Elcometer 355 User manual

English
Elcometer 355
Coating Thickness Gauge
Top Model
Operating Instructions

English
R
This product meets the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive. This product is Class B, Group 1
ISM equipment according to CISPR 11 Group 1 ISM product: A product in which there is
intentionally generated and/or used conductively coupled radio-frequency energy which is
necessary for the internal functioning of the equipment itself.
Class B products are suitable for use in domestic establishments and in establishments directly connected
to a low voltage power supply network which supplies buildings used for domestic purposes.
is a registered trademark of Elcometer Limited.
All other trademarks acknowledged.
© Copyright Elcometer Limited. 2009-2011.
All rights reserved. No part of this Document may bereproduced,transmitted,transcribed,stored(in a retrieval
system or otherwise) or translated into any language, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical,
magnetic, optical, manual or otherwise) without the prior written permission of Elcometer Limited.
A copy of this Instruction Manual is available for download on our Website via www.elcometer.com.
Doc.No. TMA-0141 Issue 06
Text with Cover No: 4805

R
1
CONTENTS
Section Page
1 About your gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 Getting started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3 Taking a reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4 Calibration - BASE and CAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
5 Batches and memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
6 Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
7 Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
8 Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
9 Transferring readings to a computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
10 Printing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
11 Fault Finding / Error Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
12 Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
13 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
14 Accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
15 Technical Specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
16 Related equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
17 Tutorial. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
18 Quick Reference Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

R
2
Thank you for your purchase of this Elcometer 355 Coating Thickness Gauge. Welcome to Elcometer.
Elcometer are world leaders in the design, manufacture and supply of coatings inspection equipment. Our
products cover all aspects of coating inspection, from development through application to post application
inspection.
The Elcometer 355 Coating Thickness Gauge is a world beating product. With the purchase of this gauge
you now have access to the worldwide service and support network of Elcometer. For more information visit
our website at www.elcometer.com
1 ABOUT YOUR GAUGE
The Elcometer 355 Coating Thickness Gauge is a handheld gauge for fast and accurate measurement of
the thickness of coatings.
With a memory of up to 10 000 readings in multiple batches and accuracy to ±1%, your gauge is a
measuring system packed with time saving and cost cutting features.
1.1 STANDARDS
The Elcometer 355 can be used in accordance with the following National and International Standards:
FERROUS (F)
ASTM B 499, ASTM D 1186-B, ASTM G 12, BS 3900(C5), BS 5411 (11), DIN 50981, IMO MSC.215 (82),
IMO MSC.244(83), ISO 1461, ISO 2063, ISO 2808-7C, supersedes ISO 2808-6A, BS 3900-C5-6A, BS
5411-11, DIN 50981, ISO 2808-12, ISO 19840, NF T30-124, SSPC-PA2.

R
3
For the IMO PSPCa, the thickness of coatings should be recorded. Your Elcometer 355 can be used for this.
NON-FERROUS (NF)
ASTM D 1400, BS 3900 (C5), BS 5411 (3), BS 5599, DIN 50984, ISO 2360 supersedes BS 5411-3,
ISO 2808-7D supersedes BS 3900-C5-6B, BS 5411-3, DIN 50984, ISO 2808-6B, ISO 2808-12,
ASTM B244 (probes N1, N4).
FERROUS AND NON-FERROUS (FNF)
AS 2331.1.4, AS 3894.3-B, AS/NZS 1580.108.1, ASTM D 7091 supersedes ASTM D 1186, ASTM D 1400,
ASTM E 376, EN 13523-1 supersedes ECCA T1, ISO 2808-12, US NAVY NSI 009-32,
US NAVY PPI 63101-000.
a. International Marine Organisation, Performance Standard for Protective Coatings.

R
4
1.2 WHAT THE BOX CONTAINS
• Elcometer 355 Top Gauge
• Leather carry case
• Precision Hand Grip
• Earpiece
• CD containing data collection software
• PC Cable
• Batteries
• Operating instructions
The gauge is packed in cardboard and foam packaging. Please ensure that this
packaging is disposed of in an environmentally sensitive manner. Consult your Local
Environmental Authority for further guidance.
To maximise the benefits of your new Elcometer 355, please take some time to
read these Operating Instructions.
Do not hesitate to contact Elcometer or your Elcometer supplier if you have
any questions.

