Monroe Electronics 268A User manual

Operator’s Manual
Monroe Electronics, Inc.
Model 268A
Charge Plate Analyzer
P/N 0340097
288B-1/100
08312016
100 Housel Ave PO Box 535 Lyndonville NY 14098 1-800-821-6001585-765-2254 fax: [phone] monroe-electronics.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1
Warranty Return Policy
Section 2
Specifications
Section 3
General Information Operation
Section 4
Maintenance
APPENDIX I
Variable Timer Trip Point Option
...............................APPENDIX II
Application Note APNE-0017
Plate Self Decay of Charged Plate Monitors
Copyright© 1998 Monroe Electronics, Inc. Printed in USA

Section 1
WARRANTY
Monroe Electronics, Inc., warrants to the Owners, this instrument to be free from defects
in material and workmanship for a period of two years after shipment from the factory.
This warranty is applicable to the original purchaser only.
Liability under this warranty is limited to service, adjustment or replacement of defective
parts (other than tubes, fuses or batteries) on any instrument or sub-assembly returned
to the factory for this purpose, transportation prepaid.
This warranty does not apply to instruments or sub-assemblies subjected to abuse,
abnormal operating conditions, or unauthorized repair or modification.
Since Monroe Electronics, Inc. has no control over conditions of use, no warranty is
made or implied as to the suitability of our product for the customer’s intended use.
THIS WARRANTY SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE IS EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF
ALL OTHER WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR
STATUTORY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS. Except for obligations expressly undertaken by
Monroe Electronics, in this Warranty, Owner hereby waives and releases all rights,
claims and remedies with respect to any and all guarantees, express, implied, or
statutory (including without limitation, the implied warranties of merchantability and
fitness), and including but without being limited to any obligation of Monroe Electronics
with respect to incidental or consequential damages, or damages for loss of use. No
agreement or understanding varying or extending the warranty will be binding upon
Monroe Electronics unless in writing signed by a duly authorized representative of
Monroe Electronics.
In the event of a breach of the foregoing warranty, the liability of Monroe Electronics
shall be limited to repairing or replacing the non-conforming goods and/or defective
work, and in accordance with the foregoing, Monroe Electronics shall not be liable for
any other damages, either direct or consequential.

RETURN POLICIES AND FACTORY REPAIR
PROCEDURES
Return authorization is required for factory repair work. Material being returned to the
factory for repair must have a Return Material Authorization number. To obtain an RMA
number, call 585-765-2254 and ask for Customer Service.
Material returned to the factory for warranty repair should be accompanied by a copy of
a dated invoice or bill of sale, which serves as a proof of purchase for the material.
Serial numbers, date codes and tamper proof stickers on our products also serve to
determine warranty status. Removal of these labels or tags may result in voiding a
product’s warranty.
Repairs will be returned promptly. Repairs are normally returned to the customer by
UPS within 10 to 15 working days after receipt by Monroe Electronics, Inc. Return (to
the customer) UPS charges will be paid by Monroe Electronics on warranty work.
Return (to the customer) UPS charges will be prepaid and added to invoice for out-of-
warranty repair work.
RETURN OF REPAIRED ITEMS:
Factory repairs will be returned to the customer by the customer’s choice of FedEx, DHL
or UPS. Warranty repairs will be returned via UPS ground. The customer may request
accelerated shipping via the previous mentioned carriers for both warranty and non-
warranty repairs. NOTE: Accelerated transportation expenses for all factory repairs will
always be at the expense of the customer despite the warranty status of the equipment.
FACTORY REPAIRS TO MODIFIED EQUIPMENT:
Material returned to the factory for repair that has been modified will not be tested unless
the nature and purpose of the modification is understood by us and does not render the
equipment untestable at our repair facility. We will reserve the right to deny service to
any modified equipment returned to the factory for repair regardless of the warranty
status of the equipment.

