PASCO CI-6740 User Manual

Instruction Sheet
for the PASCO
Model CI-6740

012-08627A

High Current Sensor

Introduction

The PASCO CI-6740 High Current Sensor measures
both AC or DC current between 0 and 10 amperes.
The High Current Sensor is ideal for circuits in which
the current exceeds 1 ampere. Instead of a sensing
resistor, the High Current sensor uses a Hall-Effect
chip, which has no internal resistance and therefore
generally eliminates the need to account for sensor
resistance. The sensor includes a 10-amp fuse, which
is replaceable.

With a set of banana plugs or lead inputs, the High
Current Sensor connects directly to a power supply or
to any PASCO circuit board.

Equipment included:

• High Current Sensor (CI-6740)

Additional equipment required:

• ScienceWorkshop® computer interface

• DataStudio software, version 1.8.5 or later

• Banana plugs (1 or more sets) (For one set of

banana plugs, use part no. 517-007 and 517-008.
For a 5-pack of leads, use SE-9750 and SE-9751.)

Specifications:

• Maximum current input: 10 Amps

• Maximum voltage input: 30 Volts

• Resolution: 5 milliamps

• Frequency response: DC to 16 Khz

• Fuse: 10 Amps, fast-acting (replaceable)

• Insertion resistance: 0.03 ohms (maximum)

Typical Applications:

• Determine the current output from PASCO’s
Hand Crank Generator or a power supply

• Measure the current through a PASCO coil

CI-6740 012-08627A

Safety Precautions

SAFETY WARNING: When operating the High

Current Sensor, follow standard electrical safety
precautions in your classroom. To avoid the risk of
shock, do not use the High Current Sensor in or near
water, liquids, or chemicals. Also, keep water and
other liquids away from any devices connected to the
High Current Sensor, such as a power supply or other
electrical devices. When using a power supply,
connect the power supply and any other connected
equipment to a ground, such as a three-pronged wall
outlet.

Equipment Setup Options

CAUTION: To avoid magnetic interference,

which might reduce the accuracy of the sensor, keep the
High Current Sensor away from magnets. To avoid
overloading the circuit inside the sensor, do not exceed a
current of 10 amps.

Coil

Power Supply

Sensor

Figure 1: Series connection between a

power supply, Field Coil, and High Current
Sensor

4. (Optional): For induction studies, use a PASCO

Detector Coil to monitor current from the Field Coil.

5. Follow the steps under “Software Setup and Data

Collection.”

b) Connecting the High Current Sensor to a PASCO

Hand-Crank Generator (EM-8090)

a) Connecting the High Current Sensor to a PASCO

Coil

The High Current Sensor can be used with any of
the following PASCO coils (EM-6711, EM-6712,
EM-6713, and EM-6714). The High Current Sensor
must be connected in series with the circuit to be
measured.

1. Connect banana plugs to create a series circuit

between the power supply, Field Coil, and High
Current Sensor (Figure 1). A sample series circuit
connection is as follows: a) from the positive port on
the power supply to the negative port on the Field
Coil, and b) from the positive port on the Field Coil
to the negative port on the High Current Sensor, and
c) from the positive port on the High Current Sensor
to the negative port on the power supply.

2. Insert the DIN plug connector into an analog

channel on a ScienceWorkshop interface.

1. Using banana plug connectors or other leads, connect

the Hand-Crank Generator in series with a High
Current Sensor and a circuit board.

2. Insert the DIN plug connector into an analog

channel on a ScienceWorkshop interface.

3. Follow the steps under “Software Setup and Data

Collection.”

3. Turn on the power supply.

2