R
5
2 GETTING STARTED
2.1 REMOVING THE CASE
To remove the leather case to gain access to the module and
battery compartments, undo the retaining screw located on the
bottom of the case and remove the gauge by pushing it through
the hole.
2.2 FITTING BATTERIES
Batteries are located under the cover at the rear of the gauge.
Fit three LR6 (AA), alkaline dry batteries, or rechargeable
equivalent; take care to ensure correct battery polarity.
When the battery symbol is shown on the display, the
batteries should be replaced. When the symbol starts flashing,
the batteries will last approximately one more hour.
Note: Remove the batteries from the instrument if it is to remain
unused for a long period of time. This will prevent damage to the
instrument in the event of malfunction of the batteries.
Note: All batteries must be disposed of carefully to avoid
environmental contamination. Please consult your local
Environmental Authority for information on disposal in your
region.
Do not dispose of any batteries in fire.
(Elcometer 355
Top model shown)

R
6
2.3 CONNECTING A PROBE MODULE
1. Ensure the probe is suitable for the measurements to be made.
2. Switch off the gauge.
3. Open the cover at the back of the gauge.
4. Insert the probe module.
5. Replace the cover.
2.4 SWITCHING THE GAUGE ON AND OFF
• To switch your gauge on, press and hold [ ].
The red LED flashes, the gauge clicks and all segments of the display are illuminated with the
backlight on. The Software Version Number is then displayed.
The instrument will then start up in the mode last used.
Completion of start-up is indicated by one long beep and the red LED flashing.
• To switch your gauge off, press and hold [ENTER] for three seconds.
Your gauge can also be set to switch off automatically - see “Date and time” on page 18.

R
7
2.5 THE DISPLAY 1. Reading number
2. Reading/menu item/value
3. Service required
4. Rough surface
5. Calibration type
6. Battery condition
7. Units
8. Limits
9. Average/Standard deviation
10. Non-ferrous/Ferrous
2.6 INTERFACE
A data output interface is located on the top of your gauge.
2.7 SELECTING A LANGUAGE
The Elcometer 355 has a number of languages built-in.To select a language, see “Language function” on page 22.
2.8 CHANGING UNITS
Your gauge can display coating thickness in µmb(microns), mm, mil and thou.
To change units, press [UNITS].
Note: When units are set to mm, the resolution of the display is such that only 1 µm resolution may be
shown, e.g. 10.8 µm would be displayed as ‘0.011’ mm.
b. µm will not be available as an option on probes which have a range greater than 9999 µm
1 3 4
5
6
789
10
2

R
8
3 TAKING A READING
Switch on the gauge.
Place the probe on the surface to be measured. The reading may be
inaccurate if the probe is not held as shown.
The green LED will flash and a beep will sound when a valid reading within
limits has been taken.
If a red LED flashes while taking a reading, this indicates that the reading is
outside of the set limits.
The coating thickness is shown on the display.
If the reading is just above the range of the module, the display shows:
In certain base conditions a negative over range can occur, indicated by:
In either of these two cases, check and re-calibrate if necessary - see “Calibration
- BASE and CAL” on page 9.
In some conditions, the display may show error codes ‘E14’, ‘E15’, etc. For
details of these error codes, see “Fault Finding / Error Codes” on page 33.
To save readings into memory (batching), refer to the instructions given in
“Batches and memory” on page 10.
R

R
9
4 CALIBRATION - BASE AND CAL
1. Press [BASE] for low end calibration on a zero plate or low value foil and [CAL] for higher foil.
If the password mode has been enabled (see “Password function” on page 20) then ‘- -’ is displayed
and the password will have to be entered.
2. Take a number of readings on the required calibration thickness. (Uncoated material for zero or base,
a thin foil for rough surface or unusual materials and a thick foil for cal).
(A wide range of foils is available - see “Foils” on page 38.)
The foil value shown on the label applies to a measurement position
as indicated:
The display will show an average value - indicated by the [ ]
symbol.
3. When the base or cal value shown on the display is stable, then
adjust the display to the required value e.g. ‘0’ or the foil value; enter
the required number using the keypad and then press [ENTER].
The ‘base’ or ‘cal’ symbols and [ ] will now be removed from the display.
If a base value greater than zero is entered, the rough surface symbol will be displayed.
This symbol will disappear from the display if the base is reset to zero (0).

