Wind energy is one of the clean energy sources. In recent years, wind power generation has been developing rapidly worldwide. Especially in 2025, domestic newly installed capacity in the first half of the year reached 51.39 GW, a year-on-year increase of 98.9%, while overseas European orders surged by 224%. In terms of profit, among the seven leading domestic wind power companies, six experienced net profit growth of over 50%.
Wind energy inverters act as a 'bridge' between wind turbines and the power grid, mainly responsible for the conversion and control of electrical energy. Without wind energy inverters, the electricity generated by wind turbines cannot be accepted by the grid. The current sensor serves as the 'eye' for precise control, and it is a key sensing component for achieving accurate control, safe operation, and efficient power generation. Without high-precision and highly reliable current sensors, none of the advanced control functions of inverters can be realized. Due to high currents, strong interference, and wide temperature differences in modern wind power scenarios, traditional sensors struggle to meet the requirements. This article discusses a solution based on a hall closed-loop current sensor. CHIPSENSE current sensors as one of the samples of them.
Wind power frequency converters are one of the core components of wind power generation systems. They are primarily used to convert the mechanical energy captured by wind turbines into electrical energy and achieve efficient grid integration by regulating the frequency and voltage of the electrical output. Their core function is to control the rotational speed of the wind turbine generator to maximize the utilization of wind energy while ensuring the stability and quality of the output electricity.
2.Core Components
Components | Functions |
Rectifier | Convert the AC output of the generator into DC |
DC bus | Store and smooth DC electrical energy |
Inverter | Convert DC into AC synchronized with the grid |
Control unit | Implement functions such as MPPT, grid synchronization, and fault protection |
Wind power inverters control generators (such as torque and speed) through current control. Current sensors provide real-time, high-precision current signals, forming a closed-loop control circuit. They are primarily used in wind power inverters for real-time monitoring, control, and system protection. The following are their core application scenarios and technical highlights:
2. System Protection and Safe Operation
This is one of the most direct and critical functions of current sensors. The inverter's main control unit monitors current values in real time to determine whether the system is abnormal and take protective measures within milliseconds.
Overcurrent and Short-Circuit Protection: Real-time monitoring of DC bus and phase currents. When the current exceeds the set safety threshold (possibly due to a grid short circuit, internal component failure, etc.), the controller immediately blocks the IGBT drive pulses, protecting expensive core components such as power switches (such as IGBTs) and capacitors from damage.
Overheat Protection: Current monitoring indirectly estimates the heating status of power devices. Combined with temperature sensors, this provides more comprehensive overheat protection.
3. Control Optimization
Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT): Adjusts generator speed based on current data to maximize wind energy utilization.
Harmonic Mitigation: Monitors the harmonic content of the inverter output current and optimizes waveform quality through control algorithms (such as PWM) to meet grid requirements.
4. Support for Advanced Grid Functions (such as Low Voltage Ride-Through (LVRT))
Modern wind turbines must be capable of low voltage ride-through (LVRT). This means they must not disconnect from the grid during a sudden voltage drop, but instead provide reactive power to the grid to aid recovery.
During this process, current sensors continuously monitor the grid current, ensuring that the inverter maintains current within a safe range during voltage drops and accurately outputs the required reactive current to meet grid connection regulations.
5. Where are current sensors typically placed in key locations?
Typical installation locations for current sensors in inverters:
Detection Position | Main Functions: |
Generator Side (Stator/Rotor Current) | It is used for precise motor control (torque and speed) and is the core of MPPT implementation. |
Grid Side (Grid-Connected Current) | It is used to control grid power quality (harmonics and power factor), synchronize grid connections, and meet grid regulations. |
DC Bus (DC Link Current) | It is primarily used for system protection (over-current), monitoring bus voltage stability, and power balance. |
Sensor Type | Advantages | Disadvantages | Applicable Scenarios |
Hall Effect Sensor | High-precision, wide-bandwidth, isolated measurement | High cost | Inverter input/output, DC bus |
Shunt | Low-cost, high-precision | No isolation,High power consumption | Low-voltage side current monitoring |
Rogowski Coil | Non-contact, wide dynamic range | Requires an integrator circuit | High-frequency current measurement |
Technical Key Points:
Accuracy Requirements: Typically, accuracy must be within 0.5% to ensure accurate control and protection.
Response Speed: Requires support for high-frequency sampling (e.g., ≥20kHz) to accommodate the fast switching of the inverter.
Environmental Adaptability: Requires resistance to high and low temperatures, vibration, and salt spray (for offshore wind power).
Based on the above analysis, we recommend the CR1A H00 series current sensor from CHIPSENSE. The CR1A series is a closed-loop (compensated) current sensor based on the Hall effect principle, independently developed by CHIPSENSE. Its measurement range extends from 50 to 300A, meeting the high current requirements of wind power converters. The primary and secondary sides are insulated, allowing it to measure DC, AC, and pulse currents. Its excellent linearity (±0.1%) and outstanding accuracy (±0.5%) ensure power generation efficiency. CHIPSENSE CR1A H00 series current sensor low temperature drift (±0.5mA), wide bandwidth (200kHz), and fast response are highly compatible with the stringent requirements of wind power converters. CHIPSENSE current sensors received unanimous praise from domestic and foreign customers.
Based on the Hall effect closed-loop principle: Provides high accuracy, high linearity, and excellent dynamic response performance, meeting the fast control requirements of inverters.
Primary-to-secondary isolation: Provides excellent electrical isolation, withstands the high-voltage environment within the inverter, and protects the low-voltage control side. CHIPSENSE current sensors safety features comply with inverter safety standards such as IEC 61800-5-1.
Excellent linearity and low temperature drift: Ensures accurate and reliable measurement results across the entire operating temperature range and range, which is essential for precise control. Low temperature drift ensures long-term stability and reduces maintenance costs.
Measurement types: Capable of measuring DC, AC, and pulse currents, fully covering measurement scenarios for the inverter's internal DC bus (DC), generator/grid side (AC), and pulse currents caused by IGBT switching.
Wide operating temperature: -40°C to 85°C, adapting to the extreme climates of offshore and onshore wind power. CHIPSENSE has very high requirements for current sensor storage and operating temperature.
Selection recommendations
Application | Core Functions | Recommended CHIPSENSE current sensor models (according to currentsize) |
DC Bus Side | Overcurrent protection, system monitoring, | CR1A 200 H00, CR1A 300 H00 |
Generator Side | torque/speed control, MPPT, generator protection, | CR1A 100 H00, CR1A 200 H00 |
Grid Side | power quality regulation, reactive power control, and LVRT grid support | CR1A 100 H00, CR1A 200 H00 |
Note: The final selection of the specific model needs to be determined based on the rated current and peak current of each point in the wind power inverter design.
CHIPSENSE CR1A series current sensor offers a well-balanced solution in terms of performance, cost, and functionality. It successfully strikes an optimal balance between key features: isolation, accuracy, bandwidth, and DC/AC measurement capabilities. Furthermore, CHIPSENSE CR1A's high bandwidth enables wind power to participate in grid frequency regulation. CHIPSENSE supports customization services, allowing for flexible adjustment of parameters such as coil turns ratio and supply voltage to accommodate the next generation of high-power wind turbines. CHIPSENSE can provide multi-range current sensors for different customers in different application fields.
CHIPSENSE is a national high-tech enterprise that focuses on the research and development, production, and application of high-end current and voltage sensors, as well as forward research on sensor chips and cutting-edge sensor technologies. CHIPSENSE is committed to providing customers with independently developed sensors, as well as diversified customized products and solutions.
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