Elcometer 456 Operating Instructions Manual

Brand: Elcometer

Model: 456

Type: Operating Instructions Manual

Elcometer 456, a specialized coating thickness gauge, excels in measuring the thickness of non-magnetic coatings on ferrous substrates and non-metallic coatings on non-magnetic metals like aluminum and brass. It comes with ferrous and non-ferrous miniature probes for diverse applications. For precise results, utilize the included measured foils and zero plate during calibration.

English

Elcometer 456

Miniature Probe

Operating Instructions

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English

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The Elcometer 456 gauge and the miniature probes have been tested in accordance with EEC

regulations governing Electro-magnetic compliance and they meet the required directives.

Note - Gauge readings may be affected if the unit is operated within a radio frequency electromagnetic

strength of greater than 3V/m.

Warning

The Elcometer 456 gauge uses a Liquid Crystal Display. If it is heated above 50°C (120°F) it may be

damaged. This can happen if it left in a car parked in strong sunlight.

system or otherwise) or translated into any language, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical,

magnetic, optical, manual or otherwise) without the prior written permission of Elcometer Ltd.

A copy of this Instruction Manual is available for download on our Website via www.elcometer.com/

downloads.

Doc.No. TMA-0259 Issue 05

Text with Cover No: 16859

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CONTENTS

Section Page

1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2 Operating Instruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

3 Calibration Adjustment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

4 Technical Specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

5 Probe Alignment Jig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

6 Servicing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

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Thank you for your purchase of the Elcometer 456 Miniature Probes. Welcome to Elcometer.

Elcometer are world leaders in the design, manufacture and supply of inspection equipment for coatings

and concrete. Our products cover all aspects of coating inspection, from development through application

to post application inspection.

The Elcometer 456 Miniature Probes are world beating products. With the purchase of this product you now

have access to the worldwide service and support network of Elcometer. For more information visit our

website at www.elcometer.com

1 INTRODUCTION

The miniature probes are available for either ferrous (F) or non-ferrous (N) operation and can be used with

the appropriate Elcometer 456 separate probe coating thickness gauge.

Ferrous probes are suitable for measuring the thickness of non-magnetic coatings on steel or iron

substrates. They can be used on paint, plastic, galvanising, enamel, powder, hard chrome and other

coatings such as electroless nickel.

The Non-ferrous probes are suitable for measuring the thickness of non-metallic coatings on non-magnetic

metals. They can be used on anodising, paint, plastic coatings, powder, etc applied to aluminium, brass,

non-magnetic stainless steel, etc.

The package for the 456 miniature probe contains the scale 3 miniature probe, FM3 or NM3, and an

appropriate set of measured foils.

The scale 3 miniature probes are available in the following options:

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2 OPERATING INSTRUCTION

When fitting the FM3 miniature probe to the Elcometer 456 gauge ensure that the gauge is switched off

before the old probe is removed and the new probe fitted. This allows the data stored in the probe to be read

correctly when the gauge is switched on.

Description Elcometer Sales Part Numbers

Mini F3 Straight, 45 mm long T456FM3---A

Mini F3 Straight, 150 mm long T456FM3---C

Mini N3 Straight, 45 mm long T456NM3---A

Mini N3 Straight, 150 mm long T456NM3---C

Mini F3 90

, 45 mm long T456FM3R90A

Mini F3 90

, 150 mm long T456FM3R90C

Mini N3 90

, 45 mm long T456NM3R90A

Mini N3 90

, 150 mm long T456NM3R90C

Mini F3 45

, 45 mm long T456FM3R45A

Mini F3 45

, 150 mm long T456FM3R45C

Mini N3 45

, 45 mm long T456NM3R45A

Mini N3 45

, 150 mm long T456NM3R45C

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When a new type of probe is fitted to the Elcometer 456 gauge the gauge factory reset feature should be

used to set the gauge to the calibration conditions set in the memory of the probe during its final test in the

factory. The following procedure will activate the factory reset:

Note: This procedure is the same for all variants of the Elcometer 456, Basic, Standard and Top.

