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Arduino library for INA228 current and power sensor

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License: MIT GitHub release PlatformIO Registry

INA228

Arduino library for the INA228 power sensor.

Description

Experimental

This library controls the INA228, a device that measures voltage, current, power, temperature and more.

The INA228 sensor differs from the better known INA226. Most important difference is that the INA228 has a 20 bit ADC. This should result in higher precision however this is expected to only be visible with stable loads and low noise.

Another important difference is that the INA228 works up to 85 Volts, which is more than twice the 36 volt of the INA226. The INA228 has a build in temperature sensor (±1°C) to be used for monitoring and temperature compensation.

Finally the INA228 has an energy and charge register. These are values accumulated over time, and only work in continuous mode. (to be investigated what those mean ).

The INA228 also provides an alert line, to generate an interrupt in case a predefined threshold has been met. This can be an under- or over-voltage, temperature or power limit.

The library is limited tested and verified with hardware.

==> USE WITH CARE

Feedback as always is welcome.

Details

The INA228 is a voltage, current and power measurement device. A few important data, Read the datasheet for the details, Section 7, Page 12++.

description value notes
bus voltage 85 Volt unclear for how long.
ADC 20 bit
alert timing 75 µs.

Two breakout boards are known, with completely different maximum current. This max current depends on the width of the traces on the PCB and the shunt used. See the links below for more details.

supplier Shunt Ω Current Shunt V URL
Adafruit 0.015 10 Amp 150 mV https://www.adafruit.com/product/5832
Mateksys 0.0002 204 Amp 41 mV https://www.mateksys.com/?portfolio=i2c-ina-bm

Both are verified to work but not the full range. (See #10)

Calibrating

Note the power and the current are not meaningful without calibrating the sensor. Also the values are not meaningful if there is no shunt connected.

Schema LOW SIDE

         GND                           VCC
          |                             |
          |                             |
          |            +----[ LOAD ]----+
          |            |                |
          |            |                |
      /-------------------------------------\
      |  VIN-         VIN+             VBUS |
      |                                     |
      |                                     |
      |         INA 228 BREAKOUT            |
      |                                     |
      |                                     |
      \-------------------------------------/

Tested

Schema HIGH SIDE

         GND                          VCC
          |                            |
          |                            |
          +---[ LOAD ]---+        +----+
                         |        |    |
                         |        |    |
      /-------------------------------------\
      |                 VIN-     VIN+  VBUS |
      |                                     |
      |                                     |
      |         INA 228 BREAKOUT            |
      |                                     |
      |                                     |
      \-------------------------------------/

Tested

Special characters

  • Ω == Ohm = ALT-234 (Windows)
  • µ == micro = ALT-0181 (Windows)
  • ° == degree = ALT-0176 (Windows)
  • ± == plus minus = ALT-0177 (Windows)

Related

I2C

Address

The sensor can have 16 different I2C addresses, which depends on how the A0 and A1 address lines are connected to the SCL, SDA, GND and VCC pins.

See table - from datasheet table 7-2, page 19.

A1 A0 Addr HEX A1 A0 Addr HEX
GND GND 64 0x40 SDA GND 72 0x48
GND VCC 65 0x41 SDA VCC 73 0x49
GND SDA 66 0x42 SDA SDA 74 0x4A
GND SCL 67 0x43 SDA SCL 75 0x4B
VCC GND 68 0x44 SCL GND 76 0x4C
VCC VCC 69 0x45 SCL VCC 77 0x4D
VCC SDA 70 0x46 SCL SDA 78 0x4E
VCC SCL 71 0x47 SCL SCL 79 0x4F

Note this might differ per breakout board.

Performance

Run INA228_performance.ino sketch to get a first indication. Numbers below are based upon tests with the Adafruit board.

Time in micros, I2C speed in kHz.

I2C function time notes
100 getBusVoltage 684 100%
100 getShuntVoltage 1248
100 getCurrent 684
100 getPower 684
100 getTemperature 580
100 getEnergy 940
100 getCharge 960
other functions similar gain.
200 getBusVoltage 404 60%
400 getBusVoltage 252 37%
800 getBusVoltage 184 27%

Most non core functions are as fast as getTemperature()

I2C multiplexing

Sometimes you need to control more devices than possible with the default address range the device provides. This is possible with an I2C multiplexer e.g. TCA9548 which creates up to eight channels (think of it as I2C subnets) which can use the complete address range of the device.

Drawback of using a multiplexer is that it takes more administration in your code e.g. which device is on which channel. This will slow down the access, which must be taken into account when deciding which devices are on which channel. Also note that switching between channels will slow down other devices too if they are behind the multiplexer.

