How/where to add Voltmeter to Heater element ckt?

Post by **varocketry** » Sun Sep 11, 2016 8:23 pm

I bought one of these digital display AC voltmeters a couple months ago that I'd like to install.

Blue digital LCD panel meter voltmeter circuit voltage monitor 2-wire AC 80-500V

Where / how should I install it in my heater element controller circuit? In series with the load? Parallel?

Here's my diagram of my element controller:

Edwin Croissant · Post by **Edwin Croissant** » Mon Sep 12, 2016 1:22 am

In parallel on the mains only.

If you connect it in parallel over your element this voltmeter will smoke

, see this thread.

This makes is not so useful as you will only measure the 120 or 240 Volt of your mains supply.

Post by **shadylane** » Mon Sep 12, 2016 5:47 am

In parallel with the load.

Post by **varocketry** » Mon Sep 12, 2016 6:19 am

Maybe its the Monday morning thing after spending the weekend trying to keep up with CROWEATER, but ... which location for the connection ... a or b?

Post by **Kegg_jam** » Mon Sep 12, 2016 6:34 am

(A) will read your line voltage.

(B) will read the load voltage but possibly blow up.

Edit: if it doesn't blow up it most likely won't read the correct voltage unless it is a True RMS meter.

Post by **bluefish_dist** » Mon Sep 12, 2016 7:46 am

Even if it reads line voltage, you still have amps to get an input wattage. That is a repeatable setting and makes life much easier. Amazing that we can get this technology for $10 now.

Post by **rad14701** » Mon Sep 12, 2016 3:13 pm

You have to be careful with that style of digital meter because they will fry if not supplied with at least 80 volts... That is the downfall of digital versus analog meters...

Post by **bluefish_dist** » Mon Sep 12, 2016 8:20 pm

You really want the volt/amp meters. Using a super simple controller the line voltage does not change. Only the amps change at lower settings. As others have stated if you mount them after the controller to measure element voltage you will destroy the meter.

Post by **varocketry** » Mon Sep 12, 2016 8:35 pm

Thank you for all the advice and answers, I do have a 25A analog Ammeter installed already.

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