Apparatus for measuring voltages and currents using non-contacting sensors

摘要

An apparatus for performing non-contacting measurements of the voltage, current and power levels of conductive elements such as wires, cables and the like includes an arrangement of capacitive sensors for generating a first current in response to variation in voltage of a conductive element. Each sensor is positioned in an electric field of the conductive element, and is thereby coupled to the conductive element through a coupling capacitance. A reference source drives the capacitive sensor arrangement at a reference frequency so as to induce the flow of a reference current therethrough. A measurement network is disposed to calculate the coupling capacitance based on a measurement of the reference current, and to then determine the voltage in the conductive element based on the first current and the coupling capacitance. Measurements of a composite current through single or multiple-element conductors may be effected using a similar procedure, wherein the composite current induces a measurement current to flow within a set of coils positioned in a predetermined manner proximate the conductor. In both current and voltage measurements a balancing procedure may be employed, in which a measurement signal is balanced by a feedback signal so as to improve accuracy and reduce the effects of stray coupling.