Switches, Sensors, Split Cores, And Transformers: Which Does What?
When you are not an electrician, but you have the responsibility of ordering electrical parts for machines in your industrial plant, you undoubtedly will feel overwhelmed or confused. After all, there are AC current switches, DC current switches, current sensors, split core sensors, and transformers of both the usual variety and the split core variety. Which part does what? Here is some helpful information to sort things out for you.
AC Current Switch
This is a switch that controls the flow of alternating current in a machine or in an industrial plant overall. The switch signals generators to turn off or on to meet electrical demands. It also stops the system from being flooded by excess current.
AC Current Sensors
These sensors work in tandem with the current switches. The sensors pick up on the flow of current and detect which source is providing the energy. If two energy sources are trying to feed into the system/machine at the same time, the sensor detects that and then signals the switch to cut power from one of the sources to avoid short-circuiting the whole plant.
DC Current Switches and Sensors
DC current switches and sensors do the same thing as the AC variety, with the exception that direct current is in play and not alternating current. Direct current machines are uncommon in the United States, but they may be in use when a machine is an imported device from Europe or Asia. The DC components should be on their own electrical operating system because DC and AC current should not cross streams.
Split Core Current Sensors
Split core current sensors are fit to sense electricity in two channels instead of one. You would plug this into two machines that share a power source, or you would use it to split wiring around a solid object, such as a support pole. This allows the electricity to flow in two directions, and the sensor components are designed to recognize when there are two incoming/outgoing power lines. The sensors in these parts will not shut down unless a third power source is detected or is interrupting the power flow of the split power lines.
Transformers
Transformers transfer electrical power between two or more electrical circuits. If the sensors and switches are functioning properly, then the transformers are able to transfer power with no major hassles. A split core transformer doubles the transformer's ability to do the same job.