US Patent 7936164 Folding current sensor

The invention provides a current sensor that may be folded over a conductor without the need to sever the conductor or thread the conductor through the current sensor. In one embodiment, the current sensor includes an outer body having a first folding portion and a second folding portion coupled to the first folding portion. The current sensor also includes a soft ferromagnetic body disposed within the outer body comprising a first core element and a second core element. The first and second core elements form a lumen when the first and second folding portions are folded. The lumen is configured to receive a conductor. The current sensor also includes a magnetic field detector to sense a current in the conductor. The magnetic field detector is disposed at least partially between the first and second core elements when the first and second folding portions are folded.