TRIPLETT CTT47 Coating Thickness Tester User Manual

: June 6, 2024
: TRIPLETT

Table of Contents

Introduction
Description
Operation
Programming Menu
ZERO Calibration
Record Readings in Memory Groups
SOFTWARE
Error Messages
Maintenance
Specifications
Warranty
Documents / Resources
- Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
- Download This Manual (PDF format)

User Manual
CTT47
Coating Thickness Tester

Introduction

Thank you for selecting the Triplett CTT47 Coating Thickness Tester. The CTT47 is a portable meter designed for non‐invasive coating thickness measurements with automatic recognition of the substrate material under test.
The meter uses two measurement methods: magnetic induction (for ferrous metal substrates) and eddies current (for non‐ferrous metal substrates).
The CTT47 meter can connect to a PC via USB and transmit recorded data for further analysis and for generating report documentation.
Proper use and care of this meter will provide many years of reliable service.

Features

Measured Coatings: Non‐magnetic coatings (e.g. paint, zinc) on steel; Insulated Coatings (e.g. paint, anodized coatings) on non‐ferrous metals
Intuitive menu‐based programming
Memory storage of up to 1500 readings in 30 groups (50 readings per group)
Delete single readings or all groups easily
Auto Power OFF with disable feature
Data transfer to PC via USB
User Zero Calibration ability

Applications

Corrosion protection
Paint Shops and Electroplaters
Chemical, Automobile, Shipbuilding, and Aircraft industries Laboratory, Workshop, and Field use

Probe Description
The CTT47 probe is spring mounted in the sensor sleeve. This ensures safe and stable positioning of the probe and ensures constant contact pressure.
A V‐groove in the sleeve of the probe facilitates reliable readings on small cylindrical parts. The hemispherical tip of the probe is made of hard and durable material.
Measuring metallic coatings
This meter can measure non‐magnetic metal coatings (Zinc) on a magnetic (ferrous) substance base, and non‐metal coatings on a metal base (ferrous or non‐ferrous).

Description

Meter Description

LCD display
Power and Select button
Up arrow
Zero Button
Micro USB Connector
Back Button
Down Arrow
Sensor

Note: Battery compartment on rear of meter
Display Description

Data record memory group number
Record Number in a current memory group
Battery status icon
Measurement units: µm or mils
DEL (Delete): Press the back ( ) button to delete the previous reading
Metal type (FE=ferrous, NFE=non‐ferrous)
Automatic (Auto) metal detect mode

Operation

Meter Power

Install two ‘AAA’ 1.5 V batteries into the rear battery compartment. Press the power button to switch the meter ON. The display will switch ON. If the display does not switch ON, install or replace the batteries. When powering up, please keep the meter at least 10cm (4″) from metal objects. Replace the batteries when the battery status icon appears low, the meter will give inaccurate readings if the battery voltage falls very low.

Measurements
Before each measurement session please perform a Zero Calibration as described later in this User Guide.
Practice with the film and zero reference metal substrates to learn how the meter operates before moving to a professional application. The heavier metal substrate is the ferrous (magnetic) zero substrate (Fe) and the lighter metal substrate (Al) is the non‐ferrous (non-magnetic) zero substrate. In Auto mode, the meter automatically senses ferrous and non‐ferrous substrates.

Place a reference film (250µm, for example) on the ferrous substrate (FE).
Power the meter on by pressing the power button.
Place the spring‐loaded meter sensor against the reference film.
The meter will emit an audible tone indicating that the measurement has been taken.
The LCD will show the reading at the center of the display area.
For a typical display see the Display description diagram.

Automatic Power OFF
In order to conserve battery life, the meter will automatically turn off after approximately 3 minutes. To defeat this feature, use the programming menu detailed in the next section (menu parameter AUTO POWER OFF under SET).

The meter can be configured and calibrated through simple button presses in the programming menu.

Press the SEL button to access the menu; refer to the menu ‘tree’ below.
Use the UP/DOWN buttons to scroll the menu
Use the SEL button to select the highlighted mode
Use the ( ) button to exit or back out of a mode
Other button presses are mode-specific, follow on‐screen prompts explained below.

