SigmaCheck User Manual_02

7/30/2019 SigmaCheck User Manual_02

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SIGMACHECKHANDHELDEDDYCURRENTCONDUCTIVITYMETER

USERMANUAL

DocNo:50024:Issue2


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TableofContents

1 Introduction...................................................................................................3 1.1 AbouttheSigmaCheck.....................................................................................................................3

1.2 Abbreviations.......................................................................................................................................3

1.3 Keys..........................................................................................................................................................41.4 Connectors............................................................................................................................................4

2 StandardPackageandaccessories..................................................................52.1 StandardPackage...............................................................................................................................5

2.2 RecommendedAccessories...........................................................................................................6

2.3 OptionalAccessories.........................................................................................................................6

3 Operationoftheinstrument...........................................................................73.1 Appearance...........................................................................................................................................7

3.2 Operationprinciple...........................................................................................................................7

3.3 Screenlayout........................................................................................................................................7

3.4 MenuScreen/Structure.................................................................................................................7

3.5 ReadingsScreen..................................................................................................................................8

3.5.1 Freeze................. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ......... .......... .....9

3.6 Home/InstrumentStatusScreen..............................................................................................9

3.7 Setup.....................................................................................................................................................10

3.7.1 Calibration.........................................................................................................................................10

3.7.2 Frequency...........................................................................................................................................10

3.7.3 Probe.....................................................................................................................................................11

3.7.4 Advanced.......... .......... ......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ...11

3.7.5 Configure.......... .......... ......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ...14

4 Charging.......................................................................................................18

5 UsingwithaPC.............................................................................................185.1 ConnectingtoPC..............................................................................................................................18

5.1.1 SigmaCheckPC..................................................................................................................................18

5.1.2 ETherFUU(FirmwareUpdateUtility)...................................................................................21

5.2 Usingaspreadsheettoanalysedata......................................................................................23

6 Setting-upprocedures..................................................................................24 6.1 Calibratingandmakingareading............................................................................................24

6.2 Usingthe2ddataloggingfunction..........................................................................................24

6.3 ALARMsetup.....................................................................................................................................25

7 CareandMaintenance..................................................................................25

8 TroubleShooting..........................................................................................25

9 TransportationandStorage..........................................................................25

10 Specifications............................................................................................26


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1 Introduction1.1 AbouttheSIGMACHECK

TheSIGMACHECKisdesignedtobeextremelyeasytousemakingitsuitableforuseby

shopfloorinspectorstoengineers.

TheSIGMACHECKmeetstherequirementsforconductivitymeasurementsinthe

aircraftmanufacturingandmaintenancefieldswhereconductivitymeasurements

areusedtoverifyproperalloy/temperordetectheatdamagedcomponents.The

SIGMACHECKisalsousefultodeterminethepurityofpreciousmetals(counterfeit

detection)suchasgoldbullionandcoins.

TheSIGMACHECKhasalarge,colour,LCDdisplaythatiseasilyseeninalllighting

conditions

TheSIGMACHECKisdesignedforconvenientsinglehandedoperationduetoits

sculptedhousinganditsconvenientsizeandweight;onlyofapound(350g.)and

measuringlessthan6tallx3widex1thick(163x80x25mm).Aremovable,

siliconerubberbootisincludedtoprotecttheinstrumentinroughenvironments.

ThestandardProbehasbeendesignedtocomfortablyfitthehandoftheuser.

TheSIGMACHECKhasastandardoperatingfrequencyof60kHzandauxiliary

frequenciesof:120,240,480and960kHzcanbeselectedwhennecessaryfortesting

thinmaterialswiththestandardprobe.

OtherfeaturesoftheETHERNDESIGMACHECKinclude:

FieldExchangeableProbesviaSDCard TrueUSBPCConnectivityforremotecontrolanddatalogging. TheUSBConnectionallowseasychargingoftheInstrumentwithouthaving

toswapthebatteries.

TheSIGMACHECKissuppliedwithaflameretardantABScase,adual(Hi-Low)

calibrationblock,probecable,charger,USBlead,removabledeskstandanduser

manual.Optional,smalldiameterprobewillbeoffered.

1.2 Abbreviations

C Centigrade

F Fahrenheit

IACS InternationalAnnealedCopperStandard

MicroSD MicroSecureDigitalFlashMemoryCard

Mil Thousandthsofaninch(0.001)US

MS/m MegaSiemenspermetre

Thou Thousandthsofaninch(0.001)UK


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1.3 Keys

TheSIGMACHECKinstrumenthas7keys.4arrowkeys(Up,Down,Left,Right),anOK

key(shownwithatick),aBackorCancelkey(shownwithacurlyarrow)andaPower

key.

Up

OK

Left Right

Down

1.4 Connectors

Thereare2ConnectorsontheSIGMACHECK

AMini-BUSBconnectorisontheleft.Thisisusedfor:

a) Chargingtheinstrumentifrechargeablebatteriesareinstalled.b) PoweringtheInstrument.c) ConnectingtheinstrumenttoaPCfordataupordownload.

Back/CancelPower

A5pinLemoconnectorisontherighthadsidefor

connectingprobes


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2 StandardPackageandaccessories2.1 StandardPackage

AllofthefollowingAccessoriesshouldbeavailablebeforeusingtheSIGMACHECK

instrument,althoughlimitedoperationcanbeperformedwithout.

NotpicturedisamainsconnectortowhichtheUSBcablecanbeconnectedtoifnot

connectedtoaPCforchargingand/oroperation.

