Thread: Current Sensor
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Unread 09-02-2004, 11:33
Biff Biff is offline
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Re: Current Sensor

Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz
Biff,
Op amps are pretty "vanilla" in that you can drop almost any device in place for a given circuit and it will work. In this application you do need a low input offset voltage specification. I remember at the time that a lot of discussion occured over different methods of measuring current. While the breakers do exhibit some resistance, this a variable especially if the breakers have ever tripped. We used the resistance across a 1 foot long #10 guage wire as it is close to .001 ohms/ ft. Remember to measure the current on the supply side of the speed controller as this doesn't change polarity.
Thanks for the heads up about resistance variablity after tripping. The white paper I quoted was using "rail to rail" input op amps. These are findable but mostly in surface mount. If I get time I may take a run at it and go with a gain factor, for a given wire length. I am planning at this point to go with #6 right to the supply side of the Maxi 40 amps and drop to #10 or #8 to the Victors. If we can keep the wires from the Maxi's to the Motor victors the same length that would be the ideal sense point. Thanks Again.