Ametek Signal Recovery 5402 User manual

Model 5402
Low-Noise Current
Preamplifier
Instruction Manual
1107364-A-MNL-B
Copyright © 2017 AMETEK ADVANCED MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGY, INC

Trademarks
AMETEK® and the b® and alogos are registered trademarks of AMETEK, Inc.
Other product and company names mentioned are trademarks or trade names of their respective
companies.
Company Names
SIGNAL RECOVERY is part of Advanced Measurement Technology, Inc, a division of AMETEK,
Inc. It includes the businesses formerly trading as EG&G Princeton Applied Research, EG&G
Instruments (Signal Recovery), EG&G Signal Recovery and PerkinElmer Instruments (Signal
Recovery)

Table of Contents Table of Contents
i
General Safety Precautions................................................................................................................ii
Chapter One, Description
1.1 Description ....................................................................................................................................................... 1-1
1.2 Options ............................................................................................................................................................. 1-1
Chapter Two, Initial Checks
2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 2-1
2.2 Equipment Needed ........................................................................................................................................... 2-1
2.3 Procedure.......................................................................................................................................................... 2-1
Chapter Three, Operating Instructions
3.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 3-1
3.2 Connectors & Controls..................................................................................................................................... 3-1
3.2.01 Power Switch & Indicator....................................................................................................................... 3-1
3.2.02 Charge Connector & Indicator ................................................................................................................ 3-1
3.2.03 Input Connector....................................................................................................................................... 3-1
3.2.04 Gain Button ............................................................................................................................................. 3-1
3.2.05 Low-pass Filter........................................................................................................................................ 3-2
3.2.06 Output Coupling...................................................................................................................................... 3-2
3.2.07 Output Connector .................................................................................................................................... 3-2
3.3 Operating the Model 5402................................................................................................................................ 3-2
3.3.01 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 3-2
3.3.02 Signal Gain & Output Voltage................................................................................................................ 3-2
3.3.03 Output Filtering....................................................................................................................................... 3-2
3.3.04 Battery Operation .................................................................................................................................... 3-2
3.3.05 Battery Charging ..................................................................................................................................... 3-3
3.3.06 Battery Maintenance................................................................................................................................ 3-3
Appendix A, Specifications
Appendix B, Model PS0112 External Power Supply
Appendix C, Model 5400/32 External Power Supply
Appendix D, Model 7210/50 Mounting Shelf
Warranty....................................................................................................................................... End of Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ii
GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
The equipment described in this manual has been designed in accordance with EN61010 "Safety
requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use", and has been
supplied in a safe condition. To avoid injury to an operator or service technician the safety precautions
given below, and throughout the manual, must be strictly adhered to whenever the equipment is
operated, serviced or repaired. For specific safety details, please refer to the relevant sections within
the manual.
The equipment is intended solely for electronic measurement and should be used for no other purpose.
SIGNAL RECOVERY accepts no responsibility for accidents or damage resulting from any failure to
comply with these precautions.
AC Supply Voltage
Never operate the Model PS0112 or Model 5400/32 power supplies from a line voltage or frequency in
excess of that specified. Otherwise, the insulation of internal components may break down and cause
excessive leakage currents and POTENTIAL RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK. The Model 5400/32
supply must be used with an IEC 60799 compliant (or other suitable accredited approval) mains supply
cord, rated for the correct voltage and power rating as detailed on the power supply case.
DC Supply Voltage
Never use a DC voltage greater than +9.5V to recharge the batteries in the Model 5402.
Fuses
The Model PS0112 power supply does not contain replaceable MAINS fuses, but the Model 5400/32
does. Refer to Appendix B for details of how to replace these.
Explosive Atmospheres
This equipment must NEVER BE OPERATED in a potentially explosive atmosphere. The equipment is
NOT designed for use in these conditions and could possibly cause an explosion.
Safety Symbols
The Model 5402 product contains no safety symbols (not required).
The PS0112 power supply contains the following safety symbols:
Symbol
Meaning
General safety hazard. CAUTION –Do not open PS0112 power supply case, risk of
electric shock. This product is not internally serviceable.
Electrical safety hazard. See above.

