Need to non-intrusively detect current through a wire, 10-300A...

[Adam S]

Hi,

I will start by saying that I am very new to electronics design...
mostly simple circuits using PICS, integrating components (PLC's,
relays, etc.), general hacking... so, please excuse my newbie-ness.
Thanks in advance for any responses.

I have an application I'm playing around with where I need to detect
current running through a large-gauge cable. The current ranges from
10-300A. I just need a binary response... if there is current running,
I need the sensing unit to output a signal to my PIC. It would be great
if there was someting out there that could be board mounted and
compact.

Is there any straight-forward solutions for this? I have looked at a
few white-papers about hall-effect sensors, but got bogged down by the
amount of technical detail. Any suggestions for components and sources
for straight-forward info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Adam S

 

[Boris Mohar]

DC or AC?

 

[Adam S]

Actually both... it is an ac/dc arc welding power supply.

 

[John_H]

Hi,

I will start by saying that I am very new to electronics design...
mostly simple circuits using PICS, integrating components (PLC's,
relays, etc.), general hacking... so, please excuse my newbie-ness.
Thanks in advance for any responses.

I have an application I'm playing around with where I need to detect
current running through a large-gauge cable. The current ranges from
10-300A. I just need a binary response... if there is current running,
I need the sensing unit to output a signal to my PIC. It would be great
if there was someting out there that could be board mounted and
compact.

Is there any straight-forward solutions for this? I have looked at a
few white-papers about hall-effect sensors, but got bogged down by the
amount of technical detail. Any suggestions for components and sources
for straight-forward info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Adam S

If you need to sense an existing wire, a hall effect sensor or a
magnetic sensor such as those at nve.com would give you results.
Current transformers are also available where the wire goes through the
transformer, requiring the sense wire be part of the assembly.

 

[David Collier]

http://www.gmw.com/electric_current/Sentron/CSA-1.html

Subject: Need to non-intrusively detect current through a wire,
10-300A...
From: "Adam S" <[email protected]>
Date: 11 May 2006 09:50:23 -0700

Hi,

I will start by saying that I am very new to electronics design...
mostly simple circuits using PICS, integrating components (PLC's,
relays, etc.), general hacking... so, please excuse my newbie-ness.
Thanks in advance for any responses.

I have an application I'm playing around with where I need to detect
current running through a large-gauge cable. The current ranges from
10-300A. I just need a binary response... if there is current running,
I need the sensing unit to output a signal to my PIC. It would be
great
if there was someting out there that could be board mounted and
compact.

Is there any straight-forward solutions for this? I have looked at a
few white-papers about hall-effect sensors, but got bogged down by the
amount of technical detail. Any suggestions for components and sources
for straight-forward info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Adam S

David

 

[Rich Grise]

.

I have an application I'm playing around with where I need to detect
current running through a large-gauge cable. The current ranges from
10-300A. I just need a binary response... if there is current running,
I need the sensing unit to output a signal to my PIC. It would be great
if there was someting out there that could be board mounted and
compact.

Is there any straight-forward solutions for this?

Sure!
http://www.google.com/search?q=amprobe


Good Luck!
Rich