Section 2
SPECIFICATIONS
CHARGED PLATE/PROBE ASSEMBLY:
■Designed to EOS/ESD Association standard
■Standard tripod mount
■Dimensions: 6" X 6"
■Capacitance: Total discharge test circuit with plate 20 picofarads, ±2 pf
■Plate self-discharge: Less than 10% of set voltage within 5 minutes below 50% RH
at 25°C
POWER SUPPLY:
±6000 volts maximum output; ±1000 volts/±5000 volts charging of isolated plate
available, adjustable from 1100 to >5000 volts
ELECTROSTATIC FIELDMETER:
RANGE: 0 to ±7500 volts; 0 to ±2000 volts—switch selectable
ACCURACY: Better than 2%
DRIFT: < 0.4% per hour non-cumulative after 10 minutes stabilization, typical
SPEED OF RESPONSE: Less than 100ms for 10% to 90% of full scale either range
OUTPUT: Divide input by 1000, impedance 100Q
TIMER: Full scale 999.9 sec. (>16 min.), 0.1 sec. Resolution
POWER REQUIREMENTS:
117 or 220 volts ±10% (factory preset), 50/60 Hz, 5 watts
SIZE AND WEIGHT:
Height 6", Width 6", Depth 9"; (17 x 17 x 24 cm, 2.3kg)
Weight 5.5 lbs.

Section 3
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Charged Plate Analyzer Model 268A separates into two components connected by
a ten-foot cable. The top part with the plate attached contains the fieldmeter portion of
the instrument and may be placed at the measurement site. The bottom part with the
controls and indicators may be placed in a convenient operating location remote from
the detector. To separate the two components, release the two over-center latches near
the rear of the unit and lift up at the rear of the top section.
A 1/4-20-threaded receptacle is provided inside of the top section for convenient tripod
mounting.
Two foldout legs are provided underneath the bottom of the control unit to elevate the
front of the cabinet to permit easy viewing of the meters.
Switches on the front panel are alternate action push-push type with the exception of the
three used for "plate control". These are mechanically interlocked so that only one
function can be selected at a time.
Controls are grouped by function.
The three pushbutton switches directly beneath the "PLATE VOLTAGE" meter relate to
meter range and function.
The three switches at the lower center of the panel labeled "PLATE CONTROL" affect
the charge/discharge condition of the plate.
The "HV" control knobs, the "HV ON" indicator and the "POLARITY" pushbutton switch
relate to the polarity and magnitude of the initial charge voltage on the plate.
The "TIMER LIMIT" switch sets the start/stop voltage limits for the timer.
The "OUTPUT" BNC connector (on the back panel) allows an oscilloscope or recorder
to be connected to the output of the fieldmeter. The signal here is 1/1000th of the actual
voltage on the plate—regardless of the settings of the meter range and function
switches.
Two small holes are provided in the plate for the attachment of standard or miniature
banana plugs, useful for measuring induced charge or decay rate on personnel.

IMPORTANT NOTE
In order to maintain proper operation of the floating plate, it is essential that the
support insulators be kept scrupulously clean. Consider the following:
■Do not touch or handle the insulators.
■Do not wrap the line cord around the insulators.
■Store the instrument in its protective case when not in use. Store in a clean dry location.
■Clean the insulators according to the directions given in the MAINTENANCE section
when self-discharge exceeds 10% of the set voltage within 5 minutes at relative humidity
of less than 50%. At high humidity surface leakage currents increase and air ionizes
readily and self-decay time can be expected to decrease regardless of how clean the
insulators are.
The Charged Plate Analyzer Model 268A meets test equipment requirements of the
EOS/ESD Association's EOS/ESD STANDARD NO. 3.1 "STANDARD FOR PROTECTION
OF ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE SUSCEPTIBLE ITEMS: IONIZATION".
Monroe Electronics, Inc. does not supply copies of standards.
Copies of the standard are available from:
EOS/ESD Association, Inc.
7902 Turin Rd.
Bldg 3 Suite 2 Rome, NY
13440-2069 Phone (315)
339-6937 Fax (315) 339-
6793 [e-mail]

