How to make a high voltage DC voltmeter (1000V+ !!!)

Like the high voltage AC meter, we can use the same Op-Amp circuit to measure high voltage DC voltmeter. In this article, we are going to learn how to make a high voltage DC voltmeter using a micro-controller and Op-Amp circuitry.

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How to sense high voltage floating DC with Op-Amp?

Like the Op-Amp circuit of AC voltage sensing, we can use this same circuit to sense high voltage DC. Here only one change we need to do is, the reference voltage will be 0V. Here is the modified sensing circuit.

In this circuit, the input is floating. That means, it is not connected to the GND or VCC of the measuring circuit. This way, decent isolation is possible. Here, the gain of this circuit will be:

Gain = R9/(R2+R6+R7+R8)

Input range can be increased by selecting suitable resistors. If the input voltage is higher than 1KV, use more resistors rather than selecting higher resistances. Using more resistors in series provide good heat dissipation as well as good isolation.

Circuit diagram of high voltage DC voltmeter:

As in the circuit diagram of the AC voltmeter, the Op-Amp circuit is converting the high voltage into a low voltage range. Then the ADC of the micro-controller is calculating the input voltage.

Download the proteus file.

Coding:

/*******************************************************************************
* Program for "High voltage DC voltmeter"                                      *
* Program written by_ Engr. Mithun K. Das                                      *
* MCU:PIC16F73; X-Tal:8MHz; mikroC pro for PIC v7.6.0                          *
* Date:05-05-2020                                                              *
*******************************************************************************/
char segment_array[]={0x3F,0x06,0x5B,0x4F,0x66,0x6D,0x7D,0x07,0x7F,0x6F};//cmmon cathode_non dot

sbit digit0 at RC0_bit;
sbit digit1 at RC1_bit;
sbit digit2 at RC2_bit;
sbit digit3 at RC3_bit;

char digits[5];
void display_7segment(int number)
{
   digits[3]=number/1000u;
   digits[2]=(number/100u)%10u;
   digits[1]=(number/10u)%10u;
   digits[0]=(number/1u)%10u;
}

void InitTimer0()
{
  OPTION_REG     = 0x85;
  TMR0           = 100;
  INTCON         = 0xA0;
}

int position=0;
void Interrupt() iv 0x0004 ics ICS_AUTO
{
  if (TMR0IF_bit)
  {
    TMR0IF_bit   = 0;
    TMR0         = 100;

    digit0 = 1;
    digit1 = 1;
    digit2 = 1;
    digit3 = 1;
    if(position>3)position=0;

    if(position==1)PORTB = segment_array[digits[position]]+128; //dot point
    else PORTB = segment_array[digits[position]];

    if(position==3)
    {
        digit0 = 0;
        digit1 = 1;
        digit2 = 1;
        digit3 = 1;
    }
    else if(position==2)
    {
        digit0 = 1;
        digit1 = 0;
        digit2 = 1;
        digit3 = 1;
    }
    else if(position==1)
    {
        digit0 = 1;
        digit1 = 1;
        digit2 = 0;
        digit3 = 1;
    }
    else if(position==0)
    {
        digit0 = 1;
        digit1 = 1;
        digit2 = 1;
        digit3 = 0;
    }
    position++;
  }
}


unsigned long adc_rd0=0,dc_voltage;
int k=0;
void main()
{
 TRISA=0xFF;//all in
 TRISB=0x00;//all output
 TRISC=0x00;//all output
 PORTB=0x00;
 PORTC=0x00;//clear ports
 ADCON1=0x00;//all analog in
 InitTimer0();//5ms timer
 while(1)
 {
      ADCON0 = 0b00000001;//select AN0
      adc_rd0 = 0;//clear data
      for(k=0;k<10;k++)
      {
         adc_rd0+=ADC_Read(0)*39.2;
         Delay_ms(10);
      }
      adc_rd0/=10;
      dc_voltage = adc_rd0;
      
      display_7segment(dc_voltage);
 }
}//

Here we are calculating the input high voltage with this function where an average of 10 samples is calculated. 39.2 is our calibration factor. Further calibration may be required with a practical circuit as resistances has a tolerance.

ADCON0 = 0b00000001;//select AN0
adc_rd0 = 0;//clear data
for(k=0;k<10;k++)
{
adc_rd0+=ADC_Read(0)*39.2;
Delay_ms(10);
}
adc_rd0/=10;
dc_voltage = adc_rd0;

Testing result:

Here is the proteus testing result.

I personally implemented this type of circuit in some commercial devices. The circuit worked fine for me. I hope, you can make one for yourself too.

In this project, you learned how to measure floating high voltage DC. Here, we tested 1000V only. But if you select the resistors carefully, you can measure more than 2500V with this circuit.

Remember, electricity is always dangerous. Work carefully at your own risk!!!

Hope you enjoyed the project. If you need any help, I’m here. Just ask. Thank you, Enjoy!

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