Current transducers, also known as current sensors, measure the electrical current flowing through a wire or conductor and convert it into an electrical signal proportional to the measured current. They provide an isolated method of current measurement for applications where accurate electrical measurement is required. This section includes AC current clamps, DC current clamps and combined AC & DC current measurement solutions. Technologies include zero-flux current transducers and Rogowski coil current transducers, offering different combinations of accuracy, bandwidth, current range and installation flexibility. All sensors provide electrical isolation, supporting safe integration with power analysers, data acquisition systems and other measurement equipment. Configurable measurement ranges, power supplies and cabling are also available depending on the sensor. Current transducers and current clamps are used for a range of engineering and test applications, including power measurement and analysis, motor and drive testing, generator testing and electrical current monitoring. For detailed measurement ranges, accuracy, bandwidth and output specifications, please refer to the individual product documentation.
Current sensors are essential for measuring electrical current in various applications including power monitoring, motor control, and electrical safety systems.
A current transducer is a transducer used for measuring the current flowing in a wire or conductor. Current transducers can be used to measure DC and / or AC current. The output from the transducer is an analogue current or voltage signal. This can be used as an input to a power analyzer, data acquisition system or meter or control system. Current sensor technologies include current shunts, Rogowski coils, fluxgate sensors (zero flux) and current clamps.
A current sensor is a sensor used for measuring the current flowing in a wire or conductor. Current sensors can be used to measure DC or AC current. The output from the sensor is an analogue current or voltage signal. This can be used as an input to a power analyzer, data acquisition system or meter or control system.
A current clamp is a type of current sensor that surrounds or clamps around a conductor, allowing current to be measured without making a direct electrical connection to the conductor. Current clamps can be used to measure DC or AC current, depending on the technology and model. The output from the clamp is an analogue current or voltage signal. This can be used as an input to a power analyzer, data acquisition system, meter or control system.
A current sensor is a sensor used to measure the current flowing in a wire or conductor. They are known by several names such as current sensor, current transducer or current clamp. Applications include power measurement and current monitoring on motors, generators, transformers and any electrical installation. A current sensor can be used to measure AC and DC current, depending on the measurement technology. For example, a high-bandwidth current sensor can be used alongside a power analyser when evaluating the electrical performance of a motor drive or inverter, while a clamp-style sensor can be useful where the conductor must be measured without breaking the circuit. The appropriate sensor depends on the current level, frequency content and accuracy required.
Once current is supplied through a wire or a conductor, then a voltage drop takes place and a magnetic field will be generated around the current carrying conductor. There are two kinds of current sensing, these are direct current sensing & indirect current sensing. Direct sensing uses Ohm's law whereas indirect sensing uses Ampere's & Faraday's law.
Direct sensing is used to measure the voltage drop associated with the flow of current throughout passive electrical components known as shunt resistors. Direct sensing is used to measure current up to 20ARMS. This is based on Ohm's law.
Similarly, indirect sensing is used to measure the magnetic field nearby a current-carrying conductor. After that, the magnetic field which is produced is used for inducing proportional current or voltage which is afterward changed to use for measurement or control purposes.
Our current sensor product range consists of fluxgate transducers and Rogowski coil sensors. Zeroflux transducers have the highest accuracy and very high bandwidth, whilst Rogowski coil sensors have excellent accuracy and ultra high bandwidth. Our power analyzers have direct current inputs for current measurement up to 20A RMS.
A current transformer steps the current up or down from its source. It can be used for measuring current, with a lot of turns, for example, 1000 to 1 turns ratio. A current transducer on the other hand directly converts the energy into another type of energy. For example, electric current into a voltage output signal.
Current sensors can be made using several techniques and each has its own pros and cons. Selection of the current sensor to be used depends on requirements such as magnitude, accuracy, bandwidth, robustness, cost, isolation or size. The user also needs to consider the installation environment.
The accuracy of current sensors is dependent on the technology used with the sensor. The highest accuracy is achieved with fluxgate sensors which have an accuracy of 1ppm. Rogowski coil sensors are calibrated to an accuracy of ±0.2% with the conductor central in the coil. High bandwidth burden resistors have an accuracy of ±0.03% of reading from 0.5 Hz to 1 kHz.
A current transducer describes a device that measures electrical current and converts it into a usable electrical output signal. A current clamp describes the physical form of a current sensor, where the sensor clamps around a conductor to measure the current. Current clamps can therefore be current transducers, but not every current transducer is a current clamp. When choosing between them, consider the required current range, AC or DC measurement, accuracy, bandwidth, output signal, conductor dimensions and electrical isolation.
The applicable standards and certifications vary between individual current transducers and current clamps. Always check the relevant product documentation for the exact standards, safety ratings and conformity information applicable to the model being selected. For electrical measurement applications, the sensor's isolation and safety specifications should also be checked against the requirements of the test environment and the equipment to which the sensor will be connected.
Current Overview
