Bird Technologies 4314B User Manual
RF DIRECTIONAL
THRULINE
Model 4314B
®
WATTMETER
©Copyright 2012
Instruction Book Part Number 920-4314B Rev. F
by Bird Electronic Corporation
Thruline is a registered trademark of
Bird Electronic Corporation
Safety Precautions
The following are general safety precautions that are not necessarily related to
any specific part or procedure, and do not necessarily appear elsewhere in this
publication. These precautions must be thoroughly understood and apply to all
phases of operation and maintenance.
WARNING
Keep Away From Live Circuits
Operating Personnel must at all times observe general safety precautions. Do
not replace components or make adjustments to the inside of the test
equipment with the high voltage supply turned on. To avoid casualties, always
remove power.
WARNING
Shock Hazard
Do not attempt to remove the RF transmission line while RF power is present.
WARNING
Do Not Service Or Adjust Alone
Under no circumstances should any person reach into an enclosure for the
purpose of service or adjustment of equipment except in the presence of
someone who is capable of rendering aid.
WARNING
Safety Earth Ground
An uninterruptible earth safety ground must be supplied from the main power
source to test instruments. Grounding one conductor of a two conductor
power cable is not sufficient protection. Serious injury or death can occur if
this grounding is not properly supplied.
WARNING
Resuscitation
Personnel working with or near high voltages should be familiar with modern
methods of resuscitation.
WARNING
Remove Power
Observe general safety precautions. Do not open the instrument with the
power on.
iii
Safety Symbols
WARNING
Warning notes call attention to a procedure, which if not correctly performed,
could result in personal injury.
CAUTION
Caution notes call attention to a procedure, which if not correctly performed,
could result in damage to the instrument.
Note: Calls attention to supplemental information.
Warning Statements
The following safety warnings appear in the text where there is danger to operating and maintenance personnel, and are repeated here for emphasis.
WARNING
Exposure to RF power radiation and the possibility of RF shock or burns exists
with some operating conditions. Always be sure to turn off the transmitter
when connecting or disconnecting a wattmeter.
Be sure the transmission line is terminated into a load or antenna.
When a Plug-In Element is removed from the RF line socket, the line section
center conductor is exposed. Do not put fingers or other objects into the
Plug-In Element socket while RF power is applied.
On pages 3 and 11.
WARNING
Always be sure transmitter power is off before disconnecting the unit from
the transmission line.
On page 20.
Caution Statements
The following equipment cautions appear in the text and are repeated here for
emphasis.
CAUTION
Do not drop the Thruline Wattmeter or its elements or subject them to hard
blows. The microammeter is shock mounted in the wattmeter housing, but its
delicate
On page 3.
iv
mechanism may be damaged by severe impact.
CAUTION
Severe damage to the Plug-In Element or wattmeter can result from exposure
to excessive RF power. Make sure the Plug-In Element installed in the
wattmeter has a sufficiently high wattage rating to handle the line load when it
is first applied to the RF line.
On page 4.
CAUTION
Use reasonable care in handling. Do not drop or subject the wattmeter or
elements to hard blows as accuracy may be impaired or other damage may
result.
On pages 11 and 21.
CAUTION
Do not apply RF power to the wattmeter in excess of the full scale range of the
element.
On page 11.
CAUTION
When making low reflection readings using a more sensitive element, take care
to insert the element so that it senses reflected power only. Do not rotate the
element in the socket so that it is subjected to forward power. This can result in
damage to the Plug-In Element, the microammeter, or both.
On page 16.
CAUTION
If other than Female N type connectors are used, limit power and frequency to
the capabilities of the RF coaxial cable or connectors used. Damage to
connectors or errors in reading could result.
On page 26.
v
Safety Statements
USAGE
ANY USE OF THIS INSTRUMENT IN A MANNER NOT
SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER MAY IMPAIR THE
INSTRUMENT’S SAFETY PROTECTION.
