How to Use Current Sensor Compact Carrier: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The Current Sensor Compact Carrier (Manufacturer Part ID: 5292 ACS37220LEZATR-100B5) by Pololu is a compact and efficient module designed to house current sensors. It facilitates easy integration into electronic circuits for monitoring and measuring electrical current. This carrier board is based on the Allegro ACS37220 current sensor IC, which provides precise and reliable current measurements with high sensitivity and low noise.

• Power monitoring in electronic devices
• Overcurrent protection in circuits
• Battery management systems
• Motor control and load monitoring
• Renewable energy systems (e.g., solar inverters)
• Industrial automation and robotics

The following are the key technical details of the Current Sensor Compact Carrier:

The Current Sensor Compact Carrier has a simple pinout for easy integration. Below is the pin configuration:

1. Power Supply: Connect the Vcc pin to a 3.3 V or 5 V power source and the GND pin to the ground of your circuit.
2. Current Measurement:
   • Pass the current-carrying wire through the IP+ and IP- terminals. Ensure the current flows in the correct direction as indicated on the carrier board.
   • The sensor will output an analog voltage on the OUT pin, which is proportional to the current being measured.
3. Output Reading: Connect the OUT pin to an analog input of a microcontroller (e.g., Arduino) or an ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter) to read the voltage and calculate the current.

• Current Direction: Ensure the current flows in the correct direction through the IP+ and IP- terminals. Reversing the direction will result in a negative output voltage.
• Filtering: For applications requiring high precision, consider adding a low-pass filter to the OUT pin to reduce noise.
• Thermal Management: The sensor can handle high currents, but prolonged exposure to maximum current may cause heating. Ensure proper ventilation or heat dissipation if necessary.
• Calibration: For the most accurate results, calibrate the sensor in your specific application environment.

Below is an example of how to use the Current Sensor Compact Carrier with an Arduino UNO to measure current:

// Define the analog pin connected to the sensor's OUT pin
const int sensorPin = A0;

// Define the sensitivity of the sensor (100 mV/A for ACS37220)
const float sensitivity = 0.1; // Sensitivity in V/A

// Define the zero-current output voltage (2.5 V for ACS37220 at 5V Vcc)
const float zeroCurrentVoltage = 2.5;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600); // Initialize serial communication
  pinMode(sensorPin, INPUT); // Set the sensor pin as input
}

void loop() {
  // Read the analog voltage from the sensor
  int sensorValue = analogRead(sensorPin);
  
  // Convert the analog reading to voltage (5V reference for Arduino UNO)
  float voltage = sensorValue * (5.0 / 1023.0);
  
  // Calculate the current in Amperes
  float current = (voltage - zeroCurrentVoltage) / sensitivity;
  
  // Print the current to the Serial Monitor
  Serial.print("Current: ");
  Serial.print(current);
  Serial.println(" A");
  
  delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second before the next reading
}

1. No Output Voltage:

   • Cause: Incorrect power supply connection.
   • Solution: Verify that Vcc and GND are properly connected to a 3.3 V or 5 V power source.

2. Inaccurate Current Readings:

   • Cause: Noise or lack of calibration.
   • Solution: Add a low-pass filter to the OUT pin and calibrate the sensor in your specific application.

3. Overheating:

   • Cause: Prolonged exposure to high currents.
   • Solution: Ensure proper ventilation or reduce the current load.

4. Negative Output Voltage:

   • Cause: Current flowing in the reverse direction.
   • Solution: Verify the direction of current flow through the IP+ and IP- terminals.

Q1: Can this sensor measure both AC and DC currents?
A1: Yes, the ACS37220 can measure both AC and DC currents.

Q2: What is the maximum current this sensor can handle?
A2: The sensor can measure currents up to ±20 A.

Q3: Can I use this sensor with a 3.3 V microcontroller?
A3: Yes, the sensor operates with a supply voltage of 3.3 V to 5 V, making it compatible with 3.3 V microcontrollers.

Q4: How do I improve the accuracy of the sensor?
A4: Use a low-pass filter to reduce noise and calibrate the sensor in your specific application environment.

This concludes the documentation for the Current Sensor Compact Carrier. For further assistance, refer to the Pololu product page or contact their support team.