OPERATION
BASIC OPERATION - DISCHARGE MODE:
1. Separate sections and position as necessary. Connect to the proper power source and
press "|" on the power switch to apply instrument power. The displays will indicate that
power is on.
2. Select a polarity. For discussion purposes, we will select positive. Press the POLARITY
pushbutton in to lock.
3. Select a range. We will use 5kV as an example. Release the 5kV/2kV pushbutton under
the PLATE VOLTAGE meter.
4. Select NORMAL mode by releasing the NORM/PK pushbutton (under the meter).
5. Select TIMER LIMIT. Release the TIMER LIMIT pushbutton to set limits to 5kV and 500
volts. In general, the setting of this function should concur with the meter range selected.
6. Zero the plate by pressing the ZERO button. This removes all voltage from the plate. (It
connects the plate to ground through a 10k-ohm resistor.)
7. Charge the plate. Press the CHARGE button. The HV light indicates that the high voltage
is on. The PLATE VOLTAGE meter will indicate some voltage. Adjust the voltage to a
minimum of approximately 5kV +3% (5150 volts).
8. Allow the plate to decay. Press the DECAY pushbutton. In the absence of ions, the plate
will decay very, very slowly. In a balanced ion field, the plate will decay at a more rapid
rate.
9. As the plate voltage crosses the +5000 volt level, the timer will start. As the plate crosses
the +500 volt level, the timer will stop and indicate the elapsed time interval between
these two levels. Whenever the plate is recharged, the timer will be reset for the next
test.

BASIC OPERATION - PEAK MODE:
Peak mode is useful for checking balance in pulse ionizing systems. The timer is not
associated with these measurements. The internal high voltage charging source is not
normally used.
The switches used in making peak measurements are the three selector switches under the
PLATE VOLTAGE meter and the ZERO and DECAY switches.
1. Select a meter range using the 5kV/2kV switch.
2. Zero the plate by depressing the ZERO switch.
3. Select desired peak (+ or -).
4. Select PEAK mode by depressing the NORM/PK switch into the PK position.
5. Allow the plate to "float" by depressing the DECAY button. This ungrounds the plate. The
meter will now indicate the highest peak voltage attained by the plate in the selected
polarity. The -
PK/+PK switch may be shifted to the opposite position to read the highest peak voltage
attained in that polarity.
To balance your ionization system or blower, adjust until both positive and negative peak
readings are the same.
6. Anytime the NORM/PK button is released to the NORM position; the peak detector is
automatically reset.
7. The plate will continue to float until the ZERO button is pressed. Thus, the ZERO switch
and the RESET function of the NORM/PK switch are normally used in conjunction with
each other.

Section 4
MAINTENANCE
GENERAL:
Field maintenance of Model 268A should be limited to cleaning of the insulating standoffs,
cleaning of the case and occasional field-meter zero adjustment.
Further repairs and adjustment require special equipment and are beyond the scope of this
manual.
Factory service is advised.
CLEANING, INSULATORS:
The insulating standoffs (supporting the measuring plate) are specifically designed to
minimize the effects due to contamination of their outer surfaces. Leakage paths created by
the skin oils in fingerprints, tobacco smoke, dust, etc. will eventually degrade their
performance such that the self-decay rate of the plate will exceed 10% over a five-minute
period, indicating the need for cleaning.
IMPORTANT!
DO NOT USE SOAP, DETERGENT OR TAP WATER
TO CLEAN THESE INSULATORS
Clean the exposed surfaces of the insulators with mixture of 70% clean technical grade
isopropyl alcohol and 30% distilled water, using a soft toothbrush. The unit should be
inverted while doing this to minimize the amount of liquid entering the case.
The insulators should then be allowed to air-dry.
CLEANING, CASE:
General cleaning of the case for aesthetic reasons is best done with a clean lint- free cloth or
wiping pad dampened in the alcohol/water solution noted above.
FIELDMETER ZERO:
Airborne contaminants entering the sensitive aperture of the fieldmeter probe may cause a
zero shift, which will affect the accuracy of measurement.
A multi-turn potentiometer is provided on the upper section of the instrument to adjust
fieldmeter zero. Adjust for an indication of zero volts on the 2000 volt meter range with the
ZERO button pressed in.

