PromLegion Z-METER DX4190 User manual

Z-METER DX4190
USER GUIDE
PromLegion Ltd.
Moscow, 2016
version 1.11

PromLegion Ltd Z-Meter DX4190/ User Guide
Edition July 2016
Copyright
All rights reserved.
Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part is straightly
prohibited without written permission of PromLegion Ltd.
The information contained in this document is the subject to change
without notice.
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Z-Meter DX4190/ User Guide PromLegion Ltd
WARRANTY
PROMLEGION 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 PROMLEGION’s publicly available
specification for a period of one (1) year after date of the Z-Meter
was purchased.
PROMLEGION 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 PROMLEGION 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 PROMLEGION 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
PromLegion 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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PromLegion Ltd Z-Meter DX4190/ User Guide
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION..........................................................................7
2. TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS..............................................9
2.1. Specifications.........................................................................9
2.2. Delivery Kit...........................................................................10
2.3. Features...............................................................................11
2.4. Design overview ..................................................................11
2.5. System Requirements .........................................................14
3. WORKING WITH Z-METER ......................................................15
3.1. Getting Ready......................................................................15
3.2. Drivers Installation...............................................................17
3.3. Software Installation ............................................................19
3.4. TE Modules handling...........................................................21
3.4.1. Preparations 21
3.4.2. TE Modules Connection 21
4. SOFTWARE...............................................................................23
4.1. Introduction..........................................................................23
4.2. Main Window.......................................................................24
4.2.1. Menu 24
4.2.2. "Reference" Bar 27
4.2.3. Functional Fields 28
4.3. AC Resistance Measurement..............................................31
4.4. Measurement Presets..........................................................31
4.4.1. Temperature Setting 31
4.4.2. TE Module Type 31
4.4.3. Correction Coefficients 33
4.4.4. Package Thermal Resistance 33
4.5. TE Module Polarity Verification ...........................................34
4.6. TE Modules Database Update ............................................35
5. MEASURING IN TEMPERATURE RANGE...............................37
5.1. Thermostat Connection .......................................................37
5.2. Additional Tools ...................................................................38
5.3. Measurement.......................................................................43
6. THEORETICAL GROUNDINGS................................................46
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Z-Meter DX4190/ User Guide PromLegion Ltd
6.1. Time Constant Measuring ...................................................46
6.2. Interpolation Results............................................................48
6.3. Figure-of-Merit Z Measuring................................................49
6.3.1. Single-stage TE Module 49
6.3.2. Two-stage TE Module 52
6.3.3. Alternative Correction 54
7. MEASURING PROCESSES......................................................54
7.1. AC Resistance.....................................................................54
7.2. The and Telemetry....................................................56
7.3. Voltages for Testing .........................................................57
7.4. Checking of TE Module Polarity..........................................57
8. MAINTENANCE........................................................................58
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Z-Meter DX4190/ User Guide PromLegion Ltd
1. INTRODUCTION
The ten channel Z-Meter provides measurement of the following
parameters of thermoelectric (TE) modules (also TE coolers, TECs) -
the measurement of up to 10 TE modules at a time.
•AC Resistance ()
•Figure-of-Merit ()
•Time Constant (
τ )
•Maximum Temperature Difference1()
Using the Z-Meter it is possible to perform testing of various types of
single- and two-stage TE modules.
It is also possible to evaluate quality of more-stage TE modules by
the measurement of electrical resistance.
The parameters are measured at the ambient temperature Ta. The Z-
Meter provides recalculation of R and ∆Tmax to another temperature
value from the Tavicinity.
1For thermoelectric coolers (TECs) the measured Figure-of-Merit allow to
calculate performance parameter - maximum temperature difference
. The calculation is valid for single-stage TECs. Measured Z for
multistage TECs correlates with the cooling capacity, but no possibility for
simple calculation of it.
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PromLegion Ltd Z-Meter DX4190/ User Guide
The Z-Meter is operated by computer under the operating system
Windows 98/2000/XP/Vista/7.
ADVANTAGES
Express testing performance
of single stage and multi-
stage thermoelectric modules
Testing performance of TE
modules integrated into
optoelectronic devices
(photodetectors, lasers etc.)
Time constant measurement
Compatible with other Z-
Meters of PromLegion
Devices Family.
FEATURES
Ten Channels
Current adjustable in a range
0...80 mA
Measurement at direct and
reversed current
Results normalization to
standard temperatures
Correction coefficients to 
value
Low power consumption
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Z-Meter DX4190/ User Guide PromLegion Ltd
2. TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
2.1. Specifications
Parameters Units Values
Electrical Resistance

Range Ohm 0.1...100
Accuracy % 0.6 (but>0.01Ohm)
Repeatability % 0.3
Figure-of-Merit

