The voltage in an equipment or appliance is measurable without intruding its operations but to measure its current requires intrusion. That is why voltage sensing is a passive activity, which one can perform without interfering with the workings of the system and its performance. A current sensor, on the other hand, has to be inserted into the system and that could influence its performance. However, current sensing is an important part of protecting and controlling the circuit in every electronic device. It is also helpful for monitoring and enhancing their performance.
A current sensor measures the AC and DC current levels and provides an output that corresponds to the information it gets. There are different technologies that this device is available in and one has to check what specifications one needs. Some sensors can only measure AC or DC current levels and the modern ones can do both. Another important feature that one should check is if the sensor needs to be in line with the circuit or has to be clamped around the wire to measure.
Applications of a Current Transducer
Measuring the current that is being delivered to the load is helpful for a variety of applications. This device has many uses in a wide range of electronic systems, such as 4-20 mA systems, battery life indicators, current and voltage regulators, DC/DC converters, programmable current sources, ground fault detectors, communications devices, linear and switch-mode power supplies, motor speed controls, automotive power electronics, and more. It detects the current that flows through it and converts it into an easily measurable voltage output accordingly.
How a Current Sensor Works
The current flows through a wire or in a circuit causing a voltage drop. A magnetic field is also generated around the conductor that carries the current. A current transducer or sensor makes use of both of these phenomena. That is why current sensing is of two types, direct and indirect. While Ohm’s law explains direct sensing, indirect sensing is based on the laws of Ampere and Faraday. Direct sensing refers to the measurement of the voltage drop that occurs in the passive electrical components and indirect sensing means the measurement of the magnetic field surrounding the conductor.
Types of Current Sensors
There are basically three different types of current sensors: Hall Effect sensors, inductive sensors, and magneto resistive sensors.
* Hall effect sensors are the most commonly used current sensors in many industries as it can measure all types of current signals, that is, AC, DC, and pulsating current. It is based on the Hall Effect phenomenon that Edwin Hall discovered in 1879. It has a core, a Hall Effect device, and signal conditioning circuitry.
* Inductive sensors have a coil through which the wire active with current passes. It is used to measure AC currents.
* Magneto resistive sensors depend on the magnetic flux that changes the value of resistance of the current that flows through the plate. The magnetic flux deflects the path of the current and that increases its resistance as it flows for a long distance on the plate.
Getting the correct voltage sensor is important as it has a long-term application and every technology that it uses has a different purpose. Every electronic product can perform better if one pays attention to is current measurements.
A current sensor measures the AC and DC current levels and provides an output that corresponds to the information it gets. There are different technologies that this device is available in and one has to check what specifications one needs. Some sensors can only measure AC or DC current levels and the modern ones can do both. Another important feature that one should check is if the sensor needs to be in line with the circuit or has to be clamped around the wire to measure.
Applications of a Current Transducer
Measuring the current that is being delivered to the load is helpful for a variety of applications. This device has many uses in a wide range of electronic systems, such as 4-20 mA systems, battery life indicators, current and voltage regulators, DC/DC converters, programmable current sources, ground fault detectors, communications devices, linear and switch-mode power supplies, motor speed controls, automotive power electronics, and more. It detects the current that flows through it and converts it into an easily measurable voltage output accordingly.
How a Current Sensor Works
The current flows through a wire or in a circuit causing a voltage drop. A magnetic field is also generated around the conductor that carries the current. A current transducer or sensor makes use of both of these phenomena. That is why current sensing is of two types, direct and indirect. While Ohm’s law explains direct sensing, indirect sensing is based on the laws of Ampere and Faraday. Direct sensing refers to the measurement of the voltage drop that occurs in the passive electrical components and indirect sensing means the measurement of the magnetic field surrounding the conductor.
Types of Current Sensors
There are basically three different types of current sensors: Hall Effect sensors, inductive sensors, and magneto resistive sensors.
* Hall effect sensors are the most commonly used current sensors in many industries as it can measure all types of current signals, that is, AC, DC, and pulsating current. It is based on the Hall Effect phenomenon that Edwin Hall discovered in 1879. It has a core, a Hall Effect device, and signal conditioning circuitry.
* Inductive sensors have a coil through which the wire active with current passes. It is used to measure AC currents.
* Magneto resistive sensors depend on the magnetic flux that changes the value of resistance of the current that flows through the plate. The magnetic flux deflects the path of the current and that increases its resistance as it flows for a long distance on the plate.
Getting the correct voltage sensor is important as it has a long-term application and every technology that it uses has a different purpose. Every electronic product can perform better if one pays attention to is current measurements.
