Published February 18, 2020 © CC BY-NC-SA

EMI Probe Activity for the 9-12 Years Old

Fun activity for kids to learn about Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) and energy saving possibilities!

BeginnerFull instructions provided482

EMI Probe Activity for the 9-12 Years Old

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Arduino Nano R3

(or Arduino UNO) + USB cable

Through Hole Resistor, 1 Mohm

4x6cm PCB a few arduino male headers

Speaker, Piezo

case for EMI detector

https://www.tinkercad.com/things/gtvQD0y0vmm

Software apps and online services

Arduino IDE

Story

In this tutorial you will learn how a DIY EMI detector works.

You will also understand what electromagnetic interference is, and why it’s important to be aware of it.

1 / 2

Introduction

EMI is a form of electromagnetic radiation: a combination of electric and magnetic waves traveling outward from anywhere that an electrical power signal is changing or being turned on and off rapidly

Where this gadget excels is spotting “phantom” or “vampire” energy loads.

More correctly called standby power, this is the amount of electricity that constantly flows through some electronic devices, even when they’re supposedly switched off or in standby mode. Devices use standby power on features such as digital clocks, remote control reception, and thermometers.

Relatively weak energy efficiency regulations in the United States result in many devices drawing far more wattage than they need in standby mode.

The EMI detector works by capturing the electrical energy coming into the arduino's analog port, and turning it into a sound via the speaker.

Step 1: Assemble the EMI detector

For the step-by-step, click HERE.

Step 2: Program the EMI detector

Whether you are using an arduino uno or a nano, the code that you will need to upload in order for the probe to function correctly is basically the same.

Just make sure to program the correct digital pin for the piezo speaker. In the instructions above, we connected the speaker on D9 on an arduino uno, and D3 on an arduino nano.

The full arduino code is also available here (or below).

Because Arduino is connected by a USB cable to your computer, it is receiving a flood of electromagnetic interference from the computer. Even worse, that EMI is being pumped into Arduino via the USB cable. To make this detector really work, we’ve got to go mobile.

A fresh 9-volt battery should be enough to get this gadget running.

Your Arduino should start up normally: the LEDs mounted on the Arduino board should flash, and within a few seconds the EMI code should be up and running.

Step 3: Activity Idea for Kids

You can use the EMI probe to compare and contrast EMI radiations deriving from different electronic appliances.

Hold the probe next to a stereo system or a TV whilst these devices are in standby mode, and you ll probably get a similar reading to a laptop when this is turned on.

Let kids discuss or write on a board which electronic appliances readiated EMI and discuss why this is relevant to the environmental topic of energy saving.

Once you ve found out which electronic appliances radiate the biggest amount of EMI when in standby mode, you can learn ways to eliminate vampire power. There are several options how to do that:

Unplug electronic appliances and chargers when you don't use them.

Set devices to energy save mode.

Use a power strip to turn all electronics off at the same time.

This tutorial has been produced as part of the DEEDU project, co-financed by the Erasmus + Programme of the European commission. Project n°: 2018-1-FR02-KA205-014144.

The content of this publication does not reflect the official opinion of the European Union. Responsibility for the information and views expressed therein lies entirely with the authors. For more information, email us at info@digijeunes.com.

EMI detector

// Arduino Electromagnetic interference detector
// Code modified by Patrick Di Justo, based on
// Aaron ALAI EMF Detector April 22nd 2009 VERSION 1.0
// aaronalai1@gmail.com
//
// This outputs sound and numeric data to the 4char
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
#define SerialIn 2
#define SerialOut 7
#define wDelay 900
int inPin = 5;
int val = 0;
SoftwareSerial mySerialPort(SerialIn, SerialOut);
void setup()

{
 pinMode(SerialOut, OUTPUT);
 pinMode(SerialIn, INPUT);
 mySerialPort.begin(19200);
 mySerialPort.print("vv");
 mySerialPort.print("xxxx");
 delay(wDelay);
 mySerialPort.print("----");
 delay(wDelay);
 mySerialPort.print("8888");
 delay(wDelay);
 mySerialPort.print("xxxx");
 delay(wDelay);
 Serial.begin(9600);
}
void loop()
{
 val = analogRead(inPin);
 Serial.println(val);
 dispData(val);
 val = map(val, 1, 100, 1, 2048);
 tone(3,val,10);
}
void dispData(int i)
{
 if ((i<-999) || (i>9999))
 {
 mySerialPort.print("ERRx");
 return;
 }
 char fourChars[5];
 sprintf(fourChars, "%04d", i);
 mySerialPort.print("v");
 mySerialPort.print(fourChars);
}

Credits

EDUcentrum

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EMI Probe Activity for the 9-12 Years Old

EMI Probe Activity for the 9-12 Years Old

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Story

Introduction

Step 1: Assemble the EMI detector

Step 2: Program the EMI detector

Step 3: Activity Idea for Kids

Code

EMI detector

Credits

EDUcentrum

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