AlphaLab TriField EM100 - User Manual

Safety and Warnings
WARNING - Exercise care when plugging and
unplugging these power cords. They carry potentially
lethal voltages. Never touch or use this equipment in
or around water or in conditions where water has
condensed on or around the equipment or any of its
test leads (AC power cord). Do not use this equipment
if the test leads (AC power cord) are damaged.
WARNING - There are no user serviceable parts in
this equipment. Opening the back cover will expose
potentially lethal voltages. Refer all repairs and
concerns to the manufacturer, AlphaLab, Inc., or
authorized representative.
WARNING - Use only UL approved, 2-conductor, 18
AWG, NEMA 1-15P to IEC 320-C7, 120 or 250 VAC
power cord. Do not use other power cords. Never
remove the ground pin from a 3-conductor cord as
replacement for approved 2-conductor cord!
WARNING - Using this meter in a manner not
specified by the manufacturer or outside the
environmental limits may impair the safety protection
provided by the equipment.
This meter is safe under the following limits:
• Indoor use ONLY
• Temperatures from 5° to 40° Celcius
• Humidity 0-80% up to 31° C decreasing linearly to
50% at 40° C
• Main Power Supply (Wall outlet or mains)
110-240VAC, line fluctuations not to exceed ±10%
The Line EMI Meter by AlphaLab, Inc. measures
electromagnetic interference (EMI) in single-phase,
110-240 VAC 50/60Hz power lines. It plugs into a
wall outlet or mains socket and requires no battery
or additional external power source.
This meter measures the total line noise present on
the power outlet (differential noise between hot and
neutral) into which the unit is plugged. This noise is
displayed as a peak-to-peak value in millivolts
(RMS x 2.82). A yellow signal-strength bar also
displays the EMI noise and a speaker plays the
sound of the noise.
Hold the meter firmly in one hand and plug the
smaller, female end (IEC-320-C7) of the supplied
cord into the base of the meter.
The range is 0.1 mV to 1999.9 mV peak-to-peak in
frequencies from 10 kHz to 10 MHz. 50Hz and 60Hz
power frequencies are ignored. Only noise
frequencies above 10kHz and below 10 MHz are
measured.
Description
Setup
Setup Continued
Reading the Color LCD Display:
Average AC
Voltage
Yellow
Signal-Strength Bar
Noise Level in p-p millivolts (RMS x 2.82)
10kHz - 10MHz
The supplied power/test cord is reversible and may
be plugged into the wall in either direction. Plug the
larger, male end (NEMA 1-15P) of this cord into the
wall outlet or mains. An adapter plug may be needed
outside of the United States.
The speaker sound will build to its
correct level over a three-second
period to avoid a power spike. The
meter will now automatically display
the noise on that power line.

Summary

Safety and Warnings

Important Safety Warnings

Consolidates critical warnings regarding safe usage, environmental limits, and internal components.

Description

Setup

Reading the Color LCD Display

Explains the meter's display, including noise level and AC voltage readings.

Expected Noise Levels and Filtering EMI

Specifications

Warranty

Questions?

Line EMI Monitor Quick Start Guide and Information

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Important Technical Specifications
3. Usage Features
4. Maintenance Features

The Line EMI Meter by AlphaLab, Inc. is a device designed to measure electromagnetic interference (EMI) in single-phase, 110-240 VAC 50/60Hz power lines. It operates by plugging directly into a wall outlet or mains socket and does not require a battery or any external power source.

Function Description:

The primary function of this meter is to measure the total line noise present on the power outlet. Specifically, it measures differential noise between the hot and neutral lines. The measured noise is displayed as a peak-to-peak value in millivolts (RMS x 2.82) on a color LCD display. In addition to the numerical display, a yellow signal-strength bar visually represents the EMI noise, and a built-in speaker plays the sound of the noise. The device is designed to ignore 50Hz and 60Hz power frequencies, focusing solely on noise frequencies above 10 kHz and below 10 MHz. The speaker sound builds to its correct level over a three-second period to avoid power spikes, and the meter automatically displays the noise on the power line once plugged in.

Important Technical Specifications:

• Measurement Range: 0.1 mV to 1999.9 mV peak-to-peak.
• Frequency Range: Measures noise from 10 kHz to 10 MHz.
• Operating Voltage: 85-300 VAC 50/60Hz.
• Average Voltage Read Accuracy: ± 1 VAC.
• Line Noise Range: 0.1-1999.9 mV peak-to-peak.
• Refresh Rate: 4 times per second.
• Noise Read Accuracy: ±8% from 20kHz to 2MHz (within a factor of two from 10kHz to 10MHz).
• Dimensions: 5.2 x 3.6 x 1.6 inches (132 x 91 x 41 mm).
• Weight: 8 ounces.
• Power Source: 110-240VAC, line fluctuations not to exceed ±10%.
• Environmental Limits:
  • Indoor use ONLY.
  • Temperatures: 5° to 40° Celsius.
  • Humidity: 0-80% up to 31° C, decreasing linearly to 50% at 40° C.

Usage Features:

• Setup: To set up the meter, hold it firmly in one hand and plug the smaller, female end (IEC-320-C7) of the supplied cord into the base of the meter. The supplied power/test cord is reversible, allowing it to be plugged into the wall in either direction. The larger, male end (NEMA 1-15P) of this cord is then plugged into the wall outlet or mains. An adapter plug may be required for use outside of the United States.
• Reading the Display: The color LCD display shows the "Noise Level in p-p millivolts (RMS x 2.82)" for frequencies between 10kHz and 10MHz. It also includes a "Yellow Signal-Strength Bar" and the "Average AC Voltage."
• Portability: The meter can be easily unplugged from one outlet and moved to another to take readings on different power outlets without needing to remove the opposite end from the meter.
• Dynamic Readings: Readings may change and be inconsistent, varying by time of day or throughout the week.
• Low Noise Indication: A reading below 50.0 mVp-p is considered low noise. Higher levels may indicate interference with sensitive equipment and potential electromagnetic pollution.
• EMI Filtering: The manual suggests that EMI filters are readily available and effective at reducing power line noise. These filters typically use passive electronic components to attenuate conducted radio frequencies and electromagnetic interference.
• Unplugging: It is recommended to unplug the meter when not actively measuring.

Maintenance Features:

• Safety Warnings:
  • The meter should only be used indoors within specified temperature and humidity ranges.
  • Care must be exercised when plugging and unplugging power cords due to potentially lethal voltages.
  • The equipment should never be used in or around water, or in conditions where water has condensed on or around the equipment or its test leads.
  • Do not use the equipment if the test leads (AC power cord) are damaged.
  • There are no user-serviceable parts inside the equipment. Opening the back cover is warned against as it exposes potentially lethal voltages. All repairs and concerns should be directed to the manufacturer, AlphaLab, Inc., or an authorized representative.
  • Only UL approved, 2-conductor, 18 AWG, NEMA 1-15P to IEC 320-C7, 120 or 250 VAC power cords should be used. Other power cords are not recommended. Removing the ground pin from a 3-conductor cord as a replacement for an approved 2-conductor cord is also prohibited.
• Warranty: AlphaLab, Inc. offers a one-year limited warranty from the date of purchase under normal use and service for all AlphaLab meters. For questions regarding the meter's function, users are directed to visit trifield.com/support or email support@trifield.com.
• Support: Toll-free support is available in the USA at 1-800-658-7030 (or 1-801-487-9492) on weekdays from 9am-5pm MST.
• Manufacturing: The Line EMI Meter is manufactured in the USA by AlphaLab, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT.

AlphaLab TriField EM100 Specifications