Interface

#include "INA228.h"

Constructor

  • INA228(const uint8_t address, TwoWire *wire = Wire) Constructor to set the address and optional Wire interface.
  • bool begin() initializes the class. Returns true if the INA228 address is on the I2C bus.
    • Note: one needs to set Wire.begin() before calling begin().
    • Note: call setMaxCurrentShunt(maxCurrent, shunt) to calibrate your INA228
  • bool isConnected() returns true if the INA228 address is on the I2C bus.
  • uint8_t getAddress() returns the address set in the constructor.

BUS VOLTAGE

Main function + wrappers.

  • float getBusVoltage() idem. Returns value in volts. Max 85 Volt. This value is always positive.
  • float getBusVolt()
  • float getBusMilliVolt()
  • float getBusMicroVolt()

SHUNT VOLTAGE

  • float getShuntVoltage() idem, Returns value in volts. Note the value can be positive or negative as the INA228 is bidirectional.
  • float getShuntVolt()
  • float getShuntMilliVolt()
  • float getShuntMicroVolt()

SHUNT CURRENT

  • float getCurrent() returns the current through the shunt in Ampere. Note this value can be positive or negative as the INA228 is bidirectional.
  • float getAmpere()
  • float getMilliAmpere()
  • float getMicroAmpere()

TEMPERATURE

  • float getTemperature() returns the temperature in Celsius.

POWER

  • float getPower() returns the current x BusVoltage in Watt.
  • float getWatt()
  • float getMilliWatt()
  • float getMicroWatt()
  • float getKiloWatt()

ENERGY

See page 13++, page 32, 8.1.2

The getEnergy() only has meaning in continuous mode. This is an accumulation register and can be reset to zero by setAccumulation(1).

The accuracy of getEnergy() is 1.0% full scale (maximum).

  • double getEnergy() return Joule (elaborate).
  • double getJoule()
  • double getMegaJoule()
  • double getKiloJoule()
  • double getMilliJoule()
  • double getMicroJoule()
  • double getWattHour()
  • double getKiloWattHour()

CHARGE

The getCharge() only has meaning in continuous mode. This is an accumulation register and can be reset to zero by setAccumulation(1).

The accuracy of getCharge() is 1.0% full scale (maximum).

  • double getCharge() return Coulomb (elaborate).
  • double getCoulomb()
  • double getMilliCoulomb()
  • double getMicroCoulomb()

Configuration

Read datasheet for details, section 7.6.1.1, page 22

  • void reset() Resets the device, be aware that you need to calibrate the sensor (shunt register) again ==> call setMaxCurrentShunt() and more.
  • bool setAccumulation(uint8_t value) value: 0 == normal operation,
    1 = clear Energy and Charge registers.
  • bool getAccumulation() return set value. (TODO check).
  • void setConversionDelay(uint8_t steps) Conversion delay in 0..255 steps of 2 ms
  • uint8_t getConversionDelay() return set value.
  • void setTemperatureCompensation(bool on) see Shunt temperature coefficient below.
  • bool getTemperatureCompensation() return set value.
  • void setADCRange(bool flag) flag = false => 164 mV, true => 41 mV
  • bool getADCRange() return set value.

TODO: wrapper + better name for setAccumulation().

TODO: examples to show the effect of the ADC configuration.

ADC mode

Read datasheet for details, section 7.6.1.2, page 22++

  • bool setMode(uint8_t mode = INA228_MODE_CONT_TEMP_BUS_SHUNT) default all on.
  • uint8_t getMode() return set value.
MODE value notes
INA228_MODE_SHUTDOWN 0x00 See 0x08.
INA228_MODE_TRIG_BUS 0x01
INA228_MODE_TRIG_SHUNT 0x02
INA228_MODE_TRIG_BUS_SHUNT 0x03
INA228_MODE_TRIG_TEMP 0x04
INA228_MODE_TRIG_TEMP_BUS 0x05
INA228_MODE_TRIG_TEMP_SHUNT 0x06
INA228_MODE_TRIG_TEMP_BUS_SHUNT 0x07
INA228_MODE_SHUTDOWN2 0x08 There are two shutdowns.
INA228_MODE_CONT_BUS 0x09
INA228_MODE_CONT_SHUNT 0x0A
INA228_MODE_CONT_BUS_SHUNT 0x0B
INA228_MODE_CONT_TEMP 0x0C
INA228_MODE_CONT_TEMP_BUS 0x0D
INA228_MODE_CONT_TEMP_SHUNT 0x0E
INA228_MODE_CONT_TEMP_BUS_SHUNT 0x0F

