Download the Model 630A datasheet (pdf version)

The 630A Fail-safe Ohmmeter
The 630A fail-safe ohmmeter is a ruggedised, water-resistant, portable digital ohmmeters which has been specifically designed for ultra-safe resistance testing on explosive devices (i.e. squibs, igniters, flares, detonators). The 630A case is waterproof when closed to a depth of 3 feet. The 630A also floats in water. It can be operated outside in direct rain, as it has silicon boot seals over all switches.

Fail-safe Design - Built-in Can't Fail Life Saving Features
There are a variety of critical military, aerospace and industrial applications which utilise squibs and other blasting devices. In each case, it is extremely important that these devices detonate when required. It is equally important that these devices do not detonate while being tested for coil integrity. To this end, each instrument is equipped with redundant, dual fail-safe current limiting resistor network circuitry to ensure that the instrument test currents cannot exceed the specified amount. Even in the unlikely event of a worst case component failure, the output current limiting network is still in effect. To prove that this level of safety is intact in every unit we ship, a worst case component failure is simulated during final test with the resulting output recorded and attached to the unit.

Keylocked Safety Switch when Measuring
The Key Locked Safety/Measure Switch has two modes. The shorted safe mode shorts the inputs together and disconnects them from the 630A. If the user removes the key, the 630A is locked in "Safe Mode" (it cannot be accidentally switched to measure mode). When the 630A user removes the key, the 630A cannot be made to measure or provide any electrical stimulus to the squib under test, whatsoever. The limited access (one use at a time) external connection port on the 630A also makes it physically impossible to simultaneously connect the AC/DC Charger while measuring with the test leads. Whether charging the Ni-Cad batteries or measuring a squib's resistance, there is only one connection port. The 630A operator can connect the AC/DC Battery Charger to the 630A limited access connection port for recharging the Ni-Cad batteries thus mechanically blocking access for the measuring sense leads. When measuring, using the sense leads, the same limited access connection port then blocks any battery charger connection.

Impossible to connect the AC/DC Charger when Measuring
For all external connections there is only one main connector. The 630A operator can either connect the AC/DC battery charger to the 630A for recharging the Ni-Cad batteries, however that mechanically blocks the connecting site for the measuring/sense leads. In order to measure, the battery charger plug must be removed, thus providing physical/mechanical access for the test leads to connect to the 630A (see photo above).

Faraday Cage provides Electronic Noise Immunity, EMP and Static protection
The 630A electronics are encased in a shielded Faraday cage (all to chassis ground) to provide additional electronic noise immunity, Electromagnetic Pulse ( EMP) and electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection.

Verify the 630A milliampere current output - Onboard milliammeter and Test resistors
The 630A Igniter tester comes with a SIMPSON tm DC millammeter built into the 630A Function Test Section. The built-in analog milliammeter measures the 630A test current and spans from 0 to 10 millamperes fullscale. This lets the 630A user truly verify that the 630A test current is at "SAFE" levels, just prior to measuring squib resistance. See the 630A diagram below for a more detailed view of the FUNCTION TEST SECTION and the test resistors.

Click here for a more detailed 630A Feature Diagram that relates to the 23 items described below.

