Low cost DC current transducers - where from? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2018, 09:48:37 am
content: I'm looking for a source of DC current transducers - the sort that clip over a wire and have a flying lead back to the measuring circuitry.Rough specs:+/-10 DC Amps max (5A might do the job) with an accuracy of 1% or 2%.Preferably something that only needs a single rail supply (5V or 12V?) rather than dual +/- railsSplit core type to clip over the wire.Low cost.Quantity - a few initially, maybe 50 or more down the track.Edit: Preferably a main stream supplier or company for continuity of supply etc.Something like the one in the picture attached below.I can only seem to find ones costing well over Au$100.Do less expensive units exist? Any pointers?Thanks!

author: t1d
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2018, 10:03:24 am
content: https://www.google.com/search?q=diy+dc+current+sensor+circuit&client=firefox-b-1&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiEsOWLwb_eAhVFyYMKHddzDjwQsAR6BAgAEAE&biw=1280&bih=667https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1311.R6.TR11.TRC1.A0.H1.Xdc+current+.TRS0&_nkw=dc+current+sensor&_sacat=0

author: BrianHG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2018, 10:07:19 am
content: https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?spm=2114.search0104.8.4.4af33b3buGpXz3&initiative_id=QRW_20181106020524&SearchText=hall+transformer&productId=2029088141Careful with some of the above EBAY devices, some only sense AC, not DC.

author: BrianHG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2018, 10:21:12 am
content: Here is one source:https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/split-open-loop-hall-current-transducer_60797005311.htmlNote, to drive the DC sensing electronics, these guys require a +/-15v DC supply.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2018, 10:58:23 am
content: The single supply for bipolar current sensing is quite likely the show stopper. Although it's possible, it's certainly not something which is normally implemented.

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2018, 12:16:58 pm
content: Thanks guys there's a few possible options among those suggestions.We'd prefer to buy through one of the regular supply places or a company directly - I'm a bit worried about continuity of supply and quality of Alibaba/ebay/Aliexpress suppliers. I should have stated that originally but over looked it, sorry....Re the power supply:LEM make some inexpensive (~$10) PCB mounting units with an integrated primary coil & galvanic separation that run from a single 5V supply. I hoped they would make a spit core cable mountable sensor but it appears they don't.

author: LukeW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2018, 08:21:07 am
content: Maybe HO 50-S (398-1167-ND) or CSLH3A9 (480-6176-ND).There are a number of interesting Honeywell hall effect ones. They're not super cheap but they're not $100.

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2018, 02:38:17 am
content: Quote from: LukeW on November 08, 2018, 08:21:07 amThanks Luke - they look like good contenders!cheers.