Surface-mount Hall sensors integrate current path

A new range of current sensors is the first in the small-outline SOIC8 surface-mount package to have the current path integrated into the package for greater sensitivity and accuracy.

The latest current sensor family from Allegro MicroSystems, the ACS704 Series, is the first range of Hall-effect current sensors in the small-outline SOIC8 surface-mount package to have the current path integrated into the package for greater sensitivity and accuracy.

The new devices, which are available in both 15 and 5A versions, measure bidirectional AC or DC currents by using a Hall-effect magnetic field sensor to measure the field generated by the current flow.

Because there is no electrical connection between the current path and sensing circuit, a high degree of isolation (800V minimum) is achieved without the use of additional components.

With a package height of only 1.7mm, the ACS704 provides a monolithic solution that is much smaller than other integrated current path Hall-effect sensors with comparable sensitivity, and with greater accuracy, sensitivity, and creepage and clearance distances than "trace-straddling" sensors.

Accuracy at 25C typically exceeds 1.5%, and the sensor is compliant with lead-free directives.

The 1.5mohm resistance of the sensor provides extremely low power loss and voltage drop.

The sensor operates from a single +5V supply, and the output is directly proportional to the supply voltage.

Precision factory programming of the linear Hall sensor results in high-level performance and product uniformity.

Thermal drift of the offset voltage is minimised, and the device incorporates on-chip transient protection.

This new current sensor is targeted to meet the needs of the industrial, consumer, communications and automotive markets.

End applications include motor control and protection, small electric vehicles, battery monitoring and charge control, power distribution and monitoring, and UPS systems for personal computers.

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