News and New Products

Simple transformer monitors ac currents

By Bill Schweber -- EDN, 6/22/2005

Is there an electrical component as versatile as the venerable transformer in its various manifestations? For measuring ac current, the 5600 series from C&D Technologies combines isolation to 500V with primary current rating to 10A (Picture). The device finds use in switched-mode power-supply feedback loops, motor-current monitoring, and other sensing applications. Bandwidth is 20 to 200 kHz, and these transformers are available in 50-, 100-, 200-, or 300-turn versions, for different sensitivity factors. Internal inductance is 5 to 335 mH, and dc resistance ranges from 117 mΩ to 8.6Ω.

The less-than-$1 units are available as two-lead and center-tapped devices and measure 16.8×20×8.9 mm.

C&D Technologies Inc, www.cd4power.com.