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The Surface DC Voltmeter model SVM2 (Price $290 USD) is a handheld electrostatic voltmeter that measures essentially all the parameters associated with static electricity. Its principle function-- measuring the voltage of a sample or surface without touching it-- is intuitive and the meter can be used for this purpose immediately out of the box. In addition, it has features not found in any other handheld static meter, such as very high sensitivity. Its resolution is one volt at the standard measurement distance of 1" (2.5 cm), making the SVM2 the most sensitive noncontact voltmeter available (other than our Ultrastable Surface Voltmeter, which is 1/10 volt resolution at 1"). This additional sensitivity makes the meter practical for determining other parameters, such as a sample's "ohms per square" and discharge time, and a room's air ion balance. Static charge can even be measured on tiny submillimeter samples (correction formulas are required because of the geometry of small samples). The single range is - 29,999 to +29,999 volts, in one volt steps, which means it can detect a small change even in a high voltage. There is also a user-settable alarm and a peak hold for both + and - voltage peaks, all with ultrafast 0.005 second response. Therefore, the meter can be used to scan large areas quickly for static sources. It will beep if exposed longer than 5 millisec to a voltage (whether + or - polarity) that is higher than the alarm level, which is settable from 10 to 20,000 volts in 300 levels (it can also be muted). Then by pressing the "- Peak Hold" or "+ Peak Hold" button, the meter displays respectively the most negative and most positive voltages that were detected since the last time that the "Reset" button was pressed. The peak hold function can also be used to measure AC voltage (approximately 1/3 the peak-to-peak voltage). These innovations have been incorporated so that the operator can effectively "see" static electricity with greater clarity and speed than has been possible before.
Thus due to its electronic design, the SVM2 is far faster than any other electrostatic voltmeter, but there are also mechanical improvements. The sensor is the metal disk shown on the back surface, and this backside location is not typical of electrostatic voltmeters. The typical sensor location for most meters is on the top, but a top location would require that the user turn the meter upside-down to measure a horizontal surface, such as a bench top. With the backside sensor location, the SVM2 can be held at a more convenient angle; while measuring any surface or object, the display will remain right-side up. The SVM2 also includes a detachable 1" spacer rod to standardize the measurement distance, when required. The rod is attached to a small magnet (center photo) which enables the spacer to adhere to the back surface. If it encounters an obstacle, the rod flips out of the way and then springs back into place. This design avoids damage but allows the operator to "feel" the correct spacing even at a rapid scan speed.
With this meter, all of the following can be measured:
-The amount of charge (or voltage) on surfaces and the effectiveness of antistatic processing. Measuring a tiny fractional change in the
surface voltage is useful because it tells you whether the problem is getting better or worse as a new remedy is tried and modified.
-The location, strength and polarity of all static sources. Because of the speed of this meter, unexpected sources are easily found.
-The number (per square cm per second) of air ions that are hitting a surface, and the effectiveness of ionizers and discharge devices.
-DC Electric field strength in air (also AC, which is 1/3 of the difference between + and - peak hold numbers).
-The approximate conductivity or ohms per square of surfaces.
-The approximate attractive/repulsive force between charged surfaces. (This can be calculated from the readings.)
-Voltage differential through the thickness of an insulating sheet or film.
Full details on how to perform these measurements are here.
This meter is not recommended for long-term automated measurements, such as connection to a data acquisition system. Note that an optional output jack can be ordered, but it is only useful for AC detection, and should be used with an external multimeter or oscilloscope. This meter should be manually reset at least every 20 minutes in case the sensor had acquired any charge, and at very strong ion levels (if a lot of sparking is present), external ions will add enough charge that the reset must be done more frequently. (For a stable electrostatic voltmeter which is chopper stabilized ["field mill"], so it can be used for long-term automated measurements without ever needing to be reset, click here.)
Surface DC Voltmeter Model SVM2: $290. Shipped ready-to-use; standard replaceable 9 volt battery inside. Add to Cart
Hard Carrying Case: $18
Calibration Certificate: $30
Output Jack : $20 (1/8", with plug; analog signal, 2V out = 20 kV actual voltage.)
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