Zero-crossing refers to detecting the point at which a sine wave reaches the zero point of magnitude. In AC circuits it corresponds to the point at which no voltage is present so switching at that point reduces interference.
Questions tagged [zero-crossing]
138 questions
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How can I detect a power outage with a microcontroller?
I have the following power supply configuration:
AC MAINS -> UPS -> 24V POWER SUPPLY -> 5V VOLTAGE REGULATOR -> PCB (microcontroller).
What's the best solution to detect the power outage on the mains with the microcontroller?
I also need to detect…

m.Alin
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detecting zero cross in ac?
I need to detect zero crossing for a soft starter. A long while ago, I have done it using a 1 Mega ohm resistor directly connected to micro controller at one side and live power at another side. I was successful but is it advisable ? what other way…

iamgopal
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Difference between Zero-Crossing Optoisolator and Regular Optoisolator
I am trying to find any documentation on what the purpose is of a Zero-Crossing Circuit TRIAC Optoisolator. The datasheets don't explain the concept well enough. If you do answer, please include references or explain how you found out. Thank you!

Daniel Donnelly
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How do I read a datasheet for a solid state relay?
I'm looking to use several (12-18) solid state relays to control a set of water valves (24V AC solenoids, 20ma holding current, 40ma inrush current), and I'm having trouble finding suitable parts, probably because I don't understand the datasheets…

Mark
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Very high precision zero crossing detection
I have a setup that is equivalent to a guitar string with pickup, with signals of similar frequency range. I have a simple zero crossing detector with a comparator and then just count the interval between low-to-high transitions using a…

TrivialCase
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Digital Dimmer With Microcontroller
I want to build a digital dimmer for resistive Loads.
I have found this circuit for that:
The input voltage is 220VAC 50Hz.
The red box in the picture is for Zero Crossing Detection.
When the AC voltage crosses the zero, the Microcontroller will…

Mehrdad Kamelzadeh
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TRIAC dimmer, circuit design help (resistive load)
Okay guys, I've been tasked with making a light-dimming control system for a 240V heat lamp dissipating around 250W. I need to adjust the heat output on the lamp by control from a microprocessor.
I'm developing on an 8051-based SoC with RF circuitry…

Morten Jensen
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When should I fire the TRIAC's gate when controlling an inductive load (AC motor)?
I'm using a combination of opto-triac + TRIAC to control a 230V AC motor with a microcontroller. For detecting the zero-crossing of the voltage I'm using another optocoupler.
I know that the AC motor is an inductive load so the zero-crossing of…

m.Alin
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Zero crossing detector: do I really need the 7W resistor?
I am trying to provide zero crossing detection to my controller. Using the schematic below, I managed to generate square wave signal, representing positive v/s negative half-period. The problem is that the resistor needs to be quite large :
CTR >…

Vorac
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120VAC 60Hz Zero Cross Detector
I'm designing a digital phase-controlled light dimmer, and I need a zero-crossing detector circuit. From what I've read, it's a bad idea to wire the AC main directly to the microcontroller through a resistor, and folks have suggested using…

Isaac Sutherland
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How to calculate the zero crossing offset in a capacitive transformerless power supply
I'm working on a circuit powered by a capacitive transformerless power supply, that is a microcontroller based triac-switching project for resistive loads.
I've taken the basic design of the power supply from Microchip's Application Note AN954:
I'm…

BG100
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zero cross detector missing zero cross
I'm trying to make a zero cross detector. I used the schematic below as a reference.(schematic from http://microcontrollerslab.com/zero-crossing-detector-circuit-using-pic-microcontroller/)
However if I hook up my scope then I get the following…

ChThy
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Zero crossing detection and full-wave rectifier for non-AC voltage
Our control signal that ranges from -5 to 5 V needs to be split up such that the magnitude and sign can be send through different wires. So, for example, a -3 V input sends a 3 V signal through one wire, and a low signal through another, while a 3 V…

9sven6
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Arduino 230v Light bulb dimming
Hey guys i have done a lot of research and testing on different circuits for 230v(50hz) or 220v light dimming, but i cant get my arduino to dim my light. This is the last thing i tried.
made this circuit : Circuit and Code Link
Code which i…

Daniel Euchar
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Would I need a zero-crossing SSR for a reflow oven controller?
I'd like to follow this guide to create a reflow oven controller: https://apollo.open-resource.org/mission:resources:picoreflow
But I am confused on the zero-crossing SSR.
Does it need to be zero-crossing to control the heating element?
I already…

Lukali
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