Current sensor can measure current in the range of 2000 A

Melexis has extended the accuracy of its IMC-Hall technology into high-current measurement for emerging automotive applications with the introduction of the MLX91216 XHF extra high-field current sensor. The MLX91216 XHF is capable of measuring current beyond 2000 A for applications such as redundant monitoring of battery-management systems (BMS), over-current detection in smart fuses, and measuring phase currents in traction inverters and boost/recuperation inverters.

The MLX91216 XHF current sensor features user-programmable filtering to adjust resolution, response time, bandwidth for optimum signal-to-noise ratio, and built-in diagnostics, including broken-wire detection. Key specs include a wide measurement range from ±20 mT to ±350 mT with linearity down to ±0.2% full scale, 2 μs response time, and high thermal stability with offset drift below 5 mV and sensitivity drift within 1%.

Housed in a SOIC8 surface-mount package, the  MLX91216 XHF contains Melexis’ Integrated Magnetic Concentrator (IMC) that enables accurate contact-free measurement of busbar current in combination with a U-shape magnetic shield. The sensor is positioned over the busbar within the shield when mounted on a PCB, which delivers easier assembly than conventional Hall sensors, said Melexis.

In addition, position is less critical, allowing for more mechanical movement because the measurement is not dependent on a magnetic field gradient, and in other technologies where position is critical it “can result in very severe busbar machining causing important thermal hot spots,” added the company.

The MLX91216 XHF extends the family of Melexis IMC-Hall sensors for high-speed current measurement of automotive and industrial applications. The family includes:

• MLX91216 High field (HF) versions: 200 to 600 A
• MLX91216 Very High Field (VHF) versions: 400 to 1200 A
• MLX91216 eXtra High Field (XHF) versions: 800 to 2000 A

Available now, the MLX91216 XHF is AEC-Q100 Grade-0 qualified for automotive applications. The operating temperature range is -40°C to 150°C. Click here for the datasheet.

Melexis also recently introduced the MLX91211 Hall-effect current sensor in two variants for a range of e-mobility applications.