User's Guide
RF EMF Strength Meter
Model 480836
1.0 - Safety Information
CAUTION
• Before making a measurement, check if the low battery symbol ( + ) is
shown on the display when the meter is switched on. Replace the
battery if the symbol is displayed.
• In the case of prolonged storage, it is preferable to remove the battery from
the meter.
• Avoid shaking the meter, particularly in the measurement mode.
• The accuracy and function of the meter may be adversely affected by
exceeding the specified limits as well as by improper handling.
DANGER!
• Use caution when working in the vicinity of powerful radiation sources.
• Persons with electronic implants (e.g. cardiac pacemakers) should avoid
powerful radiation sources.
• Observe the local safety regulations.
• Observe the operating instructions for equipment that is used to generate or
conduct electromagnetic energy.
• Be aware that secondary radiators (e.g. reflective objects such as a metallic
fence) can cause a local amplification of the field.
• Be aware that the field strength in the near vicinity of radiators increases
proportionally to the inverse cube of the distance. This means that enormous
field strengths can result in the immediate vicinity of small radiation sources
(e.g. leak in waveguides, inductive ovens).
• Field strength measuring devices can underrate pulsed signals, particularly with
radar signals in which case significant measurement errors can arise.
• All field strength measuring devices have a limited specified frequency range.
Fields with spectral components outside of this frequency range are generally
incorrectly evaluated and tend to be underrated. Before using field strength
measuring devices, you should thus be certain that all field components to be
measured lie in the specified frequency range of the measuring device.
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2.0 - Introduction
2-1 Fundamentals
Electromagnetic Radiation
This meter is used to indicate radiated electromagnetic fields. Wherever there is
a voltage or a current, electric (E) and magnetic (H) fields arise. Examples
include the electromagnetic fields from radio broadcasting and TV transmitters.
Electric Field Strength
This is a field vector quantity that represents the force (F) on an infinitesimal unit
positive test charge (q) at a point divided by that charge. Electric field strength is
expressed in units of volts per meter (V/m).
Use the units of electric field strength for measurements in the following situations:
• In the near-field area of the source
• Where the nature of the electromagnetic field is unknown
Magnetic field strength (H) :
This is a field vector that is equal to the magnetic flux density divided by the
permeability of the medium. Magnetic field strength is expressed in units of
amperes per meter (A/m).
Power density (S) :
Power per unit area in the direction of propagation, usually expressed in units of
watts per square meter (W/m2) or, for convenience, units such as milliwatts per
square centimeter (mW/cm2).
The characteristic of electromagnetic fields :
Electromagnetic fields propagate as waves and travel at the speed of light (c).
The wavelength is proportional to the frequency.
λ(wavelength) =
Near-field is assumed if the distance to the field source is less than three
wavelengths. For far-fields, the distance is more than three wavelengths. In the
near-field, the ratio of electric field strength (E) and magnetic field strength (H) is
not constant, so measure each separately. In the far-field, however, it is enough
to just measure one field quantity, and compute the other accordingly.
2-2 Application
High frequency (RF) electromagnetic wave field strength measurement
Mobile phone base station antenna radiation power density measurement
Wireless communication applications (CW, TDMA, GSM, DECT)
RF power measurement for transmitters
Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) detection, installation
Spy camera, wireless bug finder
Cellular/Cordless phone radiation safety level
Microwave oven leakage detection
Personal, environmental EMF safety
c (speed of light)
f (frequency)
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2-3 Features
This meter is a broadband device for monitoring high-frequency radiation in the specific
ranges of 900MHz, 1800MHz, and 2.7GHz. Other measurements can be made, for
reference purposes only, using the entire range of 50MHz to 3.5GHz. The nondirectional electric field and high sensitivity also allow measurements of electric field
strength in TEM cells and absorber rooms.
The unit of measurement and the measurement types are expressed in units of electrical
and magnetic field strength and power density.
At high frequencies, the power density is of particular significance. It provides a measure
of the power absorbed by a person exposed to the field. This power level must be kept
as low as possible at high frequencies. The meter can be set to display the
instantaneous value, the maximum value measured or the average value. Instantaneous
and maximum value measurements are useful for orientation, e.g. when first entering an
exposed area.
Measurements in the specific frequency ranges of 900MHz, 1800MHz, and 2.7GHz
For isotropic measurements of electromagnetic fields
Non-directional (isotropic) measurement with three-channel measurement sensor
High dynamic range due to three-channel digital processing
Configurable alarm threshold and memory function
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3.0 - Specifications
3-1 General Specifications
• Measurement method: Digital, triaxial measurement.
• Directional characteristic: Isotropic, triaxial.
• Measurement ranges: One continuous range
• Display resolution: 0.1mV/m, 0.1μA/m, 0.1μW/m
• Setting time: Typically 1s (0 to 90% of measurement value).
• Display refresh rate: Typically 0.5 seconds
• Display type: 4-digit Liquid-crystal display (LCD)
• Audible alarm: Buzzer.
• Units: mV/m, V/m, μA/m, mA/m, μW/m
2
, mW/m2, W/m2, μW/cm
• Display value: Instantaneous measured value, maximum value, or maximum
average value.
• Alarm function: Adjustable threshold with ON/OFF.
• Manual data memory and read storage: 99 data sets.
• Dry batteries: 9V NEDA 1604/1604A
• Battery life: > 15 hours
• Auto power off: 15 minutes.
• Operating temperature range: 0°C to +50°C
• Operating humidity range: 25% to 75%RH
• Storage temperature range: -10°C to +60°C
• Storage humidity range: 0% to 80%RH
• Dimensions: Approx. 60(W)×60(T)×237(L)mm.
• Weight (including battery): Approx. 200g
• Accessories: Instruction manual, battery, carrying case.
2
, 0.001μW/cm2
2,
mW/cm2
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3-2 Electrical Specifications
Unless otherwise stated, the following specifications hold under the following
conditions:
• The meter is located in the far-field of a source, the sensor head is pointed towards
the source.
• Ambient temperature: +23℃±3℃
• Relative air humidity: 25% to 75%
Sensor type: Electrical field (E)
Frequency ranges: 900MHz, 1800MHz, and 2.7GHz (measurements can be made, for
reference purposes only, using the entire range of 50MHz to 3.5GHz)
Specified measurement range:
• CW signal (f > 900MHz): 20mV/m to 108.0V/m ,
53μA/m to 286.4mA/m,
2
1μW/m
to 30.93W/m2,
2
0μW/cm
to 3.093mW/cm2
Dynamic range: Typically 75dB
Absolute error at 1 V/m and 50 MHz: ±1.0dB
Frequency response:
• Sensor (taking into account typical CAL factors):
±1.0dB (900MHz, 1800MHz)
±2.4dB (2.7GHz)
• Isotropy deviation: Typically ±1.0dB (f>900MHz)
2
• Overload limit: 10.61mW/cm
(200V/m)
• Thermal response (0 to 50℃): ±0.2dB
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