ETS-Lindgren HI-3638 User manual

HI-3638
ELF / VLF
Electric Field Meter
User Manual

ii www.ets-lindgren.com
ETS-Lindgren Inc. reserves the right to make changes to any product described
herein in order to improve function, design, or for any other reason. Nothing
contained herein shall constitute ETS-Lindgren Inc. assuming any liability
whatsoever arising out of the application or use of any product or circuit
described herein. ETS-Lindgren Inc. does not convey any license under its
patent rights or the rights of others.
© Copyright 1994–2016 by ETS-Lindgren Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part
of this document may be copied by any means without written permission
from ETS-Lindgren Inc.
Trademarks used in this document: The ETS-Lindgren logo and Probeview II are
trademarks of ETS-Lindgren Inc.
Revision Record | MANUAL,HI-3638 | Part #H-600062, Rev. H
Revision Description Date
Initial Release July, 1994
A Added CE October, 1997
B Added Error Codes January, 1998
C Updated area code February, 2000
D Rebrand March, 2009
E Updated electric field information,
Replacement and Optional Parts,
Specifications, Operating Protocols
February, 2011
F Added Operating Protocols as
appendix
April, 2011
G Updated Replacement and
Optional Parts
April, 2013
H Updated Calibration and format March, 2016

www.ets-lindgren.com iii
Table of Contents
Notes, Cautions, and Warnings ................................................ v
Safety Information ..................................................................... v
1.0 Introduction .......................................................................... 7
ETS-Lindgren Product Information Bulletin ................................................... 8
2.0 Maintenance ......................................................................... 9
Annual Calibration ......................................................................................... 9
Maintenance of Fiber Optics ........................................................................ 10
Replacement and Optional Parts ................................................................. 11
Service Procedures ..................................................................................... 11
3.0 Specifications ..................................................................... 13
HI-3638 Typical Frequency Response ........................................................ 15
4.0 HI-3638 Controls and Connectors .................................... 17
Transmit / Receive ....................................................................................... 17
ELF/OFF/VLF .............................................................................................. 18
Charge ......................................................................................................... 18
Ground ......................................................................................................... 18
Output .......................................................................................................... 18
5.0 Battery Charger .................................................................. 19
Setting the Voltage ...................................................................................... 19
Charging the Battery .................................................................................... 20
Battery Tips .................................................................................................. 21
Operating Temperature ....................................................................... 21
Charging .............................................................................................. 21
6.0 Application ......................................................................... 23
Meter ............................................................................................................ 23
Sensor Theory ............................................................................................. 23
7.0 Power Frequency Fields ................................................... 25
8.0 Guidelines for EMF Exposure ........................................... 29
Radio Frequency Exposure / Emission Standards Pertinent to VDT
Frequency Range ........................................................................................ 30

iv www.ets-lindgren.com
Appendix A: Warranty ............................................................. 31
Appendix B: Operating Protocols .......................................... 33
Communication Protocol .............................................................................. 33
Information Transfer Protocol ...................................................................... 33
Probe Commands ........................................................................................ 34
Error Codes ................................................................................................. 35
Appendix C: References ......................................................... 37
Appendix D: EC Declaration of Conformity .......................... 41

www.ets-lindgren.com v
Notes, Cautions, and Warnings
Note: Denotes helpful information intended to provide tips for better
use of the product.
Caution: Denotes a hazard. Failure to follow instructions
could result in minor personal injury and/or property
damage. Included text gives proper procedures.
Warning: Denotes a hazard. Failure to follow instructions
could result in SEVERE personal injury and/or property
damage. Included text gives proper procedures.
Note: See the ETS-Lindgren Product Information Bulletin for safety,
regulatory, and other product marking information.
Safety Information
Refer to Manual: When product is marked with this
symbol, see the instruction manual for additional
information. If the instruction manual has been misplaced,
download it from www.ets-lindgren.com, or contact
ETS-Lindgren Customer Service.
High Voltage: Indicates presence of hazardous voltage.
Unsafe practice could result in severe personal injury or
death.
High Voltage: Indicates presence of hazardous voltage.
Unsafe practice could result in severe personal injury or
death.

vi www.ets-lindgren.com
Protective Earth Ground (Safety Ground): Indicates
protective earth terminal. You should provide
uninterruptible safety earth ground from the main power
source to the product input wiring terminals, power cord,
or supplied power cord set.
Laser Warning: Denotes a laser (class 1M) is part of the
operating system of the device.
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
Directive: (European Union) At end of useful life, this
product should be deposited at an appropriate waste
disposal facility for recycling and disposal. Do not
dispose of with household waste.
Recyclable Products: This product includes rechargeable
batteries. At end of useful life, please recycle the used
batteries, or dispose of them safely and properly. Many
cities collect used batteries for recycling or disposal. You
may contact your local waste disposal agency for
information on battery recycling and disposal.

