Non-contact current and voltage sensing method using a clamshell housing and a ferrite cylinder

US9322854B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Gary Dale Carpenter · Pflugerville, US
• Wael R. El-Essawy · Austin, US
• Alexandre Peixoto Ferreira · Austin, US
• Thomas Walter Keller · Austin, US
• Juan C. Rubio · Austin, US
• Michael A. Schappert · Wappingers Falls, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 19, 2012
• Grant date: Apr 26, 2016
• Expiry date: Feb 15, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01R33/072
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method of measurement using a detachable current and voltage sensor provides an isolated and convenient technique for to measuring current passing through a conductor such as an AC branch circuit wire, as well as providing an indication of an electrostatic potential on the wire, which can be used to indicate the phase of the voltage on the wire, and optionally a magnitude of the voltage. The device includes a housing that contains the current and voltage sensors, which may be a ferrite cylinder with a hall effect sensor disposed in a gap along the circumference to measure current, or alternative a winding provided through the cylinder along its axis and a capacitive plate or wire disposed adjacent to, or within, the ferrite cylinder to provide the indication of the voltage.