The MCS1810 and MCS1812 from Monolithic Power Systems are linear Hall-effect current sensor ICs for ac or dc current sensing. The differential Hall array of the sensors cancels out only homogenous magnetic field, enabling them to maintain total measurement error at ±2% even in the presence of interference from high-voltage cables and other sources.
The MCS1810 and MCS1812 are intended for use in functions such as load detection and management, and over-current fault protection. The configurable over-current detection circuit responds to events such as short circuits in 1µs.
Galvanic isolation between the pins of the primary conductive path and the sensor leads allows these sensors to replace opto-isolators or other isolation devices. The MCS1810 and MCS1812 require few external components. The MCS1810 is supplied in a SOIC16-10 wide-body package, and the MCS1812 in a SOIC16 wide-body package.
The low resistance of the primary conductor allows large currents to flow close to the IC. This current generates a magnetic field, which is sensed at two different points by the integrated Hall transducers. The magnetic field difference between these two points is then converted to a voltage that is proportional to the applied current. A spinning current technique is used for a low, stable offset.
