Current sensor

Current Transformer Measurement principle:

• An AC current that is proportional to the turns ratio flows in the secondary-side winding so as to cancel
out the magnetic flux Φ produced in the magnetic core by the AC current flowing in the conductor being
measured (the primary side of the circuit).
• This secondary current flows to the shunt resistor, producing a voltage across its terminals. This voltage
is the measurement circuit’s output, which is proportional to the current flowing in the conductor being
measured.

Features compared to other current measurement methods:

• The CT method can only measure AC current. (It cannot measure DC current.)
• CT current sensors are inexpensive.
• The CT method is used primarily with commercial power frequencies of 50/60 Hz.
• The CT method is used in instruments such as clamp power meters used in managing energy savings in
buildings, among other applications.
• Since sensor operation depends on canceling ou t magnetic flux (a type of negative feedback
operation), it is characterized by generally good linearity.
Hall element current sensors use the principle of converting the magnetic field produced around the
current being measured to voltage using the Hall effect.

Hall element current sensors

Hall element current sensors use the principle of converting the magnetic field produced around the
current being measured to voltage using the Hall effect.
Measurement principle:
• When the magnetic flux Φ produced inside the magnetic core by
the current flowing in the conductor being measured (the primary side of
the circuit) passes through the Hall element that has been inserted into
the gap in the magnetic core, the Hall effect results in a Hall voltage that
varies in proportion to the magnetic flux.
• Since this Hall voltage is small, it must be amplified by an amp to
produce the output signal.
• This output signal is proportional to the current flowing in the
conductor being measured.
Features compared to other current measurement methods:
• The Hall element method can measure DC as well as AC current (up to several kilohertz).
• Hall element current sensors are inexpensive.
• Due to the effects of the Hall element’s linearity and the magnetic core’s B-H characteristics, Hall
element sensors do not generally have good precision.
• Due to the characteristics of the Hall element, sensor operation is subject to drift caused by factors
including temperature and variations over time, making the devices poorly suited to long-term
measurement.
• Because the magnetic core acts as a load, Hall element sensors cannot be used in the high-frequency
band.