PL Engineering Z-Meter DX4091 User manual

Moscow, 2022
version 1.02
Z-METER DX4091
USER GUIDE
PL Engineering Ltd.

PL Engineering Ltd Z-Meter DX4091/ User Guide
page 2 of 44 ver.1.02 (2022)
Edition April 2022
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 (2022) page 3 of 44
WARRANTY
PL ENGINEERING LTD 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 LTD 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
CONTENTS 5
1. INTRODUCTION 7
2. TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS 9
2.1. Specifications 9
2.2. Dimension Outlines 10
2.3. Delivery Kit 11
2.4. Design overview 12
2.5. Features 12
2.6. System Requirements 13
3. HOW TO GET STARTED 14
3.1. Software 14
3.1.1. Drivers Installation 14
3.1.2. Software Installation 14
3.1.3. Software description 16
3.2. Sample preparation 22
3.2.1. Samples for measurements 22
3.2.2. Auxiliary tool and materials 23
3.2.3. Preparation of test frame 24
3.2.4. Pellet sample mounting 25
3.2.5. Pellet sample dismounting 27
3.3. Measurement procedure 29
4. MAINTENANCE 40

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1. INTRODUCTION
Z-Meter model DX4091 is
designed to measure
thermoelectric parameters
of single thermoelements
(pellets) made of
semiconductor materials.
This unique technique
allows measuring
thermoelectric Figure-of-
Merit, as well as electrical
resistance and specific
electrical conductivity of
working thermoelements, from which regular thermoelectric modules
to be made:
•Thermoelement (Pellet) Resistance (R)
•Conductivity ()
•Figure-of-Merit ()
•Maximum Temperature Difference1(∆
 )
This means that it is possible to preselect parameters, control the
properties of thermoelectric modules at the initial stage of their
production using measured performance of pellets to be used in the
production:
Figure-of-Merit of p-n pair of pellets determines the cooling
capacity of the modules to be manufactured.
The output resistance of the thermoelectric modules can be
calculated with high accuracy using the measured
conductivity and resistance of pellets.
Methodological recommendations for the use of the Z-Meter DX4091
1Is calculating by using of value of Figure-of-Merit

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are given in a separate Chapter of the Manual.
Z-Metering of single thermoelements is a unique and precise
technique, the possibility of which is implemented in the device
DX4091.
The accuracy of measurements using the Z-Meter DX4091 largely
depends on the correct and accurate preparation of samples for
measurements. Methods and recommendations for the preparation of
samples are given in section 3.2 of the Manual.
ADVANTAGES
Express testing of
thermoelectric pellets
performance
Wide nomenclature of pellet
dimensions
Calculation of performance
of TE modules to be
produced with use of the
tested pellets
FEATURES
Portable design
Measurement at two
directions of electric current
Results normalization to
standard temperatures
Correction coefficients to Z
value
Low power consumption

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2. TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
2.1. Specifications
Table 1. Specifications
Parameters
Units
Values
Pellet dimensions
Cross-section s
mm2
0.1…10
Height h
mm
0.5…5
Form-factor (s/h)
mm
0.15…10
Conductivity

Range
Ohm-1 см-1
100...2000
Accuracy
%
1.0
Repeatability
%
0.5
Resistance R
Range
mOhm
2...200
Accuracy
%
0.6 (but>0.02mOhm)
Repeatability
%
0.3
Figure-of-Merit

Range
10-3/K
1...4
Accuracy
%
1.5
Repeatability
%
0.5
Power Supply
Voltage
V
+5 (USB connector)
Current
mA
250
Operational Conditions
Ambient temperature range
°C
+15...+35
Humidity
%
0...95
Storage
Temperatures range
°C
-20…+60
Humidity
%
5…95
Mechanical Parameters
Dimensions
mm
140х65х26.5
Weight
kg
0.23

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2.2. Dimension Outlines
in mm
LED Indicator
Micro USB Connector

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2.3. Delivery Kit
Table 2. Delivery Kit
Z-Meter DX4091
1 pc.
Test frames for pellets
mounting
5 pcs.
Test frames for pellets
mounting with Pt wires
5 pcs.
Verification frame
1 pc.
Coil with Pt wires of 50 um
diameter (about 1 m length)
for installation
1 ps.
Cable USB type A /USB-
Micro
1 pc.

