Current divider for extended current measurement

摘要

A power controller controls power to a load and includes a primary conductor, a current divider, first and second current sensors, and a controller. The primary conductor carries a primary current to the load. The current divider is connected between the primary conductor and the load and includes a first conductor and a second conductor. The second conductor has a greater impedance than the first conductor. The first current sensor provides a first output representative of the primary current, and the second current sensor provides a second output representative of a secondary current in the second conductor of the current divider. The controller determines the primary current to the load based upon the first output when the primary current is less than a threshold value, and based upon the second output when the primary current is greater than the threshold value.

主权项

1. A power controller that controls power to a load, the power controller comprising:
a primary conductor that carries a primary current to the load; a power switch connected between the primary conductor and a power source; a current divider connected between the primary conductor and the load, wherein the current divider includes a first conductor and a second conductor, the second conductor having a greater impedance than the first conductor; a first current sensor that provides a first output representative of the primary current; a second current sensor that provides a second output representative of a secondary current in the second conductor of the current divider; and a controller that determines the primary current to the load based upon the first output when the primary current is less than a threshold value, and based upon the second output when the primary current is greater than the threshold value, wherein the power switch is controlled by the controller to control power to the load.