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  3. Using a sensor to sense the presence of copper wire.

Using a sensor to sense the presence of copper wire.

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  • mfalkviddM mfalkvidd

    @gohan copper isn't magnetic ;-)

    gohanG Offline
    gohanG Offline
    gohan
    Mod
    wrote on last edited by
    #10

    @mfalkvidd I know but it should interfere with an electromagnetic field, right?

    mfalkviddM 1 Reply Last reply
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    • gohanG gohan

      @mfalkvidd I know but it should interfere with an electromagnetic field, right?

      mfalkviddM Offline
      mfalkviddM Offline
      mfalkvidd
      Mod
      wrote on last edited by
      #11

      @gohan I don't think it would

      dbemowskD 1 Reply Last reply
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      • ? Offline
        ? Offline
        A Former User
        wrote on last edited by
        #12

        The smallest wire to be detected is only .005" in diameter (.13mm). I think this will be tricky using a reflective type sensor. Please correct me if I'm wrong, I have very little knowledge in this field.

        gohanG 1 Reply Last reply
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        • ? A Former User

          The smallest wire to be detected is only .005" in diameter (.13mm). I think this will be tricky using a reflective type sensor. Please correct me if I'm wrong, I have very little knowledge in this field.

          gohanG Offline
          gohanG Offline
          gohan
          Mod
          wrote on last edited by
          #13

          @moparjay what is the accuracy you are looking for?

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          • ? Offline
            ? Offline
            A Former User
            wrote on last edited by
            #14

            The maximum distance needed to detect is 6mm from the sensor. Or if the sensor is the type where breaking a beam is used, it will need to be able to break the beam with wire as small as described above.

            Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
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            • gohanG Offline
              gohanG Offline
              gohan
              Mod
              wrote on last edited by gohan
              #15

              I mean if there is a specific length of the cable that gets inserted before it gets detected and if that length needs to be very precise. Maybe a small IR frame like those used to make touch surfaces would do?

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              • ? Offline
                ? Offline
                A Former User
                wrote on last edited by A Former User
                #16

                No....not at all. Just insert the wire, creating a signal, activating the cylinder, clamping the "bare" wire.

                The wire will then be sandwiched between the shaft of the cylinder. and an aluminum contact....which will carry the very small current of the wire.

                The wire will be inserted through a hole on the top of the enclosure, travel down past the aluminum contact (and cylinder), then just below will be a sensor.

                I'm unfamiliar with the "small IR frame like those used to make touch surfaces".

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                • C Offline
                  C Offline
                  Chester
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #17

                  Capacitive switch sensor like the AT42QT1011 maybe?

                  Something along the lines of https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14520

                  Only thing I'm not sure of is whether the copper wire would trigger the capacitive sensor, although if its being inserted by hand then it should have a charge from your own bodies natural charge as well possibly? Or if it is being fed a charge by something else that is touching it, then it might be enough.

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                  • ? Offline
                    ? Offline
                    A Former User
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #18

                    The wire(s) will be inserted by hand, but only the first inch of the wire is bare/striped. The remaining length of wire will still have its insulation. Sadly, the operator cannot be a part of the circuitry. LOL

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                    • ? A Former User

                      The maximum distance needed to detect is 6mm from the sensor. Or if the sensor is the type where breaking a beam is used, it will need to be able to break the beam with wire as small as described above.

                      Nca78N Offline
                      Nca78N Offline
                      Nca78
                      Hardware Contributor
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #19

                      @moparjay said in Using a sensor to sense the presence of copper wire.:

                      The maximum distance needed to detect is 6mm from the sensor. Or if the sensor is the type where breaking a beam is used, it will need to be able to break the beam with wire as small as described above.

                      There are also time of flight sensors, they use a laser and measure duration for some light to come back after a small "flash" of a laser led.
                      I am not sure at all it can detect at such a short distance and if reflexion would be strong enough on your smaller wires, but it's worth a look at the data sheet. They don't need laser beam to be broken and they don't measure the quantity of light that is reflected so in theory it can work.
                      Long distance version (up to 2m, not suitable for you) is vl53l0x by ST, search for it and you should find the version for short distances on their website. And there are probably other chips from competitors as well.

