Loudspeaker Protector Monitors Current

This circuit uses a 0.1O 1W resistor connected in series with the output of a power amplifier. When the amplifier is delivering 100W into an 8O load, the resistor will be dissipating 1.25W. The resulting temperature rise is sensed by a thermistor which is thermally bonded to the resistor. The thermistor is connected in series with a resistor string which is monitored by the non-inverting (+) inputs of four comparators in an LM339 quad comparator. All of the comparator inverting inputs are connected to an adjustable threshold voltage provided by trimpot VR1. As the thermistor heats up, its resistance increases, raising the voltage along the resistor ladder.

Circuit diagram:

Loudspeaker Protector Circuit Diagram

When the voltage on the non-inverting input of each comparator exceeds the voltage at its inverting input, the output switches high and illuminates the relevant LED. NOR gate latches are connected to the outputs of the third and fourth comparators. When the third comparator switches high, the first latch is set, turning on Q1 and relay 1. This switches in an attenuation network (resistors RA & RB) to reduce the power level. However, if the power level is still excessive, comparator 4 will switch, setting its latch and turning on Q2 and relay 2.

This disconnects the loudspeaker load. The thermistor then needs to cool down before normal operation will be restored. The values of R1-R4 depend on the thermistor used. For example, if a thermistor with a resistance of 1.5kO at 25°C is used, then R1 could be around 1.5kO and R2, R3 and R4 would each be 100O (depending the temperature coefficient of the thermistor). The setup procedure involves connecting a sinewave oscillator to the input of the power amplifier and using a dummy load for the output. Set the power level desired and adjust trimpot VR1 to light LED1. Then increase the power to check that the other LEDs light at satisfactory levels.

Author: David Devers - Copyright: Silicon Chip Electronics

Comments

Build a Key Operated Gate Locking System Circuit

This simple key-operated gate locking system allows only those persons who know the preset code to open the gate. The code is to be entered from the keypad within the preset time to operate the motor fitted in the gate. If anyone trying to open the gate presses a wrong key in the keypad, the system is disabled and, at the same time, sounds an alarm to alert you of an unauthorized entry. Figs 1 and 2 show the block and circuit diagrams of the key-operated code locking system, respectively. Connect points A, B, C, D, E, F and ground of the circuit to the respective points of the keypad. Keys S7, S16, S14 and S3 are used here for code entry, and the remaining keys are used for disabling the system. It is very important to press the keys in that order to form the code. To start the motor of the gate, press switches S7, S16, S14 and S3 sequentially. If the keys are pressed in a different order from the preset order, the system will lock automatically and the motor will not start. Fig. 1: Bl...

A basic Arduino Solar PV Monitor

I have just recently had solar pv installed, mainly to future proof my energy costs, I do not expect it to be like drilling for oil in my back garden, however the return looks to be encouraging. The install gives you another single unit meter, from this you will see the total amount the panels produce, but that is about it. I wanted to know how much the production was as it was happening, I discovered the light blinks on the front of the meter will flash 1000 times for each kWh of electricity which passes through. The rate of the flashing of the LED tells you how much power is currently passing through the meter. [ ]

Apple releases TV spot for new iPods

Apple has just released a fun commercial to showcase its new line of iPod players and the various colours they come in. The TV spot titled ‘Bounce’, has a bunch of colourful iPod touch, iPod nano and iPod shuffles er…bouncing to music. With all that colour and dancing and bouncing, you may forget that Apple’s latest gen line of iPods has some other awesome features. For instance, the fifth gen iPod touch comes with Siri, 4-inch retina display and an A5 chipset. Maybe the next ad will showcase some of these features with less bouncing.link

TREE

Search This Blog