Hall element common

• Q1 How is the equivalent circuit of the hall element?
• Q2 How should we drive the hall element?
• Q3 How should we amplify the output of the hall element?
• Q4 What kind of plating is applied to the lead terminals?
• Q5 Which hall element has the best linearity against the magnetic flux density?

HW series, HS series

• Q1 For the surface mounting DIP type HW series, where is No.1 pin?
• Q2 How should we specify the sensitivity rank when ordering HW series hall elements?
• Q3 How should we determine the value of the limiting resistor?
• Q4 Can we use it without the limiting resistor?
• Q5 What is the difference between the ultra-sensitive type and highly sensitive high linearity type?

HG series

• Q1 Which is better when driving HG series hall elements, the constant current drive or constant voltage drive?
• Q2 How should we choose the best one, from the standard type to the ultra-sensitive type?

HQ series

• Q1 Which is better when driving HQ series hall elements, the constant current drive or constant voltage drive?

HZ series

• Q1 Which is better when driving HZ series hall elements, the constant current drive or constant voltage drive?

FAQ and answers about hall elements

Hall element common

	Q1	How is the equivalent circuit of the hall element?
	A1	The bridge circuit made by 4 resistors. Click here for reference.
	Q2	How should we drive the hall element?
	A2	Click here for reference.
	Q3	How should we amplify the output of the hall element?
	A3	Click here for reference.
	Q4	What kind of plating is applied to the lead terminals?
	A4	HW-300A is silver plated. HW-300B and HW-302B are silver plated or tin plated. All others are tin plated and comply with RoHS. (As of June 2008)
	Q5	Which hall element has the best linearity against the magnetic flux density?
	A5	That is the HG series hall element. The linearity is 2% or less up to 0.5T with the constant current drive.

HW series, HS series

	Q1	For the surface mounting DIP type HW series, where is No.1 pin?
	A1	Because the hall element can maintain characteristics within the specified range even if it turns by 180°, the upper right pin is No. 1 pin for the surface mounting type and the upper left pin is No. 1 pin for the DIP type.
	Q2	How should we specify the sensitivity rank when ordering HW series hall elements?
	A2	Specify the sensitivity rank 3 or above for the design using ultra-sensitive type HW series hall elements. Ex) ABC, BCD, CDE, EFG ranks Highly sensitive types HW-105C and HW-108C have the sensitivity rank QR only, and HS-0111 has no sensitivity rank.
	Q3	How should we determine the value of the limiting resistor?
	A3	The resistor values of HW series and HS series hall elements drop quickly at high temperature. Therefore, they are easily subject to burnout and care should be taken of the drive circuit. In general, a resistor is added in series with the hall element to prevent burnout. Click here to see how to determine the resistor value.
	Q4	Can we use it without the limiting resistor?
	A4	Yes, you can. However, the voltage and current are considerably reduced compared with those with limiting resistors. Click here for the details.
	Q5	What is the difference between the ultra-sensitive type and highly sensitive high linearity type?
	A5	The ultra-sensitive type has a magnetic core inside of it, so the output becomes higher at low magnetic field, but when the magnetic core reaches magnetic saturation, the tilting direction changes and the output voltage is not proportional to the magnetic flux density. (Refer to the figures below.) Therefore, this type is not suitable for the measurement of the magnetic flux density, then used to detect presence of the magnet. Because the highly sensitive high linearity type has no magnet core inside of it, it can obtain the linear output characteristics in wide range. For your information, when requiring the linearity, use it in the constant current drive. The constant voltage drive is affected by the magnetic resistance effect, so it is not proportional to the magnetic flux density.

HG series

	Q1	Which is better when driving HG series hall elements, the constant current drive or constant voltage drive?
	A1	The temperature coefficient of the hall element output voltage is approx. -0.2% per °C for the constant voltage drive, and approx. -0.02% to -0.08% per °C for the constant current drive. As you see, the constant current drive has better coefficient, therefore basically use in the constant current drive. In addition, the constant current drive can ignore the magnetic resistance effect and has better linearity against the magnetic flux density at high magnetic field. The linearity of 2% or lower defined in the specifications is achieved by the constant current drive.
	Q2	How should we choose the best one, from the standard type to the ultra-sensitive type?
	A2	As the type is graded up from the standard type to the ultra-sensitive type, both the constant voltage sensitivity and constant current sensitivity increase. Refer to the graphs and table below. However, since the input/output resistance values also increase, it is necessary to be careful of the circuit matching such as the amplifier rate. The standard type is the best in temperature characteristics of the hall element output voltage and unbalanced voltage, and the ultra-sensitive type is the worst.

[Characteristics list of HG series by grade at room temperature]

Item Standard sensitivity Medium sensitivity High sensitivity Ultra sensitivity Rin=Rout Rin<Rout Rin<Rout Rin<Rout Rin<Rout Input resistance (Ω) 650~850 450~750 1000~1500 1600~2400 2200~3200 Output resistance (Ω) 650~850 1000~2000 1800~3000 3200~4800 4400~6400 Input resistance temperature coefficient (%/°C) ~-0.3 Constant voltage drive output voltage (mV/6V50mT) 55~75 75~95 78~102 80~110 Constant voltage drive output voltage temperature coefficient(%/°C) ~-0.2~(*) Constant current drive output voltage (mV/1mA50mT) ~8~(*) ~20~(*) ~33~(*) ~43~(*) Constant current drive output voltage temperature coefficient(%/°C) -0.03(*)~-0.06 -0.04(*)~-0.06 -0.06(*)~-0,.07 -0.06(*)~-0.08 (*) indicates the actual value not defined in the specifications.

HQ series

	Q1	Which is better when driving HQ series hall elements, the constant current drive or constant voltage drive?
	A1	The temperature coefficient of the hall element output voltage is approx. -0.2% per °C for the constant voltage drive, and approx. -0.4% per °C for the constant current drive. As you see, the constant voltage drive has better coefficient, therefore basically use in the constant voltage drive.

HZ series

	Q1	Which is better when driving HZ series hall elements, the constant current drive or constant voltage drive?
	A1	The temperature coefficient of the hall element output voltage is approx. -0.2% per °C for the constant voltage drive, and approx. -0.08% to -0.12% per °C for the constant current drive. As you see, the constant current drive has better coefficient, therefore basically use in the constant current drive.