A revolution in high dc current measurement: ABB's new fiber-optic current sensor (FOCS) for the electro-winning industry

摘要

Current measurement systems within the electro-winning industry are a necessity. Traditionally the measurement of dc currents up to 500 kA requires highly sophisticated current transducers. These transducers, commonly based on the Hall effect, tend to be bulky and heavy. In fact those used for high-end currents can weigh as much as 2000 kg! Though now accurate and reliable, the complexity of these transducers means that time consuming and ng-orous installation and commissioning is required. Care must be taken to minimize potential errors due to asymmetric magnetic fields or cross talk from neighboring currents. Using optical fibertechnology, ABB has developed a sensor, which repre-sents a quantum leap in high de cur-rent measurement. This state-of-the-art fiber-optic current sensor offers outstand mg precision and is smaller, lighter and much less complex than traditionai transducers and it is about to change the future of high de current measurement.