PCE Instruments PCE-USC 30 User manual

© PCE Instruments
PCE-USC 30
User Manual
User manuals in various languages (Deutsch,
français, italiano, español, português, nederlands,
türk, polski, русский, 中文) can be downloaded here:
www.pce-instruments.com
Last change: 6 January 2017
v1.0
English

© PCE Instruments
English
Contents
1Safety notes........................................................................................... 1
2Specifications........................................................................................ 2
2.1 Technical specifications ................................................................................................... 2
3System description............................................................................... 4
3.1 Device.............................................................................................................................. 4
3.2 Display and Side Panels .................................................................................................. 5
Rear panel of the flaw detector:................................................................................................. 5
3.3 Function keys..................................................................................................................11
4Design of the Flaw Detector...............................................................14
4.1 Instrument Appearance...................................................................................................14
4.2 Structural Scheme...........................................................................................................15
4.3 Appearance of the Flaw Detector Screen........................................................................16
Fig. 7 –Display Appearance after switching on the Flaw Detector............................................16
4.4 Menu Structure................................................................................................................21
4.5 “TEST” Menu ..................................................................................................................22
4.6 Guidelines for Overload Processing ................................................................................33
4.7 "Conductivity" Mode........................................................................................................34
4.8 “General Settings” Menu .................................................................................................38
4.9 View................................................................................................................................40
4.10 “Memory” Menu...............................................................................................................41
4.11 “Results” Menu................................................................................................................42
4.12 “Settings” Menu...............................................................................................................43
4.13 Set up of “Calibration” Menu............................................................................................43
4.14 Communication with PC..................................................................................................46
5Labelling and Sealing.........................................................................52
5.1 The flaw detector labelling complies with the manufacturer’s set of documents and
includes:...................................................................................................................................52
5.2 Labelling is made on the flaw detector casing by polygraphic technique..........................52
5.3 Pattern approval mark is made on the flaw detector electronic unit by at least two seals
made on screws of casing cover...............................................................................................52
6Composition and Delivery Set...........................................................53

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6.1 Basic delivery set consists of the following components:.................................................53
7Setting-up procedures........................................................................53
7.1 The flaw detector is operated by one operator who has a corresponding level of
qualification and has studied the present operation manual......................................................53
7.2 Before operating charge the battery of flaw detector (if required) governed by the passport
of automatic charging device....................................................................................................53
8Instructions for Use............................................................................54
8.1 Single Coil Probe ............................................................................................................54
8.2 Reflection, Differential Probe...........................................................................................54
8.3 Rotation Probe................................................................................................................55
9Maintenance ........................................................................................56
9.1 The flaw detector maintenance includes the maintenance inspection, operating repair and
calibration.................................................................................................................................56
9.2 Intervals between the maintenance inspections are set depending on the industrial
conditions, but no less than once per month. Connecting cable fixation, condition of controls and
indicators are checked during the maintenance inspection. ......................................................56
9.3 The maintenance inspection includes an external examination and is performed by
attending personnel before starting the flaw detector electronic unit operation..........................56
9.4 Replacement of the battery pack.....................................................................................56
10 Typical Failures and Troubleshooting..............................................58
10.1 The list of the most common and probable failures is given in Table 9. ...........................58
Table 9 –Typical failures and troubleshooting..........................................................................58
11 Transportation and Storage...............................................................58
12 Warranty...............................................................................................58
13 Disposal ...............................................................................................59

© PCE Instruments
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Thank you for purchasing a PCE-USC 30 from PCE Instruments.
1 Safety notes
Please read this manual carefully and completely before you use the device
for the first time. The device may only be used by qualified personnel and
repaired by PCE Instruments personnel. Damage or injuries caused by non-
observance of the manual are excluded from our liability and not covered by
our warranty.
The device must only be used as described in this instruction
manual. If used otherwise, this can cause dangerous situations for
the user and damage to the meter.
The instrument may only be used if the environmental conditions
(temperature, relative humidity, …) are within the ranges stated in
the technical specifications. Do not expose the device to extreme
temperatures, direct sunlight, extreme humidity or moisture.
Do not expose the device to shocks or strong vibrations.
The case should only be opened by qualified PCE Instruments
personnel.
Never use the instrument when your hands are wet.
You must not make any technical changes to the device.
The appliance should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. Use only
pH-neutral cleaner, no abrasives or solvents.
The device must only be used with accessories from PCE
Instruments or equivalent.
Before each use, inspect the case for visible damage. If any damage
is visible, do not use the device.
Do not use the instrument in explosive atmospheres.
The measurement range as stated in the specifications must not be
exceeded under any circumstances.
In operation with the flaw detector, it is necessary to observe the
safety measures while charging the storage battery unit of the flaw
detector by means of automatic charger.
In operation with the flaw detector an operator should be governed
by the safety standards in effect at the enterprise.
Non-observance of the safety notes can cause damage to the
device and injuries to the user.

