Re: detecting contact closure

post wrote:

Greets all. I'm an amateur at this, so please disregard any
errors in my techincal description. I have a seemingly simple
task to accomplish and am trying to figure out the best
(most reliable) way to get it done.

I have a mechanical switch located about 300-400 yards
away, on an entrance gate -- the contact closes when
someone opens the gate.

I'd like to detect the closed contact with a TTL circuit. I
already have the TTL logic in place (0V - gate is closed,
5V gate is open).. but am unsure how to "condition" the
mechanical switch so it reliably provides a 5V signal
to my TTL when the gate is open.

I'm considering 2 options:
1) use a resistor to 5V power supply.. when the switch closes,
it sends 5V to my TTL.. when it opens, i'll get something less
than 1 or 2V.. but I'm not sure if this will be a problem considering
the long wires i have to the switch. Surely the extra resistance
from all that wire will affect my simple 5V switch circuit.

2) my other option is to sense a small AC signal running through
the switch (since, as I understand, AC signals don't suffer so
much from loss over long distances). I would run a small AC signal
through the switch and interface to it with a diode bridge rectifier.
when the switch is closed, and there is AC flowing, I'll detect it
on the DC side of the bridge.

Any thoughts on the best way to go? Is there a better solution
out there? Don't want to get too complicated.. already have a
junk drawer of electronics parts like diodes, resistors, etc.. that I'd
like to use.

Thanks.

what you need is a solar rechargable wireless Transmitter on the gate.


--
Real Programmers Do things like this.
http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5

.

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