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480836  V5.0   8/09 

4-3 Using E-field sensor 

The 3-channel sensor is located at the top of the meter. The three voltages generated 
by the sensor are fed back to the meter. In far-fields, an E-field sensor is preferable due 
to the greater bandwidth. The E-field sensor frequency ranges from 

50MHz to 3.5GHz 

(calibration accuracy only supports measurements in the 900MHz, 1800MHz, and 
2.7GHz ranges, other measurements made in the 50MHz to 3.5GHz range are for 
reference purposes only). 
The meter is a small portable instrument that measures the electric field in the atmosphere of 
the sensor’s surroundings. The measurement of the field is done by moving the aerial of the 
sensor in the desired measured environment. 
A direct wide band measurement is obtained of the field that the measurement sensor is 
subjected to. To find the value of the field emitted by a source of interference, simply 
point the aerial towards it and get as close as possible (the value of the field is inversely 
proportional to the distance of the sensor/emission source). The operator must take care 
not to be between the source of disturbance and the zone to be checked. The human 
body shields electromagnetic fields. The E-field sensor is isotropic; it does not require 
special handling. It measures the field according to 3 axes without the aerial having to 
be moved in the 3 planes. Simply point it at the target to make the measurement. 

4-4 Explanatory notes 

4-4-1 Units of measurement 

The meter measures the electrical component of the field; the default units are those of 
electrical field strength (mV/m, V/m). The meter converts the measurement values to the 
other units of measurement, i.e. the corresponding magnetic field strength units (

μ

A/m, 

mA/m) and power density units (

μ

W/m

2

 , mW/m

2

, W/m

2

μ

W/cm

2

 or mW/cm

2

) using the 

standard far-field formulate for electromagnetic radiation. 
The conversion is invalid for near-field measurements, as there is no generally valid 
relationship between electrical and magnetic field strength in this situation. Always 
use the default units of the sensor when making near-field measurements. 
 

4-4-2 Result modes 

The bar graph display always shows each axis (X, Y or Z) the instantaneous 
measured dynamic range value. The digit display shows the measurement 
according to one of four selectable modes: 

 Instantaneous

: The display shows the last value measured by the sensor, no 

symbol is displayed. 

 Maximum instantaneous (MAX)

: The digital display shows the highest 

instantaneous value measured, the “MAX” symbol is displayed. 

 Average (AVG)

: The digital display shows the average value measured, the “AVG” 

symbol is displayed. 

 Maximum average (MAX AVG)

: The digital display shows the highest average 

value measured, the “MAX AVG” symbol is displayed. 

t

Max. Hold

Average

Actual

Max. Average

Field strength

 

Summary of Contents for 480836

Page 1: ...User s Guide RF EMF Strength Meter Model 480836 ...

Page 2: ...enerate or conduct electromagnetic energy Be aware that secondary radiators e g reflective objects such as a metallic fence can cause a local amplification of the field Be aware that the field strength in the near vicinity of radiators increases proportionally to the inverse cube of the distance This means that enormous field strengths can result in the immediate vicinity of small radiation source...

Page 3: ...ction of propagation usually expressed in units of watts per square meter W m2 or for convenience units such as milliwatts per square centimeter mW cm2 The characteristic of electromagnetic fields Electromagnetic fields propagate as waves and travel at the speed of light c The wavelength is proportional to the frequency λ wavelength c speed of light f frequency Near field is assumed if the distanc...

Page 4: ...gh frequencies the power density is of particular significance It provides a measure of the power absorbed by a person exposed to the field This power level must be kept as low as possible at high frequencies The meter can be set to display the instantaneous value the maximum value measured or the average value Instantaneous and maximum value measurements are useful for orientation e g when first ...

Page 5: ... alarm Buzzer Units mV m V m μA m mA m μW m 2 mW m 2 W m 2 μW cm 2 mW cm 2 Display value Instantaneous measured value maximum value or maximum average value Alarm function Adjustable threshold with ON OFF Manual data memory and read storage 99 data sets Dry batteries 9V NEDA 1604 1604A Battery life 15 hours Auto power off 15 minutes Operating temperature range 0 C to 50 C Operating humidity range ...

