Sparks Electrical News December 2019

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

10

300 KHZ TO 200 MHZ ANTENNA AND CABLE ANALYSER

BIRD TECHNOLOGIES, a provider of RF components, subsystems, test equipment, and services, and represented locally by COMTEST Solutions, is offering the SiteHawk SK-200-TC, a hand-held antenna and cable analyser that operates between 300 kHz and 200 MHz. The instrument simplifies detection of problems in coaxial transmis- sion lines and antenna systems, and pinpoints their source using distance-to-fault measurements. The SiteHawk SK-200-TC provides all the measurement capabilities required to evaluate the performance of a communication system’s transmission path, and has the same features as its higher- frequency counterpart, Bird’s SiteHawk SK-4000-TC, which operates over a frequency range of 85 MHz to 4000 MHz. The SiteHawk SK- 200-TC is a rugged, compact instrument – measuring only 18.2 x 9.6 x 4.8 cm and weighing 900 g – that is easy for novices and veterans

alike to use. It has an intuitive user interface displayed on its high- resolution TFT LCD colour display that is readable in bright sunlight, and has 16 GB of internal flash memory for storing thousands of traces and measurement setups. The distance-to-fault measurement indicates VSWR or return loss at various points from the beginning of the transmission line all the way to the antenna and identifies the location of a problem with high resolution. The cable loss function measures insertion loss of the transmission line over a given frequency range. The instrument makes fast swept measurements at up to 0.25 ms per data point of return loss and cable loss as well as VSWR and distance to fault, and allows users to set trace capture using 51, 101, 201, 401, 801, 1601 or 3201 data points per sweep. Both X and Y scales as well as measurement units can be changed by the user

as can a pass-fail limit with visual indicator for quick ‘go/no-go’ indications. There are six user-selectable markers for direct or difference measurements that can be referenced to the limit line or a recalled trace. A measurement-hold feature also allows a trace to be stored temporarily for analysis.

Enquiries: +27 (0)10 595 1821

PORTABLE VIBRATION METER STORES UP TO 100 READINGS

INSTROTECH, local representative of Monitran, is introducing an upgraded version of its success- ful portable vibration meter with a bright, easily readable display. When connected to a constant current type accelerometer the compact MTN/ VM330D stores up to 100 time-stamped read- ings, which can be transferred to a PC using the USB cable supplied. An invaluable trouble-shooting tool, the high performance unit displays an instant readout of RMS, peak, peak-peak, crest factor and bearing condition and gives a colour-coded indication of machine status. Conforming to ISO 10816-3, it has a large colour LCD display and a rugged protective rubber case. Its rechargeable lithium-ion battery comes with a worldwide charger and delivers a battery life of over 20 hours. Other features include a switchable low pass filter and an audio output for listening to the vibration directly. The MTN/VM330D is suitable for monitoring the performance of a wide range of machinery, including engines, gearboxes, motors, turbines and pumps. It is supplied with Monitran’s MTN/2200 general purpose accelerometer as standard, with other types available on request. “This simple vibration meter gives you the ability to measure vibration at any point on a machine and is often all you need to confirm that your machinery is working within manufacturing specification. We recommend it should be in every engineer’s tool kit,” said Monitran managing director Andy Anthony. Customers who already have Monitran’s MTN/ VM220 vibration meter can return it to take advantage of an introductory upgrade offer.

Enquiries: +27 (0)10 595 1831

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

DECEMBER 2019