I agree, being able to check current is nice, but I really don't think it's particularly important.
On Wed, Sep 23, 2015 at 8:04 PM, Josh Luthman <j...@imaginenetworksllc.com> wrote: > Not even worth $5 IMO. > > I've never ever once used the feature on your products. I measure the > amperage with an amp meter to know the draw. That's the end of it. > > I would MUCH prefer self resetting fuses - faster and cheaper. > > > Josh Luthman > Office: 937-552-2340 > Direct: 937-552-2343 > 1100 Wayne St > Suite 1337 > Troy, OH 45373 > > On Wed, Sep 23, 2015 at 8:10 PM, Forrest Christian (List Account) < > li...@packetflux.com> wrote: > >> So, I think I've about got the design for the next iteration of injectors >> nailed down, with one exception. >> >> I'm not quite sure what to do about overcurrent protection. >> >> Let me ask this question up front: >> >> How important is it to be able to read the current being drawn by each >> radio? >> >> In the current SyncInjectors, Airfiber injectors, and 5 channel PDU's, I >> do active overcurrent protection. In short, the microcontroller measures >> the current through each channel using a hall effect sensor and when it >> detects an overcurrent it just shuts off the port. >> >> The advantage of this is that we get very rough current measurements >> (like you can usually tell if a radio is on or off, or drawing more power >> than normal, but NOT anything close to an exact measurement), and I can >> somewhat adjust the response to the overcurrent to handle inrush and the >> like. This is also fairly expensive per port (like they add around $5 per >> injection port to the cost of the product). With the altered design I'm >> looking at the current measurement accuracy would go up for around the same >> cost. >> >> On the other hand, In the past I've just used self-resetting (aka PTC) >> fuses, which are simple and very robust, but don't end up with current >> reading as a side effect since the microcontroller doesn't get involved. >> I can definitely detect a overcurrent (aka fuse has been tripped) easily >> and expensively, but can't tell how much current is actually being drawn. >> >> My decision is coming down to a perceived value choice. Is it worth >> $5/port on an injector to be able to read the actual current used? >> >> -- >> *Forrest Christian* *CEO**, PacketFlux Technologies, Inc.* >> Tel: 406-449-3345 | Address: 3577 Countryside Road, Helena, MT 59602 >> forre...@imach.com | http://www.packetflux.com >> <http://www.linkedin.com/in/fwchristian> >> <http://facebook.com/packetflux> <http://twitter.com/@packetflux> >> >> >
