What is a high-side current monitor?

Common to all high-side IC monitors from Maxim is an ability to provide ground-referenced voltage or current outputs with few or no additional components. The output signal is proportional to the measured high-side current, which can have a common-mode voltage as high as 32V.

What is high-side current?

1. High-side and low-side current sensing refers to the placement of the current-sense resistor: between the positive supply and the load, or between the load and ground.

What is a current shunt monitor?

Current shunt monitors measure the voltage across a sense resistor placed in the conduction path between a power source and a load. This voltage is multiplied by a gain either fixed in the IC or programmable by external resistors.

How do you monitor current in a circuit?

The most common way to measure current is to sense the voltage drop across a shunt or current-sense resistor. To achieve a highly accurate measurement of the current, you’ll need to examine the parametric values of both the resistor and current-sense amplifier.

What is high-side and low side current sensing?

High-side versus low-side current sensing When monitoring load current the designer can choose to place the sense resistor either between the supply voltage (Vbus) and load, or between the load and ground. The former is called high-side sensing whereas the latter is called low-side sensing.

What does a current sensor do?

A current sensor is a device that detects and converts current to an easily measurable output voltage, which is proportional to the current through the measured path. There are a wide variety of sensors, and each sensor is suitable for a specific current range and environmental condition.

What is high side and low side current sensing?

How do current shunts work?

Shunts are always employed when the measured current exceeds the range of the measuring device. The shunt is then connected in parallel to the measuring device. The entire current flows through the shunt and generates a voltage drop, which is then is measured.

How does a current monitor work?

Known for high accuracy, they are comprised of a Hall generator mounted in the air gap of a magnetic core, a coil around the core, and a current amplifier. The current carrying conductor placed through the aperture of the sensor produces a magnetic field that is proportionate to the current.

What is low side current sensing?

Low-side current sensing is when the voltage is measured across a sense resistor that is placed between the load and ground.