www.ets-lindgren.com Introduction 7
1.0 Introduction
The ETS-Lindgren HI-3638 ELF/VLF Electric Field Meter provides full
ELF/VLF (extremely low frequency/very low frequency) capability.
The HI-3638 covers MPR
bands I and II for Swedish
low-emission standards, plus
meets test requirements for
IEEE 1140-1994
(IEEE standard for the
measurement of electric fields
from video display terminals).
(Tripod not included)
The HI-3638 is useful in low field intensity measurements such as video display
terminals (VDTs) and computer monitors, as well as higher field environments
such as power transmission lines and industrial locations.
The HI-4416 Digital Readout/Control Unit is included with the HI-3638 and
provides an optically isolated, full control digital readout for quick and easy
measurements in any sensor orientation. An optional HI-4413P Fiber Optic
Modem allows for a serial interface.

8Introduction www.ets-lindgren.com
ETS-Lindgren Product Information Bulletin
See the ETS-Lindgren Product Information Bulletin included with your shipment
for the following:
 Warranty information
 Safety, regulatory, and other product marking information
 Steps to receive your shipment
 Steps to return a component for service
 ETS-Lindgren calibration service
 ETS-Lindgren contact information

www.ets-lindgren.com Maintenance 9
2.0 Maintenance
Before performing any maintenance,
follow the safety information in the
ETS-Lindgren Product Information
Bulletin included with your shipment.
Maintenance of the HI-3638 is limited to
external components such as cables or
connectors.
Warranty may be void if the enclosure is
opened.
If you have any questions concerning
maintenance, contact ETS-Lindgren
Customer Service.
Annual Calibration
See the Product Information Bulletin included with your shipment for information
on ETS-Lindgren calibration services.
WARRANTY

10 Maintenance www.ets-lindgren.com
Maintenance of Fiber Optics
Fiber optic connectors and cables can be damaged from airborne particles,
humidity and moisture, oils from the human body, and debris from the connectors
they plug into. Always handle connectors and cables with care, using the
following guidelines.
Before performing any maintenance, disconnect
the fiber optic cables from the unit and turn off
power.
When disconnecting fiber optic cables, apply the
included dust caps to the ends to maintain their
integrity.
Before connecting fiber optic cables, clean the
connector tips and in-line connectors.
Before attaching in-line connectors, clean them
with moisture-free compressed air.
Failure to perform these tasks may result in
damage to the fiber optic connectors or cables.

www.ets-lindgren.com Maintenance 11
Replacement and Optional Parts
Following are the part numbers for ordering replacement or optional parts for the
HI-3638 ELF/VLF Electric Field Meter.
Part Description Part Number
Battery Pack, 12 VDC H-491069
Universal 12 VDC Trickle Charger
(110/240 V)
H-491063-06
Cable, Fiber Optic, Glass, Dual,
2-Meter
H-491106-02
HI-3638 Carrying Case H-491100
Tripod H-491009
Fiber Optic Modem HI-4413P
Fiber Option to USB Converter,
USB interface
HI-4413USB
Probeview II™ Software H-491255
Service Procedures
For the steps to return a system or system component to ETS-Lindgren for
service, see the Product Information Bulletin included with your shipment.

12 Maintenance www.ets-lindgren.com
This page intentionally left blank.

www.ets-lindgren.com Specifications 13
3.0 Specifications
Instrument accuracy is derived from a field calibration using a 30 cm TEM cell
creating a known electric field. A sinusoidal voltage impressed on the TEM cell is
directly measured using a true RMS detector and used to calculate the electric
field strength in V/m.
Band 1 ELF Band II VLF
Frequency Range: 5 Hz–2000 Hz
Bandwidth (-3dB)
2 kHz–400 kHz
Bandwidth (-3dB)
Filter Attenuation:  -80 dB/dec
below 5 Hz
 -40 db/dec
above 2 kHz
 -80 dB/dec
below 2 kHz
 -40 dB/dec
above 400 kHz
Bands I and II
Measuring Ranges: 4, 40 V/m, 0.4, 4, 40 kV/m F.S.
Measuring Limit: 1 V/m
Linearity: ±0.5 dB + 1% of Full Scale
Calibration Accuracy: ±0.75 dB @ Calibration Points
Display Resolution:  3 1/2 Digit LCD
 0.01 V/m
Waveform Out
Output Sensitivity: 1 Volt/Full Scale Range
Output Impedance: 1 Ω
Waveform Out Jack: 3.5 mm (0.14 in) Phone Jack
Grounding Jack: Standard Banana Jack

