SparkFun Non-Invasive Current Sensor Kit

Effortlessly monitor the power consumption of your AC devices without the hassle of disconnecting circuits or cutting wires. The SparkFun Non-Invasive Current Sensor Kit provides a complete solution to safely measure AC energy usage via I2C and the Qwiic Connect System. Central to this kit is the Qwiic-enabled ADE7953 single-phase multifunction metering IC, paired with a 100A to 50mA split-core current transformer for a solder-free, non-invasive sensing experience.

The ADE7953 metering IC is a powerhouse for single-phase current metering, capable of measuring neutral current on a secondary channel. Its precision is remarkable, boasting less than 0.1% error in measuring both active and reactive energy across a dynamic range of 3000:1. The IC also provides instantaneous IRMS readings with an accuracy of less than 0.2% error. Communication is flexible, with options for I2C (default), SPI, and UART, selectable via solder jumpers on the board.

The current clamp included in the kit features a ferrite core with a 1.3 cm by 1.3 cm opening, simplifying the process of wrapping it around existing cables. Once in place, it delivers a 50mA output at its 100A rated input, supporting a frequency range of 50Hz to 150kHz. It maintains an accurate ±3% non-linearity from 10% to 120% of the rated input current, ensuring reliable performance.

For ease of use, the kit is designed with several connection options for your monitoring hardware. The 3.5mm audio jack input connects directly to the ADE7953's Current Channel A, facilitating a straightforward connection with the current clamp. Dual Qwiic connectors offer a simple, daisy-chainable I2C connection to your main system. Additionally, the board breaks out both the A and B current channels to plated-through-hole pins, although it does not break out the ADE7953's voltage measurement channel, limiting the board to AC current measurement only.

Furthermore, the current sensor features a 2.54mm-spaced plated through-hole header that breaks out the ADE7953's power and communication pins. It also routes to the ADE7953's interrupt pin and the Channel A zero-crossing pin. The interrupt pin is user-configurable, providing an active signal to indicate events, while the zero-crossing pin outputs a pulse each time the current waveform crosses zero, helping determine line frequency and synchronize measurements to the AC cycle.