November 28, 2002

Development of the "CS series" Current Sensor with Samples Available
-An ultra-compact (5 A), one-hundredth of conventional product package size-

Sanken Electric Co., Ltd. has developed the "CS series" current sensor incorporating the Hall IC (current capacity: 5 A, 20 A, and 100 A). Shipment of the samples will commence December 5. Sanken plans an initial production of 10,000 pcs. per month, and estimates sales in 2003 of 200,000 pcs, that is 50 million yen. The sample price is 1,500 yen for each of the three types. image

1.  Development Background
  With environmental issues receiving worldwide attention, there has been a strong demand for effective utilization of energy and energy conservation. In industrial machines, home appliances, cars, and various other products which have been rapidly computerized, proper management and control of electric energy ensures highly accurate operation of equipment, efficient use of power, and energy conservation.
  Sanken has focused attention on the effectiveness of driving current detection in power control. With its application of cultivated semiconductor circuit technology and package technology, Sanken has utilized the highly sensitive and accurate Hall IC(*) to develop the "CS series," our first generation current sensor.
  Especially, the CS05A (5A) is the smallest sensor (5.2 x 6.2 x 1.55 mm) that is one-hundredth package size of commercially available current sensors, based on its expertise as a semiconductor manufacturer.
  SANKEN has accomplished one chip SOP-8 package current sensor "CS05A(5A)" applying current path(current pattern)on Hall IC die instead of conventional current sensor which consist from current path and detector.

  *Manufactured by Allegro Microsystems Inc., a subsidiary of Sanken

 
2.  Lineup and Applications
  The "CS series" are intended to use mainly for robot servomotors (5A), inverter air conditioner motors (20 A), and car EPS (Electric Power Steering) motors (100 A). We also believe that the "CS series" is applicable for highly accurate control and energy conservation system as follows::
-  Industrial machinery (injection molding machines, spot welding machines, and NC machine tools using servomotors)
-  Home appliances (inverter-mounting refrigerators, washing machines, chargers and so on)
-  UPS ( charge and discharge current detector for battery)
 
3.  Overview
  In general, the structure of current sensor is such that the current is detected from the magnetic field generated in the ferrite core around which the current path is wound. Advantage of this structre type is simply to strength the magnetic field by increasing the winding wire around the ferrite core, and the cost is easily reduced. Disadvantages are larger size due to the ferrite core and errors caused by magnetic hysteresis.
  In the "CS series," the current detection structure and parts have been individually selected to meet market needs or applications and then the specifications have been optimized for the market needs or applications.

(1)  CS05A (current capacity: 5 A)
Because this current sensor is maintly applied in robot servomotors requiring smaller size and energy conservation, miniaturization is prioritized.
< Structure >
-  SOP-8 one-package type in which the current path (current pattern) is formed on the linear Hall IC chip.- High accuracy for no magnetic hysteresis because the magnetic focusing material such as ferrite core is not used
 
(2)  CS20AM (current capacity: 20 A)
Because this current sensor is mainly applied in motors for inverter air conditioners for cost reduction and energy conservation, lower cost and easy handling for mounting are emphasized.
< Structure >
-  Solid structure type in which Hall IC, ferrite core, and current path (winding wire) are resin-filled into a plastic case
-  Price reduction by using a ferrite core that easily strengthens the magnetic field and weakens the sensitivity characteristic requirement for the Hall IC because the inverter motor for the air conditioner does not so critical to hysteresis (residual flux during commutation: 150 mA or less as equivalent current)
 
(3)  CS100AH (current capacity: 100 A)
Because this current sensor is mainly applied in car EPS motors requiring high accuracy and lower fuel consumption, high accuracy and high current are emphasized.
< Structure >
-  Solid structure type in which Hall IC and current path (current bar) are resin-filled into a plastic case
-  Higher accuracy without using a ferrite core with magnetic hysteresis causing an error because the car EPS is directly related to driving straight
 
4.  Features
(1)  Connection type that does not require through wiring
 
(2)  Isolated type using Hall IC
- CS05A: Insulation withstand voltage: 600 V or higher
- CS20AM: Insulation withstand voltage: 2500 V or higher
- CS100AH: Insulation withstand voltage: 2500 V or higher
 
(3)  Simple 5V Power supply voltage( No need dedicated power supply)
 
(4)  Smaller configuration compared with competitors current products (resin part)
- CS05A: One-hundredth or less
- CS20AM: One-half or less
- CS100AH: One-third or less
 
(5)  Linear output voltage that matches all current waveforms (direct current, alternating current, and pulse current)
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