Bartington PA1 User manual

Operation Manual for

PA1 Power Amplier

BARTINGTON INSTRUMENTS

Table of Contents

1. About this Manual 3

1.1. Symbols Glossary 3

2. Safe Use 4

3. Introduction 4

4. PA1 Power Amplifier Features 5

4.1. PA1 Power Amplifier Front Panel 5

4.2. PA1 Power Amplifier Rear Panel 6

5. Compatibility 6

6. PA1 Power Amplifier Operation 7

6.1. PA1 Location and Ventilation Requirements 7

6.2. Connecting to the Helmholtz Coils 7

6.3. Connecting to the CU1 Control Unit and/or CU2 Closed-Loop Module 8

6.3.1. Pin-Outs 8

6.4. PA1 Power Amplifier Connection to Mains Power 9

6.5. PA1 Power Amplifier Output Circuit Breakers 9

6.6. Cooling 9

7. Powering Sequence 10

8. System Calibration 11

8.1. Static Field Compensation 11

8.2. Scaling 12

8.3. Orthogonality 12

9. Air Intake Filter Cleaning and Replacement 12

10. Absolute Maximum Voltages and Ratings 13

11. Troubleshooting, Care and Maintenance 13

12. Storage and Transport 14

13. Disposal 14

13.1. Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 14

Appendix A: Connecting the Components of the Helmholtz Coil System 15

Appendix B: Guidance for Connection to Mains Supply 16

BARTINGTON INSTRUMENTS

About this Manual

This manual provides the information necessary to help customers install and operate the PA1

Power Amplifier. The PA1 Power Amplifier is one component of Bartington Instruments’ One,

Two or Three-Axis Helmholtz Coil System. This manual should therefore be read in conjunction

with:

• Compatible Helmholtz Coils Operation Manuals

• CU1 Control Unit Operation Manual OM3224

• CU2 Closed-Loop Module (if applicable) OM3999

• Helmholtz Coil Control Software OM3596.

All manuals are available from the Helmholtz Coil System Operation Manual page. The relevant

products outline drawings can be found Helmholtz Coil System outline drawing page.

This manual should also be read in conjunction with the product brochure DS2613 which can

also be found on the product page.

Photographs of key components are included, labelled with numbers. A number in the text in

square brackets [ ] refers to that label.

Bartington Instruments cannot advise on the integration of this equipment with any third party

products.

Symbols Glossary

The following symbols used within this manual call your attention to specific types of

information:

WARNING: Indicates a situation in which serious bodily injury or death could result if the

warning is ignored.

Caution: Indicates a situation in which bodily injury or damage to your instrument, or both,

could result if the caution is ignored.

Identifies items that must be disposed of safely to prevent unnecessary damage to the

environment.

Note: A paragraph in this format provides useful supporting information on how to make

better use of your purchase.

BARTINGTON INSTRUMENTS

Safe Use

WARNING: The PA1 Power Amplifier is powered by mains electricity and contains

uninsulated parts. Ensure that the unit is properly earthed at all times. Do not open the

casing or have contact with any internal parts except where following a procedure precisely

as described in this manual. Safety protection will be impaired if the unit is used in a

manner not specified in this manual.

WARNING: The electromagnetic field from this product may interfere with the operation

of pacemakers and other medical devices. Consult your device’s manufacturer before

operation.

WARNING: These products are not qualified for use in explosive atmospheres or life

support systems. Consult Bartington Instruments for advice.

WARNING: Personal injury may result from lifting the PA1 Power Amplifier. Use more than

one person to move this device. It should be carried by each of the four lower corners.

CAUTION: When operated at full power for extended periods of time, thermal cut-out may

be activated to protect the equipment from overheating. Should this occur, the power to the

PA1 will be cut. In such event, it is advised to allow the unit to cool down before restarting

it. To prevent the thermal cut-out from activating, the equipment should be used in a

cooled temperature controlled environment (refer to Section 4.6)

Introduction

The PA1 Power Amplifier is the power amplifier for our Helmholtz Coil System. It delivers power

to the coil so as to generate the appropriate the required field. Additionally a permanent DC

offset can be applied to the Helmholtz Coils via the PA1 front panel DC offset potentiometers.

The following items allow to consitute a complete Helmholtz Coil System:

• HC1, HC2, HC9 or HC16 Helmholtz Coils: an assembly of up to three Helmholtz coils. See

related operation manuals.

• PA1 Power Amplifier.

• CU1 Control Unit: the control unit for the system which enables it to interface with a PC-

based test, measurement and control system. See OM3224.

• Optional CU2 Closed-Loop Module: allows active cancellation of external DC and AC

magnetic field disturbances using the CU2 Reference Magnetometer. See OM3999.

• A National Instrument acquisition card or PXI system.