DualsampleCalibrationBlock

MicroSDmemorycard

SigmaCheck

USBcable

Probe

Quantity PartNo Description

1 ISIG001 SIGMACHECKInstrument

1 ASIG001 DualconductivitystandardwithCuandStainless

Steel

1 ASIG002 Adjustableinstrumentstand

1 40222 SiliconeRubberBoot1 ALL05-L05-012-SIG ProbeCable

1 PSIG001 Probe13mmdia.60-480kHz

2 30239 2xErgonomicProbeSkirtsfortubes&easyProbe

handling

1 A090 USBCableforPCconnection/Charging

1 A092 UniversalUSBChargerAC100-240VAC

1 A089 MicroSDCard

1 40293 QuickReferenceGuide

1 60005 ManualandUtilityonUSBstick

1 AC001 SoftCarryingCase


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2.2 RecommendedAccessories

PartNo Description

ASIG004 PeliHardCasewithcustominsert.

ALL05-L05-012-SIG ProbeCable

PSIG001 Probe13mmdia.60-480kHz

2.3 OptionalAccessories

PartNo Description

PSIG002 7mmProbe240-960kHz

PSIG001R RightAngle13mmprobe60-480kHz

PSIG002R RightAngle7mmprobe240-960kHz

ASIG004 PeliHardCasewithcustominsert.ATBC-COPPER Accessory,TestBlock,Conductivity,Copper,(100.0-103.6%IACS)

ATBC-ALU1200

Accessory,TestBlock,Conductivity,AluminiumAlloy,1200-H4,(58.5-60.0

%IACS)

ATBC-ALU6082

Accessory,TestBlock,Conductivity,AluminiumAlloy,6082-T6(44.0-48.0

%IACS)

ATBC-ALU6061


%IACS)

ATBC-ALU2014A-T6

Accessory,TestBlock,Conductivity,AluminiumAlloy,2014A-T6(38.0-42.0

%IACS)

ATBC-ALU2014A-T4

Accessory,TestBlock,Conductivity,AluminiumAlloy,2014A-T4(34.0-37.0

%IACS)

ATBC-ALU7075


%IACS)

ATBC-ALU5083Accessory,TestBlock,Conductivity,AluminiumAlloy,5083(27.5-28.5%IACS)

ATBC-BRASS Accessory,TestBlock,Conductivity,Brass,CZ121(24.0-26.0%IACS)

ATBC-PBRONZE Accessory,TestBlock,Conductivity,PhosphorBronze(17.0-22.0%IACS)

ATBC-NICSILVER Accessory,TestBlock,Conductivity,NickelSilver,LC1291(8.5-9.5%IACS)

ATBC-STST303S Accessory,TestBlock,Conductivity,StainlessSteel,303S(2.0-3.0%IACS)

ATBC-TITANIUM Accessory,TestBlock,Conductivity,Titanium,6AL-4V(1.0-2.2%IACS)

ASIG003 5Testblockholder.

AC001 SoftCarryingCase


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3 Operationoftheinstrument3.1 Appearance3.2 Operationprinciple

TheSIGMACHECKisasimpletouseConductivityMeterwithLift-Offcapability.

TheSIGMACHECKcontainsmanymodernfeatures,forexampleaMicroSDcardis

includedintheinstrumentsothatlargeamountsofdatacanbestored.AUSB

connectorispresentsothattheinstrumentcancommunicateinreal-timewiththe

PCsoftware.

Onceconfigured,theSIGMACHECKcanveryquicklybepickedup,turnedon,calibrated

andthenaccurateandfastmeasurementscanbetakenofConductivityorLift-Off.

3.3 ScreenlayoutTheinstrumenthas2mainscreenlayouts,themenuscreenandthereadingsscreen.

TheMenuscreenallowsallaspectsoftheinstrumenttobeconfigured,fromthe

inspectiondetailstotheindividualuserspreference.TheReadingsscreenhas2

panes,atopandabottom.

3.4 MenuScreen/Structure

ThemenusystemontheSIGMACHECKisdesignedalongthe

linesofthefolder/filelayoutpresentonmanymodern

computers.Ifamenuitemcontainschildmenuitems

beneathit,itwillhaveaplus(+)symbolafterit,meaning

thatitcanbeexpandedtorevealmoremenuitems.Ifa

menuitemhasaminus(-)afteritstitlethenitschildmenu

itemsarealreadyvisible.ThisscreenshotshowstheTop

levelSIGMACHECKmenuwithits4submenus.Advancedand

Configurecontainmoresubmenus,hencetheir+.

TheUpandDownkeysmoreupanddownchildmenuitems

arethecurrentlevel.TomoveupaleveltheLeftorBack

keysshouldbeused.Toenteramenuitemssubitems,the

RightorOKkeysareused.


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3.5 ReadingsScreen

SelectingthetoplevelSIGMACHECKmenuitemchangestheinstrumentintoReadings

Mode.Herethescreenhas2configurablepanesandastatusbar.PressingtheUpor

Downkeystogglestheselectedpane,thisisvisiblebythetitleofthepanebeing

highlighted.PressingtheLeftorRightkeyschangesthedisplayoftheselectedpane

throughthefollowingpossibilities:

LiftOff

Conductivity

LiftOffBarGraph

ConductivityMeter

Time&Date

MetalSort

TheLowerPanecanalsobeOFF,whichexpandstheUpperPane.IfDataLoggingis

enabledthentheLowerpanewillONLYshowDataLogginguntilitisdisabled.

Examplesofthesevariousdisplaymodesareshownhere:

WiththeLowerPanesettoOFF.ExamplesofLift-Offbargraph,ConductivityMeter

andConductivity:


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TheStatusBarshows4AlarmLEDrepresentations,thetemperaturereadbythe

probe,aMicroSDcardiconandaBatteryMeterorUSBindicator.