In the table below the factory default settings are in bold with an asterisk (*).
Each parameter is explained in detail in the subsequent sections.

Top level	Sub level 1	Sub level 2	Description
WORKING MODE

Group 1…30

| Shows Memory Groups and

the number

of readings in each group
(Group 0 has no memory)
MEASURE MODE|

NFE, FE, **Auto***

Backlight

| Increase/decrease backlight using up/down arrows
Auto Power OFF|

**Enable***

|

Allows Auto Power OFF

Disable

| Defeats Auto Power OFF feature

Contrast

| Increase/decrease contrast using up/down arrows
| |
---|---|---

Info

| Shows firmware version number and model number
MEASURE VIEW|

View or delete stored data in all groups or selected groups

CALIBRATION

|

CAL Zero of FE

| Perform FE Zero Calibration (refer to Calibration section)
CAL Zero of NFE| Perform NFE Zero Calibration (refer to Calibration section)
Delete Zero of FE|

Delete FE Zero Calibration data

Delete Zero of NFE|

Delete NFE Zero Calibration data

NOTE: Disable the Auto Power OFF feature before lengthy programming to avoid inconvenient automatic power down while programming.
WORKING MODE

Press the LEFT button (SEL) to access the menu.
Scroll to WORKING MODE (if necessary) using the up/down buttons.
Press the LEFT button (SELECT) to open the WORKING MODE.
Use the UP and DOWN buttons to scroll through the groups and to see the number of saved readings in each group. Group 0 does not have memory.
Press the LEFT button (SELECT) to select the group and exit Working mode and return to the main menu or press the RIGHT button ( ) twice to return to the normal operating mode.

MEASURE MODE

Press the LEFT button (SEL) to access the programming menu
Use the UP/DOWN buttons to scroll to the Measure Mode
Press the LEFT button (SELECT) to select the Measure Mode
Use the UP/DOWN buttons to scroll to Auto, FE, or NFE. Press the LEFT button (SELECT) to make a selection.
AUTO mode ‐ the meter automatically recognizes the metal that is being measured. Ferrous (FE) Mode ‐ the Magnetic induction measurement mode is used. Non-Ferrous (NFE) Mode ‐ the eddy current measurement mode is used.
Press the RIGHT button ( ) to return to the normal operating mode.

SET

Press the LEFT button (SEL) to access the menu.
Use the UP/DOWN arrows to scroll to SET.
Press the LEFT button (SELECT) to open the SET menu.
Use the UP and DOWN buttons to scroll through the selections.
Press the Left button (SELECT) to open the selected item.

a. Units of measure selections
Select µm or mil using the arrow buttons (µm = micrometers; mils). Press the LEFT button (SELECT) button to confirm and to return to the SET menu (otherwise press the right button ( ) to abort the edit and return to the SET menu).
b. Backlight
Use the UP and DOWN arrows to adjust the brightness of the backlight. Press the RIGHT
button ( ) to confirm and return to the SET menu.
c. Auto Power OFF
Select ENABLE or DISABLE using the arrow buttons. When enabled, the meter automatically switches OFF after 3 minutes of inactivity. When disabled, the meter will only
switch OFF with a power button press or when the battery power is weak.
Press the LEFT button (SELECT) button to confirm and to return to the SET menu (otherwise press the right button ( ) to abort the edit and return to the SET menu).
d. Contrast
Use the UP and DOWN arrows to adjust the display contrast up or down. Press the LEFT button (OK) button to confirm and to return to the SET menu (otherwise press the right button ( ) to abort the edit and return to the SET menu).
e. Info
The model number and firmware version level are displayed. Press the right button ( ) to exit to the SET menu.

MEASURE VIEW

The Measure View menu allows for scrolling through the readings in all of the groups.
Readings can be viewed or deleted in this mode.

