How to design a digital AC ammeter with microcontroller data logging for home devices?

An undergraduate electrical and electronics student seeks guidance on designing a digital AC ammeter with a microcontroller-based data logging system for monitoring home appliances such as irons and TVs. The project requires assistance in circuit design, component selection, and microcontroller interfacing with the ammeter circuit. Responses suggest exploring Arduino platforms and shields as practical starting points for measurement and data logging. Contributors emphasize the importance of precise terminology, clarifying that the device functions as an energy measuring and monitoring instrument rather than an energy management device. Advice includes focusing on specific project elements, learning current measurement circuit design, and incrementally developing the system. References to existing energy-saving and monitoring devices highlight the complexity and cost considerations of appliance-level energy measurement, noting that many commercial solutions either monitor whole-house circuits or individual appliances without interconnection. The discussion encourages iterative learning and problem-solving through experimentation and targeted questions.
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