Seethe3.7.4.1Alarmssectionbelowforanexplanationoftheirfunctionality.The

temperaturecanbedisplayedinCelsiusorFahrenheitdependingontheUnits

setting;seethe3.7.5.3Unitssectionbelow.TheMicroSDiconwillbewithorwithout

aredcross.Withoutaredcrossindicatesthatthecardispresentandfunctioning

correctly,withtheredcross,thereisafailureofthecard.Thebatterystatesare

Empty,25%,50%75%,FullorUSBConnected.

or

3.5.1 FreezeWheninReadingsmodepressingtheOKkeywillfreezethecurrentdisplay.Any

alarmsthatwereflashingwillremainilluminated.PressingOKagainwillremovethe

freezeandthereal-timereadingswillcontinue.Pressinganyotherkeywillalso

cancelthefreezeandthekeywillbeactioned.

TheFreezefunctionalitycannotbeusedwheninDataLoggingmode(asOKlogsa

reading)oriftheinstrumenthasnotbeencalibratedsincethelastpower-on(asOK

movestheSIGMACHECKtothecalibrationmenu).

PleasenotethattheFreezefunctionalityfreezesthedisplayonlyandNOTanyrealtimedatabeingoutputtedovertheUSB.

Toidentifywhenthescreenisfrozen,thescreentitletextofSIGMACHECKwill

changecolour.

3.6 Home/InstrumentStatusScreen

TheHomescreenshows3usefulpiecesofinformation,thecurrentProbefilethatis

loadedin,thecurrentFrequencythatisbeingusedandwhentheinstrumentshould

nextbecalibrated.


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TheselectedProbeshouldbethesameaswhatisactuallyconnectedtothe

instrument.Ifthesedifferthenthereisnoguaranteethatanyvaluesdisplayedwill

beaccurate.IfNoprobeInfoisdisplayed,thenaProbeneedstobeselectedfrom

theprobemenu,see3.7.3below.

Thefrequencyisdependentonwhatisrequiredfortheinspectionandwhatthe

probehasbeencalibratedtododuringmanufacture.

TheAnnualCalDuedateisthedatebywhichtheinstrumentandprobeshouldbe

re-calibrated.Thisdatewillflashonceithaspassed.Theinstrumentwillcontinueto

functionbutthereisnoguaranteethatanyvaluesdisplayedwillbeaccurate.

3.7 Setup

AllaspectsoftheSIGMACHECKcanbeconfiguredusingthemenus.Navigationofthe

menusystemisexplainedabovein3.4MenuScreen/Structure.

3.7.1 Calibration

Calibrationshouldbecarriedeachtimetheinstrumentisturnedon

andperiodicallythereafter.Thecalibrationprocedureisexplained

below,see6.1Calibratingandmakingareading.

Tocalibratetheinstrument,theCalibrationBlocks(CB1andCB2)

valuesMUSTbesettothevaluesoftheblocksattachedtothetopof

theinstrument.TochangeavalueuseUporDowntohighlightthe

desiredCalibrationBlock.UseLeftorRighttobegineditingthevalue.

LeftandRightwillchangethecurrentlyeditingcharacterandUpand

Downwillcyclebetween0and9.MovingLeftfromthemost

significantdigitwilladdanewdigituptoamaximumof3significant

figures.MovingRightfromasignificantfigureof0willremoveit.

Whenthevalueiscorrect,presstheOKbuttontosaveit,orBackto

canceleditingandreturnthevaluetoitsoriginalvalue.

SelectingthemenuoptionCalibratewillbeginthecalibrationprocedure.

PressOKorBacktoleavethismenu.

3.7.2 Frequency

Onenteringthismenuallavailablefrequenciesforthecurrently

loadedprobewillbelisted.Thecurrentfrequencywillbehighlighted.

Acrossafterthefrequencyindicatesthatthereisaproblemwiththe

probedetailsatthatfrequencystoredontheMicroSDcard.Atick

indicatesalliswellandthefrequencymaybeselected.

Left/UporRight/Downwillmoveupanddownthelistofavailable

frequencies.PressOKtoselectafrequencyorBacktoleavethe

currentselectedfrequency.


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3.7.3 Probe

Onenteringtheprobemenuthecurrentselectedprobewillbeshown.UpandDown

cyclethroughtheheadingsofS/N(SerialNumber),freq(frequency)andanynotes

thatarepresent.

MovingLeftorRightontheS/Nwillcyclethroughallavailableprobe

filesontheinstrumentandupdatetherestofthescreenwiththe

detailsofthatprobefile.

MovingLeftorRightonthefreqheadingwillmoveupanddownthe

availablefrequenciesforthisprobefile.PressingOKwhileafrequency

ishighlightedwillloadtheprobefileandconfiguretheinstrumentto

usethatfrequency.PressingOKwithnofrequencyhighlightedwill

loadintheprobefileandusethefirstfrequencyinthelist.

MovingLeftorRightwiththeNoteshighlightedwillscrollthenotesin

thecasethattherearemorecharactersthanfitontothescreen.PressingBackwillleavetheinstrumentwiththecurrentprobefileand

atthecurrentfrequency.

