Allegro MicroSystems released the ACS37200, a galvanically isolated current sensor designed to address efficiency and power density constraints in high-current electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) power electronics.
As EV systems push higher currents into smaller form factors, resistive losses and thermal management associated with traditional shunt resistors have become limiting design factors.
The ACS37200 integrates current sensing and isolation into a single device with a 50 µΩ conductor resistance, reducing power loss and supporting more compact, efficient power system designs.
In a typical 100 A system, a 0.5 mΩ shunt resistor can dissipate approximately 5 W as heat. With a 50 µΩ conductor resistance, the ACS37200 reduces this loss to approximately 0.5 W, representing a 90% reduction. Lower heat generation improves system efficiency and supports increased EV range while reducing thermal design requirements.
The reduced power dissipation enables higher power density and smaller designs. Packaged in a 100 mm² PSOF form factor, the ACS37200 achieves up to a 95% reduction in board area compared with discrete shunt-based solutions. Integrated isolation and low heat generation eliminate the need for external isolation components and bulky heatsinks.
The ACS37200 is a factory-calibrated, fully integrated solution certified to UL 62368-1, replacing multiple discrete components such as shunt resistors and isolation amplifiers. This simplifies system design, reduces bill of materials complexity, and supports safety compliance in high-voltage applications.
Features
- Ultra-low power loss with 50 µΩ conductor resistance, reducing dissipation by approximately 90% compared with a typical 0.5 mΩ shunt
- High power density with up to a 95% footprint reduction versus discrete shunt solutions
- Integrated galvanic isolation providing 1000 VRMS / 1,414 Vdc basic isolation, certified to UL 62368-1
- Simplified design using a single factory-calibrated IC in an 8-pin PSOF package
Filed Under: Sensors, Technology News