2-10                 Electronic Calibration Modules Reference Guide
Preparing ECal for Use
Operating and Safety Precautions
2-
For more, refer to “N4432D and N4433D Modules (Microwave Four-Port)” 
on page 1-14
Operating and Safety Precautions
Observe the following guidelines before connecting or operating your ECal 
module.
ESD Damage
Protection against electrostatic discharge (ESD) is important while handling 
and operating your ECal module. Static electricity can build up on your body 
and can easily damage sensitive components when discharged. Static 
discharges too small to be felt can cause permanent damage to the unit. To 
prevent damage from ESD:
— Use a grounded anti static mat in front of your test equipment and wear a 
grounded wrist strap attached to it when handling or operating the ECal 
module.
— Wear a heel strap when working in an area with a conductive floor.
— Ground yourself before you clean, inspect, or make a connection to an ECal 
module. You can, for example, grasp the grounded outer shell of the 
analyzer test port or cable connector briefly.
— Avoid touching the center conductor of the test ports. 
For more information about preventing ESD, see “Electrostatic Discharge” on 
page 4-1.
Connector Care 
Because connectors can become defective due to wear during normal use, all 
connectors should be inspected and maintained to maximize their service life. 
For more detailed information, see “Visual Inspection” on page 4-3.
— Inspect the mating surface each time a connection is made. Metal particles 
from connector threads often find their way onto the mating surface when a 
connection is made or disconnected. 
— Clean dirt and contamination from the connector mating surface and 
threads. This simple step can extend the service life of the connector and 
improve the quality of your calibration and measurements. 
— Gage connectors periodically. This not only provides assurance of proper 
mechanical tolerances, and thus connector performance, but can also 
indicate situations where the potential for damage to another connector 
may exist.