Operation Manual for Mag658 Digital Three-Axis Magnetometer
Table of Contents 1. About this Manual 3 1.1. Symbols Glossary 3 2. Safe Use 3 3. Introduction to the Mag658 3 3.1. Vector Measurements and Conventions 4 4. Installing the Mag658 4 4.1. Siting the Magnetometer (Environment Recommendations) 4 4.2. Connection Recommendations 5 4.3. Pre-Installation Tests 5 4.4. Mounting Recommendations 5 4.5. Post Installation Testing 5 5. Using the Mag658 6 5.1. Operation 6 5.2. Magnetic Hysteresis 6 5.3. Environmental Precautions 6 6. Troubleshooting 6 6.1. Calibration 6 7. End of Life Disposal 7 7.1. Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 7 Appendix A. RS422 Connections 8 Page 2 of 9
1. About this Manual This document describes the installation, operation and maintenance of the Mag658 Digital Three-Axis Magnetometer. It should be read in conjunction with product brochure DS2841 and outline drawing DR2841 which can both be found on the product page on the Bartington Instruments website at www.bartington.com. 1.1. Symbols Glossary WARNING: Indicates a situation in which serious bodily injury or death could result if the warning is ignored. Caution: Indicates a situation in which bodily injury or damage to your instrument, or both, could result if the caution is ignored. Identifies items that must be disposed of safely to prevent unnecessary damage to the environment. Note: A paragraph in this format provides useful supporting information on how to make best use of your purchase. 2. Safe Use WARNING: These products are not qualified for use in explosive atmospheres or life support systems. Consult Bartington Instruments for advice. Caution: To prevent irreparable damage, electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection and precautions must be used when handling the unpackaged sensor electronics board. 3. Introduction to the Mag658 The Mag658 includes a cluster of three feedback-stabilised fluxgate sensors arranged along the X, Y and Z axes together with a three-axis accelerometer that provides positional and orientation information along the same axes. Data is transmitted from the sensor and controlled through a full-duplex RS422 data link. The sensor is unpackaged and ideal for integration into customer specific systems. Its reliability also means it is ideal for permanent installations. It is intended that the user writes their own software for use with the Mag658, however an example software is provided with the sensor by Bartington Instruments. Page 3 of 9
3.1. Vector Measurements and Conventions The magnetometer produces digital readings in response to the magnitude and direction of the orthogonal components of a magnetic field. A right-hand co-ordinate system (figure 1) is adopted. In this system, the X, Y and Z axis correspond to the thumb, first and second finger respectively of the right hand. East +Y 1st Finger North +X Thumb Down +Z 2nd Finger Figure 1. The right hand rule. The centres of the three vector sensors are superimposed; each orientation is denoted on the magnetometer s label. 4. Installing the Mag658 4.1. Siting the Magnetometer (Environment Recommendations) Note: Site the magnetometer several metres from any magnetic base rock to avoid compromising measurements. Note: Site the magnetometer several tens of metres from very large ferromagnetic objects that could become magnetised and create fields exceeding the measuring range of the sensor. Note: Avoid siting the sensor near any ferromagnetic objects that may be subjected to the effects of magnetic hysteresis, which would affect the sensor in an unpredictable manner. Page 4 of 9
For these reasons, a magnetic evaluation of any proposed installation site should be conducted to establish that it is free from magnetic contaminants. It is recommended that such an evaluation be carried out using total field or resonance magnetometers. 4.2. Connection Recommendations 4.2.1. Cables and Connectors The Mag658 is designed to be connected into customer systems. See the product brochure and the sensor outline drawing, available from Bartington Instruments, for more information. 4.2.2. Interface For details on the RS422 connections please refer to Appendix A. RS422 Connections. Contact Bartington Instruments for information concerning the RS422 interface and associated data protocol. 4.2.3. Power Supplies Refer to the product brochure for information on power requirements and typical current consumption. 4.2.4. Signals and Ground Signal connections and levels are defined in the sensor outline drawing available from Bartington Instruments. 4.3. Pre-Installation Tests The Mag658 may be tested before installation by connecting to a PC and power supply. Bartington Instruments can supply suitable hardware and software information on request. 4.4. Mounting Recommendations Mounting is done by using the six mounting holes in the circuit board. Note: Non-magnetic bolts should be used. 4.5. Post Installation Testing The Mag658 includes a number of self-test features as defined in the following sections. Page 5 of 9
5. Using the Mag658 5.1. Operation Operation and test functions can be carried out using the data communication protocol information provided by Bartington Instruments. See the Data Protocol document DP2778 (available from Bartington Instruments) for detail of the list of commands and data format. 5.2. Magnetic Hysteresis Note: The Mag658 is designed to have an extremely low magnetic hysteresis. However, do not subject your magnetometer to magnetic fields greater than its stated measuring range for extended periods as this could alter the DC offset. If this occurs, the offset will exhibit drift as it returns to its original offset specification. Caution: Subjecting the magnetometer to fields in excess of 3mT may cause inaccuracy in future measurements. Degaussing the magnetometer can reverse such an effect. 5.3. Environmental Precautions Refer to the product brochure for maximum environmental electrical and mechanical ratings. Caution: Exceeding the maximum ratings may cause irreparable damage to your sensor. 6. Troubleshooting The Mag658 is unlikely to suffer any defects in normal use. If the sensor fails to respond, the user may attempt to re-load the software program. Refer to the Mag658 Data Protocol document for further details. In case of a persistent fault the sensor must be returned to Bartington Instruments for servicing. To discuss solutions and repair procedures, email: service@bartington.com or telephone the Bartington Instruments service team on +44 (0)1993 706565. 6.1. Calibration The Mag658 is not expected to be calibrated during its service life. Page 6 of 9
7. End of Life Disposal This product (electrical and electronic equipment) should not be placed in municipal waste. Check local regulations for disposal of electronic products. 7.1. Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations The Mag658 is exempt from RoHS (Reduction of Hazardous Substances) and WEEE legislation current at the time of printing as it is made specifically for defence use and is assembled with tin-lead solder. However, electronic equipment should never be disposed of in normal waste. For information about disposing of your magnetometer safely, consult your local civic authority. Page 7 of 9
Appendix A. RS422 Connections The RS422 connections for the Mag658 are shown below. Page 8 of 9
T: +44 (0)1993 706565 F: +44 (0)1993 774813 E: sales@bartington.com Bartington Instruments Limited 5 Thorney Leys Business Park, Witney, Oxford, OX28 4GE, England. www.bartington.com The copyright of this document is the property of Bartington Instruments Ltd. Bartington is a registered trade mark of Bartington Instruments Limited in the following countries: United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, European Union, India, Japan, Norway and the United States of America.