
As the electrification of transportation, industry and buildings continues, current measurement is essential to the decarbonization of systems, and it is playing a vital role in building a more sustainable future. One company active in developing new magnetic-based systems for the growing market is Piher Sensing Systems in Spain. (Looking for handy magnetic field calculators? The company has a handy set of them available online for free. See below.)
New current sensors and transducers have been added recently by the company. Based on Hall effect and tunnel magnetoresistance technologies they provide new options for design engineers working in batteries and charging, motor controls, EV performance and industrial products.
The HCSP-1BS sensor precisely measures AC and DC currents in battery management systems, car batteries and motor controls. It uses the Hall effect and, as an open loop system, avoids interrupting the current flow. Available in single or dual output versions, the sensor generates a voltage signal relative to the current it detects (ratiometric). Made with fire-resistant plastic, it easily mounts to busbars and offers a wide measurement range from 200 to 1500 amps.

In open loop systems the battery management system does not share information with the inverter-charger during the charging process, instead applying a pre-set voltage and current to the battery without receiving real-time feedback on the battery’s actual state of charge or other conditions.

Another new product from Piher are its non-intrusive TMR current transducers which respond to growing design requirements in the transportation sector where electrification is driving the adoption of EV charging infrastructure. The high magnetic sensitivity and robustness of TMR sensor elements have made it possible to manufacture magnetic sensors with low power consumption and high accuracy. Galvanic isolation and immunity to common mode fields, make them well suited for use in harsh automotive and industrial environments.
With operating temperature of -40C to 125ºC and 1Mhz bandwidth Piher current sensors offer high current measurement (+/- 4,000 A peak current), high accuracy (±1% max), high linearity (±1% max), and quick response time (3 us). Number of phases, connector and packaging types can be selected in a variety of form factors, including PCB mount and busbar mount for easy plug-and-play integration into EV system designs.
An Amphenol company based in Tudela, Spain northwest of Zaragoza, Piher develops both contactless and contacting sensor technologies for position, tilt, speed and current measurement. Leveraging over 70 years of experience, it can move seamlessly from prototyping to high-volume production, serving customers in automotive, transportation, off-road, industrial, appliance, medical and marine markets worldwide.
We like their online Free Calculators for Magnetic Field, Ohm’s Law, Power Dissipation and Inductance Sensors and more. See www.piher.net.