
DTM-151 (GPIB) User’s Manual 3-1
3 SETTING UP
3.1 INTRODUCTION
This manual provides operating instructions for all members of the DTM-151 family of
digital teslameters with IEEE-488 interfacing, and their companion LPT-141, LPT-231,
MPT-141, and MPT-231 series Hall probes. For a summary of all current members of
the product family, see page 2-5. These instructions are written for a teslameter with
front panel display and keys, DTM-151-DG/PG. Users of teslameters without display and
keys should ignore sections of this manual referring to these features. All other aspects
of operation are identical. Before using your teslameter for the first time, please read
through sections 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3 of this manual. This will give a quick
introduction to basic operation of the instrument. If you have a teslameter without
display, DTM-151-NG/LG, also read sections 3.4, 3.5, and 4.5. If you have the
panel-mount version, DTM-151-PG, mounting instructions are to be found in section 3.8.
For help regarding operation in electrically noisy areas, see section 3.9.
3.2 CONNECTING THE HALL PROBE
Before handling the probe, please read the following.
Group3 Hall probes are built to be as robust as possible for a small, precision device.
However, it is most important that certain precautions be taken when handling and
installing probes so that they are not damaged or destroyed, and to preserve their
accurate calibration.
Mount the probe head so there is no pressure which will tend to bend or depress its
ceramic rear surface. If the probe head is clamped, make sure the surface in contact
with the ceramic is flat and covers the whole of the ceramic surface. Do not apply more
force than is required to hold the probe in place. Any strain on the ceramic will alter the
probe's calibration, and excessive force will destroy the Hall element inside.
When the probe head is mounted, the cable should be clamped firmly nearby so it
cannot be torn away from the probe head if accidentally pulled. The flexible section
adjacent to the probe head can be carefully folded to allow the cable to come away in
any direction, but avoid repeated flexing of this section.
Keep the cable out of the way of foot traffic. Do not pinch the cable, or drop sharp or
heavy objects on it. A severed cable cannot be re-joined without altering the probe's
performance, and requires factory repair and re-calibration.
Your DTM must be used with a Group3 Hall probe. The probe may be one supplied with
your teslameter, or it may have been obtained separately. In any case, calibration is
preserved when probes are exchanged between instruments. In order to obtain specified
performance, the DTM-151 should be used only with a -141 and -231 series probes.