AFE3010: Can this part be used to detect DC GFCI? If not what solutions do we have that can?

Hey Lauren,

So the AFE3010's amplifier front-end (the inputs to the internal current-feedback amplifier) can measure DC currents and the internal logic will respond to these signals once they exceed internal threshold limits listed in datasheet (5mA, 15mA, etc).

However there are few problems:

1. Traditional current transformers do work with DC fault current. There do seem to be DC current transformers out in the market place, but they are not just current transformers, but include other circuitry or components to measure DC fault current.

2. The AFE3010 (specifically the PH pin) requires an oscillating ~60 Hz signal to operate normally. This signal usually comes from the line voltage in standard AC GFCI applications, but it could be a simple square/triangular/sine wave from 0V to 20V if a AC line voltage is not available.

3. Other feature of this device would have to be disabled such as disabling SCRTST feature by setting SEL=float and also completely removing the Neutral-ground fault current transformer and circuit off the NG_OUT pin. These are not really problems, but would need to happen in order for AFE3010 to operate in a DC environment.

Here are some documents that could provide other ideas:

https://www.ti.com/lit/ug/tidudj6b/tidudj6b.pdf?ts=1675110662490&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.ti.com%252Fsitesearch%252Fen-us%252Fdocs%252Funiversalsearch.tsp%253FlangPref%253Den-US%2526searchTerm%253Dleakage%2Bcurrent%2526nr%253D25205

https://www.ti.com/lit/ug/tiduf03/tiduf03.pdf?ts=1675110892886&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.ti.com%252Fsitesearch%252Fen-us%252Fdocs%252Funiversalsearch.tsp%253FlangPref%253Den-US%2526searchTerm%253Dground%2Bfault%2526nr%253D2098

https://www.ti.com/lit/ug/tidua39a/tidua39a.pdf?ts=1675110901797&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.ti.com%252Fsitesearch%252Fen-us%252Fdocs%252Funiversalsearch.tsp%253FlangPref%253Den-US%2526searchTerm%253Dground%2Bfault%2526nr%253D2098

https://www.ti.com/lit/ug/tidu873a/tidu873a.pdf?ts=1634325136393&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%252F

https://www.ti.com/lit/ug/tidua56a/tidua56a.pdf?ts=1619675574417&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.ti.com%252Ftool%252FTIDA-00442

Sincerely,

Peter