Patent Description:
Measurement instruments, such as multimeters, are configured to measure more than one electrical parameters, such as voltage and current. These measurement instruments are often used for troubleshooting, service, and maintenance applications, often requiring many measurements over a period of time. To obtain measurements, sensor probes may be arranged relative to a conductor under test.

Typically, measurement instruments use various sensor probes to measure the various electrical parameters of a conductor. For instance, to measure a conductor's current and voltage typically two different sensor probes are held relative to the conductor under test. Accordingly, the user may have to couple and decouple the two different sensor probes from the measurement device and hold the various sensor probe in place during testing.

In many situations, such as in tight spaces, holding the sensor probes about a conductor to be tested can be awkward and cumbersome, and in some cases dangerous. Accordingly, improved electrical parameter measurement devices are desired.

<CIT> discloses systems and methods for measuring electrical parameters (e.g., voltage, current, power) in an insulated or blank uninsulated conductor (e.g., insulated wire) without requiring a galvanic connection between the conductor and a clamp probe.

<CIT> discloses systems and methods for measuring electrical parameters in an insulated conductor without requiring a galvanic connection.

<CIT> discloses a system including a testing device, a current clamp, and circuitry for converting an electrical current.

<CIT> discloses a simultaneous current and voltage measurement device.

<CIT> discloses a holding device includes a Rogowski coil, where the Rogowski coil includes a line portion wound into a coil.

According to various aspects of the invention, a sensor, a measurement system and a method are defined in claims <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. Embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

One or more implementations of the present disclosure are directed to sensor probes of measurement systems for measuring a plurality of electrical parameters, (e.g., voltage, current) of a conductor and methods for measuring same. In at least one implementation, the sensor probe integrates a Rogowski coil and a non-contact voltage sensor that are arranged relative to each other such that when positioned to measure a conductor, such as a wire, the Rogowski coil and the non-contact voltage sensor are held in proper position for measurement. Accordingly, a user may be able to be separated from the sensor probe while the sensor probe is making measurements.

In at least one implementation, the sensor probe includes a Rogowski coil that forms a loop and the non-contact sensor comprises a sensor element located on an inner surface of a pair of jaws of a spring loaded clamp. The pair of jaws of the clamp is arranged to hold the conductor under test at a central region of the loop formed by the Rogowski coil so that the conductor is in proper position for testing. More particularly, the pair of jaws of the clamp are arranged relative to the Rogowski coil such that the conductor under test extends perpendicular through a central region of the plane of the loop formed by the Rogowski coil.

In general, it is desirable to have the conductor under test in a center region of the Rogowski coil. That is, locating a conductor to be tested in a center region of the Rogowski coil is an optimum location for accurate current readings. The arrangement of the non-contact sensor and the Rogowski coil optimizes the location of the conductor under test such that the non-contact sensor and the Rogowski coil can continuously take measurements of the conductor under test without continuous user manipulation or intervention.

The jaws of the clamp are configured to hold the conductor under test so that a surface of an insulative material around the conductor under test aligns with and abuts a non-contact sensor element. In some implementations, the inner surfaces of the jaws are concave shaped in order to accommodate the conductors and to aid in aligning the conductor relative to the non-contact sensing element. The concave of a first jaw may overlap an end of the second jaw, thereby further aiding in the alignment of the conductor relative to the non-contact sensing element.

In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles and spaces between elements are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some of these elements may be arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn are not necessarily intended to convey information regarding any required shape of the elements, and may have been selected solely for ease of recognition in the drawings.

As used herein, a "non-contact" device or sensor is operative to detect an electrical parameter in an insulated conductor without requiring galvanic contact with the conductor. The conductor may be an energized insulated conductor, such as a wire.

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed implementations. However, a person skilled in the art will recognize that additional implementations may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc..

Additionally, reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Furthermore, appearance of the phrase "in at least one embodiment" in this specification does not necessarily refer to only one embodiment. The particular features, structures, or characteristics of the various embodiments described herein may be combined in any suitable manner in yet additional embodiments.

<FIG> shows an isometric view of at least one non-limiting embodiment of a sensor probe <NUM> in a closed position. The sensor probe <NUM> includes non-contact sensor <NUM> and a Rogowski coil <NUM>. The Rogowski coil <NUM> includes a conductive loop <NUM> configured to be placed around a conductor to be tested and to sense an electric field of the conductor while the conductor is energized. The electric field sensed in the conductor is indicative of current flowing through the conductor.