BARTINGTON INSTRUMENTS

A diagram showing the connection of these separate items into one system is given in Appendix

The PA1 Power Amplifier is available in a number of variants to match the coil assembly it is

being used with:

• PA1-1X, PA-1Y, and PA1-1Z Single Axis versions

• PA1-2XY, PA1-2YZ, and PA1-2XZ Two Axes versions

• PA1-3 Three Axes version





Figure 1. PA1 Power Amplifier Front Panel

1. Upper front panel

2. Current control input (takes input from signal generator)

3. Calibration controls, behind transparent plastic cover

4. Current monitor output

5. Static field offset controls

8 79

2 4

BARTINGTON INSTRUMENTS

6. Fastening screws

7. Rocker switch

8. Lower front panel

9. Centre front panel (grille)

10. Amplifier O/P circuit breakers



16 13

Figure 2. PA1 Power Amplifier Rear Panel

11. Blank ventilation panel

12. Fastening screws

13. Coil drive output to Helmholtz Coils (HC1, HC2, HC9 or HC16)

14. Lower rear panel

15. Circuit breaker

16. Mains power input socket

Compatibility

The PA1 is compatible to use with Bartington Instruments Helmholtz Coils HC1, HC2, HC9 and

HC16). It is also suitable for use with Ferronato™Helmholtz Coils BHC2000. The PA1 can also be

connected to our CU1 Control Unit and/or CU2 Closed-Loop Module.

BARTINGTON INSTRUMENTS





The PA1 has ventilation panels on the front, back and on either side. These should remain

unobstructed to allow air movement through the PA1.

Note: The PA1 should be positioned around 3m away from the Helmholtz Coils to reduce

PA1 distorting and interfering with the magnetic field generated by the Helmholtz Coils.

Note: For optimum results the ambient temperature should not exceed the maximum

specified in the datasheet.

Connecting to the Helmholtz Coils

The compatible Helmholtz Coils are fitted with a cable with a plug for connection to the PA1

Power Amplifier.

The PA1 Power Amplifier and the Helmholtz Coil must be connected before the PA1 is turned on.

The supplied cable is plugged into the Output socket to the Helmholtz Coil on the rear of the PA1

Power Amplifier [13].

Figure 3. Output to Helmholtz Coils

Caution: The coil drive output socket is reserved for the cable connecting the Helmholtz

Coil and the PA1 Power Amplifier. No other connection should be made to this socket.

Note: The amplifier and any other control or measuring equipment must be at least 3m

away from the Helmholtz Coils.

Note: The PA1 Power Amplifier varies for Helmholtz Coils with different numbers of axes.

One, two, and three axis PA1 versions are available. If an HC1 has a greater number of axes

than the PA1 then only the number of axes corresponding to the PA1 can be used.

BARTINGTON INSTRUMENTS

Connecting to the CU1 Control Unit and/or CU2 Closed-Loop Module

Figure 4. Zoom on PA1 Front Panel Input and Output

The PA1 Power Amplifier is connected to the CU1 Control Unit via the current control input [2].

The current monitor output [4], located on the upper front panel of the PA1 Power Amplifier, is

also connected to the CU1.

When using the optional CU2 Closed-Loop Module, the PA1 Power Amplifier is connected to the

CU2 Closed-loop module via the current control input [2]. The current monitor output [4], located

on the upper front panel of the PA1 Power Amplifier, remains directly connected to the CU1.

Note: A diagram showing the interconnection of components of the HCS1 System is given

in Appendix A.

Note: When using CU2 Closed-Loop Module, please refer to the CU2 operation manual for

connections.

Current Control Input and Current Monitor Output are both differential for increased noise

rejection. Ensure to use the interconnecting cables provided with the PA1 and CU1.

WARNING: Do not connect either current control differential inputs or current monitor

differential outputs to ground.

6.3.1. Pin-Outs

Pin-out information for the current control input and the current monitor output can be found on

the PA1 Outline Drawing DR3047 available on our website.

BARTINGTON INSTRUMENTS



Details of suitable power supply for the PA1 Power Amplifier are provided in the product

brochure, with the supply beeing earthed/grounded. The supply from a standard wall outlet

should be suitable in most countries. A compatible mains cable supplied with a UK 13A plug,

an EU plug or bare ends can be specified at the time of ordering. In the latter case, refer to

Appendix B.

A 16A circuit breaker is situated on the rear panel [15] which is suitable for the supply stated in

the product brochure. Contact Bartington Instruments for advice if a lower voltage is to be used.

Figure 5. Mains Circuit Breaker on back panel.



Each amplifier output is fitted with a resettable 20A circuit breaker [10], which protects both the

amplifiers and the coil assembly in the event of a fault. The breakers are normally in the reset

position. If a breaker trips, it can be reset by pressing in the appropriate button on the front

panel. Repeated tripping may be an indication of a system fault.

Figure 6. Amplifier Output circuit breakers

Cooling

The amplifier is fan-cooled so needs an unimpeded airflow from front to rear. A self-resetting

thermal shut-down mechanism will prevent damage through overheating.

BARTINGTON INSTRUMENTS

Caution: If used on full power ensure that the equipment is placed in a cool, controlled

environment to prevent activation of the thermal cut-out.

Caution: The air filter in the front panel [9] should be inspected regularly, and cleaned or

replaced when necessary. See Section 9.



Before powering the system, you should ensure that all the connections between the Helmholtz

Coil and the PA1, the PA1 and the CU1 and/or CU2 as well as the CU1 to a suitable National

Instruments acquisition card (or PXI-system) are done.

Once all connections are done, the following sequence should be used:

• Power the PC and National Instruments acquisition card or PXI system

• If using a CU2, ensure that the CU2 Reference Magnetometer is connected to the CU2 Module

• Power the CU1

• Power the PA1

To power down the system, the reverse sequence should be followed.

Please note that the equipment should be left to warm up for at least 12 hours before any of the

calibration is undertaken.

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