Low-Loss AC Current Sensor Fits In Tiny Package

Forecasting board-space savings in the realm of 75%, the Si8500 family assumes position as the market's smallest low-loss ac current sensors. The devices measure up to 20A of current, making them suitable for use in power systems, ac/dc power supplies, isolated dc/dc supplies, motor control, and lighting ballasts. They integrate the functional equivalent of a current transformer circuit into a 4 mm x 4 mm x 1 mm QFN package as well as a blocking diode, burden resistor, and an output RC filter. The chips also integrate temperature and offset compensation circuitry that allows them to achieve a measurement accuracy of ±5% with a 2 Vp-p full-scale output swing. Other features include a ping-pong output that enables one Si8510 to replace two current transformer circuits in full-bridge applications. Sampling now, pricing starts at $1.49 each/1,000. SILICON LABORATORIES INC., Austin, TX. (877) 444-3032.