Current Sensors are devices designed to detect electrical current in a circuit and to generate a signal that is proportional to that current. The signal can be measured and displayed or stored for further analysis. RS offers a variety of high-quality sensing equipment, feel free to browse our range of sensors and sensor integrated circuits to ensure you manage to get the accuracy you want for your needs.
Current sensors can measure both AC voltage and DC voltage and can be divided into two categories:
- In-line sensors – mounted as an integral part of the circuit.
- Clamp type sensors – they can be clamped around the wire to be measured.
Current Sensors Technologies
Hall Effect
Hall Effect sensors consist of a core, Hall Effect device and signal conditioning circuitry. Sensors work when current conductor passes through a magnetically permeable core that concentrates the conductor’s magnetic field. The energised Hall device is then exposed to a magnetic field from the core and it produces a potential difference that can be measured and amplified.
Inductive
Inductive sensors use a coil through which a current-carrying wire passes. This causes power to flow in the coil that is proportional to the current. The current flow then can be measured or transformed.
Magnetoresistive
a current flows through the plate and the effect is the property of certain materials to change the value of its resistance. When the current flows for a longer distance, resistance is increased and decreased at a shorter distance.