USO
EL USO DE ESTE INSTRUMENTO DE MANERA NO
ESPECIFICADA POR EL FABRICANTE, PUEDE ANULAR LA
PROTECCIÓN DE SEGURIDAD DEL INSTRUMENTO.
BENUTZUNG
WIRD DAS GERÄT AUF ANDERE WEISE VERWENDET ALS VOM
HERSTELLER BESCHRIEBEN, KANN DIE GERÄTESICHERHEIT
BEEINTRÄCHTIGT WERDEN.
UTILISATION
TOUTE UTILISATION DE CET INSTRUMENT QUI N’EST PAS
EXPLICITEMENT PRÉVUE PAR LE FABRICANT PEUT
ENDOMMAGER LE DISPOSITIF DE PROTECTION DE
L’INSTRUMENT.
IMPIEGO
QUALORA QUESTO STRUMENTO VENISSE UTILIZZATO IN
MODO DIVERSO DA COME SPECIFICATO DAL PRODUTTORE
LA PROZIONE DI SICUREZZA POTREBBE VENIRNE
COMPROMESSA.
vi
SERVICE
SERVICING INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOR USE BY SERVICE TRAINED PERSONNEL ONLY. TO AVOID DANGEROUS
ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT PERFORM ANY SERVICING
UNLESS QUALIFIED TO DO SO.
SERVICIO
LAS INSTRUCCIONES DE SERVICIO SON PARA USO
EXCLUSIVO DEL PERSONAL DE SERVICIO CAPACITADO. PARA
EVITAR EL PELIGRO DE DESCARGAS ELÉCTRICAS, NO
REALICE NINGÚN SERVICIO A MENOS QUE ESTÉ
CAPACITADO PARA HACERIO.
WARTUNG
ANWEISUNGEN FÜR DIE WARTUNG DES GERÄTES GELTEN
NUR FÜR GESCHULTES FACHPERSONAL.
ZUR VERMEIDUNG GEFÄHRLICHE, ELEKTRISCHE SCHOCKS,
SIND WARTUNGSARBEITEN AUSSCHLIEßLICH VON
QUALIFIZIERTEM SERVICEPERSONAL DURCHZUFÜHREN.
ENTRENTIEN
L’EMPLOI DES INSTRUCTIONS D’ENTRETIEN DOIT ÊTRE
RÉSERVÉ AU PERSONNEL FORMÉ AUX OPÉRATIONS
D’ENTRETIEN. POUR PRÉVENIR UN CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE
DANGEREUX, NE PAS EFFECTUER D’ENTRETIEN SI L’ON N’A
PAS ÉTÉ QUALIFIÉ POUR CE FAIRE.
ASSISTENZA TECNICA
LE ISTRUZIONI RELATIVE ALL’ASSISTENZA SONO PREVISTE
ESCLUSIVAMENTE PER IL PERSONALE OPPORTUNAMENTE
ADDESTRATO. PER EVITARE PERICOLOSE SCOSSE
ELETTRICHE NON EFFETTUARRE ALCUNA RIPARAZIONE A
MENO CHE QUALIFICATI A FARLA.
vii
RF VOLTAGE MAY BE PRESENT IN RF ELEMENT SOCKET - KEEP
ELEMENT IN SOCKET DURING OPERA TION.
DE LA TENSION H.F. PEAT ÊTRE PRÉSENTE DANS LA PRISE DE
L'ÉLÉMENT H.F. - CONSERVER L'ÉLÉMENT DANS LA PRISE LORS
DE L'EMPLOI.
HF-SPANNUNG KANN IN DER HF-ELEMENT-BUCHSE ANSTEHEN ELEMENT WÄHREND DES BETRIEBS EINGESTÖPSELT LASSEN.
PUEDE HABER VOL TAJE RF EN EL ENCHUFE DEL ELEMENTO RF MANTENGA EL ELEMENTO EN EL ENCHUFE DURANTE LA
OPERACION.
