Moving-Coil Meter Measures Low-Level Currents

Abstract: The MAX4172 IC substitutes a current amplifier for the shunt normally associated with a moving-coil meter. This circuit allows use of the moving-coil meter, even when the meter current is a large fraction of the current being measured
Maxim > App Notes > AMPLIFIER AND COMPARATOR CIRCUITS DIGITAL POTENTIOMETERS
DISPLAY DRIVERS

Keywords: moving-coil meter, high-side current amplifier, remote measurement, display drivers Jun 20, 2005

APPLICATION NOTE 3536
Moving-Coil Meter Measures Low-Level Currents

Abstract: The MAX4172 IC substitutes a current amplifier for the shunt normally associated with a moving-coil
meter. This circuit allows use of the moving-coil meter, even when the meter current is a large fraction of the
current being measured.

The display of choice for certain applications remains the large moving-coil meter. While a moving-coil meter
may lack the accuracy of a digital panel meter, the perceived extra information derived from the needle's rate of
change cannot be matched by the digital