This current sensor is a carrier board or breakout board for Broadcom’s ACHS-7121/7122/7123 Hall effect-based linear current sensors; we therefore recommend careful reading of the ACHS-7121/7122/7123 datasheet (1MB pdf) before using this product. The following list details some of the sensor’s key features:
- The conductive path internal resistance is typically 0.7 mΩ, and the PCB is made with 2-oz copper, so very little power is lost in the board.
- Use of a Hall effect sensor means the IC is able to electrically isolate the current path from the sensor’s electronics (up to 3 kV RMS), which allows the sensor to be inserted anywhere along the current path and to be used in applications that require electrical isolation.
- 80 kHz bandwidth that can optionally be decreased by adding a capacitor across the board pins marked “filter”.
- High accuracy and reliability: typical total output error of ±1.5% at room temperature with factory calibration, an extremely stable output offset voltage, and almost zero magnetic hysteresis.
- Robust sensor IC can tolerate 100 ms transient current spikes up to 100 A.
- Wide operating temperature range of -40°C to 110°C.
The pads are labeled on the bottom silkscreen, as shown in the picture to the right. The silkscreen also shows the direction that is interpreted as positive current flow via the +i arrow.
We sell a ±10A bidirectional version, a ±20A bidirectional version and a ±30A bidirectional version of this board, so you should consider adding your own distinguishing marks or labels if you will be working simultaneously with multiple versions. A white box is provided on the bottom silkscreen of the board to make labeling easier. You can also distinguish the versions by reading the text on the IC.
Details for item #4031
The ACHS-7122 sensor operates at 5 V and is designed for bidirectional input current from -20 A to 20 A. When Vcc is 5 V, the output voltage is centered at 2.5 V and changes by 100 mV per amp of input current, with positive current increasing the output voltage and negative current decreasing the output voltage.
This board ships assembled with all surface mount components, and a 3×1 strip of 0.1″ header pins is included but not soldered in.
Using the sensor
This sensor has five required connections: the input current (IP+ and IP-), logic power (VCC and GND), and the sensor output (OUT).
The sensor requires a supply voltage of 4.5 V to 5.5 V to be connected across the VCC and GND pads, which are labeled on the bottom silkscreen, and the sensor outputs an analog voltage that is linearly proportional to the input current.
The FILTER pin lets you adjust the board’s bandwidth by adding a capacitor, CF, to ground (a ground pad has been added next to the FILTER pin for convenience) in parallel with the 1 nF capacitor that is already on the board. Without any external filter capacitor, the bandwidth is 80 kHz. The datasheet provides more information on how the external filter capacitor affects bandwidth.
You can insert the board into your current path in a variety of ways. For low-current applications, you can solder 0.1″ male header pins to the board via the smallest pair of through-holes on the input-current side of the board. For higher-current applications, you can solder wires directly to the through-holes that best match your wires, or you can use solderless ring terminal connectors. The largest pair of through-holes are big enough for #6 screws.
Warning: This product is intended for use below 30 V. Working with higher voltages can be extremely dangerous and should only be attempted by qualified individuals with appropriate equipment and protective gear.
Schematic and dimension diagrams
The dimension diagram is available as a downloadable PDF (317k pdf).
