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Introduction

The Gaussmeter Calibration Tool is designed to assist in calibrating a gaussmeter using a single-layer solenoid with known dimensions and wire properties. By sending a known and constant current through the solenoid, a uniform magnetic field is created at the solenoid's midpoint, which is ideal for calibration. A single-layer solenoid is preferred over a multi-layer solenoid for accurate Gaussmeter Calibration due to its superior uniformity of the magnetic field at the center, which is essential for precision.

Overview - Magnetism and Magnets - Tools & Calculators

The window is divided into several sections, each dedicated to specific functions:

1. Gaussmeter Calibration: Located on the center-upper left side, this section allows you to calibrate Gaussmeters using solenoid configurations.

2. Magnetic Field Strength Calculator: Located on the lower part of the left side, this section allows you to work with cylindrical magnets and calculate their grade (magnetic strength).

3. Experiment Management: Located on the right side, this section allows you to manage and save your experiments.

Fig. CHEMIX School - Gaussmeter Calibration Tool and a Magnetic Field Strength Calculator

 Gaussmeters Calibration

Using a Solenoid for Gaussmeter Calibration

                                   

• Figures: Two solenoid figures illustrate the key concepts of the calibration.

  • Left Figure (Single Layer Solenoid - Cross-Sectional View): Shows dimensions such as length, radius, diameter, coating coil diameter, coating thickness, and bare wire diameter.
  • Right Figure (Relative Magnetic Field Strength and Gradient): Demonstrates the uniformity of the magnetic field at the center of the coil using a field strength gradient graph.

• Data Entry: Enter solenoid and wire data into the appropriate text fields to automatically perform necessary calculations.

Drop-down Lists:

• Units (Solenoid & Magnet) Frame (located top-center): Common selections for all the three sections.
  • Length: Choose between mm, cm, m, and inches.
  • Magnetic Field: Choose between Tesla and Gauss.
• AWG (Solenoid Section): Select the wire dimension.
• Resistance(DC)  Temperature-list: To adjust the wire resistance due to a higher than default (20°C) wire temperature - select the temperature of the wire.
  
• Grade (Magnet Section): Select the magnet strength.
• Contact Diameter or Contact Area (Pull Force Section): Simplify the calculation of the surface area of Cylindrical magnets by entering the magnet Contact Diameter. For other shapes, use the Contact Area option.

Buttons:

• Clear: Clears the content of the Solenoid related text field, Magnet related text fields or the right text field.
• Auto Calculate: When checked, this enables automatic calculation/approximation of wire coating thickness. If not checked, Bare Wire Diameter and Coated Wire Diameter must be inserted manually.
  
• Copy to Clipboard: Copies the content of all the text fields on the left side of the window to the clipboard.

How to Input data in the Gaussmeter Calibration section:

The calibration tool will try to calculate all keyboard inputs automatically after a key-press. A certain amount of valid parameter-values is needed to correctly return an output. 

Illegal or possible erroneous parameter values:

In an illegal calculation, a red NOTE will appear between the input and output fields.

Coil Input Parameters:

• Wire Dimensions: Coated wire diameter without insulation, wire diameter with insulation, or coating film thickness.
• Coil Diameter: Coil former diameter, coated coil diameter, coil diameter, or radius. Auto Calculate (Checkbox): If checked, the Bar wire diameter and Coated wire diameter will be calculated automatically. If unchecked (auto off), the bare wire diameter must be entered before the coated wire diameter.
• Number of Turns
  
• Coil Length
  
• Axial Distance from Coil Center: The distance from the center of the coil along the x-axis to the measuring point.
  
• Coil Current (A): The constant current delivered from the Power Supply during the experiment.
  

Note: It is possible to manually adjust the resistance in the wire by altering the value in the (Ohm/km)-field.

Coil Output Parameters:

• Magnetic Field: The Magnetic Field, measured at a point given by  "Axial Distance from Coil Center"
  
• Inductance (uH): Press the "Convert to Turns" button to convert inductance to turns.
• DC Resistance (Ohm) - Note: To get an estimate of the approximate coil temperature change this temperature so that the power dissipation matches the power supplied by the Power Supply. 
• Power Dissipation
  
• Wire Length
• Bare Wire Cross-Sectional Area
  
• Winding Compactness Factor: Indicates how tightly the wire is wound (e.g. 1 for 100% tight, 0.5 for 50% tight).
• Maximum Turns (of a Single Layer Solenoid)
• Winding Pitch

Gaussmeter Calibration - Experimental Images - Coil Measured at PSU Terminals

Fig. Power Supply Settings                                                                         Temperature measurement during the experiment
 

Fig. A1302 Hall Effect Sensor placed in the center of the coil.

Things to Consider before, during, and after the Experiment

DC Power Supply Requirements:

• Must deliver a constant current.
• Should display Current (A) , Voltage (V) and Power (W).

Pre-Experiment Preparation:

1. Check Wire Specifications:
   • Review the datasheet for the magnet wire to determine the maximum allowable temperature to avoid damage to the wire coating.
2. Temperature Monitoring:
   • Prepare suitable temperature measuring equipment for measuring the coil temperature during the experiment to ensure it stays within safe limits.

Wire Temperature Estimation Method:

1. Power Measurement:
   • Use the power (W) value displayed by the power-meter on the power supply to estimate the wire temperature.
2. Power Dissipation Matching:
   • Adjust the temperature in the "Wire Resistance" list box until the power dissipation value is close to the experimental value from the power supply.

Sources of Error in the Power Dissipation Calculation:

1. Total Wiring Resistance:
   • The power consumption displayed by the power supply includes the heating of all wiring (internal and external). Therefore connect the coil to the power supply with the shortest wires possible to eliminate additional resistance.
2. Impact of Coil Wire Thickness on the PSU's Power-Meter reading:
   • Thicker coil wires (e.g., 0.8 mm) have less resistance, making the power supply wiring resistance more significant relative to the coil resistance, leading to greater errors.
   • Thinner coil wires (e.g., 0.3 mm) have higher resistance, reducing the relative impact of the power supply wiring resistance on the measurement.

• Ensure proper wire specifications and temperature monitoring.
• Use the power supply readings to estimate wire temperature by adjusting the wire resistance changing the wire temperature (in the software) accordingly.
  
• Minimize errors by keeping the wiring short and close to the power supply outputs.

Fig. Example of Power Supply Internal Resistance Measured at Terminals

Power Dissipation - Error Sources:

1. Optimal Coil Wire Thickness:
   • The coil wire thickness should be less than the thickness of the internal and external wiring of the power supply to minimize errors.

Experiment Management

The section on right side of the window allows you to paste and store clipboard-data or otherwise manage your experiments.
When saving, all the parametric data will be saved along with the text content in the large edit field. By naming and saving the experiment, all the parameters in the Gaussmeter, Cylindrical Magnet, and Pull Force sections will be stored. You can retrieve them later by double-clicking the corresponding list box element

Features:

• Name Experiment: Name the experiment in this text field.

• Experiment List Box: Double click on an selected element to view one of the saved experiments.

• Buttons - Edit list box:

  • Save - Before: Save your current experiment before/above the selected list-box element.
  • Save - After: Save your current experiment after/below the selected list-box element..
    
  • Delete: Delete selected list box element/experiment.
  • Replace: Replace the selected experiment with the text content in the big text field.
• Clear Text Field: Clears the text field for new input.

• Text Field: Large text area suitable for storing notes or storing results using the Copy to Clipboard option on the left side of the window.

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