EDN posted an interesting circuit to measure from 0 volts – 1000 volts with good resolution using the ever popular 555 chip and a single micro GPIO pin. Not that I have had much need to measure high DC voltages, but the idea is fantastic.
I'll leave the explanation of how it works to the article (linked above, PDF below). The circuit is dead simple (speaking of dead, be careful around high voltages), depending on the charging time of a capacitor. Complexity and component costs are low.
Attachments
edn.com-Microvolts to kilovolts in milliseconds with one IO pin.pdf
My favorite part of this circuit is the quote from the designer " and it never really over-ranges". It's so nice when you think you're dealing with a 1kv source but it's really 30kV - that way you don't have to worry about fuses or other anomalies.
Hardly, more accurately it's probably the most misused chip there is, as in this example. As for 'not easily duplicated', it's easily replaced by a simple 8 pin PIC with FAR superior performance, and requiring many less external components.
You rarely see the 555 used commercially, and you rarely ever did - so I'm dubious about your claimed 'billions' made per year?.
I expect nothing less from you. "Billions" come from a variety of industry sources. I am certain those several sources have more knowledge on the subject than me.
I'm waiting for that time where I just can't get myself to use my CATIII 1000V (8000V transients) meter and cables to measure a 1000V supply and need to fabricate a mashup like this instead.