Elcometer 456 Operating Instructions Manual
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Elcometer 456 Operating Instructions Manual

Coating thickness gauge
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Elcometer 456
2
Coating Thickness Gauge
Basic Models
Operating Instructions

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Summary of Contents for Elcometer 456

  • Page 1 Elcometer 456 Coating Thickness Gauge Basic Models Operating Instructions...
  • Page 2 Elcometer Instruments Ltd. All other trademarks acknowledged. © Copyright Elcometer Instruments Ltd. 2004-2005. All rights reserved. No part of this Document may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored (in a retrieval system or otherwise) or translated into any...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    CONTENTS Section Page About your gauge ..........3 Features ....... . 4 Standards .
  • Page 4 Probes ..............35 Ferrous (F) probes ..... . . 35 Non-ferrous (N) probes ....35 Dual ferrous/non-ferrous (FNF) probes .

  • Page 5: About Your Gauge

    Elcometer 456 Coating Thickness Gauge. Welcome to Elcometer. Elcometer are world leaders in the design, manufacture and supply of coatings inspection equipment. Our products cover all aspects of coating inspection, from development through application to post application inspection.

  • Page 6: Features

    • Interchangeable probes (separate versions only). • Simple statistics. • Infrared interface. 1.2 Standards The Elcometer 456 can be used in accordance with the following National and International Standards: Ferrous (F) Non-Ferrous (NF) BS 5411 (11) BS 5411 (3) BS 3900 (C5)

  • Page 7: What This Box Contains

    23 The gauge is now configured and ready to use. maximise benefits your Elcometer 456 , please take some time to read these Operating Instructions. Do not hesitate to contact Elcometer or your Elcometer supplier if you have any questions.

  • Page 8: Getting Started

    2 GETTING STARTED 2.1 Fitting the batteries 1. Open battery compartment cover; press down in direction of arrow using thumb nail. 2. Insert 2 x LR03 (AAA), alkaline dry batteries taking care to ensure correct battery polarity (Figure 2). 3. Close battery compartment cover. Rechargeable batteries can be used but they will only have 25% to 30% of the life of alkaline batteries.

  • Page 9: Fitting Probes (Separate Versions Only)

    2.3 Fitting probes (separate versions only) To ensure correct transfer of data from the probe and detection of the new probe, the gauge must be switched off when separate probes are fitted. A probe must be calibrated once it has been fitted - see “Calibration adjustment”...

  • Page 10: The Controls

    Softkeys: The function of these keys varies and is described by symbols and writing on the bottom line of the screen. • LED: Red/green flashes when the gauge is switched on, green flashes when a reading is taken. Softkeys On/Off key Figure 3. Elcometer 456 control keys...

  • Page 11: Switching The Gauge On

    The Elcometer 456 switches itself off 60 seconds after the last operation unless the Auto Switch Off time is changed (MENU/SETUP/AUTO SWITCH OFF). The Auto Switch Off feature can be set to a maximum of 10 minutes or can be deactivated - see “AUTO SWITCH...

  • Page 12: The Screen

    2.7 The screen Familiarise yourself with the Elcometer 456 screen. The screen displays: • Welcome information • Measurement information • Menus to configure the gauge and control functions • Help and miscellaneous information When the gauge is switched on a welcome information screen may be displayed briefly (Figure 4).

  • Page 13: Selecting A Language

    The Elcometer 456 has over 20 built-in languages. When the gauge is switched on for the first time after dispatch from the Elcometer factory the display will show the language selection screen (Figure 6). Figure 6. Language selection screen 2.8.1 At first switch on 1.

  • Page 14: Interfaces

    2.9 Interfaces The gauge is fitted with an infrared interface (Figure 7) which allows information to be sent to a suitable printer. RS232 5-pin Infrared interface connector Figure 7. Infrared and RS232 interfaces The RS232 5-pin connector next to the infrared interface is used with an optional PC connection cable to connect the gauge to a PC.

  • Page 15: Taking A Reading

    3 TAKING A READING 3.1 Before you start • Are you using the correct type of probe? See “Probes” on page 35. • Is the probe calibrated? See “Calibration adjustment” on page 23. • Do you require statistics? See “Statistics” on page 32. •...

  • Page 16: The Reading Screen And Menus

    4 THE READING SCREEN AND MENUS 4.1 Reading screen The content of the reading screen (Figure 10, Figure 11) depends upon the type of measurement being made and how the gauge is set up. Automatic-switching Battery probe symbol symbol (FNF probes only) Substrate Method symbol...

  • Page 17: Main Menu

    Basic Gauge has two menu structures: Extended menu off (simple menu mode): The gauge is shipped from the Elcometer factory with EXTENDED MENU turned off. In this simple menu mode the gauge can be calibrated and used to take measurements. This is the ideal setting for users who do not require access to advanced features of the gauge.

