Monitor DC currents anywhere using you favorite IoT communications module. This DC Current Monitoring controller consists of ADS7828 12-Bit Analog-to-Digital Converter connected to eight ACS712-05 hall-effect current sensors. This controller uses I2C communications and includes a convenient I2C output connector for easy expansion. On-Board address jumpers allow device start address selection for up to four current monitoring controllers on a single I2C port. No software development is required as our GitHub repository has a complete driver for monitoring 8-Channels at 5 Amps.
Physical implementation is easy, simply pass current through each pair of screw terminals and read the voltages on the ADS7828. The ADS7828 will return approximately 2.5V when 0 current is passed through the ACS712. Forward current will cause the ADS7828 to return values between 2.5 and 5VDC as current increases. Negative current will cause the ADS7828 to return values from 2.5 to 0 as current increases. In theory, this design could monitor AC, but our software currently supports DC only at this time.
The NCD IoT Interface provides users with a means of changing or upgrading the IoT communications technology as new technologies emerge. The NCD IoT Interface is directly compatible with Particle Photon for WiFi communications, Electron for Cellular Communications, Bluz for Bluetooth. Optionally, adapters may be installed to provide a direct interface to Arduino Nano, Micro, USB, PyCom WyPy, Onion Omega, Raspberry Pi, and much more. The NCD IoT interface allows you to re-use your hardware so it never becomes obsolete! Based on I2C communications, the NCD IoT Interface uses only 2 GPIO lines of your microcontroller, freeing the rest of your CPU for other tasks.
This is a IoT Device which accepts a common processor and provides on-board sensing or control capabilities. This IoT device may be expanded to include additional hardware functionality using nodeLynk Expansion Devices. The NCD IoT socket found on IoT devices is capable of directly handling NCD ESP8266 and ESP32 series processors as well as Particle Photon and Particle Electron. We also manufacture many adapters for the NCD IoT socket for Arduino Nano, Micro, and Feather microprocessor modules. Between the socket is a nodeLynk connector, which is used for I2C Expansion.
Chain expansion devices using nodeLynk. Connect a wide variety of accessories to expand the capabilities of a nodeLynk compatible controller. Use nodeLynk to add Relay Controllers, Sensors, PWM Drivers, Displays, and a wide variety of 4-20mA, 0-10V ADCs and DACs, as well as a wide array of TTL & Isolated GPIO devices. All nodeLynk devices use I2C communications to chain devices together. nodeLynk is an easy way to expand functionality without soldering. nodeLynk allows expansion in seconds so you can focus on your software and firmware development.
Based on our plug-and-play nodeLynk I2C interface standard, all NCD IoT devices are equipped with a nodeLynk I2C expansion port, making it easy to expand to a wide variety of sensors, current monitors, relay controllers, PWM controllers, and much more! We are always designing new nodeLynk expansions for our plug-and-play nodeLynk I2C framework. We are dedicated to building a product line of interconnected devices to simplify all forms of automation. Re-use or upgrade your hardware in seconds by selecting the modules that best fit your needs, and chaining them together using the included nodeLynk I2C expansion cables!
NCD IoT Interface devices are designed to plug in to many popular IoT computing platforms. This allows the “brains” from other manufacturers to directly plug into our devices for easy plug-and-play operation. IoT interface devices use I²C as the underlying communications technology. The notes below will guide you into plugging 3rd party IoT technologies into our devices, we will highlight any adapters that may be required in this section. Please note that all IoT Interface Devices act as a I²C Master Device, and may be expanded by connecting to any of our Cross-Platform nodeLynk I²C Slave Devices using the nodeLynk I²C Output.
The following devices directly plug into NCD IoT Interface controllers without a adapter.
If using a Particle Photon or Particle Electron communications module, the PKFR Key Fob Receiver overlay shield may be used to add long-range wireless Key Fob remote control to the communications module.
Use the following adapters will adapt the IoT Interface for I2C communications with other popular computing platforms:
NCD IoT Interface devices are also compatible with a 418MHz Key Fob receiver (Part Number: PKFR), allowing your Particle Electron, Photon, or Bluz to receive and process remote Key Fob commands up to 750 feet away. Up to 40 remote controls may be associated to the PKFR. Program your IoT communications module to receive wireless remote control commands using a Key Fob. Compatible with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8-Button MS Series Key Fobs from Linx Technologies.