NARDA nardalert S3 User manual

nardalert S3
Personal Monitor
Operating Manual

⚠WARNING
Strong electromagnetic fields
High-level electromagnetic fields may be hazardous to
your health. This monitor cannot protect you from all
electromagnetic hazards that you could encounter.
This Monitor should only be used after you have read this
manual, understood how it operates and consulted with
your company’s safety officer.
Narda Safety Test Solutions GmbH
Sandwiesenstrasse 7
72793 Pfullingen, Germany
® Names and logo are registered
trademarks of Narda Safety Test
Solutions GmbH and L3 Communications
Holdings, Inc. - Trade names are trademarks of
the owners.
© 2019
Order no.: 2270/98.21
Published: 08/2019
Earlier edition: 06/2015
Subject to change.
Our normal guarantee and
delivery terms apply.
Printed in Germany

Nardalert S3 3
Contents
1Useful information ................................................................................................5
1.1 Measuring electromagnetic fields.....................................................................5
1.2 About this monitor .............................................................................................5
Applications..........................................................................................................6
1.3 About this Operating Manual ............................................................................7
Characters and symbols used ..............................................................................7
Symbols and terms used in warnings...................................................................7
Structure of warnings ...........................................................................................7
Symbols and marks used in this document ..........................................................8
2Safety instructions................................................................................................9
2.1 Using this Operating Manual.............................................................................9
2.2Intended use.......................................................................................................9
2.3 Dangers from electromagnetic fields .............................................................10
Measurement errors...........................................................................................10
Sensor is not installed or operating properly.......................................................11
2.4 Dangers from AC mains charger ....................................................................11
3Preparing the Nardalert S3 for use.................................................................... 12
3.1 Unpacking ........................................................................................................12
Packaging ..........................................................................................................12
Items included....................................................................................................13
Transport damage..............................................................................................14
After transport and storage.................................................................................14
3.2 Battery Installation...........................................................................................14
3.3 Instrument overview ........................................................................................15
Top Panel ..........................................................................................................15
Front Panel ........................................................................................................15
Rear Panel.........................................................................................................15
Side Panels........................................................................................................16
3.4 Connecting the sensor ....................................................................................17
Wrong handling of the sensor ............................................................................18
4Getting started .................................................................................................... 19
4.1 Initial display screens......................................................................................19
Normal operation ...............................................................................................20
Alarm indication .................................................................................................20
4.2 Checking monitor functions............................................................................21
Performing a function test: .................................................................................21
Appropriate test sources ....................................................................................21
4.3 Screen navigation ............................................................................................22

Contents
4 Nardalert S3
4.4 Additional capabilities of optioned units........................................................23
Menu selection screens......................................................................................23
Navigating sub-menu screen example ...............................................................24
5Operation overview ............................................................................................ 25
5.1 Normal operation .............................................................................................25
5.2 Nardalert S3 default alarm levels ....................................................................26
5.3 Special environmental operations ..................................................................26
Heavy rain or snow ............................................................................................26
High RF/microwave environments......................................................................27
5.4 Using the Nardalert S3 as an area monitor ....................................................27
6Cleaning, maintenance, repair .......................................................................... 28
6.1 Cleaning............................................................................................................28
6.2 Performing calibration .....................................................................................29
6.3 Repair................................................................................................................29
6.4 Verification overview .......................................................................................29
Simplified block diagram ....................................................................................29
Theory of operation ............................................................................................30
Testing RF/microwave sensors ..........................................................................30
Operational tests ................................................................................................30
6.5 Disposal............................................................................................................31
Disposing of Nardalert S3 ..................................................................................31
Disposing of batteries.........................................................................................31
7Specifications ..................................................................................................... 32
7.1 Monitor specifications .....................................................................................33
7.2 Sensor specifications ......................................................................................34
7.3 Outline drawing................................................................................................34
7.4 Declaration of conformity................................................................................35
7.5 Declaration of origin ........................................................................................36
8Ordering information ......................................................................................... 38
8.1 Nardalert S3 part numbers ..............................................................................39
8.2 Sensor part numbers .......................................................................................39
8.3 Optional accessories .......................................................................................39

Nardalert S3 5
1 Useful information
This chapter contains basic information about measuring electromag-
netic fields, about using the Nardalert S3, and about the structure of this
Operating Manual.
1.1 Measuring electromagnetic fields
1.2 About this monitor
1.3 About this Operating Manual
1.1 Measuring electromagnetic fields
In today’s world, many industries utilize equipment that generates
electromagnetic fields. Our modern need for communications as well as
the efficiency of electromagnetic heating systems and the safety that
radar systems provide us are just a sample of the applications that are
benefitted by exploitation of the electromagnetic spectrum. We also have
various engineering considerations as well as regulatory requirements to
use the electromagnetic spectrum wisely. Various authorities have long
defined limit values designed to protect users from the dangers of
exposure to such emissions, and the Nardalert S3 is an effective tool to
help companies and individuals demonstrate compliance.
1.2 About this monitor
The Nardalert S3 (“NS3”) provides virtually everyone concerned with this
subject with an instrument for monitoring non-ionizing radiation that a
body might be exposed to within the frequency range from 100 kHz to
100 GHz (depending on the sensor used). The NS3 has a wide range of
functions, yet it is very easy to use. It also features a handy design,
robust casing, long battery life, and high measurement accuracy.

