SC11 Basic System Product Description

There was a time when conducting accurate site surveys used to involve a mass of complex, bulky and difficult-to-use equipment. Based on a laptop computer and operating under Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP, the SC11 has revolutionised site surveys. It is a fully portable tool for measurement and analysis of ambient AC magnetic fields, vibrations and acoustic levels in one compact system. The system is based on a laptop personal computer, a three axis magnetic field sensor, an accelerometer and a sound level meter. An optional flux gate magnetometer measures DC magnetic fields. There is also the ability to attach extra sensors if so desired.

The software suite consists of three virtual instruments, an oscilloscope, a spectrum analyser and a chart recorder. In each case the information is displayed graphically on the laptop screen and the data can be exported to spreadsheet programs for further processing and hard copies can be made on industry standard printers.

The SC11 has four measurement channels, three assigned to the axes of the magnetic field sensor and one auxiliary. The auxiliary channel is designed to be driven from the accelerometer, the sound level meter, the magnetometer or other signals such as the video output of an SEM running in spot mode.

The SC11 is designed to be fully portable, fitting neatly into a carrying case which is supplied. The system is powered from the laptop so that operation without a main power connection is possible. The sound level meter and magnetometer have their own batteries. The complete system is accurate, easy to operate with a minimum of training and produces user friendly results.

Hardware

Laptop computer
The laptop computer is optionally supplied by Spicer Consulting with all the software pre-installed. Alternatively you may install the software on your own laptop PC. If desired, Spicer Consulting can install the system on your own computer. The minimum requirement for the computer is a 700 MHz Pentium with 64 MB RAM, 100 MB free hard disc, CD-ROM, 3½in floppy disc drive and PCMCIA slot.

Magnetic Field Sensor
The three axis magnetic field sensor is derived from the Spicer Consulting SC12 range of field cancelling systems. The sensor has a magnetic field measurement range of 80 mG pk-pk with a bandwidth of 1 Hz to 5 kHz and a noise limit of 20 uG pk-pk.

Sound Level Meter
The sound level meter supplied is a Techcessories model 33-2050 for general purpose sound measurements. It can measure from 50 to 126 dBA or dBC on its internal meter.

Accelerometer
The accelerometer supplied is a Wilcoxon Research model 731A, with a measurement range of 200 mg's pk-pk and a bandwidth of 0.1 Hz to 500 Hz in this system. The accelerometer is suitable for the measurement of extremely low level vibrations. The accelerometer measures along one independent axis.

The accelerometer can be rotated to measure three orthogonal axes while standing on a horizontal plane.

Flux Gate Magnetometer
The optional flux gate magnetomer is a uMAG-01N from MEDA. It measures one axis magnetic fields from DC to 100 Hz, with a maximum range of ±2000 mG and a meter resolution of 0.01 mG on the most sensitive 20 mG range.