http://www.instructables.

com/id/Arduino-EMF-Detector/
Food Living Outside Play Technology Workshop
Arduino EMF (Electromagnetic Field) Detector
by computergeek on May 25, 2009
Table of Contents
Arduino EMF (Electromagnetic Field) Detector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Intro: Arduino EMF (Electromagnetic Field) Detector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Step 1: The Stuff: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Step 2: Wire the 7-Segment LED Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Step 3: Add the Probe/Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Step 4: The Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
File Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Step 5: Play with it! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-EMF-Detector/
Intro: Arduino EMF (Electromagnetic Field) Detector
A while back I saw an EMF (Electromagnetic Field) Detector at makezine.com that used a led bargraph. I decided to modify it to use a 7-Segment LED Display! Here's
my project. Sorry I don't have any pictures of it in use. Hopefully I can post some soon.
Credit goes to Aaron ALAI for the original project . Also Conner Cunningham at Make: for doing a remake .
Have fun, work hard, & play nice! If you have questions please ask them!
Image Notes
1. In case you're wondering, This is the same diagram I used in my app, which is
in the iTunes app store, 'Electrical Ref'.
Step 1:The Stuff:
The parts & tools.
Parts:
- Arduino
- 7-Segment LED Display
- 3.3M Resistor (Orange, Orange, Green)
- 470 ohm resistor (Yellow, Violet, Brown) or a similar value for the LED display
- Wire. I'm using 26 gauge wire
- Breadboard
Tools:
- Computer with Arduino IDE
- USB A-B cable for Arduino
- Wire Strippers
http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-EMF-Detector/
Image Notes
1. Arduino
2. Breadboard
3. Wire
4. 3.3M Resistor
5. Arduino power cable or a usb cable
6. 7-segment Display
7. 470 Ohm Resistor not pictured
Step 2:Wire the 7-Segment LED Display
This is probably one of the most confusing parts of the project, so I'll try to be clear. But if I'm not please ask any questions you have.
I used pins 2-8 on my arduino for the display. I wired the pins on the display counter-clockwise starting at the upper-left corner. Hopefully the pictures help explain it
better.
Picture 1) Display before installation.
Picture 2) Display after installation.
Picture 3) Pin 1 on the display goes to pin 2 on the Arduino.
Picture 4) Pin 2 on the display goes to pin 3 on the Arduino.
Picture 5) Pin 4 on the display goes to pin 4 on the Arduino.
Picture 6) Pin 5 on the display goes to pin 5 on the Arduino.
Picture 7) Pin 6 on the display goes to pin 6 on the Arduino.
Picture 8) Pin 8 on the display goes through the 470 ohm resistor to the side rail on the bread board
Picture 9) Pin 9 on the display goes to pin 7 on the Arduino. Also Ground on the arduino is connected to the side rail on the arduino.
Picture 10) Pin 10 on the display goes to pin 8 on the Arduino.
If you have any question please ask them!
Image Notes
1. The display goes here
2. The Display
http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-EMF-Detector/
Image Notes
1. Goes to pin 5
2. Goes to pin 4
3. Goes to pin 2
4. Goes to pin 3
5. Pin 5
6. Pin 3
7. Pin 4
8. Pin 2
9. Pin 8
10. Pin 7
11. Pin 6
12. Goes to pin 6
13. Goes to Ground
14. Goes to pin 7
15. Goes to pin 8
http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-EMF-Detector/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-EMF-Detector/
Image Notes
1. 470 Ohm resistor between ground on the breadboard and the cathode on the
display
Image Notes
1. Another wire added
2. ground on the arduino to the side rail on the breadboard
3. This is now ground
http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-EMF-Detector/
Step 3:Add the Probe/Antenna
Make the antenna/probe:
- Cut a 6-7 in. piece of solid core wire.
- Strip one end so you can plug it into your breadboard
- Strip the other end about 2 in. from the end.
Add the antenna: (Pictures 2-6)
- Take the 3.3M ohm resistor and connect it from the ground on the arduino to a point on the breadboard
- Add another wire from where the resistor is connected to analog pin 5 on the arduino.
- Add the antenna to where the resistor and the wire are connected on the breadboard.
Image Notes
1. The other side
Image Notes
1. 3.3M resistor from ground
Image Notes
1. Analog pin 5
Image Notes
1. Antenna
http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-EMF-Detector/
Image Notes
1. All done
Image Notes
1. In case you're wondering, This is the same diagram I used in my app, which is
in the iTunes app store, 'Electrical Ref'.
Step 4:The Code
Here's some basic steps to program your arduino.
1) Download the source code from below
2) Open the file in the Arduino IDE
3) Press the "Upload to I/O Board" button
4) Once the program is uploaded it will start running
Hopefully there are enough comments in the code, but if you have any questions, please ask them.
There is no difference between the .pde file & the .txt
http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-EMF-Detector/
File Downloads
_7_seg_EMF_detector.pde (6 KB)
[NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to '_7_seg_EMF_detector.pde']
7_seg_EMF_detector.txt (6 KB)
[NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to '7_seg_EMF_detector.txt']
Step 5:Play with it!
Now go measure EMF's! Here's a few ideas:
- Your dog/cat
- You
- Computer
- Cell phone
- TV
Make sure to use common sense, I'm not responsible for any damage to you or your arduino!
Related Instructables
Arduino
Temperature
Sensor Kit by
kristeller62
Digital/Analog
Clock - Arduino
+ PaperCraft by
alstroemeria
4-Digit 7-
Segment LED
Display +
