Design and Implementation of a Generator Power Sensor and Shutdown Timer

Abstract

This research is on the design and construction of a generator shutdown timer; an electronic device that automatically turns off electric generator after a specified period of duty hours. A microcontroller Atmega8 is used, which makes the entire circuitry compact, more flexible, efficient and reliable. The microcontroller program is written in C programming language using AVR studio4 and the circuit simulation using Proteus. This circuitry does not only control the timing operation of electric generators, but also possesses the ability to sense power restoration (from the utility power supply) and respond by switching off the generator. Power handling capacity of the circuit is estimated to be 1760W.

Keywords: Power Sensor, Shutdown Timer, Atmega8, AVR Studio, Proteus VSM.