
Current Sensor: ACS750
x
CA-075
31Oct03, CMG, Rev 2.0
6
115 Northeast Cutoff, Box 15036
Worcester, Massachusetts 01615-0036 (508) 853-5000
Copyright 2003, Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.
Definitions of Accuracy Characteristics
Sensitivity:
The sensitivity is the change in sensor output to 1A 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 trimmed at the factory to optimize the sensitivity (mV/A) for the full-scale current of
the device.
Noise:
The noise is the product of the linear IC amplifier gain (mV/G) and the noise floor for the Allegro Hall
effect linear IC (~1Gauss). 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:
The linearity is the degree to which the voltage output from the sensor varies in direct proportion
to the primary current through its full-scale amplitude. Linearity reveals the maximum deviation from the ideal
transfer curve for this transducer. Non-linearity in the output can be attributed to the gain variation across
temperature and saturation of the flux concentrator approaching the full scale current. The following equation
is used to derive the linearity:
[
1-[(Vout_
full-scale Amps
–Vout_
0A
)/(2*(Vout_
1/2 full-scale Amps
–Vout_
0A
))]
]
*100
Symmetry:
Symmetry is the degree to which the absolute voltage output from the sensor varies in proportion
to either a positive or negative full-scale primary current. The following equation is used to derive symmetry:
[(Vout_
full-scale Amps
–Vout_
0A
)/(Vout_
0A
–
Vout_
-full-scale Amps
)]*100
Electrical offset voltage:
The quiescent output voltage (
V
OE
) is the output of the sensor when the primary
current is zero. For a unipolar supply voltage,
V
OE
nominally sits at Vcc/2. Vcc = 5V translates into
V
OE
=
2.5V. Variation in
V
OE
can be attributed to the resolution of the Allegro linear IC quiescent voltage trim,
magnetic hysteresis, and thermal drift.
Magnetic offset error:
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 largest magnetic offset is observed at the lowest
operating temperature.
Accuracy:
The accuracy represents the maximum deviation of the actual output from its ideal value. This is
also known as the total error. The accuracy is illustrated graphically in Figure #1. The accuracy is divided into
four areas as defined below:
0 A @ 25°C:
Accuracy of sensing zero current flow at 25°C, without the effects of temperature.
0 A over temperature:
Accuracy of sensing zero current flow including temperature effects.
Full-scale current @ 25°C:
Accuracy of sensing the full-scale current at 25°C, without the effects of temperature.
Full-scale current over temperature:
Accuracy of sensing full-scale current flow including temperature effects.