ADC conversion time

  • bool setBusVoltageConversionTime(uint8_t bvct = INA226_1052_us)
  • uint8_t getBusVoltageConversionTime() return set value.
  • bool setShuntVoltageConversionTime(uint8_t svct = INA226_1052_us)
  • uint8_t getShuntVoltageConversionTime() return set value.
  • bool setTemperatureConversionTime(uint8_t tct = INA226_1052_us)
  • uint8_t getTemperatureConversionTime() return set value.
TIMING value notes
INA228_50_us 0
INA228_84_us 1
INA228_150_us 2
INA228_280_us 3
INA228_540_us 4
INA228_1052_us 5
INA228_2074_us 6
INA228_4120_us 7
  • bool setAverage(uint8_t avg = INA228_1_SAMPLE)
  • uint8_t getAverage() return set value.
AVERAGE value notes
INA228_1_SAMPLE 0
INA228_4_SAMPLES 1
INA228_16_SAMPLES 2
INA228_64_SAMPLES 3
INA228_128_SAMPLES 4
INA228_256_SAMPLES 5
INA228_512_SAMPLES 6
INA228_1024_SAMPLES 7

Shunt Calibration

To elaborate, read datasheet for details.

Note: setMaxCurrentShunt() must be called to calibrate your sensor. Otherwise several functions will return zero or incorrect data.

  • int setMaxCurrentShunt(float maxCurrent, float shunt) The maxCurrent depends on breakout used, See section above. The shunt should be 0.0001 Ω and up.
    • returns 0 if OK.
    • returns -2 if shunt < 0.0001 Ohm. ( Mateksys == 0.0002 Ω )
  • bool isCalibrated() is valid calibration value. The currentLSB > 0.
  • float getMaxCurrent() return set value.
  • float getShunt() return set value.
  • float getCurrentLSB() return actual currenLSB. 0.0 means not calibrated.

Shunt temperature coefficient

Read datasheet for details, page 16.

The INA228 can compensate for shunt temperature variance to increase accuracy. The reference temperature is 25°C.

  • Enter the coefficient with setShuntTemperatureCoefficent(uint16_t ppm).
  • Enable the function with setTemperatureCompensation(true).

In formula:

Radjusted = Rnominal + (Rnominal x (temperature - 25) x PPM) * 10e-6;
  • bool setShuntTemperatureCoefficent(uint16_t ppm = 0) ppm = 0..16383 ppm/°C. Default 0 for easy reset. Returns false if ppm is out of range.
  • uint16_t getShuntTemperatureCoefficent() returns the set value (default 0).

Diagnose alert

Read datasheet for details, section 7.6.1.12, page 26++.

  • void setDiagnoseAlert(uint16_t flags) set all flags as bit mask.
  • uint16_t getDiagnoseAlert() return all flags as bit mask.

INA228.h has an enum for the bit fields.

  • void setDiagnoseAlertBit(uint8_t bit) set individual bit.
  • void clearDiagnoseAlertBit(uint8_t bit) clear individual bit.
  • uint16_t getDiagnoseAlertBit(uint8_t bit) return individual bit.

Threshold and Limits

Read datasheet for details, section 7.3.7, page 16++

Note: the implementation of this part is rather minimalistic and might be changed / extended in the future.

Shunt

  • void setShuntOvervoltageTH(uint16_t threshold)
  • uint16_t getShuntOvervoltageTH()
  • void setShuntUndervoltageTH(uint16_t threshold)
  • uint16_t getShuntUndervoltageTH()

Bus

  • void setBusOvervoltageTH(uint16_t threshold)
  • uint16_t getBusOvervoltageTH()
  • void setBusUndervoltageTH(uint16_t threshold)
  • uint16_t getBusUndervoltageTH()

Temperature

  • void setTemperatureOverLimitTH(uint16_t threshold)
  • uint16_t getTemperatureOverLimitTH()

Power

  • void setPowerOverLimitTH(uint16_t threshold)
  • uint16_t getPowerOverLimitTH()

Manufacturer and ID

  • bool getManufacturer() Returns 0x5449, can be used to check right sensor.
  • uint16_t getDieID() Returns 0x228, can be used to check right sensor.
  • uint16_t getRevision() Returns revision, probably 0x01.

Future

Must

  • update documentation.
  • test and verify.
  • DiagnoseAlertBit functions
    • redo API (0.2.0)

Should

  • TODO's in code and docs.
  • add error handling.
  • keep in sync with INA226 where possible.
  • how to detect nothing connected?
    • vshunt > maxVShunt (new variable)
    • current > maxCurrent

Could

  • write examples, (please share yours).
  • improve unit tests
  • clean up magic numbers in the code

Won't

  • cache registers for performance
    • first get library working / tested.
    • reset should reread all cached values...

Support

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Thank you,