APPENDIX I
MODEL 268A-1T CHARGED PLATE ANALYZER WITH VARIABLE TIMER OPTION
VARIABLE TIMER OPTION
The Model 268A-1T Charged Plate Monitor with variable timer stop option has the same two
timer ranges as the standard unit when set in the "FIXED" mode of operation. In the optional
"VARIABLE" timer mode, timing will start at either 5000 volts or 1000 volts as selected by
the user. The timer will then stop at a user- selected voltage set on the front panel mounted
turns-counting dial from 0 to 1000 volts with 1-volt increments.
This option is available either factory installed at the time of purchase or as a factory
installed aftermarket upgrade to the basic Model 268A-1
VARIABLE TIMER OPTION OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
1. Power unit on.
2. Select either 5kV or 2kV plate voltage level (measuring range).
3. Make sure NORM/PEAK button is in NORM position (not depressed).
4. Set timer STOP LEVEL (turn pot) to desired plate voltage stop level (0 to 1000 volts).
5. Press VARIABLE on TIMER LIMIT switch.
6. Select 5kV or 1kV timer start level on TIMER LIMIT switch.
7. Select appropriate (+ or -) POLARITY for plate voltage.
8. Press CHARGE button and adjust to voltage above desired start voltage level.
9. Press DECAY button.
10.Observe PLATE VOLTAGE indicator as it decays. Timer indicator (SECONDS) will stop
when variable trip point is met.
11.For additional tests, repeat steps 8 thru 10.
Note: To return unit to normal operation, switch unit to FIXED on the TIMER LIMIT switch.

APPENDIX II
Application Note APNE-0017
Plate Self Decay of Charged-Plate Monitors
Introduction
Charged-Plate Monitors (CPM's) evaluate the ability of air ionizers to neutralize static
charge. A CPM charges an isolated, conductive plate that is charged to a known level. Then
the air ions produced by the ionizer neutralize the charge on the isolated plate, and the time
required to discharge the isolated plate is measured.
In an ideal, traditional CPM, the plate is perfectly isolated from ground and represents a
perfect capacitor. Once the plate is charged to a known level, it would hold that charge
indefinitely. The only cause for the isolated plate to discharge would be by impingement of
air ions.
In practice, other factors may exist that cause the isolated plate to discharge. In the absence
of air ions, any discharge of the isolated plate is known as plate self decay or plate isolation.
The Problem
As the isolated plate in a traditional CPM is supported from ground by one or more insulating
supports, a common cause of self decay is leakage through these insulative supports.
The two major contributors to leakage across these supports are:
•High humidity, and,
•Lack of cleanliness.
Any substance (contamination) that is deposited on the surface of the insulative supports,
such as salts and oils from fingers, and dust, may increase the conductivity of the support
and increase the leakage from the isolated plate to ground. Moisture in the air can be
absorbed into the surface layers of the support and further increase the surface conductivity
of the material. Moisture may also activate ionic impurities within the insulating supports.

The ESD Association Standard Test Method STM3.1 recognizes that a small amount of self
decay may be unavoidable. This test method allows a maximum self-decay rate of 10% in
five minutes. Self decay shortens decay time measurements. A small amount of self decay
doesn't impact a CPM decay measurement enough to matter. Higher self-decay rates
present an error in decay time measurements that may be significant to your evaluations of
ionizers.
Minimizing Plate Self Decay
Relative humidity becomes a problem when it rises above 60%. Keeping your CPM clean
and storing it in a warm, dry area are the most effective ways to manage plate self decay.
The warm air lowers the relative humidity.
When the CPM is stored in areas with higher humidity, use a heat gun to warm the insulative
supports and drive out any moisture that has been absorbed by those supports. This will
offer a temporary solution if the relative humidity and plate self-decay rate are too high.
When this method seems to ineffective, clean the supports with a solution of de- ionized
water and isopropyl alcohol and allow the plate to dry for 24 hours.
Another Solution
Monroe Electronics' newer CPM, Model 288, uses a high-voltage follower (electrometer)
technology that is much more resistant to the effects of high humidity. We recommend this
model for high-humidity areas where CPM measurements are made.