Single Electrode Dielectric/Conductivity Sensor Lambient TechnologiesTM

Single Electrode Dielectric/Conductivity Sensor

Specifications

Figure 1
8-mm diameter unsheathed (left) / 0.5-inch diameter sheathed (right)
single electrode reusable dielectric sensors

DESCRIPTION
Suitable for R&D, QA/QC and manufacturing applications with repetitive
operations, the 8-mm dia. unsheathed and 0.5-inch dia. sheathed single electrode sensors
are designed for use in presses, molds or harsh environments where a tiny, reusable
dielectric sensor is desired. They may be mounted so the electrode is flush with a platen
or mold surface, insuring no interference with the flow of material during processing.
These sensors are constructed with a stainless steel electrode embedded in a high
temperature polymer insulator. An optional thermocouple may be positioned in the
sensor cable just behind the sensor head to allow approximate measurement of process
temperatures.
The 8-mm sensor is rated for operation up to 200 °C, and its dielectric and
thermocouple signals are routed through a 10-foot (3 m) long Viton tubing to a standard
dielectric connector. The 0.5-inch sensor is rated for operation up to 250°C uses a 10-
foot (3 m) long steel conduit.
The single electrode of the 8-mm and 0.5-inch sensors requires a nearby grounded
metal surface for proper sensor operation. The configuration is effectively a set of
parallel plate electrodes which needs correct determination of A/D ratio and base
capacitance for accurate calibration. A/D ratio and base capacitance are typically
measured experimentally and depend on exact mold and mounting configuration.

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SPECIFICATIONS (Available with side or rear exit conduit)

8 mm unsheathed 0.5” sheathed
Dimensions
Diameter : 8.0 mm nominal 12.6 mm (0.5 inch) nominal
Height : 11.0 mm nominal 14.3 mm (0.563 inch) nominal
Length, conduit : 10’ (3 m) nominal 10’ (3 m) nominal
Diameter, electrode : 6.0 mm 6.0 mm
Area, electrode : 0.282 cm2 0.282 cm2
Conduit Configuration : Side exit/rear exit Rear exit only

Composition:
Electrode : Stainless steel Stainless steel
Insulator : Vespel Vespel
Conduit : Viton Steel
Cabling : Teflon insulated Teflon insulated
Operational:
Temperature, maximum : 200 °C (392 °F) 250 °C (482 °F)
Sensor Parameters:
A/D ratio : 0.282 cm2 / (mold gap in cm)
Note—A/D ratio is typically determined
empirically and varies with exact mold
and mounting configuration
Base capacitance : Determined empirically
Thermocouple : None

Measurement, mid-con mode:

Log Conductivity : Range varies with A/D ratio
Log Ion Viscosity : Range varies with A/D ratio
Log Loss Factor : Range varies with A/D ratio
Permittivity : Not recommended for accurate measurement
of permittivity, although trends are indicative

Lambient Technologies L.L.C.

649 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
(857) 242-3963
http://www.lambient.com
[email protected]

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Single Electrode Dielectric/Conductivity Sensor Lambient TechnologiesTM

OPERATING MODES
The single electrode sensors may be used with all Lambient Technologies
dielectric instruments in either mid-conductivity or high-conductivity mode. The sensor
makes a bulk measurement of material between its single electrode and the surrounding
metal, typically the opposite platen of the mold, in a parallel-plate configuration. The
calibration factor for single electrode sensors is the A/D ratio, which refers to the ratio of
the area of a parallel plate electrode divided by the distance between the plates. In the
ideal case where mold separation distance D is much less than the electrode radius R, the
A/D ratio for the 8 mm sensor is given by equation 1:
(eq. 1) A/D = Area of electrode / plate separation

Where: A = π * R2 = 0.282 cm2

D = separation of mold platens (cm)
R = electrode radius = 0.3 cm

And: D << R

Note that the A/D ratio has units of cm for use with CureView software.
Because fringing electric fields to the surrounding mold make equation 1 less accurate for
larger values of D, the A/D ratio and base capacitance are most accurately determined
experimentally.
For proper use of single electrode sensors, the metal platen holding the sensor
must be grounded. The ground of the platen must be connected to the chassis ground of
the dielectric measurement instrumentation as shown in Figure 2. If an upper platen is
used, it must be grounded, also.

FRINGING UPPER PLATEN

ELECTRIC FIELD (GROUNDED)

ELECTRIC FIELD

LOWER
PLATEN
(GROUNDED)

SENSOR SENSOR
INSTRUMENT
INSTRUMENT INSTRUMENT
GROUND
EXCITATION EXCITATION

Figure 2
Proper grounding of platens or mold

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SIDE EXIT 8-mm SENSOR FORM FACTOR

The side-exit 8-mm sensor has the dimensions shown in Figure 3. Dimensions in
brackets are in mm. Dimensions not in brackets are in inches.

[ 4.4 ]
0.173

[ 5.6 ]
0.220

Figure 3
Dimensions of side exit 8-mm sensor

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Single Electrode Dielectric/Conductivity Sensor Lambient TechnologiesTM

REAR EXIT 8-mm SENSOR FORM FACTOR

The rear-exit 8-mm sensor has the dimensions shown in Figure 4. Dimensions in
brackets are in mm. Dimensions not in brackets are in inches.

