Low-power high-accuracy three-channel current fault sensor

To realize the vision of a truly smart electricity grid, utilities must find ways to increase the speed at which they locate, isolate, and fix faults. The electronic current transformer / electronic potential transformer (ECT/EPT), or current fault sensor, fulfils this need. Available now from Digi-Key, Maxim's MAXREFDES38# ECT/EPT is a low-power sensor that may be placed at many points in the grid, thereby increasing the granularity grid health data and fault location. These sensors must be ultra-low power because they generally receive energy from batteries or nearby fibre optic lines. Although power is readily present in the lines being measured, converting power from the kilovolts in the distribution lines is not feasible. In addition to low-power operation, the sensors must also maintain accuracy and performance, as they provide valuable grid health information during both faults and normal operation. The term ECT/EPT refers to a variety of technologies applied to grid measurement applications. The MAXREFDES38# specifically provides the low-power, high-speed, high-accuracy analog front-end designed for the ECT/EPT or current fault sensor application. The MAXREFDES38# features a low-power, 16-bit, high-accuracy, three-channel analog input. Input channels can be configured as ±3VP-P single-ended or ±6VP- P differential, says the company.