Arduino Analog Input: why the weird fluctuation? I am using an Arduino Uno. analogRead(A0) (or whichever channel I use) returns 0 when it is grounded with Arduino Gnd, and 1023 when connected to Arduino 5v. But when I connect it to a current sensor (ACS712) it is always fluctuating like this:


  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1023, 1023, 1023, 1023, 1023, 441, 446, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1023, 1023...


I also tried it with a potentiometer (10K) and analog joystick: the results are the same. I tried changing different power supplies (both Arduino's and the sensor's (ACS712, potentiometer, joystick)). I even tested it on an Arduino Mega, but no luck. Such extreme fluctuation are making no sense to me. Kindly help me what could be the issue.

My wiring diagram is attached to this post. And I use an external supply to the ACS712. Is it possible that Static electricity is causing this issue?

Code:

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
  float value = analogRead(A0);
  Serial.print("Raw:");
  Serial.println(value);
  delay(500);
}


Thanks.
You need to connect together the grounds from your external power supply and the Arduino.

At the moment the two devices are floating - there's no commonly-agreed 0v point.