Figure 4
Dimensions of rear exit 8-mm sensor

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REAR EXIT 0.5-inch SENSOR FORM FACTOR

The rear-exit 0.5-inch sensor has the dimensions shown in Figure 6. Dimensions
in brackets are in mm. Dimensions not in brackets are in inches.

Figure 6
Dimensions of rear exit 0.5-inch sensor

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INSTALLATION
The single electrode sensors are designed for optimal mounting from the rear side
of a mold or platen as shown in Figure 7. It is recommended that silicone lubricant be
applied to the side of the sensor before installation, to facilitate removal when necessary.
It is important to support the rear side of the sensor to prevent high pressures from
pushing it into the mold or platen.
Rear exit configuration Side exit configuration

Apply silicone lubricant to sides

of sheath before installation to
facilitate later removal

Figure 7
Sensor installation
Mounting from rear

CARE AND HANDLING

Always apply mold release to the surface of the sensor before use with curing
material. A silicone based mold-release is recommended to reduce conductive
contributions to the measurement. Damage to the sensor may result if mold release is not
used and cured material is peeled from the surface.

Do not apply excessive strain to the conduit. The conduit is securely attached
to the sensor body, but the signal wires inside it and not designed to withstand excessive
pulling forces.

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Single Electrode Dielectric/Conductivity Sensor Lambient TechnologiesTM

TEST PROCEDURE
The recommended configuration for testing either the 8 mm unsheathed sensor or
the 0.5 inch sheathed sensor is shown below in Figure 8. The sensor is mounted in one
platen of a mold and the other platen, if any, is at a separation of 30 mm or greater to
minimize its effect on the fringing electric field. Under this condition the electrode of the
sensor primarily detects the grounded metal of the platen that surrounds it. The material
above the sensor is air.

UPPER PLATEN

SEPARATION 30 mm OR GREATER

FRINGING
ELECTRIC FIELD
AIR

LOWER
PLATEN
(GROUNDED)

SENSOR
INSTRUMENT
INSTRUMENT
GROUND
EXCITATION

Figure 8
Recommended configuration for testing single electrode sensors

Use the following procedure to test whether the sensor is operating properly:
1. Set excitation frequency to 1.0 KHz.
2. Measure gain and phase in air using the CureView test window.
3. Note that the following effects which may cause inaccurate results:
• The first several measurements may be unstable because the mid-conductivity
circuit requires time to settle after a change in frequency. Repeat the test
measurement several times until the results are stable.
• Motion of the user or other people near the sensor may induce noise in the
measurement. Avoid motion near the sensor during a test.

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4. The response of a clean, dry sensor in air at 1.0 KHz, 20°C:

• Mid-conductivity interface in subtraction (default) mode
Gain : -45 to -40 dB (typ)
Phase : -5° to 5° (typ)
• Exact results may vary depending on cable length and other factors.
• Results that differ substantially from the above may indicate a sensor that is
dirty, moist or damaged. Refer to the following section on cleaning. If the
sensor response after cleaning is still outside the typical range, please consult
with Lambient Technologies.
5. For an additional confirmation of proper operation, place a sample of material on the
sensor and repeat the test measurement. The gain-phase results should change, indicating
that the sensor has detected and responded to a different dielectric material.

CLEANING
Careful use of a spatula or other scraping tool to remove samples will not damage
the sensor, provided that mold release was applied to the sensor before curing.
Clean sensors with acetone, trichlorethlyene or other solvent to remove oils and
contaminants. Solvents or water adsorbed onto the surface of the sensor normally will
not interfere with cure monitoring because it is released at elevated temperature, and
would not be present at typical process temperatures.
At room temperature, however, adsorbed solvent or water will appear as an
additional conductive component and may dominate the measurement. In this case the
gains in air may be elevated (less negative, approaching 0 dB at low frequencies) and
phases may be significantly negative. Heating the sensor above 100 °C for a short time
should remove adsorbed material.

LAY-UP TECHNIQUES
1. Place samples on the sensor, insuring good contact with the electrodes.
2. Solid samples, or solid samples which melt during processing, will require applied
pressure. The sensors are designed to withstand high pressures and temperatures up to
200 °C for the 8-mm unsheathed sensor and 250 °C for the 0.5-inch sheathed sensor.
3. Composite materials containing graphite or other conductive fibers will require use of
a filter layer to prevent shorting of the electrodes. Glass cloth with small pore size, or
fiberglass felt, is recommended for these situations.

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INSTRUMENT COMPATIBILITY
Compatible with:
Micromet Instruments/Holometrix-Micromet
Eumetric System II Microdielectrometer
Eumetric System III Microdielectrometer
Eumetric 100A
ICAM 1000/1500/2000
MDE Series 10/20 Cure Monitor

NETZSCH Instruments
DEA 230/1
DEA 230/2
DEA 230/10
DEA 231/1
DEA 231/4

Lambient Technologies L.L.C.

649 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
(857) 242-3963
http://www.lambient.com
[email protected]

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