Proximity Transducer System Workshop

Proximity Transducer System

Workshop
Workshop Rerequisites
• Digital Multimeter
• TK-3 Proximity probe test kit
• Tool kit
• Excel spreadsheets “proximitor curve” and “Linear Analysis Spreadsheet”. If these
spreadsheets are not on the computer desktop, consult with your instructor about how
to access these files.

List of tasks:
1. Measure the resistance of the probe and probe cable

2. Acquire data, create a probe curve with a matched transducer system, and find the
transducer system average scale factor

3. Analyze the probe data for linear integrity

4. Acquire data, create a probe curve with an unmatched transducer system, and observe
the results

Task 1: Measure the resistance of the probe and

probe cable.
1. Assemble a matched transducer system.

2. Measure the resistance of the extension cable and probe between the center conductor
and the connector casing as shown below.

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Copyright (C) 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.
 Proximity Transducer System Workshop

3. Verify that the resistance is within specifications as listed below.

Probe Length Resistance from the Center Conductor to the Outer Conductor (RPROBE) (ohms)
0.5 7.45 ± 0.50
1.0 7.59 ± 0.50
1.5 7.73 ± 0.50
2.0 7.88 ± 0.50
5.0 8.73 ± 0.70
9.0 9.87 ± 0.90

Length of Extension Resistance from Center Resistance from Outer

Cable Conductor to Center Conductor to Outer Conductor
Conductor (RCORE) (ohms) (RJACKET) (ohms)
3.0 0.66 ± 0.10 0.20 ± 0.04
3.5 0.77 ± 0.12 0.23 ± 0.05
4.0 0.88 ± 0.13 0.26 ± 0.05
4.5 0.99 ± 0.15 0.30 ± 0.06
7.0 1.54 ± 0.23 0.46 ± 0.09
7.5 1.65 ± 0.25 0.49 ± 0.10
8.0 1.76 ± 0.26 0.53 ± 0.11
8.5 1.87 ± 0.28 0.56 ± 0.11

Rev 1, Dec08 2 T00043

Copyright (C) 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.
 Proximity Transducer System Workshop

Task 2: Acquire data, create a probe curve

with a matched transducer system, and find
the transducer system average scale factor
This exercise will familiarize you with the proximity probe verification process.

A. You will be using the spindle micrometer to check the voltage versus distance
characteristics of the probe and Proximitors.

1. Secure the probe in position using the correct probe sleeve. With the spindle
micrometer set to zero, position the probe into the spindle micrometer so that the probe
tip lightly contacts the observed sample.

Adjust the spindle micrometer so that the target moves away from the probe tip. Then
return it to zero to ensure the probe is positioned properly.

2. Connect the probe to the Proximitor using the appropriate extension cable.

3. Connect the DMM between the Proximitor OUTPUT and COM connectors. For this
workshop you are using the monitor as a load. If a monitor were not attached, you would
attach a 10K Ohm resistor across the DMM input terminal to simulate monitor input
impedance.

4. Starting at zero, adjust the spindle micrometer out in 5 mil increments. Log the
voltage values at each increment in the data sheet. Be sure to also document transducer
part and serial numbers. Using a transducer system that generates 200mV/mil will give us
approximately one-volt change for each five mils. Calculate the average scale factor
(ASF).

Notice that you can either log the data in the table on page 5 of this workshop or you can
log the data into the spreadsheet called “proximitor curve”.

5. Using the data collected and logged, go to the page following the data log sheet, and
plot the voltage vs gap graph until the response starts to become non-linear. Notice that
if you use the spreadsheet, the data will be plotted for you.

NOTE
The first and last 10 mils of the curve cannot be used due to non-linearity. A sharp
change in the slope of the curve will occur at a probe to target gap of about 10 to 20 mils.
This change will depend upon the type of probe and Proximitor used and the type of
material being observed. The response curve should be linear starting at approximately
10 mils and remain so through 90 mils or more.

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Copyright (C) 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.
 Proximity Transducer System Workshop

Task 3: Analyze the probe data for linear

integrity
A. This next process will demonstrate the incremental linearity of the transducer system
response.

1. Open the spreadsheet labeled “Linear Analysis Spreadsheet”. If it is not on your

computer’s desktop, your Instructor will give you instructions for finding it.

2. Enter the values from the 10 mil level to the 90 mil level in your data log to the
appropriate locations in your spreadsheet. Confirm this matches your hand calculated
value.

Task 4: Acquire data, create a probe curve

with an unmatched transducer system, and
observe the results
A. For the last exercise, you will repeat the process in Laboratory Activity 1, using an
unmatched transducer system.

1. Connect either a longer or shorter extension cable as specified by the Instructor to

your proximity transducer system.

2. Use the data log sheet on the next page to collect your measured values.

3. Use the graph page following the data log sheet to plot the response curve of your
transducer system.

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Copyright (C) 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.
 Proximity Transducer System Workshop

Log Sheet for Voltage vs Distance Data

Probe Model No. Probe Model No.

Probe Serial No. Probe Serial No.
Prox Model No. Prox Model No.
Prox Serial No. Prox Serial No.
Ext. Cable Model No. Ext. Cable Model No.
Ext. Cable Serial No. Ext. Cable Serial No.

Data Table

Mils Volts DC Mils Volts DC

0 0
5 5
10 10
15 15
20 20
25 25
30 30
35 35
40 40
45 45
50 50
55 55
60 60
65 65
70 70
75 75
80 80
85 85
90 90
95 95
100 100
Average Scale Factor Average Scale Factor

Circle One Matched / Mis-matched Circle One Matched / Mis-matched

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 Proximity Transducer System Workshop

Voltage (-Vdc) vs Distance (mils) Graph

160
90 100 110 120 130 140 150
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
24

22

20

18

16

14

12

10

Rev 1, Dec08 6 T00043

Copyright (C) 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.
 Proximity Transducer System Workshop

Task Completion Checklist

This checklist can be used to collect the instructor’s initials or signature for each task that
is completed successfully. Note to instructor: If the student cannot perform a task
satisfactorily, perform appropriate remediation. Ensure that the student is able to perform
the task satisfactorily before signing the evaluation as being complete.

Student:

Date:

Task Description Completed Notes

Task 1: Measure the resistance of

the probe and probe cable

Task 2: Acquire data, create a

probe curve with a matched
transducer system, and find the
transducer system average scale
factor

Task 3: Analyze the probe data for

linear integrity

Task 4: Acquire data, create a

probe curve with an unmatched
transducer system, and observe
the results

Rev 1, Dec08 7 T00043

Copyright (C) 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.