Author Topic: Can I do harmonic analysis of my mains with a sound card?  (Read 2039 times)

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Offline Alexandre MelloTopic starter

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Can I do harmonic analysis of my mains with a sound card?
« on: November 13, 2013, 06:51:50 pm »
Can I do harmonic analysis of my mains with a sound card? How do I make an attenuator to match the input requirements of it?

I already have a software to do this analysis. What I don't have is an attenuator that makes this operation safe to me and my sound card, and does not interfere in the measurement.

Here where I live, the mains voltage is 127V, and I'm thinking in an attenuation of 100x, then my signal at the input at the interface will be 1,27V.

Anyone can help?


 

Offline turbo!

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Re: Can I do harmonic analysis of my mains with a sound card?
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2013, 09:34:05 pm »
Can I do harmonic analysis of my mains with a sound card? How do I make an attenuator to match the input requirements of it?

I already have a software to do this analysis. What I don't have is an attenuator that makes this operation safe to me and my sound card, and does not interfere in the measurement.

Here where I live, the mains voltage is 127V, and I'm thinking in an attenuation of 100x, then my signal at the input at the interface will be 1,27V.

Anyone can help?

You can fine tune the final reduction with resistive dividers, but you'll need a transformer with good frequency characteristics up to the n-th harmonic you need for galvanic isiolation. Perhaps an output transformer for vacuum tube amplifier? 
 

Offline Stove

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Re: Can I do harmonic analysis of my mains with a sound card?
« Reply #2 on: November 14, 2013, 08:26:12 pm »
Don't use transformers, if they are too small and saturated they will
even on no draw. Use a resistor divider and then an optical isolator. Be sure to separate power supplies, no much point in isolation otherwise. Upload results please.

 


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