Instrument care and preventive maintenance consist occasional cleaning of the instrument, inspecting and cleaning the RF connectors and all accessories before use..
Caution
Do not operate or store the power measurement equipment in extreme environments. Refer to the instrument Technical Data Sheet for the specified operating and storage conditions,
Connector Care
Clean the instrument with a soft, lint-free cloth dampened with water or water with a mild cleaning solution. Clean the RF connectors and center pins with a cotton swab dampened with denatured alcohol. Visually inspect the connectors. The fingers of the female connectors and the pins of the male connectors should be unbroken and uniform in appearance. If you are unsure whether the connectors are undamaged, gauge the connectors to confirm that the dimensions are correct.
Visually inspect the test port cables. The test port cable should be uniform in appearance and not stretched, kinked, dented, or broken.
Visually inspect connectors for general wear, cleanliness, and for damage such as bent pins or connector rings. Repair or replace damaged connectors immediately. Dirty connectors can limit the accuracy of your measurements. Damaged connectors can harm the instrument. Connection of cables carrying an electrostatic potential, excess power, or excess voltage can damage the connector, the instrument, or both.
To prevent damage to your instrument, do not use pliers or wrenches to tighten connectors. Inadequate torque settings can affect measurement accuracy. Over-tightening connectors can cause damage to the connector or instrument, Refer to the connector type torque settings listed in Table: Connector Wrench Requirements – Torque Wrenches and Settings – Open End Wrenches.
Connecting
Connect RF connectors as follows:
1. Carefully align the connectors. The male connector center pin must slip concentrically into the contact fingers of the female connector.
2. Align and push connectors straight together. Do not twist or screw them together. A slight resistance can usually be felt as the center conductors mate.
3. To tighten, turn the connector nut, not the connector body. Damage can occur to the center conductor and to the outer conductor if the connector body is twisted.
4. If you use a torque wrench, initially tighten by hand so that approximately 1/8 turn or 45 degrees of rotation remains for the final tightening with the torque wrench.
5. Relieve any side pressure on the connection (such as from long or heavy cables) in order to assure consistent torque.
6. Use an open‑end wrench to keep the connector body from turning while tightening with the torque wrench.
Disconnecting
Disconnect RF connectors as follows:
1. If a wrench is needed, use an open‑end wrench to keep the connector body from turning while loosening with a second wrench.
2. Complete the disconnection by hand, turning only the connector nut.
3. Pull the connectors straight apart without twisting or bending.
Connector Wrench Requirements – Torque Wrenches and Settings – Open End Wrenches
Connector Type
Torque Wrench Size
Torque Specification
Open End Wrench
N
19 mm (3/4 in)
12 lbf·in (1.35 N·m)
Twist-on connector version, therefore no torque setting. Align connectors, thread, and then twist on until finger tight. Do not use a wrench or pliers to tighten.
K (2.92 mm)
8 mm (5/16 in)
8 lbf·in (0.90 N·m)
5/16 in. or 8 mm
V (1.85 mm)
8 mm (5/16 in)
8 lbf·in (0.90 N·m)
5/16 in. or 8 mm
W1 (1 mm)
6 mm
0.45 N·m (4 lbf·in)
6 mm x 7 mm
0.8 (0.8 mm)
6 mm
0.45 N·m (4 lbf·in)
6 mm x 7 mm
Mechanical Shock
Handle power measurement devices with care. Avoid dropping, tossing, or allowing any form of mechanical shock that will compromise the power measurement accuracy.
ESD Caution
The power sensors and Power Master, like other high performance instruments, are susceptible to electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage. Coaxial cables and antennas often build up a static charge, which (if allowed to discharge by connecting directly to the instrument without discharging the static charge) may damage the PowerXpert input circuitry. Instrument operators must be aware of the potential for ESD damage and take all necessary precautions.
Operators should exercise practices outlined within industry standards such as JEDEC-625 (EIA-625), MIL-HDBK-263, and MIL-STD-1686, which pertain to ESD and ESDS devices, equipment, and practices. Because these apply to the PowerXpert, it is recommended that any static charges that may be present be dissipated before connecting coaxial cables or antennas to the instrument. This may be as simple as temporarily attaching a short or load device to the cable or antenna prior to attaching to the PowerXpert. It is important to remember that the operator may also carry a static charge that can cause damage. Following the practices outlined in the above standards will ensure a safe environment for both personnel and equipment.