PL Engineering DX4085 User manual

Moscow, 2020
version 1.02
Z-METER DX4085
USER GUIDE
PL Engineering Ltd
.

PL Engineering Ltd Z-Meter DX4085/ User Guide
page 2 of 63 ver.1.02 (2020)
Edition February 2020
Copyright
All rights reserved.
Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part is straightly
prohibited without written permission of PL Engineering Ltd.
The information contained in this document is the subject to change
without notice.

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ver. 1.02 (2020) page 3 of 63
WARRANTY
PL ENGINEERING LLC warrants that the Z-Meter, if properly used
and installed, will be free from defects in material and workmanship
and will substantially conform to PL ENGINEERING’s publicly
available specification for a period of one (1) year after date of the Z-
Meter was purchased.
PL ENGINEERING LLC also provides a 3-month warranty for the
following parts and components included in the standard delivery set
of the product: the cables, program disks and documentation
If the Z-Meter fails during the warranty period PL ENGINEERING will
repair the Z-Meter or replace it or its parts.
For the warranty support a Consumer can address to the office of the
company PL ENGINEERING or its sales representative.
The product repaired or replaced in whole or in part, will have the
warranty period counted as one (1) year from initial shipment but not
less than 3 months upon shipping of repair or replacement.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
For the technical support and repair within and after the warranty
period, please, address:
In Russia and CIS
PL Engineering Ltd.
46 Warshawskoe shosse, Moscow 115230, Russia
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
In Europe, the USA and other countries
TEC Microsystems GmbH.
Schwarzschildstrasse 8, Berlin 12489, Germany
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]

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CONTENTS
Warranty .......................................................................................... 3
Technical support ........................................................................... 3
1. Introduction ................................................................................. 7
2. Technical characteristics ........................................................... 9
2.1. Specifications 9
2.2. Delivery Kit 10
2.3. Design overview 11
3. Preparations for working ......................................................... 12
3.1. Charging battery 12
3.2. Connections 13
3.3. TE module connections 15
3.4. Device power ON and power OFF 15
4. Device interface ........................................................................ 16
4.1. Navigations 16
4.2. Operation modes 17
4.3. Selection of operation mode 17
4.4. Main Mode 18
4.4.1. Set of measuring parameters 19
4.4.2. Measurements 20
4.5. Measurement of AC Resistance 22
4.6. Measurement of operating voltage and temperature 24
5. Additioonal messages .............................................................. 25
6. Worwing with remote computer .............................................. 26
6.1. System Requirements 26
6.2.
Drivers Installation 26
6.3. Software Installation 27
6.4. Getting Ready 27
6.5. Measurements 28
6.5.1. Run the “Z-Meter II” software 28
6.5.2. TE Modules Connection 30

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6.5.3. Make the pre-sets for measurements 30
6.5.4. Measurements 32
6.5.5. Measurement results 33
7. Software ..................................................................................... 35
7.1. Introduction 35
7.2. Main Window 35
7.2.1. Menu Bar 36
7.2.2. Reference Bar 36
7.2.3. Functional Fields 37
7.3. Measurement Presets 39
7.3.1. Temperature Setting 39
7.3.2. TE Module Type 40
7.3.3. Correction Coefficients 41
7.3.4. Package Thermal Resistance 41
7.4. Measurement Procedure and Notes 42
7.5. History 44
7.5.1. File 44
7.5.2. Options 45
7.5.3. Report 45
7.6. TE Modules Database Update 46
8. Maintenance ............................................................................. 48
9. Appendix 1. theoretical groundings ....................................... 50
9.1. Time Constant 50
9.2. Interpolation Results 51
9.3. Figure-of-Merit Z 53
9.3.1. Single-stage TE Module 𝒁 53
9.3.2. Two-stage TE Module 𝒁 55
9.3.3. Alternative Correction 57
10. Appendinx 2. Measuring Processes ................................ 57
10.1. AC Resistance 57
10.2. The 𝑼 and 𝑼𝜶 Telemetry 59
10.3. Voltages for Testing 𝒁 59

