Swiss measurement specialist LEM has introduced a compact high-voltage battery sensor for electric vehicles that combines shunt and Hall-effect technologies into a single unit. The innovation, called the Hybrid Supervising Unit (HSU), is designed to streamline battery management system (BMS) architectures while improving safety and reducing cost.
Typically used separately, shunt sensors handle high-current measurement, while Hall-effect sensors provide magnetic field detection with galvanic isolation. LEM’s new HSU merges both technologies within a standard shunt footprint, marking what it claims is a market first. “The HSU represents a significant innovation in sensor technology, being the first to combine shunt and Hall effect sensing into a single component,” said Jérémie Piro, Product Manager Battery Management Systems and Battery Storage at LEM.
The HSU is intended for integration within a vehicle’s Battery Disconnect Unit (BDU), allowing the BMS to independently read both current signals from the same module. Two models are initially available—the HSU00 and HSU01—measuring 84 mm × 36 mm × 3 mm and 84 mm × 20 mm × 3 mm, respectively. Both are compatible with common BDU busbars and available as samples, the company said.
LEM also plans to extend the HSU line by combining shunt sensing with coreless Hall-effect elements in future models. “This integration simplifies system architecture, enhances safety, and allows for seamless upgrades without altering the mechanical layout,” said Piro. The company added that the HSU helps reduce bill of materials (BOM) costs and shortens production cycle times for EV manufacturers.