  • Page 18: Main Menu - Extended Menu Off

    Gauge, Probe, Contact information and Help (Figure 14): GAUGE INFORMATION: Elcometer model, software versions, etc. PROBE INFORMATION: Probe type, range, etc. CONTACT: Details of Elcometer offices worldwide and, if programmed, the contact details for the Supplier or Local Distributor.
  • Page 19 HELP: Explains symbols used on Elcometer 456 display screens. Figure 14. About menu 4.3.5 RESET Selects Factory Calibration or Gauge resets. The RESET menu option (Figure 15) allows one of three gauge resets to be selected: FACTORY CAL: Returns gauge calibration settings created at time of manufacture of the probe.

  • Page 20: Main Menu - Extended Menu On

    4.4 Main MENU - Extended menu on To toggle EXTENDED MENU on/off select MENU/EXTENDED MENU/SEL PRINT/OUTPUT Current statistics DELETE Last reading MENU Backlight Calibration locked Extended menu CAL METHOD Print/Output Smooth Delete 2 Point Cal method Rough Setup Special sub About Zero offset Reset...
  • Page 21 STATISTICS Softkey enabled Select stats SELECT STATS Display No. of readings Mean Std deviation Coef of variat’n Highest reading Lowest reading OUTPUT Infra red printer...
  • Page 22 Infrared printer interface and is programmed to work with the Elcometer Infrared Portable Printer. Other Infrared printers with different print protocols may not be supported. Consult your local Elcometer supplier. To use this function first setup to print to infrared printer: MENU/SETUP/OUTPUT/INFRA RED PRINTER - see “SETUP”...
  • Page 23 4.4.3 CAL METHOD Allows selection of calibration method from list of options - see “Calibration method” on page 23 for more details. 4.4.4 SETUP Used to select, change or activate gauge features: STATISTICS: Activates simple statistics feature. Stats softkey on/off. Select stats - see “Select stats”...
  • Page 24 OPENING SCREEN: Disables the opening (welcome) screens so that the gauge switches on to display the reading screen. If a personalised welcome screen has been downloaded into the gauge (see page 38), Opening Screen must be activated to display this screen.

  • Page 25: Calibration Adjustment

    5 CALIBRATION ADJUSTMENT Calibration adjustment is the process of setting the gauge to known values of thickness to ensure accuracy on different substrate types, shapes and surface finishes. Note: When using an FNF probe it must be calibrated in both the ferrous mode and in the non-ferrous mode to ensure accuracy of reading.

  • Page 26: Calibration Foils And Standards

    blast cleaning. The calibration uses the smooth surface technique, and a correction value (zero offset) is applied to each reading to account for the effect of the roughened surface; the value depends on the surface profile - see Table 1. SET OFFSET.
  • Page 27 It is best to use an uncoated sample of the items to be tested. Calibration can be carried out using measured foils or coated standards. Foils (shims). These are coating thickness standards which have been measured using techniques independent of the gauge. They are ideal for calibration because they provide a known value of thickness on the actual substrate to be measured.

  • Page 28: Calibration Adjustment Procedure

    Coated standards are most often used to confirm that the gauge meets its specifications if it is not possible to use foils (shims). 5.3 Calibration adjustment procedure Calibration adjustment can be carried out at any time by pressing CAL softkey from the reading screen. To prevent inadvertent calibration adjustment the CAL softkey locked...
  • Page 29 2. Place probe on calibration standard. The gauge will display a reading. 3. Lift probe and then replace on calibration standard. Gauge displays the average ( ) of these readings and the last reading. Repeat this action until a stable reading is obtained. Average Last First reading...
  • Page 30 readings and the last reading. Repeat this action until a stable reading is obtained. First reading Second reading Figure 24. Step 2 - Calibration adjustment on uncoated sample To reject the displayed reading and start Step 2 of the calibration procedure again, press the Reset softkey 3.
  • Page 31 Taking test readings Press YES softkey (see previous section) to take test readings. This allows the calibration of the gauge to be tested without contributing to the statistical calculations. Figure 27. TEST READINGS screen CAL softkey returns the gauge to Step 1 of the calibration adjustment procedure.
  • Page 32 calibration adjustment, therefore improving the accuracy of the gauge. First reading Second reading Figure 29. Step 2 - Calibration adjustment on thin standard...
  • Page 33 Calibrating High Temperature PINIP™ Probes Special thickness standards are supplied with F1 2 High Temperature PINIP™ Probes - see page 37. These thickness standards should be used in place of the calibration standard in Step 1 of “Calibration adjustment procedure” on page 26. 1.

  • Page 34: Statistics

    40. If you require statistics in batches, or memory for readings, Elcometer 456 models Standard and Top provide this facility. Contact Elcometer or your local Elcometer supplier for more details. 6.1 ENLARGE STATS Displays the chosen statistical values as double-height characters.

  • Page 35: Stats On Lcd

    Up/Down softkeys can be used to move through the list. OK softkey returns to the Reading Screen. Figure 31. Enlarged statistics 6.2 STATS ON LCD Activates the presentation of the chosen statistical values on the reading screen. Combined statistics symbol Figure 32.

  • Page 36: Select Stats

    6.5 SELECT STATS Allows the user to chose which statistical values are displayed. The default condition is all values (Figure 33). Figure 33. Select stats menu Use Up/Down softkeys to move cursor and SEL softkey to select or deselect the statistical values.

