A prominent University in the Mid-West recently approached us looking for a current measurement solution. They are in the process of installing a high voltage DC system in one of their campus buildings. This means that everything in the building will be powered by direct current including LED lighting, appliances like the refrigerator and even the HVAC. High voltage DC systems such as this have the potential to be much more efficient when the power source is from solar or other technologies that generate DC current, as there are fewer conversion steps degrading overall efficiency.

They were looking for a way to measure the total current draw of the building and perhaps even monitor individual loads, such as the HVAC or refrigerator. Initially, they were looking for a traditional ammeter type shunt but upon further discussion it was determined that they would be doing datalogging for continuous analysis and could benefit from a signal from the current sensor that would interface directly with their equipment. The SSA, with its differential analog output, 1500v reinforced isolation, and UL recognition proved to be a perfect solution.

A distribution, monitoring, and protection panel was designed and installed including four of our SSA smart current sensors in series with four of our CFB class “T” fuse holders for circuit protection.

Additional SSA sensors are planned for monitoring individual loads and a lower voltage bus for powering smaller items.

The SSA is indeed a very good solution here and the same basic idea could be applied to most any battery monitoring