iii
Accessories and Ancillary Equipment
Only use accessories and ancillary equipment either delivered as part of the system or pre-approved
for use with the system directly by AMT. Use of unapproved accessories and ancillary equipment could
cause damage and potentially form an electrical hazard.
Notes and Cautions
For the guidance and protection of the user, Notes and Cautions appear throughout the manual. The
significance of these is as follows:
Notes highlight important information for the reader’s special attention.
Cautions guide the reader in avoiding damage to the equipment.
Avoid Unsafe Equipment
The equipment may be unsafe if any of the following statements apply:
Equipment shows visible damage.
Equipment has failed to perform an intended operation.
Equipment has been stored in unfavorable conditions.
Equipment has been subjected to severe physical stress.
If in any doubt as to the serviceability of the equipment, don't use it. Get it properly checked out by a
qualified service technician.
Live Conductors
The Model PS0112 or Model 5400/32 power supplies contain MAINS ‘LIVE’ conductors (internal). Their
cases should not be opened by under any circumstances, and they contain no user serviceable parts.
Equipment Modification
To avoid introducing safety hazards, never install non-standard parts in the equipment, or make any
unauthorized modification. To maintain safety, always return the equipment to your
SIGNAL RECOVERY service provider for service and repair.
European WEEE Directive
This product is subject to Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of the
European Union on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and in jurisdictions adopting
that Directive, is marked as being put on the market after August 13, 2005, and should not be disposed
of as unsorted municipal waste. Please use your local WEEE collection facilities for the disposal of this
product and otherwise observe all applicable requirements.
FCC Notice
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used
in accordance with this instruction manual, may cause harmful interference with radio communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case
the user is required to correct the interference.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
iv
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
The directives covered by this declaration
2014/35/EU Low Voltage Equipment Directive
2014/30/EU Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive
Product(s)
Model 5402 Current Preamplifier
Basis on which conformity is being declared
The product(s) identified above comply with the requirements of the EU directives by
meeting the following standards:
BS EN61326-1:2013 Electrical equipment for measurement control and laboratory use -
EMC requirements –Class A.
BS EN61010-1:2010 Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement,
control and laboratory use.
Accordingly, the CE mark has been applied to this product.
Signed
For and on behalf of SIGNAL RECOVERY
Authority: Product Manager
Date: January 2017

Description Chapter 1
1-1
1.1 Description
The Model 5402 is a low noise current input preamplifier designed for use whenever
the signal source is a current source - for example, an electron multiplier, ion
collector, photo multiplier, or photodiode. The gain (transimpedance) is switch
selectable with six settings enabling the amplifier, on its most sensitive range, to
detect fractions of a picoamp without noise degradation.
The unit has a bandwidth of 100 kHz on its highest gain (1 GV/A) and greater than
5 MHz on its lowest gain (10 kV/A), while still maintaining low input current noise
ranging from 25 fA /Hz on the 1 GV/A range to 5 pA /Hz on the 10 kV/A range.
Figure 1-1, Model 5402 Low-Noise Current Preamplifier
1.2 Options
The Model 5402 is supplied complete with two internal lithium-ion rechargeable
batteries. The following options are available.
Model PS0112 Plug-in line power supply, capable of recharging the batteries in
one Model 5402. This unit is typically supplied as standard with
the Model 5402 unless multiple amplifiers are ordered as part of
a larger system, in which case an alternative supply, such as the
Model 5400/32, is included. See Appendix B for details of the
PS0112.
Model 5400/32 Benchtop line power supply for recharging the batteries of up to
32 Model 5402’s, typically used when the preamplifier is used
with the SIGNAL RECOVERY Model 7210 multi-channel
lock-in amplifier. See Appendix C for details of this unit.

Chapter 1, DESCRIPTION
1-2
Model 7210/50 Mounting Shelf. This allows up to 32 Model 5402’s to be
conveniently positioned together, on four shelves each
containing eight preamplifiers. See Appendix D for details of
this shelf.

