LEM has introduced the GHS series of miniature, integrated circuit transducers for ac and dc isolated current measurement up to 100 KHz. These new components offer full isolation despite their small size, integrating the primary conductor for nominal current measurements of 10A, 12A, 16A or 20A with a measurement span of 2.5 times the nominal current, they are also able to support high overload currents up to 200A peak for 1ms.
The transducers are mounted directly onto a printed circuit board as an SO8 surface-mount device reducing manufacturing costs and providing appreciable space saving for space-constrained applications. GHS models are simple to use as integrate low resistance primary conductors (minimizing power losses) within an ASIC to allow direct current measurement and consistent insulation performance, while still providing high creepage and clearance distances.
All the models provide a ratiometric analogue voltage output with different sensitivity levels from 40- to 80-mV/A depending on the model, with a typical response time of 5µs. GHS transducers are not simple open-loop Hall effect ASIC-based transducers, the series has been designed with unique primary integrated conductors for gradient measurement to provide an excellent immunity against the external fields found in power electronic applications.
These dedicated designs are combining field proven techniques as spinning, programmable internal temperature compensation (EEPROM) ensuring the high performance accuracy over the full range of temperature with a maximum 1.3% offset drift and 1.5% gain drift. The GHS series operates from a single 5-V supply and over a wide operating temperature range from -40 to +125 degrees C making it suitablefor use in any harsh industrial applications.
The unique package and performance of the GHS series makes it ideal for applications such as white goods or air conditioning, which benefit from isolated current measurement, high performance and a cost-effective solution. GHS also enables enhanced motor control, reducing energy consumption where other methods, such as a shunt, have traditionally been used.
LEM’s GHS models are designed for use in a wide range of other applications including uninterruptible and switch-mode power supplies, home appliances, static converters for DC motor drives and robotics.
