Fully Integrated, Hall Ef fect-Based Linear Current Sensor IC
with High Voltage Isolation and a Low-Resistance Current Conductor
ACS750xCA-50
5
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.
115 Northeast Cutoff
Worcester, Massachusetts 01615-0036 U.S.A.
1.508.853.5000; www.allegromicro.com
Sensitivity (Sens). The change in device output in response to a
1 A change through the primary conductor. The sensitivity is the
product of the magnetic circuit sensitivity (G / A) and the linear
IC amplifier gain (mV/G). The linear IC amplifier gain is pro-
grammed at the factory to optimize the sensitivity (mV/A) for the
full-scale current of the device.
Noise (VNOISE). The product of the linear IC amplifier gain
(mV/G) and the noise floor for the Allegro Hall effect linear IC
(≈1 G). The noise floor is derived from the thermal and shot
noise observed in Hall elements. Dividing the noise (mV) by the
sensitivity (mV/A) provides the smallest current that the device is
able to resolve.
Linearity (ELIN). The degree to which the voltage output from
the IC varies in direct proportion to the primary current through
its full-scale amplitude. Nonlinearity in the output can be attrib-
uted to the saturation of the flux concentrator approaching the
full-scale current. The following equation is used to derive the
linearity:
where
∆ gain = the gain variation as a function of temperature
changes from 25ºC,
% sat = the percentage of saturation of the flux concentra-
tor, which becomes significant as the current being sampled
approaches full-scale ±IP , and
VIOUT_full-scale amperes = the output voltage (V) when the
sampled current approximates full-scale ±IP .
Symmetry (ESYM). The degree to which the absolute voltage
output from the IC varies in proportion to either a positive or
negative full-scale primary current. The following equation is
used to derive symmetry:
Quiescent output voltage (VIOUT(Q)). The output of the device
when the primary current is zero. For a unipolar supply voltage,
it nominally remains at VCC ⁄ 2. Thus, VCC = 5 V translates into
VIOUT(Q) = 2.5 V. Variation in VOUT(Q) can be attributed to the res-
olution of the Allegro linear IC quiescent voltage trim, magnetic
hysteresis, and thermal drift.
Electrical offset voltage (VOE). The deviation of the device out-
put from its ideal quiescent value of VCC ⁄ 2 due to nonmagnetic
causes.
Magnetic offset error (IERROM). The magnetic offset is due to
the residual magnetism (remnant field) of the core material. The
magnetic offset error is highest when the magnetic circuit has
been saturated, usually when the device has been subjected to a
full-scale or high-current overload condition. The magnetic offset
is largely dependent on the material used as a flux concentrator.
The larger magnetic offsets are observed at the lower operating
temperatures.
Accuracy (ETOT). The accuracy represents the maximum devia-
tion of the actual output from its ideal value. This is also known
as the total output error. The accuracy is illustrated graphically in
the output voltage versus current chart on the following page.
Accuracy is divided into four areas:
0 A at 25°C. Accuracy at the zero current flow at 25°C, with-
out the effects of temperature.
0 A over Δ temperature. Accuracy at the zero current flow
including temperature effects.
Full-scale current at 25°C. Accuracy at the the full-scale current
at 25°C, without the effects of temperature.
Full-scale current over Δ temperature. Accuracy at the full-
scale current flow including temperature effects.
Definitions of Accuracy Characteristics
100 1–
[{
[{
VIOUT_full-scale amperes – VIOUT(Q)
Δ gain × % sat ( )
2 (VIOUT_half-scale amperes – VIOUT(Q) )
100
VIOUT_+ full-scale amperes – VIOUT(Q)
VIOUT(Q) – VIOUT_–full-scale amperes