Alps has developed the GCBC series of small, lightweight, and low loss high-precision current sensors, which began sales in September this year. In addition, this series of products will also be exhibited at the "2013 Technology Frontier" exhibition held at the Tokyo International Convention and Exhibition Center from July 17th to 19th.

In recent years, energy conservation has received increasing attention, and there is a growing demand to limit the power consumption of various devices. Especially, currently about 60% of electricity consumption in Japan is due to the consumption of motors, so from an energy-saving perspective, achieving low power consumption of motors will bring astonishing results.

In the above context, it is not only possible to limit power consumption by carefully controlling the operation of the electric motor, but also to attract people's attention to high-efficiency frequency converters for power regulators other than electric equipment. The key equipment for high-precision control of frequency converters is the current sensor.

As the main detection methods for current sensors, there are two methods for measuring the magnetic flux and shunt resistance around the current. In order to achieve high-precision detection while reducing costs, the DCCT>1 mode using magnetic flux measurement is widely used. Due to the low sensitivity of magnetic components used in general DCCT mode, magnetic core materials are required to collect the magnetic flux around the current. However, this brings about the issue of increasing the overall size and weight of the entire product. In addition, due to the high resistance value of the primary conductor>2, the current sensor is prone to high temperatures, resulting in electrical losses.

Due to the use of our company's high-sensitivity magnetic components (GMR components>3), there is no need for magnetic core materials for collecting magnetic flux, thus achieving miniaturization of W 13.4 mm x D 15.7 mm x H 7.2 mm and weighing 3 grams. Moreover, due to the unique magnetic control board around the component, sensitivity and anti-interference coexist.

The minimum resistance of a conductor is 60 Ω. Compared to existing products of other companies, it has reduced by about 40% * 4. Therefore, it can suppress the heating of the conductor and reduce the electrical losses caused by current measurement.

As the maximum continuous transmission current, this product can correspond to ± 50A. In the future, a current detection product with a maximum measuring current of up to 150A will be launched.

1: Direct current, abbreviation for current transformer.

A method of measuring changes in magnetic flux around a current using magnetic components and measuring the current.

2: Conductive parts for substrate installation

3: The abbreviation for giant magnetoresistance.

*4: Our company's investigation results.

[Main major]

Implemented the industry's Min resistor

① By using high-precision magnetic components, the smallest and lightest products in the industry can be achieved.

② Low resistance, low heat generation, high-precision detection

③ Excellent anti-interference performance, easy to design for the whole machine

[Main purpose]

Motor driver, universal frequency divider

Power regulation system

Server power

Packaging air conditioning

Weikewei can provide alternative solutions, please contact our technical personnel for details.