3.7.4 Advanced

3.7.4.1 Alarms

AvisualalarmcanbeconfiguredtotriggerwhenaConductivityorLift-Offexceedsor

dropsbelowapredeterminedvalue.Whenanalarmistriggeredandthevalueis

visibleonthereadingsscreenthereadingwillflashbetweentheValueandAlarm

colours(see3.7.5.2Colourbelow).InthealarmstatethecorrespondingLEDonthe

statusbarwillflash.TheLEDrelatestothevaluesbeingshownontheUpperorLowerpanesinthereadingsscreen.

ThefirstLEDindicatesthattheUpperPanevaluehasexceededitshighalarmtrigger

value.


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ThesecondLEDindicatesthattheUpperPanevaluehasdroppedbelowitslow

alarmtriggervalue.

ThethirdLEDindicatesthattheLowerPanevaluehasexceededitshighalarmtrigger

value.

TheforthLEDindicatesthattheUpperPanevaluehasdroppedbelowitslowalarm

triggervalue.

TheabovediagramillustratestheUpperpanevalueexceedingitshighalarmvalue

whiletheLowerpanevaluehasdroppedbelowitslowalarmvalue.

WhenenteringtheAlarmmenu,fouralarmsareshownusingthe

unitsspecifiedintheUnitsmenu.AHighandLowvaluefor

ConductivityandThicknessisavailable.

TochangeavalueuseUporDowntohighlightthedesiredAlarm.

UseLeftorRighttobegineditingthevalue.LeftandRightwillchange

thecurrentlyeditingcharacterandUpandDownwillcyclebetween0and9.MovingLeftfromthemostsignificantdigitwilladdanew

digituptoamaximumof3significantfigures.MovingRightfroma

significantfigureof0willremoveit.

Whenthevalueiscorrect,presstheOKbuttontosaveit,orBackto

canceleditingandreturnthevaluetoitsoriginalvalue.

PressOKorBacktoleavethismenu.

3.7.4.2 MetalSortTheMetalSortfunctionalityallows10differentrangesofConductivitytobeentered.

Ifconductivityisencounteredthatfitswithinoneoftheserangesthetextassociated

withthatrangewillbedisplayedontheMetalSortpane.

Thismenuitemallowstherangetobeentered(alowandhigh

conductivityvalue)andanamethatwillbeshown.Theunitsof

conductivitywilldependontheUnitsmenuitem.

UsingtheUpandDownkeys,thehighlightedoptionwillgofrom

NametoLowvaluetoHighvalueandthentothenextmetal,andso

onuptothe10thmetal.PressingOKwillbegineditingofthe

highlightedvalueorname,pressingOKagainwillsavethenew

name/valuewhilstpressingBackwillcanceleditingandreturnthe

name/valuetoitsoriginalvalue.Fordetailsoneditingvalues,see

3.7.4.1Alarmsabove.Editingofcharactersissimilar.LeftandRight

changethecharacterbeingeditedandUpandDowncyclethrough

theavailablecharacterslikeso:

0123456789ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz

**Pleasenote,forametaltobeshownonthereadingspane,theMetalSortpane

mustbepresentontheUpperorLowerpane.**


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WhenallchangeshavebeenmadepressOKorBacktoreturntotheAdvanced

menu.

3.7.4.3 DataLoggingTheDataLoggingfunctionality,whenenabled,allowsConductivity

readingstobeloggedatthepressoftheOKbutton.Thereare2

locationstostoreDataLoggingdata,MemoryCardorRAM.The

differencesare:

RAM

Thenumberofreadingsislimitedtoabout8000(Rowsmultipliedby

Columns).

Oncepowerisremovedthereadingsarelost.

SigmaCheckPCcancontinuetooperatefully.DataLoggingdatacanbeextractedatanypointusing

SigmaCheckPC.

UsingtheLeftorRightkeys,previousdatacanbeoverwritten.

MemoryCard

WhileDataLoggingisenabled,anycardaccesswillstopdatalogging.

DatacannotbeuploadeduntilDataLogginghascompletedorbeenstopped.

Onceavaluehasbeenlogged,itcannotbechanged.

ManyseparatedataLoggingsessionscantakeplaceandalldataissaved.

ThesereadingsarestoredintheSIGMACHECKsmemoryuntiltheyareuploadedtoaPCviatheUSBcableandthePCSoftwarepackage.Theresultingfileisdesignedto

bereadablebymostSpreadsheetpackages,hencewhyontheDataLoggingmenua

numberofRowsandColumnsareshown.Whenenabled,theDataLoggingpaneis

shownintheLowerpaneofthereadingsscreen.ItshowsthecurrentColumn&Row

numbersandbelowthat,thelastconductivityvaluethatwaslogged.Whenall

ColumnsandRowsarefull,thescreenwillshowLoggingFull.Ifavaluehasbeen

takenincorrectlythepressingLeftorRightwillmovebackorforwardsbetween

readingsallowinganewreadingtobetakenandoverwritetheexistingvalue.When

movingbackwardsandforwards,thepreviousreadingatthislocationwillnotbe

shown.

Ifasimplelistofvaluesisallthatisrequired,thensimplysetthe

RowsorColumnsto1andtheothervaluetotherequirednumberof

readings.ThetotalnumberofreadingstakenwillalwaysbetheRows

multipliedbytheColumns.Aseachreadingistaken,theSIGMACHECK

incrementstheColumnfirst,thenwhentherowisfull,theRowis

incremented.Thereforetheresultingspreadsheetwillhavethefirst

readinginthetopleftcornerthenreadinglikeabooklefttoright,

toptobottom.

ForinformationondownloadingtheDataLoggerdata,see5.1

ConnectingtoaPCbelow.


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OntheDataLoggingmenu,theUpandDownkeyswillchangethehighlighted

heading.LeftorRightkeyswillbegineditingoftheRows/ColumnsortoggletheData

Loggingenabledoption.Foreditingofthevaluessee3.7.4.1Alarmsabove.

