
Current Sensors

Current sensors detect and convert current into a measurable output voltage, which is proportional to the current. The most common current sensor is a current sensing resistor, which can be considered a current-to-voltage converter. A current sensing resistor inserts the resister into a current path and the current is then converted into a voltage. There are a wide variety of sensors, and each sensor is suitable for a specific current range and environmental condition.
ACI Fixed Current switches, or “Status” switches, are designed for use in any AC current monitoring application to determine the ON/OFF status for a particular piece of equipment. The current switches are available in both solid and split-core versions. Applications include: Pump Status, Fan Status, Compressors, Motor Status, Ovens, Industrial Equipment, Lighting Status and Usage, Electrical Load Status and Local Alarms (Strobes and Audible Alarms).
ACI Adjustable Current switches are designed for use in any AC current monitoring application to monitor a particular piece of equipment for equipment failure, preventative maintenance, status, and electrical load status. The current switches are available in both solid and split-core versions. Applications include: Overload Conditions, Underload Conditions, Normal Operating Conditions, Broken Belts, Belt Slippage, Locked Rotors, Equipment Failure, Fans, Pumps, Compressors, Motors, Ovens, Industrial Equipment, Lighting Status and Usage, Electrical Load Status, Local Alarms (Strobes and Audible Alarms) and Preventative Maintenance Scheduling.
Products
Digital signals are represented in either a true or false. There is no gray area with digital signals. An example of this might be a light switch. A light switch is either on or off. Another example of this might be a motor that is running or not running. Digital signals can be generated with both AC and DC circuits with varying voltages, currents and resistance. Some practical examples of using digital signals in an industrial environment might be if a pump is running or not running or a whether a valve is open or closed.
Analog signals convey information in the form of a range. A light switch might be on or off as a digital signal, but a dimmer switch would be an analog signal. It can be on or off, but it can also be somewhere in between. A practical example of using analog signals in an industrial environment would be if there is a need to measure the level of a tank; whether it's full, empty or somewhere in between. Analog signals can take many different forms with some of the more common being a 4 to 20 milliamp signal or a 0 to 5 or 0 to 10 volt signal.
Communication in a device can either be sent or received. Whether that data is sent or received depends on the type of information. Is there a need to monitor the status of something? If so, an input needs to be received about that information. Is there a need to control something? If so, an output needs to be sent about what needs to occur. Receiving inputs and setting outputs are both things that can be accomplished by using both digital and analog signal types. Therefore, the signals are referred to as analog outputs (AO), analog inputs (AI), digital inputs (DI) or digital outputs (DO).