How Do You Measure Current Draw?
To measure the current draw of your linear actuator, there are a few methods you can choose from. The most basic solution is to use a multimeter, setup to read Ampere, in series with one of the leads of the linear actuator, then track the current draw as the actuator moves. As the actuator moves the current draw will be displayed on the multimeter for you to track. Another option is to use a current sensor which, like with the multimeter, will be connected in series with one of the leads of the linear actuator. Unlike the multimeter, the current sensor will not have a display that you can simply read, you will need to measure the analog voltage output of the sensor, which increases with higher current values, to measure the current. You will most likely need to make use of a microcontroller to read this analog value and convert it into an actual current reading using the sensor’s sensitivity value. While there is additional setup with using a current sensor, it does have the advantage that the microcontroller can constantly measure and save the current draw reading much faster than a human can.