Summary of LITTLE BEE, AFFORDABLE HIGH-PERFORMANCE CURRENT & MAGNETIC FIELD PROBE
### Summary The article describes "Little Bee," an affordable, high-performance current and magnetic field probe launched on Crowdsupply. Designed as open hardware, it aims to make power electronics testing accessible by offering DC to MHz bandwidth measurements at a lower cost than traditional probes. Utilizing an Anisotropic Magneto-Resistive (AMR) sensor and a ferrite toroid with an air gap, the device provides accurate, isolated current sensing comparable to expensive fluxgate or hybrid sensors.
Parts used in the Little Bee:
- Anisotropic Magneto-Resistive (AMR) magnetic sensor
- Clip for current sensing
- Ferrite toroid with an air gap
A campaign for a current probe called Little Bee was launched on Crowdsupply. Little Bee is an affordable and high-performance current probe and magnetic field probe that enables you to debug and analyze electronic devices more effectively. This device comes in handy because current probes available today are expensive, therefore having a limited number of users. Current probes are gaining ground today because of the popularity of power electronics like electric vehicles, alternative energy, and high-efficiency power supplies. Regarding the aim of the project, the company says:
We hope to make the world of power electronics accessible to more people by delivering a much-needed piece of test equipment as open hardware and at an affordable price.
Little Bee can function as a traditional current probe, providing isolated measurements of the current in a wire with higher accuracy, and It can also measure currents over a wide bandwidth: from DC to the MHz range. Thanks to its Anisotropic Magneto-Resistive (AMR) magnetic sensor, Little Bee’s performance can be compared to other current probes based on fluxgate magnetometers, and probes with hybrid features that offer AC current transformers with DC hall effect sensors. Little Bee offers the same level of performance, but with a much lower cost.
The AMR sensor functions by sensing magnetic fields, producing a voltage proportional to the magnetic field strength. It features a clip, which enables current sensing by translating the current in a wire into a magnetic field. It is also equipped with a ferrite toroid with an air gap in which the sensor tip rests. The synergy between the current in the wire and the magnetic field in the air gap varies little as the wire moves around the center of the toroid. This enables accurate current sensing despite variations in the test setup.
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- What is the primary goal of the Little Bee project?
To make the world of power electronics accessible to more people by delivering test equipment as open hardware at an affordable price. - Can Little Bee measure currents over a wide bandwidth?
Yes, it can measure currents from DC to the MHz range. - How does the AMR sensor function in this device?
The sensor functions by sensing magnetic fields and producing a voltage proportional to the magnetic field strength. - Does Little Bee offer isolated measurements of current?
Yes, it functions as a traditional current probe providing isolated measurements of the current in a wire. - Why are current probes gaining popularity today?
They are gaining ground due to the popularity of power electronics like electric vehicles, alternative energy, and high-efficiency power supplies. - How does the design ensure accuracy despite setup variations?
The synergy between the current in the wire and the magnetic field in the air gap varies little as the wire moves around the center of the toroid. - What makes Little Bee different from other current probes currently available?
It offers the same level of performance as expensive fluxgate or hybrid probes but at a much lower cost. - Where was the campaign for Little Bee launched?
The campaign was launched on Crowdsupply.