Initial Checks Chapter 2
2-1
2.1 Introduction
The following procedure is provided to facilitate initial performance checking of the
Model 5402. In general, the procedure should be performed after inspecting the unit
for shipping damage (any noted to be reported to the carrier and to
SIGNAL RECOVERY), but before using it experimentally. Should any difficulty be
encountered in carrying out these checks, contact the factory or one of its
representatives.
2.2 Equipment Needed
1) General purpose laboratory oscilloscope.
2) Signal generator capable of providing a 1 V, 100 mV and 10 mV pk-pk sine
wave at 1 kHz, with a variable DC output offset facility of up to ±1.0 V
3) Two test modules, consisting of screened enclosures fitted with male and female
BNC connectors. One module should have a 10 kand the other a 10 Mlow-
capacitance resistor connected between the BNC’s inner connecting pins. The
outer shield or ground terminals of these connectors should be connected
together.
2.3 Procedure
1) Slide the POWER switch on the input panel to the ON position (i.e. closest to
the input BNC connector). The adjacent red LED and one of the GAIN LEDs
should light, indicating that the internal batteries are sufficiently charged.
Units are shipped with their batteries typically at 50% of their full charge level,
so will normally operate without first being charged. If, however, the red power
LED doesn’t light, refer to section 3.4 for a discussion of how to recharge the
batteries.
2) Set the OUTPUT switch to AC
3) Set the LOWPASS filter switch to 100 kHz
4) Press the GAIN button repeatedly until the 10k setting is selected, as indicated
by the LED adjacent to it being lit.
5) Connect the oscilloscope input to the 5402’s output BNC connector.
6) Set the signal generator to 1 kHz, 1 V pk-pk, and connect it via the 10 kBNC
test module to the INPUT BNC connector. Use the oscilloscope to monitor the
signal generator amplitude settings so as to obtain consistency between input
settings and output readings.
7) Monitor the output; the output level should be 1.0 ± 0.1 V pk-pk.
8) Set the OUTPUT switch to DC.
9) Reduce the signal generator amplitude to 100 ± 10 mV pk-pk, and apply a 1 V
DC offset to its output. Apply this to the Model 5402 via the 10 kBNC test

Chapter 2, INITIAL CHECKS
2-2
module and verify that the output level is a 100 ± 10 mV pk-pk AC signal
superimposed on a 1.0 ± 0.1 V DC level.
10) Remove the DC offset from the signal generator output and set the OUTPUT
switch back to AC.
11) Press the GAIN button repeatedly until the 100k setting is selected and monitor
the output; the output level should be 1.0 ± 0.1 V pk-pk
12) Set the signal generator to 1 kHz, 10 mV pk-pk. Then press the GAIN button
repeatedly until the 1M setting is selected and monitor the output; the output
level should be 1.0 ± 0.1 V pk-pk
13) Remove the 10 kBNC test module and replace it with the 10 MBNC test
module.
14) Set the signal generator to 1 kHz, 1 V pk-pk. Then press the GAIN button
repeatedly until the 10M setting is selected and monitor the output; the output
level should be 1.0 ± 0.1 V pk-pk
15) Set the signal generator to 1 kHz, 100 mV pk-pk. Then press the GAIN button
repeatedly until the 100M setting is selected and monitor the output; the output
level should be 1.0 ± 0.1 V pk-pk. In some cases, parasitic capacitance across the
10 Mtest module resistor may give a higher output level on this test and step
16) below; if this occurs, reduce the test frequency to 90 Hz.
16) Set the signal generator to 1 kHz, 10 mV pk-pk. Then press the GAIN button
repeatedly until the 1G setting is selected and monitor the output; the output
level should be 1.0 ± 0.1 V pk-pk
17) Return the power switch to the OFF position.
This completes the initial checks. If the amplifier performed as indicated, one can be
reasonably sure that it has arrived in good working order and is functioning properly.