TSI CRACK INDICATOR CC400

How to calibrate the instrument. They are all based on the same AC potential drop principal for crack depth measurements. Please locate the following on the instrument, probe and calibration block The power on/off switch The toggle or press switch to start the measurement mode The calibration knob that controls the calibration potentiometer The reading scale: If it is analogue meter with a semi circular scale, please get familiar with the no. of scales (range of each scale) on the meter. If it is an LCD display, again get familiar with the ranges. The crack depth range given on the probe The depth of the artificial crack on the calibration block. PRELIMINARY EXERCISE 1) Please connect the probe to the instrument and switch on the power and wait for at least 2 minutes for the instrument circuit to stabilize. 2) The calibration knob should be rotated to the extreme left/or minimum so that minimum current flows through the outer pins when the measurement mode switch is put on. 3) At the end of two minutes press all the four pins of the probe on to the calibration block (on a plain surface -away from the crack) firmly by holding the probe vertically. The pins are usually spring loaded. Ensure that sufficient spring pressure is maintained while pressing down. 4) Then put on the toggle or press switch that starts the measurement mode. Once you have put on the switch for starting the measurement mode, do not remove the pressure on the probe. If you release pressure or hold loosely, it may result in light arcing. Repeated arcing will damage the tips of the pins. Please repeat the process two three times until you get the feel and firm contact. 5) The probe has four pins. The outer two pins are meant for driving normally an AC current into the calibration /test piece. The inner two pins are voltage sensing pins. While calibrating or during measurement these two inner pins have to be put across the artificial or natural crack. CALIBRATION: 1) After conducting the above exercise, place the probe on the calibration block in such a way that the artificial crack is exactly in the middle of the two inner pins. I.e. the two inner pins are across the crack. This is same as saying that the crack length/axis is perpendicular to the two pins. The outer pins automatically will be on either side of the crack. 2) Ensure that the calibration knob is rotated to the extreme left/minimum so that the minimum current flows through the outer pins when the measurement mode switch is put on 3) Press the probe firmly on to the block surface without shifting the position of the pins. After ensuring that all the four pins are firmly touching the surface, put on the measurement mode switch. 4) Now the pointer on the scale will show some reading. Adjust the pointer position by rotating the calibration knob till the reading on the scale matches the depth value of the crack on the calibration block. During this entire operation the probe should be held firmly without moving or wobbling. (The operation is same with a LCD display) 5) Once the reading is achieved put off the measurement mode switch and then remove probe. The instrument is calibrated. 6) You may repeat this operation once or twice to ensure repeatability.

MEASUREMENT: The test piece and calibration block should be of same material 1) Ensure that no rust or dirt or grease etc is present on the test surface by properly cleaning the surface with emery/ solvent and cloth. 2) Place the inner two pins across the crack as told previously and press the probe firmly on to the surface of the test object. Switch on the measurement mode switch and take the reading on the scale. This will be the depth of the crack. 3) If the reading is out of the range then the crack depth is more than the calibrated range. You may recalibrate with another block having similar crack depth. You can make your own blocks.