14 Specifications www.ets-lindgren.com
Operating Temperature: +10°C to +40°C
+50°F to +104°F
Humidity: 5% to 95% Relative Humidity,
Non-condensing
Isotropicity: Single Axis
Fiber Optic Connectors: Standard FSMA
Fiber Optic Cable: 200 Micron, Graded Index,
Multimode
Readout: HI-4416 Digital Readout/Control
Unit
Probe Mount:  1/4–20 UNC tapped hole
(internal thread)
 Two, 90 degrees apart
Battery
Battery Type 12 Volt DC, 1400 mAh
Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd)
Current Consumption: 35 mA
Battery Life: 40 Hours (Nominal)
Battery Charger: 110/240 VAC, 16 Hour
Battery Charger Jack: 2.5 mm (0.1 in) Phone Jack
Physical Specifications
Height: 102 mm (4 in)
Diameter 305 mm (12 in)
Weight: 0.91 kg (2 lb)

www.ets-lindgren.com Specifications 15
HI-3638 Typical Frequency Response
Measured at 20 V/m.

16 Specifications www.ets-lindgren.com
This page intentionally left blank.

www.ets-lindgren.com HI-3638 Controls and Connectors 17
4.0 HI-3638 Controls and Connectors
Before connecting or operating any
components, follow the safety information in
the ETS-Lindgren Product Information Bulletin
included with your shipment.
Following is a description of the controls and connectors for the HI-3638
ELF/VLF Electric Field Meter.
Transmit / Receive
Plug the fiber optic cable from the HI-4416 Digital Readout/Control Unit into the
TRANSMIT connector and RECEIVE connector on the HI-3638, matching white
to white (for transmit) and yellow to yellow (for receive).

18 HI-3638 Controls and Connectors www.ets-lindgren.com
When the fiber optic cable is not connected, cover the cable and connectors with
the protective plastic caps supplied. This prevents dirt or other contaminants from
entering the connector and causing communication problems. See Maintenance
of Fiber Optics on page 10 for more information.
ELF/OFF/VLF
This switch activates and deactivates the HI-3638 as well as the selection of ELF
or VLF bands. LEDs indicate which band is selected.
In the ELF or VLF position the HI-3638 is powered by the internal 12 VDC
nickel-cadminum (NiCd) battery. To prolong battery life, set the switch to OFF
when not in use.
Charge
A 16-hour trickle battery charger is supplied with the HI-3638. The
battery charger can charge the HI-3638 or the HI-4416.
Slight overcharging up to 24 hours will not harm the battery; however, charging
the battery longer than 24 hours may degrade battery performance.
Ground
Connect GND to earth ground to establish a reference for the HI-3638.
Output
Connect an oscilloscope to OUTPUT to observe the waveform of the signal
driving the true RMS to DC converter circuit.

www.ets-lindgren.com Battery Charger 19
5.0 Battery Charger
Setting the Voltage
Disconnect the battery charger from power
before changing the voltage setting.
Check the viewing window on the power entry module to verify that the
battery charger is set to the proper voltage for your AC power source. To change
the voltage setting:
1. Disconnect the battery charger from power.
2. Use a small screwdriver to loosen and remove the fuse assembly from
the power entry module.
3. Slide the small board located on the back of the fuse assembly from
right to left to remove it.

20 Battery Charger www.ets-lindgren.com
4. Rotate the board so the desired voltage is facing up, and then reinsert
it into the fuse assembly. The desired voltage should be visible in the
viewing window.
5. Firmly re-seat the fuse assembly back into the power entry module.
The battery charger is ready to use.
Charging the Battery
The HI-3638 ELF/VLF Electric Field Meter contains a rechargeable
nickel-cadmium (NiCd) battery. A fully-charged battery (nominal output voltage of
12 VDC) provides up to 40 hours of continuous operation.
Always check the condition of the battery prior to making any
measurements.
Never attempt to charge a non-rechargeable
battery.
1. Verify that the battery charger is set to the proper voltage for your
AC power source. See Voltage Setting on page 19 for more
information.
2. Connect the battery charger to a power source.
3. Switch the HI-3638 to OFF.
4. Insert the charging plug into the CHARGE connector on the HI-3638.
When the charging plug is connected, the LED on the battery charger
illuminates. It remains illuminated until the charging plug is
disconnected.
5. A full charge will be completed after approximately 16 hours of
charging. Disconnect the charging plug after this amount of time.
Charging the battery longer than 24 hours could
damage the battery cells and reduce battery life.