Transformers: No Guesswork In Choosing Current Sensors

Current sensors measure and control load current in a number of control circuits, including safety circuits and power supplies. Some applications require you to control the current such as power supplies. In these places, you have to sense the magnitude of the current accurately. It is a fundamental requirement.

There are several selection parameters to choose the right current sensor for you. Embedded engineers know these parameters are important because they can optimize system performance. For example, we are seeing a proliferation of small electronic devices with a number of functions. We are also seeing an increasing demand for embedded devices with a custom power supply.

The first step in choosing current sensors is to decide whether you are going to use direct or indirect measurement techniques. Indirect sensing uses Faraday’s laws and Ampere’s laws. Indirect sensing works on the principle that when current flows in a system, it creates a magnetic field which is proportional to the level of the current in the system.

Ohm’s laws says current in a resistor is directly proportional to value of voltage applied to resistor value. Basically, the application requirements like required precision, voltage monitored, information used will determine what configuration you will use to monitor the current. You might consider installing a custom power supply to increase your accuracy.