Arduino by
Jimmacle
TimeDuino- 7
Segment
Arduino Clock
(No shift
registers
needed!) by
astroboy907
7 Segment
Display On
Arduino by
SherMarri
Controlling
simple LED Bar
Graph with
Arduino by
bratan
http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-EMF-Detector/
Advertisements
Comments
26 comments Add Comment
thexplanet says: Dec 9, 2009. 2:40 PM REPLY
Hello,
Can someone explain, what are the components being utilized for the sensing coil/ wire, who pick up the emf, i dont see any Inductance coil, is it built into
ATMega 328??
also, it would be really grat if someone explains how does this emf sensor works.
Thanks in advance
waterlubber says: Aug 13, 2012. 10:52 AM REPLY
The arduino just picks up random signals (cosmic radiation, tv, etc.) In fact, the arduino uses empty analog ports to calibrate it's random number
generator
olmstw says: Feb 14, 2010. 3:30 PM REPLY
This does not detect a Magnetic field... It is a rather crude E-field detector.
That also explains why there is no coil used.
All it does is extend one of the analog inputs from the Arduino and allow stray electrostatic fields to be coupled to the A/D converter in the Arduino.
The 3.3 Meg resistor is used to "bleed-off" excessive charge by reducing the impedence of the input.
Blaneparker says: Jun 7, 2012. 6:54 PM REPLY
Conner Cunningham is Collin Cunningham
lookwhatjoeysmaking says: Oct 11, 2011. 6:35 PM REPLY
i made mine with 3 1meg ohm resistors becouse thats all i have but it should work the same way but its not working.
owen102 says: Jun 25, 2011. 9:31 PM REPLY
does anyone know where i can find plans for one that does not use an arduino?
chunk_change says: Sep 10, 2011. 6:19 PM REPLY
if you can build it with arduino and get it to work you can simply remove the Atmega IC from your arduino and build it into a stand alone device, youll just
have to get the schematic for you Arduino chip and wire it how you wish.
Wally_Z says: Jun 8, 2011. 9:03 AM REPLY
If I were to wire this without Arduino how would I do that?
Also, is it possible to use one of these displays without any kind of IC? I am a noob to this kind of thing and would like to know if you could just put a certain
amount of power to certain pins to make it work instead of doing the whole IC and coding and all that wonderful stuff.
Jordan arduino says: May 26, 2011. 4:22 PM REPLY
''balls''
thefan990 says: May 25, 2011. 7:37 AM REPLY
My numbers are showing. The display is garble.
ffsman says: May 3, 2011. 10:55 AM REPLY
I tried it but instead of LED I set it to print to serial... I get only 0-2 in results whatever I measure,... only if I take antena in a hand it shows more than 50
fractalVisionz says: Apr 11, 2011. 1:27 AM REPLY
Hook up a speaker instead of a segmented display, and you have yourself a theramin.
mbudansky says: Nov 20, 2009. 7:57 AM REPLY
can i use a 4.7m resistor insted of a 3.3 resistor?
http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-EMF-Detector/
cmeacham99 says: Mar 26, 2011. 1:25 PM REPLY
No because if you did, you wouldn't get a accurate reading.
Computothought says: Nov 23, 2010. 12:51 PM REPLY
I would love to try that with my pc joystick port. Have to use an extension cable so pc does not affect results.
johnnyhellfire says: Jun 9, 2010. 3:35 AM REPLY
I really enjoyed this one and had a few thoughts because this has some great possible applications in ghost hunting. 1. replacing the wire antenna with a
halls effect sensor. 2. lcd and/or computer read out 3. temp. sensor added (would be real easy considering the pins are open for sensor, ref.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Temperature-Sensor-Tutorial/) 4. put a time stamp on any pre set spikes 5. data logger with sd card and up loading capability
when connected to pc would be interesting to see if these are possible.
SpecieS~ says: Nov 4, 2010. 8:36 AM REPLY
Ghost hunting? Are you kidding? You don't really believe in ghosts, do you?! O_o
dunnos says: Apr 20, 2010. 1:26 PM REPLY
I like the code! I learned quite a few things! (for instance, how you make subroutines) thank you!
leemck says: Nov 20, 2009. 7:17 PM REPLY
This is a neat project that needs pointers to the underlying physics.
It would be really neat if there were some reading material that would help explain what is going on when the project detects an electric field.
Is there a way to generate a "1 unit electric field"?
Could one use a bunch of antennas, each wound with a different inline loop forming different inductances to pick up different frequencies of electric field?
kikiclint says: Apr 16, 2010. 5:37 PM REPLY
When there is a static charge on an object, it creates electric fields. What is being read is the electric field, or potential a distance away from a charge
object. this isn't picking up frequencies, only stray electric fields, which are different than self propagating Electro-Magnetic waves, otherwise known as
photons, or light, or radio waves.
kikiclint says: Apr 16, 2010. 5:39 PM REPLY
Did I mention that this works as a good proximity detector in drier climates where there is a lot of static charge buildup? Just don't discharge onto
the arduino- same for all electronics.
devenda says: Dec 22, 2009. 9:49 AM REPLY
I have a other 7-segment display and other pins can you tell mee what arduino pin connects to which segment(a,b,c,d,e,f,g)?
Thanks!
devenda says: Nov 17, 2009. 11:29 AM REPLY
funny and good instructable.
But it isnt very portable...
Is there a way to let it work on batteries?
Axaj says: Dec 4, 2009. 5:49 PM REPLY
Yes, just hook up the batteries to a 2.1mm barrel jack (center positive, I believe).
emedina94 says: Oct 25, 2009. 2:58 PM REPLY
kool

Zafthan says: Oct 22, 2009. 5:51 AM REPLY

Great instructable, Iwas actually searching for something like this a few days before you posted it.