1. Switch the gauge on by pressing the e key.

Reading Screen for the Elcometer 456 Top

with Statistics Off.

2. Select MENU from the READING SCREEN

3. Select RESET

4. Select FACTORY RESET

5. Select YES

Probe typ

FM3 or NM3

is displayed

here

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The gauge will bleep three times and return to the reading screen. The gauge and probe should now be

adjusted for the calibration conditions appropriate to the measurement.

3 CALIBRATION ADJUSTMENT

For optimum accuracy the gauge and probe should be adjusted on a sample of the uncoated substrate to

be measured using the measured foils provided. Full details of the calibration adjustment methods available

on the Elcometer 456 gauges are given in the Elcometer 456 operating instructions.

To activate the calibration adjustment procedure select CAL from the READING SCREEN. The gauge will

show full instructions with graphical and text support.

For further details contact your local Elcometer dealer or Elcometer Ltd.

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4 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

Scale Ranges:

Scale FM3 and NM3

Range Accuracy

a. Measured with the probe held in a placement jig, using measured foils and the Elcometer zero

plate.

Resolution

(FM3) 0 - 500 µm ± 2.5 µm or 1% to 3%

whichever

is the greater

b. 1% accuracy is achieved when calibrating close to the coating thickness value to be measured.

0.1 µm up to 100 µm

1 µm from 100 - 500 µm

(FM3) 0 - 10 mil ± 0.1 mil or 1% to 3%

whichever

is the greater

0.01 mil up to 4 mil

0.1 mil from 4 - 10 mil

(NM3) 0 - 500 µm ± 2.5 µm or 1% to 3%

whichever

is the greater

0.1 µm up to 100 µm

1 µm from 100 - 500 µm

(NM3) 0 - 10 mil ± 0.1 mil or 1% to 3%

whichever

is the greater

0.01 mil up to 4 mil

0.1 mil from 4 - 10 mil

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Probe Type Part Number Minimum Convex

Diameter

Minimum Concave

Radius

FERROUS MINIATURE

Ferrous Straight 45mm Long T456FM3---A 1.5mm (0.06”) 6.5mm (0.26”)

Ferrous Straight, 150mm Long T456FM3---C 1.5mm (0.06”) 6.5mm (0.26”)

Ferrous 45 Degree, 45mm Long T456FM3R45A 1.5mm (0.06”) 6.5mm (0.26”)

Ferrous 45 Degree, 150mm Long T456FM3R45C 1.5mm (0.06”) 6.5mm (0.26”)

Ferrous 90 Degree, 45mm Long T456FM3R90A 1.5mm (0.06”) 6.5mm (0.26”)

Ferrous 90 Degree, 150mm Long T456FM3R90C 1.5mm (0.06”) 6.5mm (0.26”)

NON-FERROUS MINIATURE

Non-Ferrous Straight 45mm Long T456NM3---A 1.5mm (0.06”) 6.5mm (0.26”)

Non-Ferrous Straight, 150mm Long T456NM3---C 1.5mm (0.06”) 6.5mm (0.26”)

Non-Ferrous 45 Degree, 45mm Long T456NM3R45A 1.5mm (0.06”) 6.5mm (0.26”)

Non-Ferrous 45 Degree, 150mm Long T456NM3R45C 1.5mm (0.06”) 6.5mm (0.26”)

Non-Ferrous 90 Degree, 45mm Long T456NM3R90A 1.5mm (0.06”) 6.5mm (0.26”)

Non-Ferrous 90 Degree, 150mm Long T456NM3R90C 1.5mm (0.06”) 6.5mm (0.26”)

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Probe Type Minimum

Sample

Diameter

Minimum Access Requirements aOverall Length

(Headroom)

a. The above capabilities have been determined using a calibration foil of 100um and the probe held in a probe

placement jig. * = Diameter

FERROUS MINIATURE Height Width

Ferrous Straight 45mm Long 3mm (0.12”) 6mm (0.24”)* 150mm (5.91”) a

Ferrous Straight, 150mm Long 3mm (0.12”) 6mm (0.24”)* 260mm (10.24”) a

Ferrous 45 Degree, 45mm Long 3mm (0.12”) 18mm (0.71”) 7mm (0.28”) 145mm (5.71”)

