Help with Reading Pulse Value

[potatoslice]

Hi,

I'm want to read a pulse output signal from an electrical meter. I am a software guy and an amateur in electrical stuff.

Here are the specs for the pulse output from the electrical meter.

Pulse output signal is a 50/50 duty cycle. This means that whatever the time is between pulses (based on load) the ON time will be 50% of that time. There is no voltage on the output of the pulse connection. It is referred to as a "dry" contact. It is, however, not a physical contact. As an electronic contact equivalent, there is a polarity associated with it because it is designed to function with a DC signal from the BAS. The interface range is from 4.5 to 28 VDC, with a maximum of 50mA.

I'm having trouble understanding the last few sentences. Is this pulse output even compatbile with the Pi?

I understand that I should have one wire going into a GPIO pin, and the other to ground, but that is about it. Do i need resistors? etc.

Any help is very much appreciated.

Thanks!

[joan]

Can you post a link to the specs of the meter?

[potatoslice]

Can you post a link to the specs of the meter?

http://www.emon.com/~/media/downloads/m ... ashx?la=en

[joan]

I didn't find the quote from your first post in the linked PDF.

[potatoslice]

I didn't find the quote from your first post in the linked PDF.

My bad, thought you wanted specs.

Here is the manual, it is on page 24

http://www.emon.com/~/media/downloads/m ... ashx?la=en

Thanks!