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We do not assume liability for printing errors or any other mistakes in this
manual.
We expressly point to our general guarantee terms which can be found in
our general terms of business.
If you have any questions, please, contact PCE Instruments. The contact
details can be found at the end of this manual.
Safety symbols
Safety-related instructions the non-observance of which can cause damage
to the device or personal injury carry a safety symbol.
Symbol
Designation / description
General warning sign. ATTENTION!
Non-observance can cause damage to the device and injuries
to the user.
2 Specifications
2.1 Technical specifications
Range of operating frequencies adjustment –from 10 Hz to 16
МHz.
Setup of the max. sampling frequency –10 kHz.
Setup of the range of adjustment of ECP excitation signal voltage
(double amplitude) –from 0.5 to 6.0 V.
Preamplifier adjustment –from minus 6 to plus 40 dB with a step of
0,1; 1; 10 dB.
Gain adjustment –from 0 to 30 dB with a step of 0,1, 1 and 10 dB.
Horizontal gain adjustment –from -30 to 30 dB with a step of 0.1, 1
and 10 dB.
Vertical gain adjustment –from -30 to 30 dB with a step of 0.1, 1
and 10 dB.

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When displaying the signal in a complex plane it is possible to have
the following variants: а) the complex plane center is situated in the
center of display area; b) the complex plane center is situated in the
left upper corner; c) the complex plane center is situated in the right
upper corner; d) the complex plane center is situated in the left
bottom corner; e) the complex plane center is situated in the right
bottom corner; f) all frequencies and mixtures are displayed on the
same page (when operating in dual-frequency mode); g) manual
adjustment of the positioning of the center of the complex plane.
There is automatic LED and sound flaw alarm (ALARM) in the flaw
detector.
In processing of the testing results the flaw detector provides the
following options:
− changing of ECP signal phase (the range of signal turn – from 0°
to 360° with a step of 0.1°; 1°; 10°);
−filtering of ECP signal (there are 5 types of filters: Averaging,
Differential, Low-pass, High-pass, Bandpass);
−formation of a mix of two frequencies (for combining an operator
can select one of 4 algorithms: summation, subtraction, summation
with horizontal inversion, summation with vertical inversion).
Time of continuous operation of the flaw detector from fully charged
storage battery –no less than 8 hours.
Average mean time between failures –no less than 40000 hours.
Defined no-failure operating time –4000 hours.
Total average service life –10 years. The criterion of marginal state
of the flaw detector is economical inexpediency of restoration of its
performance by repair.
The flaw detector is powered from the in-built storage battery with
rated voltage of 12 V.
Weight of the flaw detector with a storage battery (without ECP set,
cables and casing) –no more than 0.9 kg.
Overall dimensions of the flaw detector –no more than 230 mm x
135 mm x 98 mm.

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3 System description
3.1 Device
User manual of PCE-USC 30 portable eddy current flaw detector (hereinafter
referred to as "Flaw detector"), is intended for the study of operation
principles of the flaw detector and its operating instructions, and includes the
information on application, specifications, operating principle and structure,
operating instruction, and also other information allowing a full-scale
implementation of flaw detector technical capabilities.
The flaw detector is intended for manual and mechanized testing by
eddy current method for the presence of surface and subsurface
defects, such as material discontinuity (cracks, laps, cissings, fine
cracks etc.), for conductivity and thickness measurement.
The flaw detector can be applied for the testing of products during
their manufacture and operation by NDT services and laboratories of
enterprises that provide the products quality control.
The parameters of testing objects, which limit the flaw detector
application area, are specified in regulatory documents for a specific
type of testing products and materials.
The flaw detector provides the possibility of connecting and
operating ECP of the following types:
- differential ECP;
- differential ECP, connected by the bridge circuit;
- differential transformer ECP with center-point earth;
- differential transformer ECP;
- single (parametric) ECP;
- single transformer ECP.
The evaluation of resistance of the flaw detector and ECP
functioning quality to the impact of electromagnetic interferences of
"В" criterion according to

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3.2 Display and Side Panels
Rear panel of the flaw detector:
1 –Ethernet port for connecting a communication cable to PC;
2 –USB port for updating the flaw detector software and recording the
testing
results on the external Flash-Card
Fig. 1 –PCE-USC 30 Rear Panel

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Table 1 –Description of connector for the instrument connection to
the PC Ethernet port
Contact
Description
Ethernet
ERA.0S.304.CLL
(front view)
1
Data of transmitter «+»
2
Data of transmitter «–»
3
Data of receiver «+»
4
Data of receiver «–»
Table 2 –Description of connector for the instrument connection to
the PC USB port
Contact
Signal
USB type A (front
view)
1
+5 V
2
Data -
3
Data +
4
Common

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Front Panel
Fig. 2 –PCE-USC 30 Front Panel

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Left side panel of the flaw detector:
1 - LEMO jack for headphones with microphone connection;
2 - Charger connector;
3 - Switching On/Off the instrument.
Fig. 3 –PCE-USC 30 Left Side Panel
Table 3 –Description of LEMO jack for headphones with microphone
connection
Cont.
Signal
EGG.0B.304.CLL
(front view)
1
Input signal from the
microphone
2
Right audio output
3
Common
4
Left audio output