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1. INTRODUCTION
The portable Z-Meter
provides measurement
of performance and
operational operating
parameters of
thermoelectric (TE)
modules. It can
measure operation and
performance of
thermoelectric cooling
modules, thermoelectric generators, and thermoelectric sensors.
The performance parameters are the following:
 AC Resistance (𝑅),
 Figure-of-Merit (𝑍),
 Time Constant (  ),
 Maximum Temperature Difference (∆𝑇).
Maximal temperature difference ∆𝑇 only for single stage TECs.
Because of direct correlation with Figure of Merit is calculated within Harman
method approximations.
Additionally new functionality of this device in the family of Z-meters –
measurement of operating parameters of TECs:
 Operating voltage (𝑈),
 Working temperature (𝑇 or 𝑇 ).
Measurements of temperature can be used for evaluation of cooling
temperature of working TEC (𝑇) if thermal sensor is placed on TEC
cold side. Or to measure ambient temperature (𝑇)of performance
measurements – if to place near TEC.
The Z-Meter provides testing of various types of single- and two-
stage TE modules. It is possible to evaluate quality of more-stage TE
modules by the measurement of electrical resistance.
The parameters are measured at the ambient temperature 𝑇. The Z-
Meter provides recalculation of 𝑅 and ∆𝑇 to another temperature
value from the Ta vicinity.

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With the device it is also possible to test thermoelectric generators
and sensors: voltage at thermoelectric generator (TEG) provided by
temperature difference; response of thermoelectric heat flux sensor
ADVANTAGES
 Express testing
performance of single stage
and multi-stage
thermoelectric modules.
 Testing performance of TE
modules integrated into
optoelectronic devices
(photodetectors, lasers
etc.).
 Operating parameters
measurements.
 Compatible with other Z-
Meters of PL Engineering
Devices Family.
FEATURES
 .Portable device. Metal
housing.
 Measurement at direct and
reversed current.
 Results normalization to
standard temperatures.
 Low power consumption.
 Long autonomous
operation.

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2. TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
2.1. Specifications
Parameters U
nits Values
Electrical Resistance
𝑅
Range
O
hm
0.1...100
Accuracy
%
0.6 (but>0.01Ohm)
Repeatability
%
0.3
Figure-of-Merit
𝑍
Range 1
0-3/K
1...3
Accuracy
%
1.5
Repeatability
%
0.4
Time Constant
𝜏
Range s 1...100
Accuracy
%
1.5
Repeatability
%
1
Voltage (DC)
Range V -20…+20
Accuracy V 0.02
Temperature Sensor
Range °
С
-40...+85
Accuracy °
С
±0.25 (typical)
±1 (maximum)
+0.05 (typical) lifetime drift
Repeatability °
C
±0.06
Power Supply
Build-in battery Li-
ion
V
3.7 (2050mAh)
Power Supply

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Parameters U
nits Values
AC Voltage V 110...240
Frequency H
z 50/60
Voltage DC V 5
Power (max)
W
5
Operational Conditions
Temperature range °
С
+15...+35
Humidity
%
0...95
Storage
Temperatures range °C -20…+60
Humidity % 5…95
Mechanical Parameters
General Unit
Dimensions
m
m
70х160х21
Mass g 280
2.2. Delivery Kit

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1 Z-meter unit 1 pc.
2 Temperature sensor 1 pc.
3 Measuring terminal* 1 ps.
4 USB cable 1 pc.
5 AC/DC power adapter 1 pc.
* Measuring terminals can be supplied optional on the basis of Kelvin clips
of various designs.
2.3. Design overview
Portable design. Aluminum metal housing.
Large screen 2.4 TFT.
Built-in Li-ion battery provides 8 hours of continuous operation during
a day.
Option of working with remote computer and common software for Z-
meter family.
Developed for testing of thermoelectric modules: performance and
operational operating parameters of thermoelectric (TE) modules.
It can measure operation and performance of thermoelectric cooling
modules, thermoelectric generators, and thermoelectric sensors.

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3. PREPARATIONS FOR WORKING
Before very first use of the device we recommend to charge battery
of the device to 100%. Details are in chapter “Battery charge
procedure”
Before routine switch ON the device connect the measuring probes
and external temperature sensor – chapter “Connections”.
Connect examining TEC by use of measuring probes – Chapter “TEC
connection”.
3.1. Charging battery
For charging built-in battery use standard cable microUSB-USB A
and AC-DC power adaptor from delivery kit.