Pleasenote,ifDataLoggingisenabledhere,thelowerpaneonthereadingsscreen

willONLYshowDataLogging.

3.7.4.4 MemoryCard

TheSIGMACHECKcontainsaslotforaMicroSDmemorycard.Correct

functioningoftheinstrumentrequiresacardtobefitted(the

instrumentissuppliedwithacard).Thefilesandfolderstructureof

thecardcanbeseenusingthismenuitem.

OnselectingMemorythecontentsofthecardareshown.Foldersareshownwithalloftheircontentsindented.FoldersareintheText

colour,filesintheValuecolour(see3.7.5.2Colourabove).

Iftherearemorefiles/foldersthanfitontothescreen(evidentby

theverticallinetotheleftgoingoffofthebottomofthescreen)

thenpressingthedownkeywillscrolltheview.

IftheOKkeyispressedwhileafileishighlightedtheFileDetails

screenisshown.Itshowsthefilenamealongwithitscompletepath.

Thefilesize(-1ifthefileisinfactadirectory).Thereisthen2

options,DeleteandUpload.Deletewillpermantelydeletethefile.

UploadwillsendthefiletoSigmaCheckPCiftheSIGMACHECKis

connectedtoaPCviatheUSBandSigmaCheckPCisconnectedtothe

SIGMACHECK.Whenthefiletransferisinitiatedaprogressbarwillbe

shownonSigmaCheckPCmainscreen.Whencomplete,aSaveFile

windowwillopenonthePC.

PressBacktoreturntotheAdvancedmenu.

3.7.5Configure

TheConfiguremenucontainsthefollowingsub-menus:

Brightness Colour Units Precision Powersave Time&date


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3.7.5.1 Brightness

Thebrightnessmenuallowsthebrightnessofthescreentobe

changed.Loweringthebrightnesswillextendthebatterylifeofthe

SIGMACHECK.

PressingLeftorDownwilldecreasethebrightnessby10%

PressingUporRightwillincreasethebrightnessby10%.

PressingOKwillsavethecurrentbrightnesslevel.

PressingBackwillreturnthebrightnesslevelbacktoitsprevious

value.

3.7.5.2 Colour

4Coloursmaybechanged.

TheText,Background,ValueandAlarms.Thetextcolouristhecolourmostoftenusedformenuitemsandheadingsonthereadingsscreen.Thebackgroundcolouris

self-explanatory.TheValuecolouriswhatisusedforthenumbersonthereadings

screenandseveralmenuitems,theAlarmcolourshouldbenoticeablydifferentto

thevaluecolourthatisusedtoindicatethatavalueisinthealarmstate.Thecolours

usedforthemajorityofthescreenshotsinthismanualshowninthefirstscreen

shot.Theothersarepopularalternatives.

PressingUporDowncyclesbetweentheheadings.PressingLeftorRightcycles

throughtheavailablecolourswhichare:

BLACK,WHITE,RED,GREEN,YELLOW,BLUE,CYAN,GREY,PINK,CREAM

PressingOKwillsaveandusethecurrentcolourscheme.PressingBackwillgoback

tothepreviouscolourscheme.Itispossibletosetthetextandbackgroundcolours

tothesamecolourwhilecyclingthroughthecoloursbutitISNOTpossibletoaccept

thesecolourstobethesame.


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3.7.5.3 Units

Theunitscanbesettoanyofthefollowing:

Conductivity-%IACSorMS/m

TemperaturedegreesCelsiusorFahrenheit

Length(Lift-Off)mm,Thouormil

(Thou&mil=Thousandthsofaninch).

TheUpandDownkeyscyclebetweentheheadings,LeftandRight

toggletheUnitsforthatheading.

PressOKtoacceptthenewunitsorBacktoreturntothe

Configuremenuandleavetheunitsunaffected.

Theunitsselectedhereaffectallplaceswherethevaluesare

displayedontheinstrument,includingothermenus(i.e.Alarms).

TheunitswhendownloadingtothePCorviewingontheSIGMACHECK

PCSoftwareisfixedto:Conductivity-%IACS

TemperaturedegreesCelsius

Lengthmm

3.7.5.4 Precision

ThePrecisiononlyaffectshowmanydecimalplacesareshownonthescreenofthe

SIGMACHECK.TheConductivitycanhave0,1,2,3orAutodecimalplaces.

Temperature,0or1decimalplacesandLength0,1or2decimalplaces.Autochangestheprecisionofconductivityreadingsdependingonthevalue:

0to10%IACS=3decimalplaces.

10to100%IACS=2decimalplaces.

100andabove%IACS=1decimnalplace.

PressingtheUporDownkeyscyclesthroughtheheadings.

PressingLeftdecreasesthenumberofdecimalplacesand

pressingRightincreasesthenumber.

Thenumberbeloweachheadingisarepresentationofanumber

displayedtothecurrentnumberofdecimalplaces.

PressOKtoacceptthenewnumberofdecimalplacesandreturn

totheconfiguremenuorBacktoreturntothemenukeepingthe

previousnumberofdecimalplaces.


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3.7.5.5 PowerSave

Thereare2methodsofsavingpower.Theinstrumentcanbeset

toautomaticallydimthescreenafterasettimeperiodand/or

turnofftheinstrumentcompletelyafterasettimeperiod.These

timeperiodsrangeformOff(disabled)to60minutesin5minute

steps.

PressingtheUporDownkeyscyclesbetweentheheadings.