The non-contact sensor <NUM> includes a spring loaded clamp <NUM> having a handle portion <NUM> and a jaw portion <NUM>. The handle portion <NUM> and the jaw portion <NUM> are configured to move relative to each other about a pivot point <NUM>. The jaw portion <NUM> includes a pair of jaws arranged in a central region of the Rogowski coil <NUM>. A surface of one jaw of the pair of jaws includes a non-contact sensing element <NUM> (<FIG>). The non-contact sensing element <NUM> does not require a galvanic connection with the conductor to measure the electrical parameter. The non-contact sensing element <NUM> is configured to sense a voltage of the conductor.

The handle portion <NUM> of the spring loaded clamp <NUM> is coupled to the Rogowski coil <NUM>. More particularly, the handle portion <NUM> of the spring loaded clamp <NUM> forms a portion of the Rogowski coil <NUM>, such as sockets for receiving leads of the Rogowski coil <NUM>.

As best shown in <FIG>, in a resting position, the pair of jaws of jaw portion <NUM> are held in a closed position by a spring (not shown). To place the pair of jaws in an open position as best shown in <FIG>, a user presses handles of the handle portion <NUM> together, thereby counteracting the spring that holds the pair of jaws closed. The pair of jaws of jaw portion <NUM> move in a plane of the Rogowski coil. The pair of jaws of jaw portion <NUM> move in opposing directions from each other and are displaced by a same amount. The location of the pair of jaws aid in placing the conductor to be test in a central area of the loop of the Rogowski coil.

While the pair of jaws are in the open position, a conductor <NUM>, such as a wire, may be placed therebetween. In response to releasing the handle portion <NUM>, the spring of the spring loaded clamp <NUM> causes the pair of jaws of the jaw portion <NUM> to close, and thereby secure or clamp to the conductor <NUM>. <FIG> shows jaw portion <NUM> of the sensor probe <NUM> of <FIG> holding a wire. As shown in <FIG>, the jaw portion <NUM> of the spring loaded clamp <NUM> is arranged such that the conductor under test extends perpendicularly through a central region of the loop of the Rogowski coil. The central region includes more than a central point of the loop. In fact, the jaw portion <NUM> may be in the central region while also being offset from the central point of the loop. Generally described, the central region includes approximately <NUM>% of area inside of the loop about the center point thereof. The spring loaded clamp <NUM> aids in placing the conductor under test in a proper position relative to the Rogowski coil <NUM>.

As best shown in <FIG>, an inner surface of one jaw of the pair of jaws includes the non-contact sensing element <NUM>. The non-contact sensing element <NUM> abuts the insulated portion of the conductor <NUM> and senses an electrical parameter, such as voltage, of the conductor <NUM>. That is, the clamp holds the conductor <NUM> such that a non-contact sensor of the sensing probe is placed within a threshold distance to the wire. The threshold distance is any distance that allows the non-contact sensor element to measure an electrical parameter, such as voltage, of the conductor. In some embodiments, the threshold distance may be a distance that causes the insulative material of the conductor to abut the non-contact sensor element of the non-contact sensor.

In some embodiments, the position of the pivot point <NUM> of the spring loaded clamp <NUM> may be tangential to the loop <NUM> formed by the Rogowski coil <NUM>, thereby positioning the jaws in a central area of the loop of the Rogowski coil <NUM>, as well as positioning the jaws so that the inner surface of the jaws, such that the non-contact voltage sensor element <NUM>, is aligned with the conductor.

In various embodiments, the non-contact sensing element <NUM> on an inner surface of one of the jaws of the jaw portion <NUM> is a non-contact voltage sensor, a non-contact current sensor, a Hall Effect element, a current transformer, a fluxgate sensor, an anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) sensor, a giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor, or other types of sensors operative to sense an electrical parameter of the insulated conductor without requiring galvanic contact.

Inner surfaces of the jaws are concave shaped in order to accommodate the conductors and to aid in aligning the conductor relative to the non-contact sensing element <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment as best shown in <FIG>, the concave of a first jaw overlaps an end of the second jaw, thereby further aiding in the alignment of the conductor relative to the non-contact sensing element <NUM> as best shown in <FIG>. That is, the first jaw is longer than the second jaw and curls toward the second jaw. The overlap of the first jaw may prevent the conductor from slipping away during clamping. Further, the opening formed by the curvature of the concave of the first and second jaws, along with the spring of the spring loaded clamp, pushes the conductor held therein against non-contact sensing element <NUM>.