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Connect cable to USB port of device and other connector to AC-DC
adaptor.
Charging status is placed in to top-right of status line and the main
screen. Additionally LED near USB port indicate status of charging.
Is device is switch OFF the LED light red. If device is ON – it lights
orange
Additional information on charge status given by LED or indicator at
device screen is the following
Status Device is OFF Device is ON
Cable is not
connected
LED pulses
green one time per 5
seconds. Number of
pulses indicates:
1 pulse - <25
%;
2 pulses -
25...50%; 3 pulses –
50…75%; 4 pulses
>75%
Pictogram of
battery charge
indicates battery
status
Charging
cable is connected
LED lights red
during charging and
OFF when 100%
Pictogram
indicates charging
3.2. Connections
Measuring probes and external temperature sensor are connected

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to corresponding connectors on top side of device housing/
Connection of measuring probes
Connection of temperature sensor
Attention! Do not connect or disconnect
external temperature sensor during device is ON.

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Note! If temperature sensor is not connected
then all following measurements to be related to
standard temperature – default value 300K.
3.3. TE module connections
Examining TEC must be contacted to working devices by measuring
probes and (in particular case) – with external temperature sensor.
Connect your TEC firmly as shown below.
Please temperature sensor near measuring module.
3.4. Device power ON and power OFF
To power ON the device push the power button (red) shortly.
Device initialization takes few seconds. During the time the TFT
screen indicates initialization by pictogram and LED (near cable
connector lights green.
To switch the device – do the same. push the power button (red)
shortly.
If the device is in a status of measurement switch of the device is
possible only after finish of the measurement cycle.

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Attention! Dump is possible in any status of
device if to push the power button for 5 seconds. .
4. DEVICE INTERFACE
Device main windows onto 2.4’ TFT screen consists of three areas:
top status string; large working area and bottom command string
connected with command buttons.
Top status string indicates operation mode, including sigh of
measurement of voltage, and indication of battery status.
4.1. Navigations
Interface navigations provided by command buttons. Their functions

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are indicated by bottom command string.
4.2. Operation modes
The device provides the following modes of operation:
 Main Mode - measurement of TEC performance parameters
(Figure-of-Merit, AC resistance, time constant), calculated
capacity is calculated, ambient temperate is measured (if
temperature sensor is connected)
 Resistance Mode – measurement only of AC resistance
(express measurement).
 Operating Mode – measurement of operation parameters of
working TEC – working voltage and cooling temperature is
external sensor if placed onto cold side.
 Working with remote computer software. Expanded options of
measurements due to use of databases, corrections
calculations and storage of results – see chapter “Operation with
remote computer”..
Top status string indicates selected operation mode.
4.3. Selection of operation mode
Select of operation mode is made by command button and indicated
at bottom string <MODE>.
Press the button <MODE> to change the modes one by one:
MAIN MODE -> RESISTANCE MODE-> OPERATING MODE.

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Note! Main mode is default on device switch
ON.
4.4. Main Mode
Main mode provides measurement of thermoelectric module
performance parameters.
 AC Resistance (𝑅)

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 Figure-of-Merit (𝑍)
 Time Constant (  )
 Maximum Temperature Difference (∆𝑇)
This is relatively long procedure takes up to minute or more.
Note! Make sure that before the testing
thermoelectric module is correspondingly connected
to measuring probe and external temperature sensor
is placed correctly – see chapter “TE module
connections”.
4.4.1. Set of measuring parameters
Measurement parameters are the following:
- Measurement current
- Total time of measurements
- Time step between measuring points.
Set of the parameters are provided by use one command button
<SETUP>.

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Press the button and retrieve setting windows of the above
mentioned parameters one by one.
Select required value by buttons “<” and “>”.
After set of required value press <SET> and come to the another
parameter by <SETUP> or return back by <BACK>
4.4.2. Measurements
Start measurement cycle by button <START>.
The measurement cycle is relatively long. It takes tens of seconds