Note: A high-sensitivity current sensor based on piezoelectric ceramic Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 and ferromagnetic materials

An electric current sensor using piezoelectric ceramic Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT) sandwiched between two high permeability cuboids and two NdFeB magnets is presented. The magnetic field originating from an electric wire is augmented by the high permeability cuboids. The PZT plate experiences an enhanced magnetic force and generates voltage output. When placed with a distance of d = 5.0 mm from the wire, the sensor shows a flat sensitivity of ∼5.7 mV/A in the frequency range of 30 Hz–80 Hz and an average sensitivity of 5.6 mV/A with highly linear behavior in the current range of 1 A–10 A at 50 Hz.