PressingtheLeftkeydecreasesthetimeinstepsof5from60to

Off.

PressingtheRightkeyincreasesthetimeinstepsof5fromOffto

60.

PressOKtousethenewvaluesorBacktousethepreviousvalues.

3.7.5.6 Time&Date

TheSIGMACHECKcontainsarealtimeclock.Itenablesthetimeand

datetobeviewedonapaneintheReadingsscreenandisalso

requiredforwritingdatatotheMicroSDcard.Thedateandtime

caneasilybesetandwillberememberedevenwhenthereareno

batteriesorUSBpower.

PressingLeftorRightcyclesbetweenthefields:

Day->Month->Year->Hour->Minute->Second.PressingUporDownwillincrementordecrementthehighlighted

value,exceptforsecondswhereUporDownwillsetthenumber

ofSecondsto0.

Whenfinished,pressingOKwillsetthetimeoftheSIGMACHECKtowhathasbeen

entered.PressingBackwillleavetheTime&dateunchanged.

3.7.5.7 Language

ThemajorityofthetextdisplayedbytheSIGMACHECKistranslatedintoseveral

differentlanguages.OnthelanguagemenupressingtheLeftorRightkeyscycles

throughthecurrentlyavailablelanguages.

PressOKtoacceptthenewlanguageorBacktoreturntotheConfiguremenuand

returnthelanguagetothepreviousone.


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4 Charging

TheSIGMACHECKmayeitherbechargedusingthesuppliedACcharger.Alternatively

usingtheUSBcabletheunitmaybechargedfroastandardPCUSBconnector.Note

whilsttheunitispowereduptheUSBchargerwillpowertheinstrumentbutchargingofthebatterieswillnotoccuruntiltheunitispowereddown.

AstheinstrumentusesAAbatteriesthennonrechargeablebatteriesmaybeused.

Thesewillnotbechargedasthereisprotectioncircuitrytopreventthis.

5 UsingwithaPC5.1 ConnectingtoPC

TheSIGMACHECKconnectstoaPCviaitsminiUSB-Bconnector.Thisconnectionprovidesallcommunicationsandchargingfunctionality.

Thereare2PCapplicationsthatusethisUSBconnection:

SigmaCheckPCandtheETherFUU(EtherFirmwareUpdateUtility)software

packages.

WhenaSIGMACHECKisfirstconnectedtoaPCtherequireddriverswillautomatically

beinstalled.SIGMACHECKusesWindowsdefaultdriverssonoadditionaldriversare

required.

5.1.1 SigmaCheckPC

Thisapplicationhasseveraluseswhenconnectedtoa

SIGMACHECK:

Displayreal-timevaluesofConductivity,Lift-OffandTemperature

DisplaytheUniqueID(nottheserialnumber)oftheSIGMACHECK.

FilehandlingoftheSIGMACHECKsmicroSDcard. UploadDataLoggerfilesfromtheSIGMACHECK. RemotecontroltheSIGMACHECK.

Upto4SIGMACHECKscanbesimultaneouslyconnected,butonly

onecanbeusedatatimebySigmaCheckPC.Theactiveunitcan

quicklyandeasilybechangedbetweenanyofthefourbyaclick

ofoneofthenumberedbuttonsalongthetopofthescreen.


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5.1.1.1 Real-Timedisplay

AssoonastheSIGMACHECKispowered,connectedtoSigmaCheckPCandthe

instrumentsplashscreenacknowledged,real-timevalueswillbedisplayedonthe

SigmaCheckPCscreen.AcrossthetopofthedisplayistheUniqueIDofthe

instrument,followedbyEtherNDEandSIGMACHECK.

Inlargertextbelowthatistheconductivity.Inlargetextinthelowerhalfofthe

screenistheLift-Off.

Acrossthebottomisthecurrentprobetemperature.

Acrossthemiddleisatextentryboxandaprogressbar.

Unlikeontheinstrument,theunitsherecannotbechangedandaresetto:

Conductivity -%IACS Temperature -degreesCelsius Liftoff-mm5.1.1.2 RemoteControl

AssoonastheSIGMACHECKisconnectedandtheUniqueIDdisplayed,itcanbe

controlledfromSigmaCheckPC.The7buttonsvisibleonthePCScreen(Up,Down,

Left,Right,OK,Power,Back),whenclickedhavethesameeffectontheinstrument

aspressingthephysicalbuttonsbyhand.PleasenotethatiftheSIGMACHECKisbeing

operatedcompletelyremotelythenabuttonmustbepressedaftertheUniqueIDis

showntoremovetheSIGMACHECKsplashScreen.Untilthisbuttonispressednoreal-

timedataisreceived.

ThePowerbuttonwillturntheremoteSIGMACHECKOFFbutwillnotturnONa

SIGMACHECK.

5.1.1.3 Uploading&Downloadingfilesto/fromaSIGMACHECK

Thereare2waysofgettingfilesonandofftheSIGMACHECKsMicroSDcard:

1. Removethecardfromtheinstrument(aslotispresentundertheCalibrationBlocks),placeintoaPCcardreaderandcopythefilesusingstandard

Windows/Maccapabilities.

2. ConnectingtheSIGMACHECKtoaPCusingthesuppliedUSBcablethenusingtheSigmaCheckPCfilehandlingfunctionalityviatheMicroSDCardbutton

(seebelow).


