AC/DC Current Sensor for Rotating Applications

Abstract

There are several techniques for current measurement. Most of them are capable of measuring both alternating and direct current (AC/DC) components. However, they have severe drawbacks for rotating applications (large size, sensitivity to external fields, and low signal amplitude). In addition to these weaknesses, measured signals should be transmitted to a stationary part. In order to contribute solving these difficulties, this paper presents a sensor that can measure AC/DC simultaneously based on the electromagnetic coupling of two coils. To this aim, the measured waveform is analysed. In this paper, the design of such a sensor is presented. This design is validated through computer simulations and a prototype is built. The performance of this sensor prototype is analysed through experimental tests.

Keywords

• alternate current
• direct current
• sensor