Press the LEFT button (SEL) to access the main menu.
Use the DOWN ARROW button to scroll down to MEASURE VIEW.
Press LEFT (SELECT) to open the MEASURE VIEW parameter.
Use the UP/DOWN ARROW buttons to scroll through the groups of stored readings.
When a group is highlighted that contains stored readings, use the LEFT (SELECT) button to open the readings list. Now use the UP/DOWN arrows to view the readings. Press the LEFT button (Delete Group) to delete all readings in this Group or press the RIGHT button ( ) to return to the main Group list.
Highlight ‘Delete All’ and press the LEFT button (SELECT) to delete all of the readings in all groups. Otherwise, press the RIGHT button ( ) to return to the previous menu.

CALIBRATION

The Calibration menu allows the user to perform a Ferrous (Zero FE) or non‐ferrous (Zero NFE) ZERO Calibration. The Calibration menu also allows the user to delete ZERO calibration data for both ferrous (Zero F) and non‐ferrous (Zero N) modes.

Press the LEFT button (SEL) to access the main menu.
Use the DOWN button to scroll to CALIBRATION.
Press LEFT (SELECT) to open the CALIBRATION parameter.
To perform a ZERO Calibration, refer to Zero Calibration in the next section.
To delete ZERO Calibration data, scroll to DEL Zero of FE or DEL Zero of NFE and then press the LEFT button (SELECT). This executes the Zero delete function and returns the meter to the SET menu.
Press the RIGHT button ( ) to return to the normal operating mode.

Reference Film Accuracy Verification

The CTT47 meter comes with a set of reference films to check the measurement accuracy of the meter.
The base materials are Ferrous (Steel) and Non‐Ferrous (Aluminum).
Turn on the meter 1 meter away from any material.
Set the Measure Mode to FE, NFE, or Auto.
Perform a Zero calibration on the base material of your choice.
Place a thickness film on the base and make a measurement.
Refer to the accuracy specifications to validate the accuracy of the meter.

ZERO Calibration

Preparing for ZERO Calibration

Clean the probe tip and the substrate (grease, oil, metal scraps. The slightest impurity will affect the measurement and will distort readings.
Switch the meter ON at a 10 cm (4”) minimum distance from any metal.
Set the meter to the correct substrate type, FE or NFE.
The meter is now ready for calibration.

Zero Calibration
ZERO Calibration from the Programming Mode

From the normal measurement mode, press the LEFT button (SEL) to access the menu.
Use the UP/DOWN button to scroll to CALIBRATION mode.
Press LEFT (SELECT) to open the CALIBRATION parameter.
Scroll to ‘CAL ZERO OF FE’ or ‘CAL ZERO OF NFE’
Press the LEFT button (SELECT) and ‘FE CAL’ or ‘NFE CAL’ should be displayed on the LCD’s lower level.
Press the sensor against the FE or NFE zero reference substrate and wait for the beep.
Press the LEFT button (OK) to accept the calibration value or press the RIGHT button (CANCEL) to abort the calibration.
If the meter did not read 0.0 you can try again or “Set” the Zero reference by pressing and holding the ZERO button until the meter beeps.
When the Zero calibration is complete, the meter is ready to make measurements.

Note that the user can delete ZERO Calibration data by selecting ‘Del ZERO of FE’ or ‘Del ZERO of NFE’ from the CALIBRATION mode in the Programming menu.

ZERO Calibration – Relative Mode

This mode can be used to set a zero point on the reference substrate or on a known thickness of the material. For a relative measurement, any thickness greater or lesser will be referenced to this set value.
Press the sensor against the FE or NFE zero reference substrate or on a known thickness value of the material.
Press and hold the ZERO button until it beeps to set the relative zero calibration to 0.0.

Record Readings in Memory Groups

The CTT47 offers 30 memory storage groups, Group ‘0’ through ‘30’. Group ‘0’ does not allow data to be stored; it is simply a group that can be selected if readings are to be taken without being stored.
From the Normal measurement mode, Use the UP/DOWN arrow keys to scroll to a particular group. When a reading is taken it is automatically stored in the selected group.
Each Group can store up to 50 readings (for a total of 1500 for the 30 groups).
To delete all groups, or an individual group, use the MEASURE VIEW mode as explained in the programming menu section of this User Guide.
In GROUP mode, if the storage capacity is exceeded. The meter will display (50) in the upper right corner and will beep twice.

