PRECAUTIONS
• This product is not intended to be used for
Life or Safety applications.
• This product is not intended for use in any
hazardous or classified locations.
• The A/CS2 and A/SCS2 Series Current Switches
must be used on Insulated Conductors Only.
HIGH VOLTAGE
• Disconnect and lock out all power sources
before installation as severe injury or death
may result from electrical shock due to
contact with high voltage wires.
• Never rely on the Red LED to determine
whether power is present at the current
switch. At very low monitored input currents
the Red LED may not light to indicate the
current is above the trip point.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The ACI Fixed “Status” Current switches are
designed for use in any AC current monitoring
application in which you are looking for a “Go/No
Go” or On/Off status for a particular piece of
equipment. The current switches should be
installed on the line side of the power to the motor,
pump, compressor or other equipment. The current
switches are available in both solid and split-core
versions which also includes a Patented 35 mm Din
Rail mounting foot for easy installation in panel
mount applications. The fixed current status
switches can also be used to determine the run time
of your equipment and basic load trending
applications where you want to know when your piece of equipment runs and for how long it runs for
when logging the contact closures on your building management system or PLC.
INSTALLATION
Ensure all installations are in compliance with all national and local electrical codes. Only qualified
individuals that are familiar with codes, standards, and proper safety procedures for high-voltage
installations should attempt installation. The current switches will not require external power because the
power for the current switch is induced from the conductor being monitored.
Automation Components, Inc.
2305 Pleasant View Road | Middleton, WI 53562
Phone:
1-888-967-5224 |
Website:
workaci.com
Page 3
Version: 6.0
I0000787
The current switch may be mounted in any position
using the two #8 x 3/4” Tek screws and the mounting
holes in the base, or snapped directly on to the 35mm
DIN rail (See
Figure 3
). Leave a minimum distance of
1” (3 cm) between the current switch and any other
magnetic devices such as contactors and
transformers.
Latch Operation for A/SCS2 Series
Press down on the side tab and swing the top of the
unit up to open the split core current switch as shown
in
Figure 2
. Press down firmly on the cover to close the
current switch. An audible “click” will be heard as the
tab slides over the tongue on the base.
CAUTION:
Mating surfaces of the magnetic core are
exposed when the sensor is open. Electrical contact
grease, present on the cores to prevent corrosion, can
capture grit and dirt if care is not exercised. Operation
can be impaired if anything prevents good contact
between pole pieces. Visually check the mating parts
of the core before closing the current sensor.
LED
The Red LED will indicate whether the current is above
(LED On) or below (LED Off) the fixed trip point. At very
low monitored input currents the Red LED may not
light to indicate the current is above the trip point.
APPLICATION NOTES
The conductor being monitored may be looped through the sensor multiple times. The loops increase the
current measured by the current switch. Each time the conductor passes through the current switch window
equals one loop (See
Figure 4
p. 2). To determine the proper number of loops required, take the rated Fixed
Trip Point of the current switch and divide it by the Operating Current of the Monitored Device, add one (1),
then round up to the nearest whole number. Example: When using the A/CS2, a small fan operating at 0.1A
should be wrapped through the sensor four times to give you a total operating current of 0.4 Amps flowing
through the A/CS2. Formula Example: (0.25A/0.1A) = 2.5 + 1 = 3.5, which rounded up equals 4 loops.
WIRING INSTRUCTIONS
ACI recommends the use of a two conductor 16 to 22 AWG shielded cable or twisted pair copper wire only,
for all current switch applications. A maximum wire length of less than 30 meters (98.4 feet) should be used
between the current switch and the Building Management System or controller.
Note:
When using a shielded cable, be sure to connect only (1) end of the shield to ground at the controller.
Connecting both ends of the shield to ground may cause a ground loop. When removing the shield from the
sensor end, make sure to properly trim the shield to prevent any chance of shorting.
The current switch output terminals represent a solid-state switch for controlling both AC and DC loads and
are not polarity sensitive. Tighten the screws at the terminal block connections to the recommended torque
of 0.5 to 0.6 Nm (4.43 to 5.31 in-lbs.). The aperture (hole) size of the current switch is 0.75” (1.90 cm).
FIGURE 5:
DIGITAL CIRCUIT
FIGURE 6:
MOTOR/FAN
CONTROL
DIGITAL INPUT #1
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
APPLICATION EXAMPLES
See
Figure 5
(p.3) and
Figure 6
(p.3) for two different current switch applications.
Figure 5
(p.3) is showing
the use of the Go/No Go Current Switch as a Digital Input to your BAS/PLC Controller.
Figure 6
(p.3) shows a
Go/No/Go Current Switch in conjunction with a Contactor to control an exhaust fan.
Note:
The ACI Go/No Go Current switches are only rated at 0.2A @ 200 VAC/VDC and must use an additional
Contactor if controlling motor/fans.
Relay
Motor
Exhaust Fan
Motor
Range Hood Fan
ACI Split-Core Switch
Neutral
120 Volt Hot
120 Volt Hot
Neutral
120 Volt Hot
Neutral