1Useful information
6 Nardalert S3
The NS3 features multiple types of sensors to accurately monitor human
exposures while worn on the body. It can be used off the body to detect
fields also. Shaped sensors that evaluate the field according to a specific
human safety standard are connected to the NS3 basic unit. These
sensors are calibrated separately from the basic unit and include a non-
volatile memory containing the sensor parameters and calibration data.
They can therefore be used with any NS3 without any loss in calibration
accuracy. The PC software supplied with the monitor allows you to
configure and remote control the NS3, as well as to export saved
measurement data and to analyze the results (if unit is configured for
that option).
Applications
The NS3 performs measurements for human safety purposes,
particularly in workplace environments where high electric or magnetic
field strengths are likely. It can also be configured to function as a stand-
alone area monitor.
Examples:
• Monitoring human exposure field strengths as part of general safety
regulations
• Monitoring the field strengths around transmitting and radar
equipment to establish safety zones and for monitoring personnel
during operations
• Monitoring the field strength emanating from mobile phone base
stations and satellite communications systems to ensure compliance
with human safety limit values
• Monitoring operator exposures in the industrial workplace
environment, such as around plastic welding equipment, RF heating,
tempering, or drying equipment
• Monitoring to ensure the safety of persons using diathermy
equipment and other medical equipment that generates high
frequency radiation
• Field strength monitoring in TEM cells, absorber chambers or test
ranges

1Useful information
Nardalert S3 7
1.3 About this Operating Manual
Characters and symbols used
Various elements are used in this Operating Manual to indicate special
meanings or particularly important passages in the text.
Symbols and terms used in warnings
According to the American National Standard ANSI Z535.6-2006, the
following warnings, symbols, and terms are used in this document:
The general danger symbol warns of risk of serious
injury when used with the signal words CAUTION,
WARNING, and DANGER. Follow all the instructions in
order to avoid injuries or death.
NOTICE Indicates a danger that results in damage to or
destruction of the instrument.
CAUTION Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
could result in minor or moderate injury.
WARNING
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
could result in death or serious injury.
DANGER
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will
result in death or serious injury.
Structure of warnings
All warnings are structured as follows:
⚠SIGNAL WORD
Type and source of danger
Consequences of failure to observe warning
Instructions for preventing danger

1Useful information
8 Nardalert S3
Symbols and marks used in this document
!
Important instruction
Indicates an instruction that must be followed to avoid
danger.
✓
Requirement
Indicates a requirement that must be met before the next
instruction can be carried out, e.g.
✓ The instrument is switched off.

Instruction
Indicates a single instruction, e.g.
 Switch the instrument on.
1.
2.
3.
Sequence of instructions
Indicates a sequence of instructions that must be
carried out in the order given.

Result
Indicates the result of carrying out an instruction, e.g.
 The instrument starts a self test.
Bold Type
Control element
Indicates a control element on the instrument, e.g.
 Press the Enter key.
CAPITALS
Menu name
Indicates a menu name, e.g.

Open the MAIN menu.
Blue Type
Cross reference
(in PDF document only)
Indicates a cross reference to another part of the
document.
Click on the blue type in the PDF document to jump
directly to the cross reference.

Nardalert S3 9
2 Safety instructions
This chapter contains important instructions on how to use the Nardalert
S3 safely. Therefore, please read this chapter carefully and follow the
instructions closely.
2.1 Using this Operating Manual
2.2 Intended use
2.3 Dangers from electromagnetic fields
2.4 Dangers from AC mains charger
2.1 Using this Operating Manual
! Carefully read this entire Operating Manual before you start using
the instrument.
! Keep this Operating Manual so that it is available to everyone who
uses the instrument, and ensure that this Operating Manual is with
the instrument if you pass it on to a third party.
2.2 Intended use
! The NS3 is a warning device that gives active notice of the
existence of dangerous fields by means of a visible and audible
warning signal.
! Only use the instrument for the purpose and under the conditions for
which it has been designed.

2Safety instructions
10 Nardalert S3
! In particular, observe the technical data given in the Specifications
on pages 33-34. Proper use also includes:
! Observing any national accident prevention regulations at the
place of use.
! Ensuring that the instrument is used only by appropriately
qualified and trained persons.
! If you remove the unit from your body, it is important that the back of
the unit faces your hand (body) especially at microwave
frequencies. When you remove unit from body, carefully observe the
actual field level displayed when you are approaching an unknown
field source.
2.3 Dangers from electromagnetic fields
⚠WARNING
Strong electromagnetic fields
Very strong electromagnetic fields occur near
many radiation sources.
Observe safety barriers and markings.
In particular, persons with electronic implants must
keep away from dangerous areas.
This monitor is designed to be directional at
microwave frequencies. It cannot warn you about a
microwave exposure behind you if the monitor is
worn on the front of the body.
Measurement errors
Metallic labels (stickers) affixed to the black sensor area of the sensor
can lead to measurement errors, usually an underestimation of the
electromagnetic field strength.
Affix labels of any type only to the yellow housing. Metallic labels
must be affixed to the rear of the monitor.
If the instrument malfunctions, take it out of service and contact your
Narda Sales Partner. The addresses are listed on the Internet at
www.narda-sts.com.