IL PORTAELEMENTO RF PUÒ PRESENTARE VOLTAGGIO RF TENERE L'ELEMENTO NELLA PRESA DURANTE IL
FUNZIONAMENTO.
viii
About This Manual
This manual covers the operating and maintenance instructions for the following models:
4314B
Changes to this Manual
We have made every effort to ensure this manual is accurate. If you discover any
errors, or if you have suggestions for improving this manual, please send your
comments to our Solon, Ohio factory. This manual may be periodically updated.
When inquiring about updates to this manual refer to the part number and revision on the title page.
Literature Contents
Chapter Layout
Introduction - Describes the features of the Thruline wattmeter, lists equip-
ment supplied and optional equipment.
Installation - Describes how set up the Thruline wattmeter.
Operating Instructions - Describes procedures required for operating the
wattmeter.
Maintenance - Lists routine maintenance tasks as well as troubleshooting for
common problems. Specifications and parts information are also included.
ix
x
Table of Contents
Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Safety Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Warning Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Caution Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Safety Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
About This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
Changes to this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
Literature Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
Chapter Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
Chapter 1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Purpose and Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Performance Characteristics and Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Power Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Additional Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Chapter 2 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Portability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Chapter 3 Theory of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Traveling Wave Viewpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Coupling Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Peak Power Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Component Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Chapter 4 Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Zero Adjust Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Plug-In Element Selection and Insertion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
CW Power Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Peak Power Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Load power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Determining VSWR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Making Low Reflection Readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Testing Lines, Connectors, Filters & Related Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Attenuation By Open Or Short Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Measuring Percentage Of Positive Modulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Performance Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Shutdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
xiii
Chapter 5 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Preventative Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Line Section Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Battery Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Testing the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Replacing the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Replacing the Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Replacing the Instrumentation Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Replacing the Quick-Change Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Calibrating the Wattmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Customer Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
*Available QC Type Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
xiv
Chapter 1 Introduction
Purpose and Function
The Model 4314B Thruline Wattmeter is an insertion- type RF wattmeter
designed to measure power flow and load match in 50 ohm coaxial transmission
lines. It is intended for use on CW, AM, FM, SSB, TV, and pulse signals only.
Description
The Model 4314B Thruline Wattmeter is a portable unit contained in a die cast
aluminum housing. The unit is equipped with a plastic strap for carrying, four
rubber shock feet on the base, and four rubber bumpers on the back which
allow the unit to stand vertical or lie flat in a horizontal position when used. For
additional protection, the microammeter is specially shock mounted. A slotted
screw is provided on the lower front face of the meter for zeroing the pointer.
The RF line section face below the meter protrudes slightly from the wattmeter
housing with the Plug-In Element socket in the center. The circuit module is
mounted on the line section inside the housing. It has an attached phosphor
bronze spring contact finger, which protrudes through a lateral hole and into the
Plug-In Element socket on the RF line section. The finger has a button on its end
which makes connection with the contacts of the Plug-in Element. The silverplated brass RF line section is precision made to provide the best possible
impedance match to the coaxial RF transmission line in which the wattmeter is
inserted. At each end of the line section are Bird Quick-Change type RF connectors, which may be quickly interchanged with any other Bird “QC” connectors.
Performance Characteristics and Capabilities
To make measurements, insert a Plug-In Element into the line section socket and
rotate it to either stop. Point the element arrow in the source to load direction of
power flow and the meter will display a reading of forward power. Rotate the element so that the arrow is pointed in the opposite direction to obtain a reflected
power reading. With known values of forward and reflected power the load match
can now be determined by calculating the VSWR or by using the graphs supplied in
this manual (Figure 5 on page 14 and Figure 6 on page 15).
Setting the front panel toggle switch to peak mode gives the wattmeter the
capability of indicating peak pulse or envelope power.
1
Power Requirements
The Model 4314B can operate from two different power sources. The wattmeter
comes supplied with two 9 V alkaline batteries which typically provide 20 hours
of operation. An AC wall supply is also available for use with either a 115 or 230
VAC li ne.
Additional Equipment
The only additional equipment required by the Model 4314B is a Plug-In Element (see table below). Most of them are designed to read both average and
peak power. Some are designed exclusively for peak reading application.
2
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