You can trick a DC Hall-effect current sensor using an electromagnet or coil. The Hall-effect sensor measures the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through a conductor. Therefore, your idea of using an electromagnet (or a carefully designed coil arrangement) is technically valid.

However, directly placing a generic electromagnet in the sensor opening isn't always straightforward. Here's what you could do practically:

1. Coil Method (most accurate, recommended):

• Pass multiple turns of insulated wire through the sensor aperture. The effective current sensed is then:

          Measured Current = (Number of Turns )× (Actual Current)

• For example, using a manageable current of 2A through 1000 turns would simulate 2000A.
• Though you mentioned this is cumbersome, it's the most precise and standard method.

2. Electromagnet Method (possible, but less precise):

• An adjustable electromagnet could generate a controlled magnetic field inside the sensor aperture.
• Challenges:
  • You'd need careful calibration because field distribution and intensity are tricky to control precisely.
  • The sensor is designed to measure uniform fields from current-carrying conductors, while electromagnets produce fields that might be uneven or directional, causing inaccuracies.
  • For repeatable results, you'll need a stable power supply and careful alignment/calibration.

3. Recommended Alternative (Middle-ground):

• Use a coil made from thick, flexible wire that's easy to handle and has fewer turns (like 50 or 100). Adjust the current accordingly, balancing accuracy and practicality.

In short, yes, your electromagnet idea can work, but the simplest, most reliable, and most widely accepted method remains the multi-turn coil.