How Does a Gaussmeter Work?
A gaussmeter is an electrical instrument that measures the intensity or strength of a magnetic field. It has three parts- a gauss sensor or probe, a meter, and a cable that joins or connects the other two components.
A gaussmeter primarily utilizes the probe or sensor to measure the strength of the magnetic field in a specific area. However, the range that the device can work with and handle is constricted and small-sized. Nevertheless, the users can position and fix the tip region of the probe on the magnet whose magnetic field intensity needs to get estimated. They can also place it at a favorable location near it.
A gaussmeter performs these measurements of a magnetic field that get generated due to the influence of either direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC). The sensing component or area of a gaussmeter lies at the tip of its probe, called its Hall probe.
What are the Uses of the Various Components of a Gaussmeter?
The Hall probe of a gaussmeter is the most vital component of the entire instrument. When a user positions it in a particular magnetic field on adjacent edges of the sensor, an electromotive force (EMF) gets generated. That is why the closer the region is to the magnet, the more accurate or precise the reading. It stands true for both the types of gaussmeter, namely the axial and transverse kinds.
For a transverse magnetic field that lies in an open space or small gaps within or inside a magnet, the shape of the Hall probe that gets used is generally flat. Cylindrical or axial gaussmeter works the best in measuring the parameters for a parallel magnetic field, such as a solenoid.
Overall, the advantages of using a gaussmeter that has a Hall probe component include:
- It has anuncomplicated and user-friendly design.
- It provides an effortless operation platform and system that comprises undemanding steps and procedures.
- It comes with a high level of metrological characteristics.
However, measurements done using this type of electrical device have their results depend on the area’s temperature where the computation gets done.
The next significant part of a gaussmeter is its meter. This component uses the Hall probe to send or direct a test current through a conducting coil or substance. Hall Effect gets generated, and due to it, a voltage gets produced. The meter records it.
The voltage fluctuates continuously. For this reason, the meter freezes and displays the measured readings at a particular value and then records them. It also notes the magnitude of the highest voltage that got detected and generated.
The final component of a gaussmeter, namely the cable, establishes a connection between the other two parts.
What Can a Gaussmeter Do?
A gaussmeter can determine and compute the parameters of strength and direction associated with a magnetic field. In most cases, it relates to magnetic induction. When the electrical instrument gets used to measure the values, it can perform the following functions with high efficiency and accuracy:
- A gaussmeter can check the level of residual or remanent magnetism in a particular magnetic substance, component, or material.
- It can estimate the magnitude of the strength or intensity of a magnetic field with minimal error and computation flaws.
- It can gauge and assess the level of interference that a magnetic field faces or experiences due to different and diverse industrial applications and processes.
- A gaussmeter has the ability and capability of calculating the degree of induction fields of various tested appliances, devices, components, and products. It does so before they move on to the inspection procedures for the presence and influence of magnetic particles.
- It can identify and ascertain the conformity displayed by varied industrial equipment. It performs this action for magnetic particle inspection to determine whether it meets and satisfies the required specifications.
What are the Steps that an Individual Needs to Follow to Use a Gaussmeter?
The process of using a gaussmeter is relatively effortless. The users merely need to follow the general list of steps to get the values of the strength or intensity of the magnetic field they wish to measure:
- First, an individual needs to switch on the gaussmeter and check if it is in operational condition.
- Then, they have to hold the Hall probe of the instrument over the magnet whose parameters they wish to compute.
- Next, they need to keep the probe in the same position for a few seconds until the highest voltage rating gets measured and displayed.
- Lastly, the individual has to record and note down the values.
What are the Safety Factors that a User Needs to Keep in Mind While Using a Gaussmeter?
Most magnitudes of magnetic field strength are not dangerous to human exposure. However, some values signify a domain more than the typical range. They can have detrimental and lethal effects and impacts. The danger can get associated with both the frequency and amplitude of the field.
Generally, low frequency and direct current magnetic fields do not prove an issue compared to high-frequency ones. That is why guidelines exist for the general public and occupational exposure.
For direct current, the limits imposed for permanent exposure stand at about 200 mT. The value increased for contact with a limb or temporary duration. On the other hand, the limit decreases for individuals with life support medical devices like a pacemaker. In that case, it gets set to approximately 0.5 mT.
The magnitude of the Earth’s magnetic field is 0.005 mT or 0.5 gauss. For this reason, MRI machines have their lines that mark 5 gauss mapped. It ensures that the general public remains unexposed to the magnetic fields that could interfere with medical devices implanted in an individual’s body.
Hall Effect or fluxgate sensors typically get used for mapping 5 gauss lines for safety purposes. They can also measure the value of the ambient fields present in industrial settings to check and guarantee field emission compliances for the workers and the general public.