Current Sensors

A current sensor is a device that detects and measures the electric current flowing through a conductor. It converts this current into a measurable output—typically a voltage, current, or digital signal—that can be used for monitoring, control, or protection in various systems.

As the name implies, a current sensor specifically measures the flow of electric current and plays a crucial role in many applications, such as managing the electrical parameters of a locomotive engine or monitoring the state of charge in an electric vehicle battery.

Current sensors are designed to respond to changes in electrical flow within a circuit or wire. They come in several types, including current switches, flux gate sensors, Hall effect sensors, current indicators, magnetic modulators, magnetoresistive sensors, and transformer-based sensors with signal conditioning. These sensors can measure both AC and DC currents, with ranges from as low as 5 mA to over 2500 A, and may include programmable features for added flexibility.