Relative capacitance of a plurality of capacitive sensors may be monitored by using only one ADC conversion. A plurality of capacitive sensors individually charges a sample and hold capacitor. After all of the plurality of capacitive sensors have charged the sample and hold capacitor, a digital conversion of the resulting analog on the sample and hold capacitor is made and stored in a memory. This stored digital collective voltage is compared to a previously stored one and if different then a proximity/touch event may have occurred. Therefore, an entire panel of capacitive sensors may be quickly monitored for a change in the group capacitance thereof, or portions of the capacitive sensors may be monitored for a change in the subgroup capacitance thereof. By knowing which subgroup of capacitive sensors has changed its collective capacitive value, a more focused and selective capacitive sensor measurement can be made that uses less power.

In one example, a method comprises: receiving a voltage from a power converter, and generating a comparison result representing a comparison between the voltage and a voltage threshold. The method further comprises providing one of a first current reference or a second current reference to the power converter responsive to the comparison result, in which the first and second current references represent different current levels.

The invention provides a signal conditioning stage for a photonic current or voltage transducer which comprises a number of burden resistors and a number of switches in parallel with the burden resistors, the switches operable to short different burden resistors in response to detection of different currents or voltages, and thereby protect the burden resistors and/or adjust the dynamic range of the transducer. The invention enables a hybrid photonic current or voltage sensor with an extended measurement range and increased accuracy and signal-to-noise ratio at the lower measurement end. Embodiments of the invention provide a device that is capable of covering both protection and metering ranges, as may be defined and re-defined from time-to-time by relevant standards. The invention also enables an auto-ranging device which increases measurement performance at lower current by deliberately reducing the range for lower currents and increasing the range when certain current level is exceeded, increasing dynamic range without the need for multiple LVTs. Similar range switching allows dynamic range increases in voltage sensing applications too.

For decades, a mainstay of electrical and electronic testing has been the conventional use of the multi-meter that used a pair of probes to connect the Device Under Test to the meter. This often proves inadequate for present-day testing because more than one simultaneous or alternate reading or the connection of another testing tool and the reading of its effect on the DUT is often required. The Dual-Function Switch and Lead set (DFSL) of the present invention provides a switch and lead set interfacing two multi-meters, or one multi-meter and one test device or instrument with the DUT, while using the traditional and convenient pair of probes and a simple finger movement on the DFSL. The DFSL facilitates these tests, their safety and integrity, and reduces the time of many test procedures.

A current sensor may include a detection unit which outputs a detection signal corresponding to a magnetic field generated around a conductor by a flow of a measurement current therein; an amplification circuit, including a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal, which amplifies the detection signal input via the first input terminal and outputs an output signal via the output terminal; and a control circuit which is capable of inputting an offset signal to the first input terminal. The amplification circuit may be configured to be capable of switching at least a first amplification factor and a second amplification factor, and the control circuit may turn off the input of the offset signal to the first input terminal during a period in which the first amplification factor is set, and turn on it during a period in which the second amplification factor is set.