The jaws of the non-contact sensor <NUM> are configured to accommodate various sized conductors. In one embodiment, the jaws are configured to accommodate diameters from about <NUM> millimeters (mm) to about <NUM>. Accordingly, the jaws are configured to open wider than <NUM> in order to receive and hold a conductor of <NUM>.

The Rogowski coil <NUM> includes a conductive material having first and second ends that form first and second leads <NUM>, <NUM>. Although not shown, an insulative material may surround the exposed portion of the conductive material of the Rogowski coil <NUM>. The first and second leads <NUM>, <NUM> are received into sockets that are operatively coupled to the sensing head <NUM>. In one embodiment, the first lead <NUM> is permanently fixed to the socket, and the second lead <NUM> is removable from the respective socket. That is, the first lead <NUM> is not removable from the socket in order to position the Rogowski coil <NUM> in position during use, while the second lead <NUM> is removable from the respective socket so that the Rogowski coil <NUM> can be placed in position during use.

In another embodiment, both the first and second leads <NUM>, <NUM> are removable from the sockets. Accordingly, the Rogowski coil <NUM> may be completely separated from the rest of the sensor probe <NUM> and placed around a conductor to be tested that is under tight space constraints and then secured again into the sockets of the sensor probe <NUM>.

To place the Rogowski coil <NUM> around a conductor <NUM> to be tested, the second lead <NUM> may be removed from the socket and the conductor <NUM> is slide between the opening formed by the first lead <NUM> and the socket. The jaws of the non-contact sensor <NUM> are clamped to the conductor <NUM>. The second lead <NUM> may be placed by into the socket.

The location of the conductor under test relative to the Rogowski coil <NUM> is important for obtaining accurate measurements. The Rogowski coil <NUM> may be made of a material that is sufficiently rigid such that it is to be held in position around the conductor <NUM>. That is, while the jaws of the spring loaded clamp <NUM> hold the conductor <NUM> under test, the Rogowski coil <NUM> surrounds the conductor <NUM>. The relative position of the Rogowski coil <NUM> to the non-contact sensor <NUM> optimizes the placement of the conductor <NUM> while the conductor is being held by the jaws of the non-contact sensor <NUM>.

The non-contact sensing element <NUM> of the non-contact sensor is configured to measure an electrical parameter, such as voltage, of the energized conductor under test, while at the same time the Rogowski coil <NUM> is configured to measure another electrical parameter, such as current, of the energized conductor under test. Accordingly, the sensor probe <NUM> is configured to make continuous measurements using both the non-contact sensor <NUM> and the Rogowski coil <NUM> without intervention or manipulation by the user.

<FIG> shows a measurement system <NUM> comprising the sensor probe <NUM> of <FIG> coupled to a measurement instrument <NUM> by a wire <NUM> as shown, or alternatively by a wireless connection. The measurement instrument <NUM> may be any suitable measurement instrument configured to communicate with the sensor probe <NUM>. Accordingly, the non-contact sensor <NUM> and Rogowski coil <NUM> of the sensor probe <NUM> are operatively coupled to the measurement instrument <NUM>. For instance, the sensor probe <NUM> and the measurement instrument <NUM> may be configured to send and receive signals therebetween. The measurement instrument <NUM> includes a housing, a user interface including a display <NUM>, and at least one interface connector <NUM> for coupling with the wire <NUM> of the sensor probe. The sensing head <NUM> of the sensor probe <NUM> is operatively coupled to the measurement instrument <NUM> to provide and receive one or more signals therebetween. The sensing head <NUM> of the sensor probe may further include circuitry, such as amplify, process, or control.

<FIG> shows a block diagram of the electrical components of a measurement system <NUM>, which includes the measurement system <NUM> of <FIG> and the sensor probe <NUM>. As discussed above, the sensor probe <NUM> includes the non-contact sensor <NUM> and the Rogowski coil <NUM> operatively coupled to the sensor head <NUM>, which is operatively coupled to the measurement instrument <NUM>.

