It is intended for single-phase AC and DC solutions in a small PCB footprint. It allows simultaneous measurement of power, voltage, and current for AC and DC signals with an isolation rating of up to 1480Vpk. It is supplied in a small SOIC16W package. According to the company, the IC reduces the bill of materials size, cost and complexity.

It can be used for IoT devices, smart lighting, data centres, and telecomms applications, with the ability to measure voltage, current and power in AC as well as DC at the same time. Reinforced isolation means customers can eliminate many expensive PCB components, says the company. For example, the integrated 517Vrms reinforced isolation enables current sensing without expensive opto-isolators, Rogowski coils, oversized current transformers, isolated operational amplifiers, or shunt resistors, says Allegro.

The onboard regulator, allows the IC to be powered from the same voltage supply as the system microprocessor (5.0 or 3.3V). The IC simplifies common power triangle measurements by calculating parameters such as the active, reactive, and apparent power as well as instantaneous and RMS values of the current, voltage, or power. Instantaneous measurements over a one minute period, can be used to average parameters to avoid inaccuracies when waveforms are asymmetric, says Allegro.  

The IC allows devices to track power consumption and optimise energy use by detecting reduced power efficiency for predictive maintenance. Other applications are motor control, building automation, and energy-saving/energy conscious industrial applications.

Designers can choose from a factory-programmed I2C interface or SPI, depending on whether the user prefers low noise or multiple addressing. In I2C mode, the IC provides zero-crossing detection pinout, for LED dimming control. Users can also programme thresholds for under- or over-voltage, current or voltage gain and offset, and over-current trip point via EEPROM,. In this way, the system can be optimised ±30 to ±180A and from –40 to 125°C.

  

 

 

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