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Table 4 –Description of charger connector
Cont.
Signal
EGG.1B.304.CLL
(front view)
1
Charging device -
2
Not used
3
Charging device +
4
Sync signal output
Right side panel of the flaw detector:
1 –Single coil (parametric) eddy current probe (ECP) connector;
2 - Universal connector for eddy current probe (ECP) and eddy current rotary
scanner;
3 - Encoder (Enc) connector
Fig. 4 –PCE-USC 30 Right Side

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Table 5 –Description of single coil (parametric) eddy current probe
(ECP) connector
Cont.
Signal
Lemo ERA.00.250CLL
1
Parametric ECP
2
Common for parametric ECP
Table 6 –description of encoder (Enc) connector
Cont.
Signal
Lemo
EGG.1B.308CLL
(front view)
1
Positive signal input "A"
2
Power "+5V"
3
Negative signal input "Z"
4
Positive signal input "Z"
5
Negative signal input "B"
6
Positive signal input "B"
7
Negative signal input "A"
8
Common

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Table 7 –Description of connector for eddy current probe (ECP)
and eddy current rotary scanner
Pin
Signal
Lemo
EGG.2B.312CLL
(front view)
1
Gen Ret
2
Gen Out
3
+12V Battery
4
Motor -
5
Motor +
6
Gnd
7
Dif Input 1
8
Dif Input 2
9
Synchro Input
10
Motor On
11
Rotary On
12
Alarm LED
3.3 Function keys
Automatic flaw alarm by the first and second frequencies,
respectively, and by the mix of the 1st and 2nd frequencies, as well as
overloading alarm square. If ALARM triggers during testing, the signal
amplitude and phase are automatically measured and the signal is evaluated
by the calibration curve.
Function keys
Respectively:
"F1 Balancing", "F2 Full-screen mode", "F3 Centering"–in "TEST" menu;
"F1 Import data", "F2 Export data "–in “MEMORY” menu;
"F1 Load", "F2 Create/ Save","F3 Delete"–in "RESULTS"/"SETTINGS"
submenu;
"F1 An" (An - amplitude noise) –in "VIEW" menu;
"F2 OK” save calibration curve – in "CALIBRATION" menu.

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Key
Function
- automatically puts a displayed signal from lift-off (or from
any interference) in horizontal position;
- in the mode of name editing –selects a digit/letter
- changes the parameter variation step;
- in the mode of name editing –selects a digit/letter
- increases the selected parameter;
- in the mode of name editing –selects a digit/letter
- changes the frequency;
- in the mode of name editing –selects a digit/letter
- moves up through the menu;
- in the mode of name editing –selects a digit/letter
- decreases the selected parameter;
- in the mode of name editing –selects a digit/letter
- cancels the selection;
- in the mode of name editing –selects a digit/letter;
- pressing the key results in displaying the firmware version
in "SETTINGS" menu;
- delete point in “CALIBRATION" menu;
- freeze the display in the test menu
- moves down through the menu;
- in the mode of name editing –selects a digit/letter
- confirms the selection;
- in the mode of name editing –selects a digit/letter;
- pressing the key in "TEST" menu results in saving of
current setup as a default one (if the current item is above
the ALARM item);
- add point in “CALIBRATION" menu
- quick access to "TEST" menu
- quick access to "SETTINGS" menu

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- quick access to "VIEW" menu
- quick access to "MEMORY" menu;
- confirms the saving of the entered name of the file or
folder while operating in "MEMORY" menu
- quick access to "CALIBRATION" menu
- automatically sets the parameters of single coil
(parametric) ECP with switched On Single input;
- sets the number of rounds while operating with eddy
current rotary scanner
- switches On/Off the instrument

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4 Design of the Flaw Detector
4.1 Instrument Appearance
Fig. PCE-USC 30 eddy current flaw detector

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4.2 Structural Scheme
Structural scheme of the flaw detector.
Fig. 6 –Structural Scheme of the Flaw Detector
Structurally, the flaw detector consists of:
a) casing and cover plate with the membrane keypad, indicators of ALARM
and overloading, Ethernet port for connection to PC, USB port for external
flash-card connection, charger connector, headphones and microphone;
b) connector, ECP connector;
c) TFT display;
d) processor and memory boards;
e) analog board;
f) battery.

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4.3 Appearance of the Flaw Detector Screen
Fig. 7 –Display Appearance after switching on the Flaw Detector
Working filed in the testing mode is divided in 3 areas of signal reflection and
display area title:
Working field (display areas –complex plane, time charts);
Bottom horizontal field (data line);
Navigation menu:
o FREQ –test frequency;
o PRE AMP –preamplifier gain;
o GAIN –main gain;
o H GAIN –horizontal gain;
o V GAIN –vertical gain;
o DRIVE –probe drive level;
o PHASE –phase adjustment;
o FILTER –filter type;
o POSITION –spot position;