Pulse Electronics Collaborates with STM to Test Current Sensing Accuracy

Pulse Electronics has teamed up with STMicroelectronics for testing the current sensing precision in metering applications. The findings have been recorded in a paper on current sensing in metering applications using ST metering devices and Pulse Electronics’ current sensors.

The appraisal was carried out by using STMicroelectronic’s STPMxx devices with a number of current sensors. The di/dt current sensors developed by Pulse, normally provides outstanding linearity over a wide range of current, and when combined the STPMxx ICs, the meter accuracy is improved satisfying the Class 0.2 S precision levels specified by the IEC 62053-22 meter standard for currents ranging between 0.1 A to 200 A.

According to Giuseppe Privitera, who is the energy metering application manager of STMicroelectronics, multiple benefits are obtained because of the digital signal processing algorithm and power calculation created chiefly for Rogowski coil based sensors. Mutual current compensation can be also gained by using multiple sensors.

Gerard Healy from Pulse Electronics, has revealed that the main difficulty with Rogowski coil is controlling of the winding properties for obtaining precise current measurements needed for metering applications, and for this, Pulse had created a precision winding system, which was capable of offering a great number of winding turns per unit length, and thereby give a large output voltage for integration and detection. PA2999.006NL was the current sensor used in the study and it has been substituted by the enhanced PA3202NL.