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DIY Hobby projects, diagram, schematic

Electronic Circuits

DIY Hobby projects, diagram, schematic

Audio Power Indicator For Power Amplifier

electronicecircuits, December 23, 2009August 18, 2023
speaker loudspeaker audio output  power indicator  circuit for power amplifier

Loudspeaker, Speaker Audio Power Indicator For Power Amplifier

The LM3915 audio power meter with a bar-type read-out. The circuit has one drawback in that it requires a separate power supply. This is compensated, however, by the fact that it is pretty sensitive (0.2W min.) and does not degrade the sound quality in any way, since it does not present an additional load to the amplifier (in contrast, many inexpensive AF power indicators derive their display current from the amplifier).

loudspeaker speakeraudio output  power indicator  circuit for power amplifier
PARTS LIST
R1SEE TABLE 1
R210kΩ
R3390Ω
R42.7kΩ
C122µF 25V
D1-D10LED
LSLoudspeaker
IC1LM3915

The value of resistor R1 depends on the loud-speaker impedance as shown in the table inset in the circuit diagram. The resistor may be replaced by a wire link in the relevant position on the PCB if it can be fitted inside the plug that connects the indicator to the loudspeaker. This makes it convenient to use the indicator with loudspeakers of different impedance: use a dedicated cable for each impedance.

TABLE 1
LSR1
4Ω10kΩ
8Ω18kΩ
16Ω30kΩ

For use with stereo systems, the circuit is either built in duplicate or the signals across the loudspeakers are applied to two series-connected resistor R1, whose common junction is connected to pin 5 of IC1. The latter method may raise some eyebrows, but it works fine in practice.

The power supply for the indicator is derived from a simple a.c. mains adaptor that provides a d.c. output of 12-20V.

LM3915 Dot Bar Display Driver IC

Finally, it should be noted that the actual power measurement is an approximation only since the LM3915 reacts to the positive half-cycles of the signal only. This causes the top LED in the bar to light at a slightly reduced intensity.

LM3915 IC DATA

LM3915 Typical Applications 0V to 10V Log LED Display

Notes:

  • Capacitor C1 is required if leads to the LED supply are 6″ or longer.
  • Circuit as shown is wired for dot mode. For bar mode, connect pin 9 to pin 3. VLED must be kept below 7V or dropping resistor should be used to limit IC power dissipation.
  • VREF=1.25V{1+(R2/R1)}+R2×80µA
  • ILED=(12.5V/R1)+(VREF/2.2kΩ)

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Comments (2)

  1. nazir says:
    April 4, 2011 at 12:18 am

    can u send a copy of pcb layout.

    Reply
  2. Tariq Khan says:
    August 28, 2013 at 3:11 pm

    This is excellent diagram. It is very easy to understand even an unknown person.

    Reply

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