Page 6: ...es 900MHz 1800MHz and 2 7GHz measurements can be made for reference purposes only using the entire range of 50MHz to 3 5GHz Specified measurement range CW signal f 900MHz 20mV m to 108 0V m 53μA m to 286 4mA m 1μW m 2 to 30 93W m 2 0μW cm 2 to 3 093mW cm 2 Dynamic range Typically 75dB Absolute error at 1 V m and 50 MHz 1 0dB Frequency response Sensor taking into account typical CAL factors 1 0dB 9...

Page 7: ...m or mA m μW m 2 or mW m 2 or W m 2 μW cm 2 or mW cm 2 d Press this key for 2 seconds to turn the backlight on The backlight turns off automatically in 15 seconds later e Press and hold this key and turn on the meter again to disable the backlight auto off function 6 key Press this key to turn the meter on or off 7 MEM key c Press this key momentarily to store one data set to memory d Press and ho...

Page 8: ...asured value displayed as per selected mode and selected units 8 Manual data memory mode indication 9 Manual data memory address number 1 99 The manual data memory clear mode 10 Stored measured value to memory indication 11 ALM Alarm function on off or alarm setting indication 12 Displays when the alarm function is on and the instantaneous measured value exceeds the limit value indication 13 Analo...

Page 9: ... 3 axes without the aerial having to be moved in the 3 planes Simply point it at the target to make the measurement 4 4 Explanatory notes 4 4 1 Units of measurement The meter measures the electrical component of the field the default units are those of electrical field strength mV m V m The meter converts the measurement values to the other units of measurement i e the corresponding magnetic field...

Page 10: ...ent value 4 4 4 Calibration Factor CAL The calibration factor CAL corrects for variances in the frequency response of the field sensor When a known RF calibration source is not available for precise calibration a calibration factor of 1 00 is sufficient for most applications E Field typically calibration data Frequency CAL 50MHz 3 16 100MHz 2 46 200MHz 2 01 300MHz 1 91 433MHz 0 55 500MHz 0 37 600M...

Page 11: ...b d c 2 Z XY 2 Z XY a Electric field strength V m b Computed magnetic field strength mA m c Computed power density mW m 2 d Computed power density μW cm 2 4 5 2 Setting the result mode Instantaneous result mode is automatically set when the meter is turned on With the MAX AVG key as followings AVG MAX MAX AVG MAX AVG MAX AVG AVG MAX MAX AVG ...

Page 12: ...EM READ 2 2 READ MEM ALARM 1 Press key to turn off the meter 2 Press and hold the MODE key then press key to turn on the meter the display then shows ALM and The Alarm setting mode The four flashing digits can now be changed 3 Press or key to increase or decrease the value 4 Press key to store the new setting value and exit ...

Page 13: ...he audible sound function off When the meter is normally turned on the audible sound function is on 1 Press key to turn off the meter 2 Press and hold MAX AVG key and turn on the meter again to disable the audible sound the symbol will disappear from the display 4 5 6 Setting the auto power off function off READ When the meter is normally turned on the auto power off function is on 1 Press key to ...

Page 14: ... This effect is caused by electrostatic charges Recommendation Hold the meter steady during the measurement 4 6 1 Short term measurements Application Use either the Instantaneous or the Max Instantaneous mode if the characteristics and orientation of the field are unknown when entering an area exposed to electromagnetic radiation Procedure 1 Hold the meter at arm s length 2 Make several measuremen...

Page 15: ... parts of your body are nearest to the source of radiation Note Use the Average or Max average modes only when the instantaneous measurement values are fluctuating greatly 4 6 3 Alarm function Use this feature in the Instantaneous Max Instantaneous Average or Max Average modes When the instantaneous measured value exceeds the limit value a sequence of warning beeps will sound ...

Page 16: ...h flash of the symbol display indicates one reading has been stored When the memory location number shows 99 to indicate the manual data memory is full the use must clear the entire contents of the data memory before storing new values 4 7 2 Reading individual measured values READ Z XY R V m UNIT READ MEM R XY Z A m UNIT 1 Press READ key the display shows reading mode 2 Press or key to select the ...

Page 17: ...d values Once the memory is full the entire contents of the memory can be cleared READ MEM MEM 1 Press to turn off the meter 2 Press and hold MEM and turn on the meter again the display will shows and 3 Press to select 4 Press to clear memory ...

Page 18: ...ite www extech com for contact information A Return Authorization RA number must be issued before any product is returned to Extech The sender is responsible for shipping charges freight insurance and proper packaging to prevent damage in transit This warranty does not apply to defects resulting from action of the user such as misuse improper wiring operation outside of specification improper main...

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