ_CT4V3T2 Sketch V1.2.0. --> For hardware version 1.4

Default RPIZ_CT4V3T2 Sketch V1.3.0. --> For hardware version 1.4

RPIZ_CT4V3T2_v4.0.2_r00.inohex --> For hardware version 1.5

RPICT_MCP3208_v4.2.0_TEMP08.inohex --> For hardware version 1.5

Programming

The RPIZ_CT4V3T2 can be programmed using the NanoProg.

IMPORTANT-> Make sure the Raspberrypi Zero is removed before connecting the NanoProg.

Connect the Nanoprog with the RPIZ_CT4V3T2 unit using the 6pin ribbon cable. Make sure grounds are connected together.

Use Tools | Board | Arduino Uno.

Upload sketch using Sketch | Upload Using Programmer.

Once the Arduino firmware flashed the default config must be loaded using the lcl-rpict-config.py tool.

Programming a RPICT card with the NanoProg

Use Emonhub with RPICT

Howto_setup_Raspbian_for_serial_read

Calibration VCAL ICAL PHASECAL