Current sensor makes measurement safer in EVs

The company further claims that the sensor sets itself apart form exisiting competition, due to two mutually independent measurement channels which are galvanically isolated and have a separate power supply. Determined within a 24-bit range, the first current sensor channel ensures high measurement accuracy through direct shunt-based measurement. The current sensor features an output rate of 1 kHz. CAN 2.0 and is used for communication, with a data rate of up to 1 Mbit/s. A CAN DBC facilitates rapid system integration. The ICB-M provides a digital measurement channel (Channel 1) as well as an analogue Channel 2, which is completely galvanic isolated from the first and relies on a magnetic measurement method. The channel analyses the magnetic field generated by the current flow in the conductor, providing a voltage-level output in a measurement range of +/- 300A.

Even in the event of malfunction, the device makes current measurement safer. The two measurement channels provide redundancy in the system – the variable to be measured can be calculated in different ways. When one channel drops out, the missing measurement value can still be ascertained with the alternative channel. The redundancy enables OBD and also has cost benefits versus selective solutions. A second measurement system must be integrated to ensure that conventional sensor modules have room for error. But the affordable ICB-M comes with this included, eliminating the cost of an additional measurement system to ensure redundancy.

“The ICB-M makes a higher level of safety possible than conventional current measurement modules. A downstream integrated safety functionality makes it possible to achieve ASIL C,” explained Jens Hartmann, Sales Director ISAscale at Isabellenhütte.