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2.4. Design overview
The Z-Meter is a single-channel device with internal chamber for
placement of test frame with mounted pellet sample. Chamber’s
cover is magnetically locked when closed or opened.
The internal chamber is a passive thermostat which provides
constant temperature during measurements. Temperature inside the
chamber is measured by integrated temperature sensor.
Spot heater inside the chamber is placed for measurement of pellet
conductivity type.
There are also LEDs for visual control of measurements status.
Cable with USB connector for communication with PC.
2.5. Features
-The device provides measurement of performance parameters:
pellet resistance R, electric conductivity and Figure-of-Merit Z.
-Measured Figure-of-Merit (Z) allows calculation of cooling
performance of TE modules (ΔTmax) to be made with use of such
pellets.
-Resistance (R) of the pellet also allows calculating resistance of
TE module (ACR) to be made with use of such pellets with
known number (N) of pellets (ACR≈N x R).
-The Z-Meter allows checking of type of pellets conductivity (n-
type or p-type).

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2.6. System Requirements
The Z-Meter requires connection to a PC and installation of “Z-Meter”
software. The software is delivered along with Z-Meters or may be
downloaded from website:
www.promln.ru.
The interface is simple and does not require User's special
knowledge or strong experience.
The Z-Meter is operated by computer under the operating system MS
Windows7 or higher.
General system requirements are as follows:
•USB port
•20 MB free hard drive space (additional space may be required
later to store database for various types of coolers)
•Mouse or compatible pointing device.

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3. HOW TO GET STARTED
3.1. Software
3.1.1.
Drivers Installation
The latest versions of drivers are also available at
http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
Installation procedures for a specific version of Windows may be also
found at website:
http://www.ftdichip.com/Support/Documents/InstallGuides.htm
USB Serial Converter should appear in the Windows Device
Manager after successful installation.
Note!Main software installation exe file will advise to install
drivers. And if to confirm – it make this automatically.
So it is not necessary to install the drivers separately.
3.1.2. Software Installation
Copy installation Setup file (Z-Meter DX4091 (1.0.1.1) Setup) to PC
or insert the CD/flash to a PC and start the Setup program.
The window of the standard Windows installer will appear – see
below.

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Click «Install» and proceed according to the installer directions.
During installation procedure the Setup program will advise to install
required drivers
Remember at least 20 MB of a space should be initially available at
selected logic disk, and that the size will increase with growing of
archive of measurement results.
Installation completed.

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3.1.3. Software description
The Main Window of the program is shown in the figure below.
Main Menu
The Main Menu line contains the following buttons:
«File»
Allows to repeat ("Reconnect") the connection with the device (if for

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some reason the program has not identified or has not found a
connection with the device DX4091).
And also allows to exit ("Exit") from the program at the end of work.
«Options»
Allows to view or change («Params & Consts») measurement
settings.
Note!Particularly important here - parameters of the contact
wires that will be used to solder the test sample. By default,
the Pt wire parameters are used. The some quantity of the

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wires is in the delivery.
Also allows to enable or disable ("Show measured R") indication of
sample pellet resistance value measured at ambient temperature
(Ta).
«History»
Allows to view the automatically generated measurement report for
the entire testing session.
And to download previously stored reports.

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«Help»
Displays the current version of the program and this release date.

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Presets Line
Contains:
- Command area for entering and displaying geometric
parameters of testing pellets.
- And the area of setting and displaying the ambient temperature
Ta(conditions of the measurements) and the standard
temperature T0, to which the testing sample resistance and
electric conductivity will be recalculated.
Measurement Results Area
The left side of the Main Window displays the measurement results.
Current Status Area
The right side of the Main Window displays the progress of
measurements in the graph - changes in output voltages over time.
As well as the current values of Time constant and Figure-of-Merit.