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5.1.1.3.1 SigmaCheckPCFilehandling

ConnecttheSigmaChecktoaPCusingtheUSBcable.WithSigmaCheckPCrunning

andconnectedtotheinstrument,clickontheMicroSDCardbuttonacrossthe

bottom.Awindowwillappearlikeso:

ThetopofthefiletreeshowsFileSystem.EverythingbelowthisiseitherafileorfolderthatispresentontheSIGMACHECKsMicroSDCard.Foldersthathaveany

contentsareshownwithasmallboxtotheleftoftheirfoldericon.Clickingonthis

boxtogglesitbetweenexpandedornotexpanded.

Ifafileordirectoryisselected,the3buttonsacrossthebottomareenabledandcan

beclicked.Theirfunctionalityisasfollows:

DeleteFileThehighlightedfilewillbedeleted.Directoriescannotbedeleted.

GetFileThehighlightedfilewillbedownloadedfromtheSIGMACHECK.Aprogress

barwillbeshownacrossthemainscreenofSigmaCheckPCtoshowtheprogressof

thisfiledownload.Oncecomplete,aSaveFilewindowwillappearandthefilecanbe

savedanywhereonthePC.SendFileAnOpenFilewindowwillappearandafilecanbeselectedfromthePC.

ClickingOpenwillsendthisfiletothedirectoryhighlighted(orifafileishighlighted,

toitsdirectory)ontheSIGMACHECK.TheprogressbarontheSigmaCheckPCmain

screenwillshowprogressofthisfiletransfer.

AfterDeletingorsendingafile,thescreenwillberefreshedshowingthenewstate

ofthefilesystemontheSIGMACHECKsMicroSDCard.


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Directoriescannotbecreatedordeleted.Thedirectorystructureisusedbythe

SIGMACHECKlikeso:

ProbesAllprobefilesmustresideinhere.

SettingsAllfilesrelatedtotheconfigurationoftheinstrumentmustresidehere.

DataLogAnyfilescreatedbytheDataLoggingfunctionality(assumingitis

configuredtowriteitsdatatothecardandnottoRAM)arewrittenhere.The

filenameiscreatedfromtheTime&Datethatthefilewascreatedinthefollowing

format:

YYYYMMDDHHMMSS.xml,

ie20120119103502=10:35am(and2seconds)onthe19thJan,2012.

Ifdownloadinganewprobefiletouse,pleaserememberthatitmustbeselected

fromtheProbesmenuontheinstrumentafterthedownload!

IfanyDataLoggingtotheMicroSdcardwasinprogresswhenclickingthe

SigmaCheckPCbuttonMicroSDCard,itwillbeterminated.Thedatawillnotbelost

andthefilewillbeclosedsafely.

5.1.1.4 DownloadingDataLoggerDatafromRAM.

DataLoggingcanbeconfiguredtoeithersavetoRAM(internalSIGMACHECKmemory)

ortooutputtotheMicroSDCard.

Thebenefitsofthetwoapproachesaredescribedinsection3.7.4.3.

ClickingtheRetrieveDatabuttonalongthebottomoftheSigmaCheckPCscreen

willbegintheuploadprocess.AslongastheSIGMACHECKisconnectedto

SigmaCheckPCthisprocesscanbeinitiated.EvenifdataLogginghasnotbeenstarted,datarelatingtothenumberofColumnsandRowswillbeuploaded.IfData

Loggingwasnotcompleted,theremainingreadingswillbeinanunknownstateand

willnotcontainvaliddata.

AftertheRetrieveDatabuttonispressed,datawillbeginuploading.Theprogress

bardoesnotfunctionforfileupload.Thetimetheuploadtakesisdependentonthe

numberofRowsandColumnsthatDataLoggingissettoo.WhenUploadiscomplete

afilesavewindowwillopen.SelectafilenameandlocationwheretosavetheXML

file.Forviewingthefile,see5.2UsingaSpreadsheettoanalysedatabelow.

5.1.2 ETherFUU(FirmwareUpdateUtility)

TheSIGMACHECKinstrumentfirmwarecanbeupdatedbythecustomerinthefield

allowingthemtotakeadvantageofnewfeaturesandimprovementsastheyare

releasedfromETHERNDE.TheprocessissimpleandrequirestheETherFUUsoftware

tobeinstalledonaPC,theMini-BUSBcableandofcoursetheSIGMACHECK

instrument.

AnupdatefilewillbeprovidedbyETHERNDE,thisfilewillbeaDFUfile(i.e.

v_1_1_0.dfu).RuntheETherFUUsoftware.Thescreenwillbeasso:


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First,theSIGMACHECKmustbeputintoFirmwareLoadermode.Todothis:

1. TurntheinstrumentOFF.2. HolddowntheDownkey.3. PressthePowerkey.4. WhentheSplashScreenisvisible,releasetheDownkey.5. TheSplashScreenwillshowEtherNDE,FirmwareLoader

WhentheSIGMACHECKisinFirmwareLoadermode,ETherFUUrunningonthePCand

theSIGMACHECKisconnectedtothePC,theSplashScreenwillshowUsbConnected

andETherFUUwillshow:

ConnectedtoEtherFirmwareLoader,butNOfileloaded.

Now,clicktheChoosebuttononETherFUUandusetheOpenfilewindowto

navigateandselecttheprovided*.dfufile.ETherFUUwillnowshow:

Filecorrectlyloadedandconnected

TheUpgradebuttonwillnolongerbegreyedoutandshouldbeclicked.The

softwarewillbedownloadedandprogresswillbeshownbytheprogressbar.

Whencompleted,theSIGMACHECKmustberestarted.CheckontheSplashscreenof

theSIGMACHECKthatthenewsoftwareversionisdisplayed.