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                      • mfalkviddM mfalkvidd

                        @gohan I don't think it would

                        dbemowskD Offline
                        dbemowskD Offline
                        dbemowsk
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #20

                        @mfalkvidd A copper wire should most certainly disturb a magnetic field.
                        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ysbWjd5OPE

                        Vera Plus running UI7 with MySensors, Sonoffs and 1-Wire devices
                        Visit my website for more Bits, Bytes and Ramblings from me: http://dan.bemowski.info/

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                        • ? A Former User

                          It can detect anything, but the only thing that will be inserted into the area will be bare copper. Some of it, very small.

                          SchlogS Offline
                          SchlogS Offline
                          Schlog
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #21

                          @moparjay
                          I have a question : Does your project measure the wire form end to end or can it detect just the presence of copper wire and does it only see copper?
                          I have a HF tuner project that scans for antenna on the system and because some antenna have no real return other then RF your project may be able to see the wire in that antenna and return a controllable reading.
                          thanks

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                          • ? Offline
                            ? Offline
                            A Former User
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #22

                            No measuring of the wire.
                            It only has to sense the presence of copper wire.
                            The wire being inserted into the enclosure is not part of any circuit, and will have no electrical field.

                            SchlogS 1 Reply Last reply
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                            • ? A Former User

                              No measuring of the wire.
                              It only has to sense the presence of copper wire.
                              The wire being inserted into the enclosure is not part of any circuit, and will have no electrical field.

                              SchlogS Offline
                              SchlogS Offline
                              Schlog
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #23

                              @moparjay
                              So if I understand you right , If you insert a copper wire you get some kind of feed back.

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                              • ? Offline
                                ? Offline
                                A Former User
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #24

                                I'm hoping to find a way to insert a bare copper wire thru a hole in an enclosure, then have a sensor that sees the presence of the wire, and the sensor sends out a signal to relay, that sends a signal to a solenoid, that activates a pneumatic cylinder, that will clamp the wire in place.

                                SchlogS 1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • ? A Former User

                                  I'm hoping to find a way to insert a bare copper wire thru a hole in an enclosure, then have a sensor that sees the presence of the wire, and the sensor sends out a signal to relay, that sends a signal to a solenoid, that activates a pneumatic cylinder, that will clamp the wire in place.

                                  SchlogS Offline
                                  SchlogS Offline
                                  Schlog
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #25

                                  @moparjay
                                  I think I under stand now what you are doing now.
                                  How far are you , maybe I can help out.

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                                  • ? A Former User

                                    Newbie here, attempting to create a fixture that will use a sensor, that will signal when there is the presence of copper wire.

                                    The wire inserted into the area of the sensor will vary from:

                                    36 ga. - 5 ga. Magnet wire
                                    24 ga. - 10 ga. Stranded wire with the insulation removed.

                                    Any idea which direction I should go for a sensor?

                                    Thank you, Jay

                                    YveauxY Offline
                                    YveauxY Offline
                                    Yveaux
                                    Mod
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #26

                                    @moparjay how about building a simple metal detector circuit like this : https://www.electronicshub.org/metal-detector-circuit
                                    If you stick the wire through the foil it'll probably be able to detect it

                                    http://yveaux.blogspot.nl

                                    SchlogS 1 Reply Last reply
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                                    • ? Offline
                                      ? Offline
                                      A Former User
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #27

                                      Please see attached image:

                                      0_1521480421127_20180319_131030-001.jpg

                                      SchlogS 1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • YveauxY Yveaux

                                        @moparjay how about building a simple metal detector circuit like this : https://www.electronicshub.org/metal-detector-circuit
                                        If you stick the wire through the foil it'll probably be able to detect it

                                        SchlogS Offline
                                        SchlogS Offline
                                        Schlog
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #28

                                        @yveaux That would not work because the case is all metal to block RF .

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                                        • gohanG Offline
                                          gohanG Offline
                                          gohan
                                          Mod
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #29

                                          I am assuming that having a "close" and an "open" button is not an option, right?

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