R
10
Note: If ‘base’ or ‘cal’ are used with regular values, the [BASE] or [CAL] keys may be pressed to recall the
last value entered to the display in order to save re-entering the numeric data. [ENTER] is used to confirm
the display value in memory.
5 BATCHES AND MEMORY
5.1 SELECTING A BATCH
With the instrument switched on, press [BATCH].
Use the keypad to enter the batch number (up to 7 digits).
Press [ENTER].
An indication of the remaining memory will be displayed:
Bars will be removed from this display as the memory is filled. The upper bars
show approximately 11% increments and the lower bars approximately 1%
increments.
If data already exists in the batch selected, the last reading will be displayed together with the reading
number in the small display. If a mistake is made during any number entry, [DEL] will delete a single number
or [CLEAR] will clear the whole number entered.
If the batch is new, the display will be blank and ‘0’ will be displayed as the
reading no:
Alternatively, the batch numbers in memory may be displayed for selection by
pressing [BATCH] a number of times. The batch numbers will be displayed in the
order in which they were created. When all batch numbers have been displayed,
the first batch number entered will be displayed again. The batch required is selected by pressing [ENTER].

R
11
Immediate mode is designated as ‘BATCH 0’. Returning to immediate mode from batch mode clears all
previous immediate mode data and starts at reading ‘0’.
The time and day/month will always be stored at the time when the first reading is taken.
In addition, if the time stamp mode is enabled (see “Date and time” on page 18) it will also be stored within
the batch data whenever the instrument is:
• switched off automatically
• switched on again
• instructed that the batch is closed, normally by opening another batch.
5.2 VIEWING BATCH DATA
Data within the current batch may be viewed by pressing [BATCH] and [.]. Other batches may only be
viewed by first selecting them. Viewing always starts at the beginning of the batch.
Use [<] and [>] to scroll through the data.
Embedded within data, and shown in the reading number display, are ‘OP’ which indicates when the batch
was opened, ‘On’ to indicate when the instrument was switched on and ‘CL’ to indicate when the batch was
closed, along with the time and date (month and day only) alternately flashing. (The date format may be
either mm:dd or dd:mm - see “Date and time” on page 18).
Also embedded are any base or cal functions which are completed within the batch. The beginning of the
viewed data may be selected by pressing [BASE], the middle by pressing [CAL] and the end by pressing
[LIMIT].
Note: The beeper is switched off automatically so that only a click sounds when scrolling through the data.

R
12
5.3 CLEAR/DELETE BATCH DATA
Data within a batch may be‘cleared’ leaving the batch number, calibration and limits. Alternatively, the batch
data and its associated number may be ‘deleted’.
CLEARING CURRENT BATCH DATA
Select the batch to be cleared - see “Selecting a batch” on page 10.
Press [BATCH] and [CLEAR] (or simply press [CLEAR] to go straight to the
alternating displays further on):
Press [ENTER] and the display will alternate between ‘Clr’ and ‘batch no’ as
shown (batch number 14 in this example).
Press [ENTER] to clear the selected batch or [Esc] to cancel the operation.
DELETING CURRENT BATCH
Select the batch to be cleared - see “Selecting a batch” on page 10.
Press [BATCH] and [DEL]:

R
13
Press [ENTER] and the display will alternate between ‘dEL’ and ‘batch no’ as
shown (batch number 14 in this example).
Press [ENTER] to delete the batch or [Esc] to cancel the operation.
CLEARING DEFINED BATCH DATA
Press [BATCH] and [CLEAR]:
Enter the ‘batch number’ and then press [ENTER]; the display will alternate
between ‘Clr’ and ‘batch no’ as shown (batch number 14 in this example).
Press [ENTER] to clear the selected batch or [Esc] to cancel the operation.
If the defined batch has never contained any readings to clear, the display will
show:
DELETING DEFINED BATCH
Press [BATCH] and [DEL]:

R
14
Enter the ‘batch number’ and then press [ENTER]; the display will alternate
between ‘dEL’ and ‘batch no’ as shown (batch number 14 in this example).
Press [ENTER] to delete the batch or [Esc] to cancel the operation.
CLEARING ALL BATCHES
This function is only available in immediate mode. It will clear all batch data, but leave the batch numbers
intact.
Press [BATCH] and [CLEAR]:
Press [ENTER]; the display will alternate between ‘Clr’ and ‘ALL?’
Press [ENTER] to clear all batches or [Esc] to cancel the operation.
DELETING ALL BATCHES
This function is only available in immediate mode. It will clear all batch data and all of the batch numbers.
Press [BATCH] and [DEL]:

