Comparative analysis between active and passive current transducers in sinusoidal and distorted conditions

In this paper the behaviour of some devices commonly used for current measurement is examined by means of a number of experimental tests, considering either sinusoidal or distorted conditions. Traditional current transformers, transducers based on the Hall effect and resistive shunts combined with isolation amplifiers have been considered. The comparison is performed by taking into account amplitude errors and time shifts, as well as deviations caused by the different harmonic contents between input and output quantities. The presented investigation aims to find out the main characteristics that make each transducer suitable or unsuitable in different practical situations