Ferrous 45 Degree, 150mm Long 3mm (0.12”) 18mm (0.71”) 7mm (0.28”) 250mm (9.84”)

Ferrous 90 Degree, 45mm Long 3mm (0.12”) 16mm (0.63”) 7mm (0.28”) 140mm (5.51”)

Ferrous 90 Degree, 150mm Long 3mm (0.12”) 16mm (0.63”) 7mm (0.28”) 250mm (9.64”)

NON-FERROUS MINIATURE

Non-Ferrous Straight 45mm Long 4mm (0.16”) 6mm (0.24”)* 150mm (5.91”) a

Non-Ferrous Straight, 150mm Long 4mm (0.16”) 6mm (0.24”)* 260mm (10.24”) a

Non-Ferrous 45 Degree, 45mm Long 4mm (0.16”) 18mm (0.71”) 7mm (0.28”) 145mm (5.71”)

Non-Ferrous 45 Degree, 150mm Long 4mm (0.16”) 18mm (0.71”) 7mm (0.28”) 250mm (9.84”)

Non-Ferrous 90 Degree, 45mm Long 4mm (0.16”) 16mm (0.63”) 7mm (0.28”) 140mm (5.51”)

Non-Ferrous 90 Degree, 150mm Long 4mm (0.16”) 16mm (0.63”) 7mm (0.28”) 250mm (9.64”)

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5 PROBE ALIGNMENT JIG

To aid probe positioning on small components a Probe Placement Jig is available and an adapter suitable

for use with the full range of miniature probes is also available as an accessory.

T95012880 Probe Placement Jig

T95016896 Universal Jig Adapter for All Miniature Probes (optional) includes

a Special Probe Jig Adapter for Miniature Straight 45mm

Probes only

T95012888 Cable Release Assembly (optional)

T95013028 Component Hand Vice (optional)

5.1 USE OF THE PROBE JIG ADAPTER WITH STRAIGHT 45MM PROBES

Unscrew the sheath from the Miniature Straight 45 mm probe. Fit the Probe Jig Adapter to the Probe

Placement Jig. The Miniature Straight 45 mm probes can then be screwed in to the adapter.

This adapter is suitable for the FM3 Miniature Straight 45 mm probe and the NM3 Miniature Straight 45 mm

probe only.

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Figure 1.

Probe Jig Adapter for Miniature Straight 45mm Probes

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5.2 USE OF THE UNIVERSAL JIG ADAPTER

The Universal Jig Adapter accommodates all the different options of the Miniature probes. The assembly of

the adapter on to the Probe Placement Jig is shown in Figure 2. Probes held in the Universal Jig Adapter

do not have any spring loading and should therefore be placed carefully on any coated surface to ensure

that the surface does not become indented.

Figure 2.

Assembly of the Universal Jig Adapter

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The Universal Jig Adapter has two faces to allow the fitting of the different miniature probe options as shown

in Figure 3.

Figure 3.

Detail of the Adapter Showing the two Faces

The probes can be fitted in to the Universal Jig Adapter as shown in Figure 4.

FACE ‘B’

FACE ‘A’

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Figure 4a.

Fitting of the Miniature Probe in to the Universal Jig Adaptor - Straight Probes.

FACE ‘A’

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Figure 4b.

Fitting of the Miniature Probes in to the Universal Jig Adapter - 45° Probes

FACE ‘A’

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Figure 4c

Fitting of the Miniature Probes in to the Universal Jig Adapter - 90° Probes

FACE ‘B’

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6 SERVICING

In the unlikely event of a fault that cannot be corrected using the information contained in this operating

instruction or the operating instruction for the Elcometer 456, the miniature probe and the gauge should be

returned to your local Elcometer Dealer or directly to Elcometer Ltd.

If in doubt, contact Technical Sales or Customer Services at Elcometer Ltd.

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Elcometer 456 Operating Instructions Manual

Elcometer 456 Operating Instructions Manual

Elcometer 456 Operating Instructions Manual

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