The sensor probe <NUM> includes one or more sensor heads <NUM> operatively coupled to the non-contact sensor <NUM> and Rogowski coil <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, there is one sensor heads <NUM>. The sensor head may be located in the handle member <NUM> of the non-contact sensor <NUM>. The one or more sensor heads <NUM> may include circuitry process, such as amplify, control, etc., and for sending signals between the non-contact sensor <NUM> and Rogowski coil <NUM> and a measurement instrument <NUM>. In some implementations, the sensor head <NUM> does not include further circuitry and operatively couples the non-contact sensor <NUM> and Rogowski coil <NUM> of the sensor probe to the wire <NUM> and the measurement instrument <NUM>.

The measurement instrument <NUM> includes processing and/or control circuitry <NUM>, a user interface <NUM>, which includes the display <NUM>, and memory <NUM>. The user interface <NUM>, including the display <NUM>, provides measurement results and other information to the user. The user interface <NUM> is further configured to receive user input information such as measurement instructions or other information. The display <NUM> may provide readouts and waveforms indicative of the measurements received from the sensor probe <NUM> for communicating to the user. The display <NUM> may be a display of any suitable type, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED display, a plasma display, or an e-ink display. The user interface <NUM> may include various inputs and outputs, include audio, visual, touch screen, buttons, knobs, wheels, etc..

The processing and/or control circuitry <NUM> of the measurement instrument <NUM> includes circuitry for sending, receiving, and processing signals to and from the sensing head <NUM> of the sensor probe <NUM>. The processing and/or control circuitry <NUM> of the measuring instrument <NUM> is operative to send control signals to, as well as receive and process measurement signals received from, the sensing head <NUM> and/or directly from the non-contact sensor <NUM> and/or the Rogowski coil <NUM>. The processor and/or control circuitry <NUM> may process the received signals and outputting signals to the user interface <NUM>. The receive signals may include signals indicative of electrical parameters, such voltage and current. The processor and/or control circuitry <NUM> may be configured to determine one or more electrical parameters, such as power or phase angle. The processing and/or control circuitry <NUM> may additionally or alternatively include conditioning or conversion circuitry that is operative to condition or convert the signals into a form receivable by another measuring instrument, such as an analog form (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM> V) or a digital form (e.g., <NUM> bits, <NUM> bits, <NUM> bits). The control circuitry may include one or more processors (e.g., microcontroller, DSP, ASIC, FPGA), one or more types of memory (e.g., ROM, RAM, flash memory, other nontransitory storage media), and/or one or more other types of processing or control related components.

In some implementations, the measurement instrument <NUM> is configured for wireless communication to another instrument. The wireless communication may include a wireless communications subsystem such as a Bluetooth® module, a Wi-Fi® module, a ZIGBEE® module, a near field communication (NFC) module, etc. The measuring instrument may be operative to communicate wirelessly via the wireless communications subsystem with an external system, such as a computer, smart phone, tablet, personal digital assistant, etc., so as to transmit measurement results to the external system or to receive instruction signals or input information from the external system. The measuring instrument may additionally or alternatively include a wired communications subsystem, such as a USB interface, etc..

Although not shown, the measurement instrument <NUM> includes a power supply, such as a battery or battery pack, for supplying power to the various electrical components of the measurement instrument <NUM> and the sensor probe <NUM>, or includes an output for coupling to an external power supply.

In use, the jaws of the spring loaded clamp <NUM> of the sensor probe <NUM> hold the conductor <NUM> under test, while the Rogowski coil <NUM> surrounds the conductor <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The Rogowski coil <NUM> is placed around the conductor <NUM> under test by removing one of the first and second leads <NUM>, <NUM>, such as the second lead <NUM>, from the socket so that the conductor <NUM> can slide between the second lead <NUM> and the socket. The Rogowski coil is configured to sense the magnetic field generated by the energized conductor for measuring the current in the conductor. The location of the conductor under test relative to the Rogowski coil <NUM> is important for obtaining accurate measurements. The electrical parameters, such as current and voltage, measured by the sensor probe <NUM> are provided to the measurement instrument <NUM>. In at least one implementation, the Rogowski coil <NUM> measures current of a conductor under test, and the non-contact sensor measures voltage of the conductor under test.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a sensor probe 100a in accordance with another embodiment. The sensor probe 100a includes a Rogowski coil 104a and a non-contact sensor 102a. The Rogowski coil 104a is substantially the same as Rogowski coil <NUM> of the sensor probe <NUM> of <FIG>, except that the Rogowski coil 104a includes a handle member <NUM> that is distinct from the non-contact sensor 102a. Furthermore, the Rogowski coil 104a of the sensor probe 100a is configured to be separated from the non-contact sensor 102a. The non-contact sensor 102a is substantially similar to the non-contact sensor <NUM> of <FIG>. Only the differences between the sensor probe 100a and the sensor probe <NUM> will be discussed in the interest of brevity.

