{
  "id": 8676363,
  "title": "Smart Grid Monitoring: Non-Contact Phase Current Sensing with GMR Sensors",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/smart-grid-monitoring-non-contact-phase-current-sensing-with-gmr",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-20T11:52:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dev.to",
    "slug": "dev-to",
    "url": "https://dev.to/md_rifatalaminkhan_ee0/smart-grid-monitoring-non-contact-phase-current-sensing-with-gmr-sensors-663"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Power distribution networks face challenges in improving reliability, reducing maintenance costs, and enhancing operational safety. Conventional contact-based sensors, like Current Transformers and Hall-effect sensors, are costly to install, pose safety risks during setup, and can be affected by electromagnetic interference. Traditional options such as Rogowski coils have limited sensitivity over a wide bandwidth, while Tunnel Magneto-Resistance (TMR) and Anisotropic Magneto-Resistance (AMR) face issues with magnetic saturation or cost.\n\nResearchers have developed a promising non-contact solution involving Giant Magneto-Resistance (GMR) sensors, positioned at a distance beneath overhead distribution lines. The GMR system achieved relative accuracy ranging from 64.64% to 91.49%, with most phases exceeding 80% accuracy. Reconstructed current waveforms closely matched reference Hall-effect measurements, keeping residual current errors within +/- 2 Amp. However, under non-linear loads, which include devices like CFLs, microwave ovens, and air conditioners, odd-order harmonics increased distortion, leading to higher residual error on the neutral conductor (35.36% NMAE).\n\nError factors primarily arise from physical mounting tolerances, minor axis misalignments, and sensor hysteresis. These factors are targeted for improvement through post-assembly AC calibration. The findings, presented in the paper \"Real-time Load Current Monitoring of Overhead Lines Using GMR Sensors\" at the 2026 IEEE/PES Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition (T&D) in Chicago, IL, USA, highlight the potential of non-contact GMR sensor systems for enhancing the efficiency and safety of power distribution networks.",
  "summary": "Modern power distribution networks are under pressure to improve reliability, cut maintenance costs, and streamline operational safety. Conventional methods for measuring overhead line currents rely heavily on contact-based sensors—such as Current Transformers (CTs) or Hall-effect sensors connected directly to conductors. While functional, contact-based methods bring high installation costs,…",
  "key_points": [
    "Non-contact GMR sensors monitor phase currents in power distribution networks.",
    "GMR system achieves 64.64% to 91.49% accuracy in reconstructed current waveforms.",
    "Error factors include mounting tolerances, misalignments, and sensor hysteresis."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}