  • Page 37: Probes

    7 PROBES An extensive range of probes is available for the Elcometer 456 Coating Thickness Gauge. Probes for ferrous (F), non-ferrous (N) and dual ferrous/non-ferrous (FNF) operation are available as either integral (built-in) or separate options. Separate probes are fully interchangeable and are available in standard, PINIP™...

  • Page 38: Probe Interchangeability

    7.4 Probe interchangeability The following table shows which probes can be used in the three types of Elcometer 456 Gauge. Probe type Gauge Type F1 2 F1 right angle F2 right angle F1 2 right angle F1 telescopic F2 telescopic F1 PINIP™...

  • Page 39: F1 2 Probes

    7.5 F1 2 probes The F1 2 scale combines the F1 scale with the F2 scale in a single probe. The user selects the appropriate range for the work in hand. The resolution of the gauge is dependent on the scale selected on the gauge. 7.6 F1 2 High temperature PINIP™...

  • Page 40: Personalised Welcome Screen

    1. Download Elcometer ‘Welcome Screen Wizard’ software. This software is available free of charge from the downloads section of the Elcometer website, www.elcometer.com. 2. Connect gauge to PC using optional 456 to PC connection cable - see “PC Connection Cable” on page 44. 3. Press key to switch on gauge.

  • Page 41: Storage And Transit

    If looked after, it will last a lifetime. The gauge does not contain any user-serviceable components. In the unlikely event of a fault, the gauge should be returned to your local Elcometer supplier or directly to Elcometer. Contact details are stored in the gauge - MENU/ABOUT/CONTACT.

  • Page 42: Statistics Terminology

    11 STATISTICS TERMINOLOGY Term Meaning COEF OF VARIAT’N Coefficient of Variation. The standard deviation divided by the mean for a group of readings, expressed percentage. HIGHEST READING The value of the maximum thickness group readings. LOWEST READING The value of the minimum thickness group readings.

  • Page 43: Technical Data

    12 TECHNICAL DATA 12.1 Measurement speed >60 readings per minute. This rate is reduced to >40 readings per minute when Infrared printer output is active - see “OUTPUT:” on page 21. When measuring high temperature materials measurement speed must be reduced to prevent overheating of the probe.
  • Page 44 12.5 Power supply Internal batteries, 2 x LR03 (AAA), alkaline dry batteries or rechargeable equivalents. Battery life hours to 40 hours continuous use with alkaline dry batteries. (15 000 to 20 000 readings at an average of 8 readings per minute.) Battery life is reduced by one third when using the backlight.

  • Page 45: Accessories

    Alkaline LR03 (AAA) Battery T9999329- (2 required): 13.2 Probes Full details of the extensive range of 456 probes can be obtained from Elcometer, your local Elcometer supplier or the Elcometer website, www.elcometer.com. 13.3 Foil sets 2.2 mm (85 mils) 8 pieces: T9904199F 1.3 mm (51 mils) 3 pieces:...
  • Page 46 Thermal Printer Paper: T99913878 13.10 Bench Stands Integral Probe Version: T45616161 Integral/Separate Probe Version: T45616162 13.11 PC Connection Cable 456 to PC Connection Cable (9-pin): T45616217 Note: A 9-pin to 25-pin adapter may be required for certain PC RS232 ports.

  • Page 47: Related Equipment

    14 RELATED EQUIPMENT Elcometer produces a wide range of coating thickness gauges and associated paint inspection equipment. Users of the Elcometer 456 may also benefit from the following Elcometer products: • Uncured powder thickness gauges • Coatings analyser • Inspection management software •...

  • Page 58: Index

    BS 3900 (C5) BS 5411 (11) Delete last reading BS 5411 (3) Dimensions BS 5599 DIN 50981 BS EN ISO 1461 DIN 50984 Cable Elcometer 456 PC to gauge Features CAL softkey Overview Flashing Error messages Calibration Adjustment Extended menu...
  • Page 59 BEEP VOLUME CAL METHOD Factory calibration CALIBRATION LOCKED Foils CLEAR STATS Ordering CONTACT DELETE DISPLAY Galvanised steel ENLARGE STATS Gauge information EXTENDED MENU FACTORY CAL GAUGE INFORMATION High temperature Highest reading HELP INTL GAUGE LANGUAGES Infrared interface 12, 20 OPENING SCREEN Effect on measurement OUTPUT speed...
  • Page 60 PINIP What used for Replacement of Wear of Number of readings Which one to use? On/off Quick-start Opening screen Creating Disabling Reading screen Typical Reading, taking Packaging Resetting the gauge PINIP probes Rough calibration method 23 Fitting of RS232 interface High temperature Power supply Printer...
  • Page 61 ZERO Up/Down Special sub calibration method US gauge settings SSPC-PA2 Standard deviation Weight Standards Welcome screen Coated thickness Creating ISO 19840 Disabling Statistics Wrist harness, fitting of Activating Choice of Clearing Zero offset calibration method Displaying on screen Dual function probes Increasing size on display Overview Terminology...

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