DC-CT

ISOTEL DC-CT® Platiše Flux Sensor Invention

The DC‑CT® brand represents a patented invention for isolated measurement of DC and AC currents.

Within a magnetic core, constant magnetic flux (from a DC current) cannot be measured directly. Dr. Uroš Platiše’s invention periodically redistributes this constant flux among two or more paths inside a single gapless core. From the perspective of one path, the flux appears alternating and is therefore easily measured by a simple winding. The winding voltage is proportional to the measuring current.

He achieved this by creating a current‑controlled variable reluctance element (CCVR), a vital component embedded into the gapless core. It retains all the benefits of high permeability materials. This new sensor is therefore named the Platiše Flux Sensor after its inventor, Uroš Platiše.

Comparison to Hall‑based sensors Hall sensors require an air gap in the core, which reduces sensitivity and increases vulnerability to external magnetic fields. The DC‑CT® has no air gap, retaining very high sensitivity and immunity. It is also temperature independent.

Comparison to flux‑gate transducers Flux‑gate methods add energy to the core to alternate flux between maximum and minimum limits, consuming significant power. They typically require three cores (two for sensing, one for AC bandwidth). The DC‑CT® uses only one core and resets the core only on request to demagnetise, not continuously.

Visit ISOTEL DC-CT® Current Transducers page for related products, or ISOTEL DC-CT® Technology for more information about transducer technology.

Comparison table of DC-CT versus other current sensor types

Technology

Type

Isolated

Current Range

AC Bandwidth

Linearity

Accuracy

Temperature Drift

Power Consumption

DC-CT

DC/AC

Yes

High

High

Excellent

Very High

Very Low

Low / Medium

Fluxgate

DC/AC

Yes

High

High

Excellent

Excellent

Very Low

High

Hall

DC/AC

Yes

High

Medium

Medium

Medium

High

Low / Medium

Shunt

DC/AC

No

Medium

Medium

Good

High

Medium

High

Rogowsky

AC

Yes

High

Very High

Good

Medium

Low

Very Low

CT

AC

Yes

High

Medium

Medium

Medium

Low

Low

Selected Publications

  • High Precision Wide Bandwidth DC Current Transducer Based on the Platiše Flux Sensor
    Uroš Platiše, Tomaž Kanalec, Mihael Mohorčič
    Sensors 2020, 20(15), 4197