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5.2 Usingaspreadsheettoanalysedata

DataLoggerdatathathasbeendownloadedviaSigmaCheckPCwillhavebeensaved

ontothePCina*.xmlfile(See5.1.1.3Uploading&Downloadingfiles&5.1.1.4

DownloadingDataLoggingDatafromRAM,above).

ThisfileformatisnotautomaticallyrecognisedbyWindowsasbeingaspreadsheet

file,sodonotopenthefilefromitsicon.Openaspreadsheetpackage,clickOpen

File,navigatetothefileandopenit.Thespreadsheetpackageshouldrecognisethe

fileformatandopenthefileasifitwasaregularSpreadsheetfile.Hereisan

examplefileopenedupinMSExcel.TheDataLoggerontheSIGMACHECKwas

configuredtohave2rowsand3columns:

Thevaluesshownare%IACSvalues.

Whenclosingthespreadsheetpackagewerecommendsavingthefilenotinthe

original*.xmlformat,butintheSpreadsheetpackagesdefaultformat.


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6 Setting-upprocedures6.1 Calibratingandmakingareading

TheSIGMACHECKshouldbecalibratedafterpoweronandatregularintervalsto

ensureaccuracy.Whatfollowsisaquickstep-by-stepguidetoconfiguringthe

SIGMACHECKandtakingareading.

SplashScreen

ReadingsScreen

MainMenuScreen

CalibrationScreen

PressPowerKeyfor2

seconds.Splashscreen

appears.Afteracouple

ofsecondsthereading

screenisshown.

Awarnignacrossthe

bottomreadsPress

toCalasnocalsince

power-on.

PressOKtoCal(goto

step5)ORpressBACK

togotothemenu

screen

RightorDownkeyto

accesstheMainMenu.

Tocalibrate,with

Calibration

highlighted,pressOK.

Setairpoint

SethighConductivity SetLowConductivity.

ReadingScreen

EnsurethattheCB1&

CB2valuesmatchthe

blocksontopofthe

instrument,thenwith

Calibratehighlighted,pressOK.

Holdprobeinairat

least100mm(4)away

fromanymetalor

magnets.WaitforBlue

bartostabilise.PressOK.

Placeprobeonleft

calibrationsamplewait

forbluebartostabilise

andpressOK

Placeprobeonright

calibrationsample

weightforbluebarto

stabiliseandpressOK.

Afterabriefpausetheinstrumentwillreturn

totheReadingScreen

andisreadytouse.

6.2 Usingthe2ddataloggingfunction

ThecompleteDataLoggingprocessisbrokenupintoseveralparts,eachisexplained

inprevioussections:

1. ConfiguringtheSIGMACHECKtoDataLog,seeDataLogging.2. DownloadingtheDataLoggerdatatoaPC,seeDownloadingDataLoggerData


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3. Viewingtheresultantfiles,seeUsingaspreadsheettoanalysedata.

6.3 ALARMsetup

TheAlarmfunctionalityisfullyexplainedintheAlarmssection.

7 CareandMaintenance

Usesoftcleanclothmoistenedwithasoapormilddetergenttocleanthecase,buttonsanddisplaywindow.

Donotuseanabrasivecleaningagentofanykind,asthiswilldamagetheinstrument.

Donotusesolventstocleantheinstrument,astheywillcauseirreparabledamagetocaseandcontents.

8 TroubleShooting9 TransportationandStorage


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10Specifications

InspectionTechnology EddyCurrent

OperatingFrequencies

60kHz,120kHz,240kHz,480kHz,960kHz(requiresprobe

suitablefortestfrequency)Display 240x320pixelscolourdisplay.LCDwithselectablebacklight.

ConductivityStandards

DualSampleConductivityReferenceBlocksmountedontop

ofunit.Removableforvalueverification,andensuring

thermalequilibrium.

ConductivityRange 0.5%IACSto120%IACS,0.28-70MS/m

Resolution

Selectableas1,2or3decimalplacesuptoamaximumof5

digitse.g.0.050-120.00

LiftOff

12.7mmprobecompensatedto0.030(0.7mm)7mmprobe

compensatedto0.015(0.35mm)

AbsoluteAccuracy

At20C.+/-0.5%ofreadingpluserrorinreference

standard.Probeinthermalequilibriumwithmetal.

Temperature

Measurement In-probesensor(accurateto0.5C)Range0Cto+50C

AutomaticCompensation Conductivitymeasurementsarecorrectedtothe20Cvalue.

EnvironmentalRange

0to95%relativehumidity,0Cto+50Cforreliable

operation

DataLoggerMemory

Removable2GBmicroSDCardallowingmanythousandsof

probemapstobestoredandeasilytransferredbetween

instruments.

Probes

12.7mmdiameterfor60kHz-480kHz.Probesare

interchangeablewithsimpleoperatorresettingprocedure.

Probesarefieldexchangeableanddonotrequirethereturn

tomanufacturerforcalibration.

PCConnectivity USBportforchargerandPCcommunications

Accessories

SettingsReferenceBlocks-Arangeofconductivityreferences

standardstraceabletoUSandEuropeanstandardsare

availableforin-fielduse.Uptofivecanbemountedonan

aluminiumanodisedholdingplate.

Size 163mmLongx80mmWidex25mmDeep

Construction&Storage

Highimpact,splashproof,mouldedUL94-5VAflame

retardantABScase.Protectiverubberboottoholdunit,

probes,probecable,operatormanualonUSB,and

removablestand.

Weight 350g(12oz.)includingbatteries

Power

Providedwith2x1.5VAANickelMetalHydrideBatteries,

Approx.upto6hrs.life.

Documents

SigmaCheck User Manual_02