opecs iwatsu Broadband Optically Isolated Current Probe

Optical-probe-Electric-Current-Sensor

OpECS is an optical current sensor that enables current measurement by capturing the magnetic field

generated around the current. The sensor uses the Faraday effect (or magneto-optical effect). When a

magnetic field exists at the sensor, the direction of oscillation of linearly polarized light changes under

the influence of the magnetic field. The direction of oscillation follows an elliptical path according to

the direction of the magnetic field, and the change in direction is proportional to the magnitude of the

magnetic field (Figure 1). This information is sent to a control unit at a later stage, where it is converted

from an optical signal to an electrical signal. The converted electrical signals can then be input to an

oscilloscope or other device to measure the current.