Project Hub /Test & Measurement Instrumentation/Multimeters, Voltmeters & Ammeters/Watt-A-Live INA209 Power Monitor Shield Wing

Intermediate

ARDUINO

₹1,500 – ₹5,000

3 – 6 Hours

Partial Kit

Watt-A-Live INA209 Power Monitor Shield Wing

The Watt-A-Live is a versatile embedded power monitor based on the Texas Instruments INA209 that can be used as an Arduino Shield, Adafruit Feather Wing, or standalone breakout board.

Originally published on Hackaday.io

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.

10pcs - 220 ohm 1/4 W Resistor Set Rs. 39.00
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 Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

This list includes a generic resistor set as a placeholder — it is not matched to the exact value or part number this circuit needs. The correct one is specified on the original source page linked above; check it before buying.

We don't carry yet: Op-Amp IC (LM358 / LM741 / TL072)
Header Pins / Terminals / Connectors
Custom PCB / PCB Fab
Thyristor / SCR / Triac / Varistor / Fuse

Browse all components

How It Works

The Watt-A-Live INA209 Power Monitor Shield Wing is an advanced measurement instrument centered around the Texas Instruments INA209 integrated circuit, designed to accurately track voltage, current, and power consumption in embedded systems. At the heart of the hardware is a high-precision monitoring IC that interfaces with external power rails through onboard screw terminals. To measure current, the circuit routes the load current through precision shunt resistors—specifically a 0.05 Ohm resistor and an optional 4.99 Ohm resistor—which develop a very small, proportional voltage drop. The TI INA209 internal analog-to-digital converters simultaneously measure this voltage drop across the shunt (representing current) and the voltage of the power bus itself. By processing these values, the chip calculates total real-time power dissipation. Communication with a host microcontroller, such as an Arduino Uno via standard Shield connectors or an alternative platform using Feather Wing headers, is handled over a digital serial interface. Users can write firmware using the Arduino IDE and the dedicated Watt-A-Live Arduino library to configure the monitoring parameters, read out raw telemetry registers, and log comprehensive power data for analysis.

Why Build This

Conduct rigorous power consumption analysis and energy profiling for prototype embedded systems and battery-powered IoT devices.

Evaluate the efficiency and battery lifespan of microcontroller circuits under varying operational states and sleep modes.

Integrate a multi-functional instrumentation module that operates flexibly as an Arduino Shield, Feather Wing, or standalone breakout.

Real-World Application

Power consumption analysis for embedded systems, prototyping, and battery-powered IoT devices.

Skills You'll Learn

Precision current and voltage measurement

I2C or serial bus communication

embedded power profiling

shunt resistor selection and thermal management

Arduino library integration

Safety Precautions

Maximum bus voltage is 26V. High current testing may cause shunt resistors to heat up; monitor temperatures and use active cooling or proper heatsinking if operating near maximum limits.

Technology Tags

TI INA209

POWER MONITORING

CURRENT MEASUREMENT

I2C

ARDUINO

SHIELD

FEATHER WING

HARDWARE DEBUGGING

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this board with platforms other than the Arduino Uno?

Yes, while it features an Arduino Shield connector set, it also includes Feather Wing connector sets and can function as a standalone breakout board wired to various microcontrollers.

What software is needed to read the power measurements?

You will need the Arduino IDE installed on your computer along with the dedicated Watt-A-Live Arduino library to interface with the INA209 IC.

What are the voltage and thermal limitations I need to watch out for?

The maximum bus voltage is 26V. Additionally, high current testing can cause the shunt resistors to heat up, so you should monitor temperatures and provide active cooling or heatsinking if operating near the limits.

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.

PRJ-00098