Digital Current Meter for Leakage and Touch Current Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital current meters struggle to accurately measure complex leakage or touch currents in electronic and electrical products, particularly with non-sinusoidal waveforms, and lack the flexibility to adapt to evolving safety standards.
Innovation Solution
The development of a digital current meter that incorporates analog-to-digital converter circuitry, touch probe circuitry, and current monitor circuitry, enabling the detection and conversion of leakage or touch currents into digital values. This meter can measure peak, RMS, and quasi-peak current values, and is programmable to adapt to different safety standards and measurement criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional analog current meters are used to measure leakage current, then the device structure is simple, but the measurement precision is insufficient for complex non-sinusoidal waveforms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional analog mechanical measurement systems with digital electronic measurement systems. The analog-to-digital converter circuitry converts analog current signals into digital values that can be processed by a microprocessor, enabling precise measurement of complex non-sinusoidal waveforms that analog meters cannot accurately capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter representation from continuous analog signals to discrete digital values. By sampling the analog current at multiple points and converting to digital form, the system can accurately represent complex waveforms including peak, RMS, and quasi-peak values that are essential for modern safety standards.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-function current meters are used, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to evolving safety standards is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a programmable microprocessor-based system that can dynamically adapt its measurement and calculation algorithms. The device can be reconfigured through software to comply with different safety standards (UL, IEC, CSA) and calculate various current metrics (peak, RMS, quasi-peak) as needed, providing flexibility without hardware changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal measurement platform that can handle multiple measurement types and compliance standards through software programming. The single device can perform UL 61010, IEC 61010, and CSA C22.2 leakage current measurements by loading appropriate measurement routines, eliminating the need for multiple specialized meters.
3Reliability
If analog measurement systems are used, then the device is easier to manufacture, but the reliability for safety-critical measurements is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces analog measurement systems with digital electronic systems that offer superior stability and reliability. Digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital conversion circuits provide consistent, repeatable measurements that are not susceptible to drift or environmental factors affecting analog components, ensuring reliable safety-critical measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the microprocessor continuously monitors and adjusts measurements based on digital signal processing. The system can detect and correct measurement errors, validate results against expected ranges, and provide feedback for compliance determination, enhancing overall measurement reliability for safety certification.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus configured to measure current includes a probe configured to connect to a device under test and touch probe circuitry connected to the probe. The touch probe circuitry is configured to detect, via the probe, a leakage or touch current of the device under test while the device under test is connected to a power source. The apparatus further includes analog to digital converter circuitry configured to receive the leakage or touch current from the touch probe circuitry. The analog to digital converter further outputs at least one digital value related the leakage or touch current. The apparatus further includes current monitor circuitry configured to detect differential current between power lines connected to the device under test. The analog to digital converter circuitry is further configured to receive the differential current from the current monitor circuitry and output at least one digital value related to the differential current.