R
15
Press [ENTER]; the display will alternate between ‘dEL’ and ‘ALL?’.
Press [ENTER] to delete all batches or [Esc] to cancel the operation.
6 LIMITS
If limits are set and a reading is taken which is outside the limits, the red LED will
show and a longer beep will be given (1 second instead of 0.5 seconds).
Limits may be set in immediate mode where they will act as reference values or in batch mode before
readings are taken, or after readings are cleared. If readings exist within a batch, then the current low limit
will be displayed followed by the current high limit for a period of 1 second each.
6.1 TO SET LIMITS
1. Press [LIMIT] followed by [<] for low, or [>] for high. The current value will be displayed - ‘Lo’ symbol is
displayed for low limit and ‘Hi’ symbol for high limit.
2. The value may now be changed to a new value, and then press [ENTER].
Once one limit is set, the other will be displayed; either accept the value and press [ENTER], or
change to a new value and then press [ENTER].
6.2 TO RESET (CANCEL) LIMITS
To reset the limits to values outside the range of the module, press [CLEAR]. With these settings, limits will
not normally operate.
Note: Reasonable limits are set at a default value of 20% of the effective range, less or greater than the low
or high limits respectively. These values may be adjusted - see “Reasonable limits function” on page 23.

R
16
Setting the reasonable limit to 99% will switch the reasonable limit function off.
When a reasonable limit is reached for a reading value, the reading display will flash, the red LED will flash
and the beep will sound a number of times. This prompts the user to accept the reading by pressing
[ENTER] or reject the reading by pressing [DEL] (as for deletion of last reading).
7 SETUP
The setup mode enables the User to adjust a number of different functions to suit the way the instrument is
operated. The setup mode is based around 10 functions, each of which has sub-functions.
After pressing [SETUP], Function No 10 (SEL) will be displayed:
This function is used to select the Data Collection/Statistical modes, i.e. Statistics,
Average or Counted Average - see “Statistics” on page 26.
Other functions may be selected by using [<] or [>] to go through the list or by
pressing the relevant number. If [<] or [>] are pressed the individual functions are displayed and [ENTER]
must then be pressed to select that function for modification. Using the number keys, the sub-function is
more quickly selected and is thus a quick entry method for experienced users.
Once a function is entered, [<] or [>] are used to either select the alternatives, or modify the value.
Sub-functions are displayed using a second number in the ‘n’ display. e.g. ‘11’ for baud function within ‘Prnt’.
Select the required value for the function or sub-function by pressing [ENTER]. Exit the function by pressing
[0] or [SETUP] the required number of times (or [Esc]) to step back through the Sub Menus.
This display signifies the end of each menu’s options.
The following sections describe each function (in numerical order).

R
17
7.1 PRINTER SETUP FUNCTIONS
Having pressed [SETUP] use [<] or [>] to select:
Press [ENTER].
Printer SetUp Sub-Functions
For serial printing, the printer’s baud rate must be selected in the range 300-
38,400.
Press [ENTER] and use [<] or [>] to select one of the options which are available
e.g.
Press [ENTER] to set this option to required rate and return to the Printer SetUp
Menu, or [Esc] to cancel the operation.
Continue stepping through the Printer SetUp Menu by using [>]. Press [ENTER]
at the required option and use [<] and [>] to select within that option ([Esc] cancels the operation):
End of line character is Cr or CrLF.
Selects 80 or 42 column printing (42 col. for Elcometer Portable Printer).

R
18
Page length 0-100 lines (0 for continuous printing).
0-10 spaces of indentation from left (not available with 42 column printer).
Type of report: Full or PArt (no readings).
7.2 DATE AND TIME
When setting the date and time, the display flashes a 2 digit pair for day, month, hours or minutes. These
may be adjusted up or down by using [<] and [>] respectively. The year is a 4 digit number with limits of
1994 and 2093 and is adjusted using the [<] and [>] keys as before.
Having pressed [SETUP], use [<] or [>] to select, followed by [ENTER]:
Date and Time Sub Functions.
Use [<] or [>] to select any of the following five sub functions:
Date format by Country
There are two date formats available:
or
d:M for Day:Month (UK)