Hi Daniel,
Sorry I can’t work out how to private message you, and I’m aware this thread is old, but I hope you can help! I’ve been looking at using these ACS hall effect current sensors to measure DC currents coming from a solar array, and AC currents coming from a VFD, before feeding into a motor. (My research seems to show that CT sensors might not be able to cope at lower frequencies, and that the output of a VFD would have a lot of EMI noise due to the impure PWM signal. We’re looking at operating the VFD from 35Hz upwards).
I’ve found my biggest struggle with the ACS sensors is working out how to interface them with the solar array. The cables coming from the system are chunky 6mm cables designed to hold high currents. Soldering them directly to the legs of the sensor puts too much pressure on the smaller data legs and I’ve ended up snapping several off by accident. Your breakout board technique looks much neater. I’d be really interested in buying some if you have any more available. My biggest concern with some of the breakout boards I’ve seen so far is the termination methods. The small plastic screw down terminal blocks aren’t generally rated for high enough currents (and are often tiny in the ones I’ve seen), so I’m surprised to see them on breakout boards. Your breakboard board design looks like I would solder the cable directly, but even then I’m not sure how large a cable it could take? What cable size would you recommend with currents up to 50A AC? Or for 50A DC? I think ideally we’d eventually interface to a solar MC4 connector to easily and safely connect to and from our solar installations.
Really hope you can help! I’m been struggling on this problem for some months now, and feel I’m lacking the experience to know what is probably a great existing solution.
Thank you!
Natasha