SOFTWARE

This meter is capable of storing data and can download that data to a PC through the supplied Windows© compatible software and micro‐USB cable. To install and use the software, please go to Download Triplett Product Software — Triplett — Triplett Test Equipment & Tools The instructions are provided in the HELP Utility within the software program.

Error Messages

The following error messages will appear on the meter’s LCD if a problem arises.

Err1	Magnetic induction probe (FE) error
Err2	Eddy current probe (NFE) error
Err3 errors	Both probes ‐ Eddy current and Magnetic induction
Err4	Magnetic induction probe (FE) fault
Err5	Eddy current probe (NFE) fault

Please contact Triplett Instruments if a problem exists.

Maintenance

Cleaning and Storage
Periodically wipe the meter housing with a damp cloth and mild detergent; do not use abrasives or solvents. If the meter is not to be used for 60 days or more, remove the batteries and store them separately.
Battery Replacement/Installation instructions

Open the rear battery door
Replace/install the two 1.5V ‘AAA’ batteries observing proper polarity
Secure the battery compartment

**Never dispose of used batteries or rechargeable batteries in household waste. As consumers, users are legally required to take used batteries to appropriate collection sites, the retail store where the batteries were purchased, or wherever batteries are sold.
Disposal:** Do not dispose of this instrument in household waste. The user is obligated to take end‐of‐life devices to a designated collection point for the disposal of electrical and electronic equipment

Specifications

| Ferrous| Non‐Ferrous
---|---|---
Measurement principle| __

Magnetic induction

| __

Eddy current principle

Measuring range| 0~1350μm| 0~1350μm
0~53.1mils| 0~53.1mils
__

Accuracy 1

| 0~1000μm: ± (2.5% +2μm)| __

0~1000μm: ± (2.5% + 2μm)

__

(% of reading)

| 1000μm ~1350μm:(±3.5%)| __

1000μm ~1350μm: (±3.5%)

| 0~39.3mils: ± (2% +0.08mils)| __

0~39.3mils: ± (2% + 0.08mils)

| 39.3mils ~53.1mils:

(±3.5%)

| __

39.3mils ~53.1mils: (±3.5%)

Resolution| 0~100μm: (0.1μm)| 0~100μm: (0.1μm)
100μm ~1000μm: (1μm)| 100μm ~1000μm: (1μm)
1000μm ~1350μm: (0.01mm)| __

1000μm ~1350μm: (0.01mm)

0~10mils: (0.01mils)| 0~10mils: (0.01mils)
10mils~53.1mil:s

(0.1mils)

| __

10mils~53.1mils: (0.1mils)

Min. curvature radius| __

59.06mils (1.5mm)

| __

118.1mils (3mm)

Diameter of Min. area| __

275.6mils (7mm)

| __

196.9mils (5mm)

Basic critical thickness| __

19.69mils (0.5mm)

| __

11.81mils (0.3mm)

__

Industrial standards

| Conforms to GB/T 4956‐1985, GB/T 4957‐1985, JB/T 8393‐

1996, JJG

889‐95, and JJG 818‐93|
Operating Temperature| __

0°C~40°C (32°F~104°F)

---|---
__

Operating Relative

| 20%~90% Relative Humidity
Humidity (R.H.)
Power| 2 x AAA batteries with Auto Power OFF after 3 minutes
Dimensions| 120 x 62 x 32 mm (4.7 x 2.4 x 1.25”)
Weight| 175g (6.17 oz.)

¹Accuracy note: Accuracy statement applies to use on a flat surface, with a zero calibration performed and with the meter stabilized at ambient temperature. The accuracy of the reference films or any reference standards should be added to measurement results.

Warranty

Triplett / Jewell Instruments extends the following warranty to the original purchaser of these goods for use. Triplett warrants to the original purchaser for use that the products
sold by it will be free from defects in workmanship and material for a period of (1) one year from the date of purchase. This warranty does not apply to any of our products that have been repaired or altered by unauthorized persons in any way or purchased from unauthorized distributors so as, in our sole judgment, to injure their stability or reliability, or which have been subject to misuse, abuse, misapplication, negligence, accident or which have had the serial numbers altered, defaced, or removed. Accessories, including batteries, are not covered by this warranty

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