
INTRODUCTION
PRS-200 Series
1
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
The PRS Series (Figure 1.1) is a broad
line of high precision manual and program-
mable decade substituters. They provide direct
resistance substitution as well as RTD (Resis-
tance Temperature Detector) simulation, in a
wide selection of ranges, tolerances and rat-
ings.
The PRS substituter is a precision resis-
tance source with excellent characteristics of
stability, temperature coefcient, and power
coefcient. High dynamic ranges are avail-
able, starting as low as 1 mΩ, and extending
to as many as 10 decades. These features
combined with a low virtually constant “zero
resistance” make for very versatile instruments.
The PRS Series features two optional
special settings. An “open circuit” and a “short
circuit”. These modes are useful for obtaining
reproducible transitions between settings, i.e.
break-before-make or to short between set-
tings. The “short circuit” setting also provides
a reduced zero resistance.
Operation is both local using convenient
direct-reading front panel thumbwheel switch-
es, and remote with optional Ethernet, RS-232,
or IEEE-488 interfaces. Both can provide an
optional extra “10” position for each decade.
The PRS Series employs very low resis-
tance, low thermal emf relays with gold-clad
silver-alloy contacts. A special design keeps
contact resistance to a minimum. The gold
plating keeps the silver contacts from becom-
ing tarnished when unused, or when only low
currents are passed through them. This is most
often the case when only minute test currents
are drawn by digital multimeters and other test
instruments. Contact resistance remains low
and repeatable.
High-quality gold-plated tellurium-copper
ve-way binding posts serve to minimize the
thermal emf effects, which would produce er-
rors in dc resistance measurements. All other
conductors within the instrument, as well as the
solder employed contain no metals or junctions
that could contribute to thermal emf problems.
With a resolution as low as 1 mΩand
a maximum available resistance of over 100
MΩ, the PRS-202 Series may be used for
exacting precision measurement applications
requiring high accuracy, good stability, and low
zero resistance. They are suited for automatic
and manual calibration and testing, simulation
of RTD’S, programmable loads, and many
other laboratory and industrial applications.
The PRS Series may be rack mounted
to serve as components in measurement and
control systems.
Figure 1.1: High Precision Manual or Programmable
Decade Resistance Substituter