Melexis Expands its IMC-Hall Current Sensor ICs for Smart Power Applications

­Melexis unveils the MLX91218 Low Field (LF), the latest variant from its IMC-Hall current sensor integrated circuits (IC). The new MLX91218-LF is designed for lower current applications (below 100 A). It enables smart energy monitoring in residential and small industrial power distribution units, micro-grids, and electric vehicle (EV) charging cables. The non-intrusive technology is also ideal for clamp-on measurement applications.

Across both industrial and residential settings, energy monitoring plays a vital role in enhancing the efficiency of electronic circuits. Data captured by devices such as power supplies and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) can help to drive changes in the way energy is utilized, minimizing wastage while also supporting the smart management of power grids, including strategies such as peak shaving whereby consumption is reduced during peak times.

The MLX91218-LF is designed to support a wide range of solutions including smart power distribution circuits, consumer units, power monitors, and power supplies, in both industrial and residential settings, as well as other power applications, such as uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and EV charging cables, where intelligent and non-intrusive current monitoring of up to 100 A is essential for reliable operation. The sensor features a 400 kHz bandwidth and 2 µs response time, allowing small current changes to be detected at high speed, while the low thermal drift across a wide temperature range, high linearity (±0.5% full scale), and low noise help to ensure accurate measurement in a range of operating environments.

To ensure simple integration, the device features a selectable analog output supporting both ratiometric or fixed (Vref) mode and a flexible 3.3V or 5V power supply. To ease physical design considerations, unlike core-based technologies, IMC Hall® allows for the elegant vertical stacking of the current conductor, PCB, and sensing IC. Moreover, the IMC design offers benefits for embedded applications, as its surface-mount packaging simplifies sensor IC integration into larger PCBs, thereby enhancing assembly efficiency and reducing costs.

Incorporated within the MLX91218-LF, dual internal and external threshold over-current detection (OCD) plays a critical role in supporting the creation of smart functions, including e-fuses, that are essential components of intelligent residential and industrial power distribution systems. OCD events are indicated by an active-low open-drain output, and it can be adjusted within or beyond the sensing range of the IC’s output.

In a typical current sensing application, the sensor measures a bus bar or PCB current in combination with a simple U-shaped shield. For clamp-on current solution, the shield assembly clamps around the current wire. In some permitting applications, such as those with low electromagnetic interference (EMI), it may be possible to forgo the shield to further reduce integration considerations and design volume.

“To enhance the efficiency and sustainability of power networks, intelligence is needed at a more detailed level. This is the driving force behind smart power devices in homes and industry alike, as they can reduce consumption, as well as help users to align with larger grid management strategies such as peak shaving and load shifting,” said Bruno Boury, Product Line Director at Melexis. He continued: "The new MLX91218-LF builds on 20 years of proven IMC technology to serve the critical lower current applications, ensuring straightforward integration, high accuracy, cost efficiency, and reliability."

To learn more about the MLX91218-LF, including application notes and sample requests, please go here.