Download - Conductivity Calibration Procedure

Olympus NDT

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Conductivity Testing Using the N500

Olympus NDT This procedure is intended for familiarization with how to use the N500 series instruments in conjunction with Olympus NDT conductivity probes and standards for basic conductivity testing. It is not to be used in place of authorized written procedures.

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Items required: Nortec 500 – Model N500C or Higher Probe: 9222340, 60 KHz Probe.

This procedure was written using conductivity probe part number 9222340 which is a 60 kHz 0.75” diameter probe. Olympus NDT offers additional conductivity probes in 480 kHz and 0.31” diameters. Refer to the Olympus NDT probe catalog for more details. All of these probes include an integral cable with a 16-pin LEMO connector. All conductivity probes will follow the same setup procedure outline in the following procedure. Test Standard: 9522103 .004 Mill non-conductive shim.

The conductivity range for standard 9522103 is 25-32%IACS and 49-61%IACS. Note: Any certified conductivity standard with known values should work for this setup procedure.

Olympus NDT


Summary This procedure outlines the basic requirements for setting up and calibrating the N500 for conductivity testing using Olympus NDT eddy current conductivity probes. Special parameters are used for conductivity testing in the N500 series instruments. The PowerLink feature of the Olympus NDT conductivity probes will predetermine settings such as frequency, gain and phase angle so that the following calibration steps will be the only requirement from the user.

Note: Conductivity standards come in ranges and may very as much as 7% IACS from one to another. When following this procedure input conductivity values of the standard you are using; example values in this procedure may not be the same as the one you will be using.

Conductivity testing can only be done on non-magnetic materials; these are alloys that do not have any magnetic domain.

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Instrument Setup – Getting Started: To get started, turn on your instrument by pressing the Power button.

Power Button

Soft Keys Soft Keys

SmartKnob™

Main Function Keys

Olympus NDT


Setting up the Instrument: Conductivity probes are Powerlink™ so that the N500 will automatically default to the conductivity testing menu when the probe is connected.

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Step 1

1.a. After the instrument has powered on, plug the conductivity probe into the instrument. The N500 will automatically change into the conductivity measurement mode. To set up the N500 for conductivity testing, it is required to set the Low and High limits from the conductivity standards.

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Step 2 Capture Mode 2.a. It is recommended before starting your calibration of the N500 to set CAP MODE from REPRESS to CONTNOUS, by pressing the Cap Mode soft key then adjust SmartKnob™ until it reads CONTNOUS. CAP MODE REPRESS: When the instrument is set to “Repress” mode the N500 will hold the conductivity reading until the CAP MODE soft key is pressed again and another reading will be taken. This will require the operator to press the CAP MODE REPRESS soft key every time the material is being tested. CAP MODE CONTNOUS: when the instrument in “Continuous” mode the instrument will up date the reading every time the probe is in contact with the material under test. We are using this mode in this procedure.

SmartKnob™

Soft Keys

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Step 3 Low Limit 3.a. At CAL PT 1, set the conductivity value on the instrument to match the conductivity standard. Press soft key VALUE and rotate the SmartKnob™ until the value on the instrument matches the conductivity standard. Then put the conductivity probe on the test standard and press soft key SAVE two times. In our example, we are calibrating to 29.69% as our low limit.

SmartKnob™

Soft Keys Soft Keys

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Step 4 High Limit

4.a. At CAL PT 2 set the conductivity value on the instrument to match the conductivity standard for high limit. Press soft key VALUE and rotate the SmartKnob™ until the value matches the conductivity standard for our high limit. Then put the conductivity probe on the test standard and press soft key SAVE two times again. In our example, we are calibrating to 59.86% as our high limit.

Soft Keys Soft Keys

SmartKnob™

Olympus NDT


Step 5 Lift-Off Low Limit 5.a. At CAL PT 3 we are now setting lift-off so the instrument will automatically go back to the value set at CAL PT 1. Place a 0.004” non-conductive shim over the 29.96% standard so that the probe will be off the material by 0.004 inches. Press SAVE soft key once.

Soft Keys

Olympus NDT


Step6 Lift-Off High Limit 6.a. At CAL PT 4 we will repeat the same steps as CAL PT 3 by adding the 0.004” non-conductive shim over the 59.86% standard. With the probe on the shim for the high limit press SAVE soft key once again.

Soft Keys

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Step 7 Testing 7.a. We are now ready to start conductivity testing. In the example below, the instrument reading for 29.69% is displayed as 29.52%. This is well within the N500 accuracy of +/– 0.5%IACS. Note that there is no LIFTOFF indicated, as there is no non-conductive shim being used on the standard.

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Step 8 Testing 8.a. Now add the non-conductive shim to the conductivity standard, we can see the LIFTOFF value of 4.34 MIL. This again matches the accuracy of the N500 of +/-0.001” for coatings. The Lift-Off reading displayed is equal to 0.00434”.

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This completes the set up procedure for conductivity testing on the N500. Conductivity testing is a simple task of setting known conductivity values in the instrument and testing the material after calibration has been completed. If you are not getting any values on the screen after completing the calibration procedures for conductivity testing, check the CAP MODE to determine if it is set to REPRESS or CONTNOUS. Refer back to Step 2 for this adjustment.

If the N500 does not default to the conductivity mode when the Olympus NDT conductivity probe is connected, it is possible the PowerLink chip is no longer functioning or there is a problem with the connector. Please contact your local sales support for assistance with this problem.

Download - Conductivity Calibration Procedure

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