The sensor probe 100a is configured so that the Rogowski coil 104a can be separated from the non-contact sensor 102a. Accordingly, both the Rogowski coil 104a and the non-contact sensor 102a are individually coupled to the measurement instrument <NUM> by separate wires <NUM>.

The handle member <NUM> of the Rogowski coil 104a includes respective sockets for receiving the first and second leads <NUM>, <NUM>. The shape of the handle member <NUM> comprising the sockets for receiving the first and second leads <NUM>, <NUM> corresponds to the shape of the conductive loop <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle member <NUM> has a first portion that is bent relative to a second portion. In another implementation, the handle member <NUM> may have a curved shaped that substantially corresponds to the curvature of the Rogowski coil 104a.

The first lead <NUM> may be fixed to the socket of the handle member <NUM>, while the second lead <NUM> may be removably fixed to the socket of the handle member <NUM>. <FIG> shows the second <NUM> lead removed from the socket of the handle member <NUM>. In another embodiment, the second lead <NUM> may be fixed to the socket of the handle member <NUM>, while the first lead <NUM> may be removably fixed to the socket of the handle member <NUM>, or both leads may be removably fixed.

The spring loaded clamp 108a, although not identical in structure, is substantially the same as the spring loaded clamp <NUM> of <FIG>. The handle portion <NUM> of the non-contact sensor 102a is removably coupled to the handle member <NUM> of the Rogowski coil 104a. With reference to <FIG>, the handle portion 110a of the non-contact sensor includes through openings <NUM> that fit through the handle member <NUM> of the Rogowski coil 104a and secure the non-contact sensor 102a to the Rogowski coil 104a.

<FIG> shows a measurement system 300a that includes the sensor probe 100a coupled to a measurement instrument 200a by respective wires <NUM> and shows the non-contact sensor 102a to the Rogowski coil 104a of the sensor probe 100a coupled together in a coupled state. <FIG> shows the measurement system 300a with the non-contact sensor 102a and the Rogowski coil 104a of the sensor probe 100a decoupled from each other in a decoupled state. The sensor probe 100a of the measurement system 300a is able to make measurements with the non-contact sensor 102a and the Rogowski coil 104a in the combined state as shown in <FIG>, as well in the decoupled state as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a block diagram of the electrical components of a measurement system 300a, which includes the measurement system <NUM> and the sensor probe 100a. The block diagram of the electrical components of a measurement system 300a of <FIG> has the same components configured to perform the same function as the block of the electrical components of a measurement system <NUM> of <FIG> discussed above, except that the non-contact sensor 102a and the Rogowski coil 104a are coupled to respective sensing heads <NUM>. That is, the non-contact sensor 102a is coupled to a sensing head <NUM> in the handle portion 110a of the non-contact sensor 102a, and the Rogowski coil 104a is coupled to a sensing head <NUM> in the handle member <NUM> of the Rogowski coil 104a. Thereby, the sensing head <NUM> of the non-contact sensor 102a has a first communication line to the measurement instrument <NUM>, and the sensing head <NUM> of the Rogowski coil 104a has a second communication line to the measurement instrument <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a sensor probe 100b in accordance with yet another embodiment. The sensor probe 100b is substantially similar in structure and function as the sensor probe 100a of <FIG>, except for the non-contact sensor 102b. Only the differences between the non-contact sensor 102b and the non-contact sensor 102a or non-contact sensor <NUM> will be discussed in the interest of brevity.

The jaw portion <NUM> of the non-contact sensor 102b are the same in structure and function as the jaw portion <NUM> of the sensor probe 100a. The handle portion 110b, however, is different from the handle portions <NUM> of <FIG> and 100a of <FIG>. The handle portion 100b engages the jaw portion <NUM> by moving a first handle member <NUM> relative to a second handle member <NUM>. That is, when the first handle member <NUM> is moved toward the second handle member <NUM> in the direction indicated by the arrow, the jaws separate from each other. Upon release of the first handle member <NUM>, the spring of the non-contact sensor 102b causes the jaws to move toward each other. If a conductor to be tested is placed between the jaws prior to releasing the first handle member <NUM>, the jaws clamp onto the conductor to be tested. In this implementation, the pivot point <NUM> between the jaws and the handle portion 100b is arranged substantially tangential to the loop of the Rogowski coil 104a.

