Current sensor

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A current sensor is a device that detects electrical current (AC or DC) in a wire, and generates a signal proportional to it.

The sensed current and the output signal can be:

  • AC current input,
    • analog output, which duplicates the wave shape of the sensed current
    • unipolar output, which is proportional to the average or RMS value of the sensed current
  • DC current input,
    • unipolar, with a unipolar output, which duplicates the wave shape of the sensed current
    • bipolar output, which duplicates the wave shape of the sensed current
    • digital output, which switches when the sensed current exceeds a certain threshold

[edit] Technologies

  • Current transformer, a simple magnetic device, whose output AC current is a fraction of the input AC current
  • Hall effect device, a semiconductor, whose output is a DC signal or a digital signal
Hall effect transducer current sensor
Hall effect transducer current sensor
In-line Hall effect IC current sensor
In-line Hall effect IC current sensor
  • Resistor, whose voltage is directly proportional to the current through it


[edit] See also