Project Hub /IoT & Connected Devices/Health Monitoring System/AC Current Monitor Using Arduino

Intermediate

ARDUINO

Project Specific

3 – 6 Hours

Partial Kit

AC Current Monitor Using Arduino

Build an AC current and power monitor using an Arduino and a current sensor to track real-time power consumption of electrical appliances on an OLED display.

Originally published on ElectronicsForU

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

0.96 Inch I2C/IIC 4pin OLED Display Module White Rs. 349.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

We don't carry yet: Arduino (unspecified board)
Current Sensor ACS712
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How It Works

The AC Current Monitor Using Arduino operates by measuring the alternating current flowing through an AC electrical wire or load using a dedicated current sensor. Because direct measurement of high-voltage AC lines by a microcontroller is dangerous and impractical, the current sensor safely steps down or translates the magnetic field fluctuations induced by the AC current into a small, proportional analog voltage signal. This analog signal is then routed to the analog-to-digital converter pins of the Arduino board. Inside the microcontroller, the Arduino IDE environment utilizes the emonLib software library to sample the incoming waveform, calculate root-mean-square (RMS) current values, and translate these electrical readings into meaningful power and current metrics. Once the calculations are complete, the system outputs the real-time consumption data to an OLED display. The OLED screen communicates with the Arduino board, rendering crisp graphical readouts and text so that users can instantly observe the electrical parameters of the connected appliance.

Why Build This

Design and deploy an undergraduate-level IoT sub-system for tracking real-time power consumption and promoting energy efficiency.

Implement embedded signal processing to convert raw analog sensor inputs into calibrated electrical metrics.

Interface microcontrollers with visual display peripherals to build standalone monitoring dashboards for home appliances.

Real-World Application

Energy monitoring in homes and appliances to promote effective maintenance and track power consumption.

Skills You'll Learn

Analog signal acquisition

sensor calibration

RMS current calculation

I2C display communication

embedded software libraries integration

Safety Precautions

Exercise extreme caution when working with AC mains voltage (230V) to prevent electric shock.

Technology Tags

ARDUINO

CURRENT SENSOR

OLED DISPLAY

EMONLIB

U8G2

POWER MEASUREMENT

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect this sensor directly to the high-voltage AC mains wire?

You wrap the current sensor around the insulated live wire or integrate it safely without cutting core copper traces, while always exercising extreme caution around live 230V AC mains to prevent electric shock.

Why are the emonLib and u8g2 libraries required?

EmonLib handles the complex mathematical computations needed to derive accurate RMS current and power from the raw sensor inputs, while the u8g2 library drives the OLED display to render text and numbers efficiently.

Can the Arduino Uno power the OLED display directly?

Yes, the standard 5V or 3.3V output pins on the Arduino board can power typical small OLED displays, provided you wire the power and ground connections correctly.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

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