In general, the Rogowski coil 104a is the same as the Rogowski coil 104a, however, the handle member <NUM> of the Rogowski coil 104a is operatively coupled to the non-contact sensor 102b so that signals from the non-contact sensor 102b are communicated to the sensing head <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a measurement system 300b that includes the sensor probe 100b coupled to the measurement instrument <NUM> by a wire <NUM> at the interface connector <NUM>. Although the sensor probe 100b includes a single wire <NUM> for coupling to a measurement instrument <NUM>, in other implementations the sensor probe 100b may be coupled to the measurement instrument <NUM> by two wires such that the non-contact sensor <NUM> is directly coupled to the measurement instrument <NUM> and the Rogowski coil 104a is directly and separately coupled to the measurement instrument <NUM> such as is shown in the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a method <NUM> of using the measurement systems <NUM>, 300a, and 300b in accordance with at least one embodiment. The method <NUM> includes holding a wire with a clamp of a sensing probe such that a non-contact sensor of the sensing probe is placed within a threshold distance to the wire, and the wire is placed in a central region of a Rogowski coil of the sensor probe as shown by block <NUM>, and while the non-contact sensor of a sensing probe remains in the first position and while the loop of a Rogowski coil of the sensor probe remains in the second position, sensing at least one electrical parameter of the wire using sensor probe as shown by block <NUM>.

In view of the foregoing disclosure, various examples of a sensor probe or a measurement system may include any one or combination of the following features: a Rogowski coil that forms a loop having first and second leads at opposing ends of the loop, the loop having a central region configured to receive a conductor to be tested.

A non-contact sensor coupled to the Rogowski coil, the non-contact sensor including a non-contact sensor element and a clamp having a pair of clamping jaws, the pair of clamping jaws being configured to hold a conductor, wherein the non-contact sensor element is configured to press against the conductor to sense an electrical characteristic of the conductor.

The sensor probe or the measurement system may include another feature, such as the clamp of the non-contact sensor is permanently coupled to the Rogowski coil.

The sensor probe or the measurement system may include another feature, such as the clamp being configured to hold the conductor in the central region of the loop formed by the Rogowski coil. The central region of the loop is approximately <NUM>% of an area inside of the loop, and may be centered about a center point of the area inside of the loop.

The sensor probe or the measurement system may include another feature, such as further comprising one or more sensing heads configured to receive signals from the Rogowski coil and the non-contact sensor.

The sensor probe or the measurement system may include another feature, such as the pair of jaws are concave shaped, wherein a first jaw is longer than the second jaw.

The sensor probe or the measurement system may include another feature, such as the pair clamping jaws being arranged to be displaced by a same amount when moved between the closed position, the open position, and the holding position. The sensor probe or the measurement system may include another feature, such as the one or more sensing heads comprising first and second sensing heads. The first sensing head being operatively coupled to the Rogowski coil, and the second sensing head being operatively coupled to the non-contact sensor. More sensing heads may provide improved performance by achieving less conductive travel distance between the sensor and the sensing head. Accordingly, fewer external influence factors, such as wires close by, capacitive stray fields, etc., can influence the measurement signal and higher magnitudes of measurement signal may be realized, thereby resulting in better accuracy.

The sensor probe or the measurement system may include another feature, such as the non-contact sensor being configured to be separated from the Rogowski coil in a separated state, wherein the non-contact sensor and the Rogowski coil are operable in the separated state.

The sensor probe or the measurement system may include another feature, such as the non-contact sensor being configured to be separated from the Rogowski coil.

The sensor probe or the measurement system may include another feature, such as the first lead being permanently fixed to a first socket, and the second lead being configured to be removably fixed to the second leads.

In view of the foregoing disclosure, various examples of a sensor probe or measurement system may include any one or combination of the following features: a sensor probe or a measurement system, comprising a sensor probe configured to sense an electrical parameter in a conductor. The sensor probe includes a Rogowski coil having first and second leads at opposing ends, the Rogowski coil having a central region configured to receive a conductor to be tested. The sensor probe further includes a non-contact sensor coupled to the Rogowski coil. The non-contact sensor includes a non-contact sensor element and a clamp having a pair of clamping jaws. The pair of clamping jaws are configured to hold the conductor, and the non-contact sensor element is configured to press against the conductor to sense an electrical characteristic of the conductor.

