Swain clips and clamps (MER2® Sensors) are constructed to reduce zero offset error and manufactured with aperture diameters from 2″ to 100″+ to date.
- Swain Clips & Clamps are hand crafted of quality materials with attention to detail.
- Clips and Clamps form a 360° closed loop around a conductor.
- Swain Clips and Clamps are also referred to in literature as “Sensors”.
- Swain Sensors are rugged and well suited for work in most environments including bridges, rigs, utilities, underwater and for offshore corrosion protection.
- Swain Sensors are capable of being built in a square or rectangular shape as well.
Our technicians build each meter and sensor by hand and calibrate them to exact specifications.
MER2® Sensor
MER2® DC Amp Clips and Clamps are “Swain Sensors” which precisely detect the magnitude and direction of direct current flowing on magnetized conductors during normal operation without interrupting the circuit. Swain portable DC amp clips for cathodic protection above ground and sub sea are manufactured from 2″ to 10″ in diameter. Swain clamps are two piece sensors manufactured from 6″ to 60″ in diameter. Larger clamps may be built upon request.Clamps are manufactured in 4 piece sections for sizes greater than 60″.
- MER2® (Magnetic Error Reduction doubled) type DC Amp Clips are generally more accurate for measuring direct current with a non-contact sensor. They are constructed to reduce errors due to non-uniform magnetic fields common on steel pipe, near rebar, or near the battery in cars and trucks. Zero offset error is generally less than one quarter that of comparable standard Swain Meters.
- Typical accuracy is ± 1% reading, ± 3 digits, ± He. User friendly 31/2 digit LCD meter with polarity & 1/2″ high numerals.(He is zero offset sensitivity of the sensor to the earth’s magnetic field. The earth field is uniform unless steel is close and distorts it. A strong magnet nearby can also cause zero offset.)
- Protected from 300 A overload.
700 mA Tester
It is intended to ensure the Swain Meter™ is functioning properly. The 70 mA current flows in the wire to the 10 turn loop from the red end towards the black end when the button is pushed, provided the LED appears bright.
To use, either the single turn or the 10 turn wire loop is placed in the aperture of the clip or clamp sensor, toward the center, or with a large clamp, along one side, away from the lips. When the wire is close to one side of a clamp, it is likely to read 1% or so higher than the 70 mA in the wire.
The “Zero” adjustment on the indicator may be set so that the meter reads zero before the 70 mA is turned on, but this is not necessary. We often read the meter with the 70 mA off, and then again with it on. The difference between the 2 meter readings should be 70 mA ± 2 mA for a single turn loop or 700 mA ± 10 mA for the 10 turn loop, when using a directly calibrated sensor. If not, check the calibration chart shipped with the sensor. Observe the polarity. It should agree with the tester.
If the LED is dim, or in any event after 4 hours of continuous use, or 4 months, whichever comes first, the two alkaline AA cells should be changed. The battery voltage must exceed 2.5 Volts when the LED is lit. If you have a question, please call us at 989-773-3700.