Range 10
-3
/K 1...3
Accuracy % 1.5
Repeatability % 0.4
Time Constant

Range s 1...100
Accuracy % 1.5
Repeatability % 1
Power Supply
AC Voltage V 85...264
Frequency Hz 47...63
Voltage DC V 120...370
Power (max) W 15
Operational Conditions
Temperature range °С +15...+35
Humidity % 0...95
Storage
Temperatures range °C -20…+60
Humidity % 5…95
Mechanical Parameters
Measuring Unit
Dimensions mm 235х180х90
Mass kg 1.1
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PromLegion Ltd Z-Meter DX4190/ User Guide
Parameters Units Values
Testing Unit
Dimensions mm 388х180х44
Mass kg 1.6
2.2. Delivery Kit
Measuring unit
1 pc.
Testing unit
1 pc.
Connection cable
2 pcs.
Temperature sensor
1 pc.
Measuring terminal*
10 pcs.
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Z-Meter DX4190/ User Guide PromLegion Ltd
Power supply cable
1 pc.
USB cable
1 pc.
* Measuring terminals can be
made on the basis of Kelvin
clips of various designs.
2.3. Features
-Z-meter consists of two units that allow using either the testing
unit (supplied) for a TEC connection or any other means
providing the 4-wire connection.
-Measurement of up to 10 TE modules (ten channel device) of
the same type at a time.
2.4. Design overview
The device consists of two units:
•Measuring unit,
•Testing unit.
The measuring unit is designed for generating testing current,
voltage measurement, temperature measurement, measurement
mode signaling, for the control of light signals of the testing unit, and
heater control. The measuring unit has a plastic housing with
connectors for the power switch on the end panels.
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PromLegion Ltd Z-Meter DX4190/ User Guide
The testing unit is a passive thermostat, providing TEC constant
temperature during the measuring procedure and is equipped with
terminals for an easy connection of the measured TEC. There is a
sensor, and a LED indicating the measurement results. In addition,
there is a testing unit heater checking the TE module polarity.
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Z-Meter DX4190/ User Guide PromLegion Ltd
H-
bridge
Precision
current
source
Instrumentation
amplifier
DAC
ADC
Microcontroller
Measuring module 1
Measuring module 2
H-
bridge
Precision
current
source
Instrumentation
amplifier
DAC
ADC
Microcontroller
Measuring module 10
T
0
C
current
source
switch
MicrocontrollerADC
Collector
Heater
Digital I/O
AC/DC USB
driver
Measuring unit
Test unit
Z-meter functional scheme
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PromLegion Ltd Z-Meter DX4190/ User Guide
The description of the measurement processes is in Section 9
Measuring Processes.
2.5. System Requirements
The Z-Meter works under the control of the program "Z-Meter". The
program "Z-Meter" provides all possible operational modes of the Z-
Meter. It has a simple interface and does not demand a User's
special knowledge.
The Z-Meter is operated by computer under the operating system
Windows 98/2000/XP/Vista/7.
The software is delivered with the Z-Meter. The requirements are:
•Free 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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Z-Meter DX4190/ User Guide PromLegion Ltd
3. WORKING WITH Z-METER
3.1. Getting Ready
Make sure that the switch on the front of the measuring unit is turned
off. Using the power cable, plug in the measuring unit to the supply
voltage.
Using a USB cable, connect the measuring unit to a computer free
USB port.
If you intend to use the measurement terminals, connect them to the
connectors TEC1 ... TEC10 of the measuring unit, and connect the
sensor to the connector "Sensor".
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PromLegion Ltd Z-Meter DX4190/ User Guide
If you want to use the testing unit, connect the appropriate
connectors of the measuring unit and the testing one by the flat
measuring cables. The corresponding connectors are marked
similarly: "1…5" and "6…10".
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Z-Meter DX4190/ User Guide PromLegion Ltd
3.2. Drivers Installation
For the device operation, a driver should be installed.
The latest driver, depending on the Windows version of the operating
system can be found at http://www.ftdichip.com:
http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/D2XX.htm.
You can see the installation procedure for a specific version of
Windows in the documents linked to the following webpage
http://www.ftdichip.com/Support/Documents/InstallGuides.htm.
After installing the driver, turn the power of the measuring unit on by
the switch "Power" on the front panel.
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PromLegion Ltd Z-Meter DX4190/ User Guide
There should appear USB Serial Converter in the Windows Device
Manager.
Important!For the proper operation of the program tick off
the virtual COM port in the properties of USB Serial
Converter in the tab "Advanced".
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Z-Meter DX4190/ User Guide PromLegion Ltd
3.3. Software Installation
The program is distributed in the form of the installation file
ZMeterXsetup.exe.
As the program is designed to control multichanel Z-meters of
different types, the name of the device may be "DX4165".
The latest version of the program can be downloaded from the
company PromLegion website http://www.promln.ru/downloads/.
To install the program you should run the file (as administrator) and
follow the instructions that appear during the installation process.
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PromLegion Ltd Z-Meter DX4190/ User Guide
During the installation you will be offered options of direction that can
be changed according to your preferences.
When choosing the disk, bear in mind that the program requires 20
MB free hard drive space (additional space may be required later as
your database is growing.
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