The clamp may be a spring loaded clamp having a pair of clamping jaws in the central region of the Rogowski coil. The pair of clamping jaws are configured to hold the conductor to be tested in the central region of the Rogowski coil, wherein a non-contact sensor element is located on an inner surface of one of the pair of clamping jaws. The measurement system further includes a measurement instrument operatively coupled to the sensor probe, the measurement instrument including control circuitry configured to send signals to and receive signals from the sensor probe.

The sensor probe or the measurement system may include another feature, such as the non-contact sensor is removably coupled to the Rogowski coil. The non-contact sensor and the Rogowski coil are configured to operate while decoupled.

The sensor probe or the measurement system may include another feature, such as the first and second leads of the Rogowski coil are received in sockets of a handle member of the Rogowski coil. The spring loaded clamp includes through openings, the handle member of the Rogowski coil located in the through openings of the spring loaded clamp.

The sensor probe or the measurement system may include another feature, such as the sensor probe includes a first wire coupling the Rogowski coil to the measurement instrument and a second wire coupling the non-contact sensor to the measurement instrument.

The sensor probe or the measurement system may include another feature, such as the non-contact sensor being permanently fixed to the Rogowski coil.

In view of the foregoing disclosure, various examples of a method of operation may include any one or combination of the following features: removing the non-contact sensor from the first position and removing the Rogowski coil from the second position, and separating the non-contact sensor from the Rogowski coil. The method may further include moving handles of the clamp towards each other to cause the pair of jaws to move away from each or moving a first handle of the clamp towards a second handle to cause the pair of jaws to move away from each. The method may further include placing the pair of jaws around the insulated wire, and releasing the handles to allow the pair of jaws to hold the insulated wire.

A method may include holding a wire with a clamp of a sensing probe such that a non-contact sensor of the sensing probe is placed within a threshold distance to the wire, and the wire is placed in a central region of a Rogowski coil of the sensor probe. While the non-contact sensor of a sensing probe remains in the first position and while the Rogowski coil of the sensor probe remains in the second position, sensing at least one electrical parameter of the wire using the sensor probe.

The methods may include another feature, such as removing the non-contact sensor from the first position and removing the Rogowski coil from the second position, and separating the non-contact sensor from the Rogowski coil.

The methods may include another feature, separating the non-contact sensor from the Rogowski coil, using the non-contact sensor to sense a first electrical parameter of the wire, and the Rogowski coil to sense a second electrical parameter of the wire.

The methods may include another feature comprising sending a first signal indicative of the first electrical parameter to a measurement instrument, and sending a second signal indicative of the second electrical parameter to the measurement instrument. The first signal and the second signal may be sent to the measurement instrument over first and second wires, respectively. Alternatively, the first and second signals may be sent to the measurement instrument over the same wire.

The method may include another feature, such as moving handles of the clamp towards each other to cause the pair of jaws to move away from each, placing the pair of jaws around the insulated wire, and releasing the handles to allow the pair of jaws to hold the insulated wire.

The method may include another feature, such as moving a first handle of the clamp towards a second handle to cause the pair of jaws to move away from each other, placing the pair of jaws around the insulated wire, and releasing the first handles to allow the pair of jaws to hold the insulated wire.

The method may include another feature, such as sensing a current using the Rogowski coil and sensing a voltage using the non-contact sensor.

The method may include another feature, such as the pair of jaws holding an insulated wire extend perpendicularly through the central region of the Rogowski coil.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.

Claim 1:
A sensor probe (<NUM>), comprising:
a Rogowski coil (<NUM>) forming a loop having first and second leads at opposing ends of the loop, the loop having a central region configured to receive a conductor (<NUM>); and
a non-contact sensor (<NUM>) coupled to the Rogowski coil (<NUM>), the non-contact sensor (<NUM>) including a non-contact sensor element (<NUM>) and a clamp (<NUM>) having a pair of clamping jaws, the pair of clamping jaws being configured to hold the conductor in the central region of the loop formed by the Rogowski coil, wherein the non-contact sensor element (<NUM>) is configured to press against the conductor to sense an electrical characteristic of the conductor (<NUM>);
wherein the sensor probe (<NUM>) is characterised in that the non-contact sensor is configured to be separated from the Rogowski coil in a separated state, wherein the non-contact sensor and the Rogowski coil are operable in the separated state.