1. Calibration/Maintenance access screws, easily covered with a tamper proof seal or sticker.
2. Purge Valve - Provides Air Pressure Equalisation to open the 630A case after transit involving an altitude change.
3. Handles - see item #1 then lift for calibration access.
4. Single Access Notched Connector - for either test lead hookup or connection to the battery charger. With only one connector to the outside world, it is physically impossible to do both at the same time.
5. Milliammeter for measuring actual 630A test current (0 to 10 milliamperes fullscale). Use of the Meter (+) panel jack and Common panel jack (-) in the FUNCTION TEST SECTION with the 630A test leads provides the analog millammeter - 630A test current measurement connection.
6. Minus sign - indicates low battery levels, thus when to plug-in the battery charger (completely safe).
7. Fuse Access - for general operation.
8. Zero pot - Adjusts the shorted resistance or offset of the test lead wiring when in 2 wire mode.
9. Keylock Switch - When the key is removed, the 630A is locked in "SAFE MODE". In Safe Mode, the 630A inputs are shorted together and disconnected from the 630A electronics. Thus Safe Mode isolates user inputs from 630A measurement electronics. Only when the key is reinserted in the lock, and then switched to the "MEASURE MODE" will the 630A measure squib resistance.
10. Input jack - Plug into the 630A Ohmmeter meter test lead.
11. Input jack of 0.1 ohm test resistor for checking the zero accuracy (low end of scale) of 20 ohm range.
12. }1 ohm and 10 ohm test resistors for checking
13. }the mid-scale functionality of the 20 ohm range.
14. Input jack for connecting the 630A Ohmmeter common test lead (plug-in black banana jack).
15. }100 ohm, 1000 ohm, and 190K ohm test resistors for checking the mid-scale functionality of the 200 ohm, 2K ohm and 200K
16. }ohm ranges of the 630A. Custom Test Resistor values are available depending upon the version - contact Permac's Sales
17. }Department to discuss your requirements.
18. Water Resistant O-ring seal(s) in lid & under the front plate.
19. Tight Squeeze Flip Latch Area - waterproof seal (closed).
20. Resistance Ranges - 20 Ohm, 200 Ohm, 2.0 KOhm and 200 KOhm - silicone boot provides water-resistance switch cover ( LED indicates the selected range).
21. Power On or OFF/Charging Switch.
22. Beveled Display Hood and Super Bright LED Display readable in sunlight.
23. A 2 Ohm Full scale version (630ES) with 0.0001 Ohm resolution is also available from Permac. A 2 Megohm Range version is also available (640N), contact the Sales Department of Permac to discuss your requirements.

Download the Adobe Acrobat Reader version of the Model 630A Feature Detailed Diagram

No Hazardous Mercury Batteries
The AMPTEC 630A does not use hazardous mercury batteries like older model igniter testers. All 630A's are battery powered with a heavy duty rechargeable Ni-Cad pack for portability purposes. A 120 VAC powered battery charger is standard.

It floats in water, and can be operated in direct rain

Polyurethane Epoxy Coated Circuit Board and More ...
A common question we get from evaluating safety engineers is "What sort of electrical and mechanical measures are taken with the 630A to prevent an internal loose wire, metal screw, or washer inside from floating around and shorting the battery output to the terminal output posts?". The ohmmeter's output posts are insulated inside the unit with heat shrink tubing covering any of it's conductive surfaces. The entire PCB (except for the calibration trim pots) is also nonconductive polyurethane epoxy coated, to make it extremely difficult to get an accidental conductive pathway. The ultimate electrical safety analysis for fail-safe current relies on "Ohms Law" for determining Imax, based upon a Vmax ( ~ 4.8 VDC battery value) divided by the equivalent circuit current limiting resistance (R-limit) for the particular version being considered. 630A circuit schematics are available upon request for reviewing the maximum fail-safe current level.

Super bright LEDS visible in direct sunlight

630A Main Connector Test Lead Pinout /Socket Detail - Click here for a detailed diagram of the 630A Notched Main Connection Jack - (shows which pins and sockets are used for the 630 series Faraday cage, slimline Battery Charger and Test Leads).

Specifications
Accuracy: (180 days 25°C ± 10°C) ± 0.02% of reading  ± 0.02% of range for 20 ohm through 200 Kohm ranges. Call Permac for any ranges above 200 Kohms
Display: 4½ digit (19999) L.E.D.  - 20,000 counts (Display visible in direct sunlight (5 times brighter than high intensity LEDs))
Terminal Configuration: Four-wire Kelvin
Overload Indication: Display flashes
Maximum Input: 250 VDC or peak AC without damage
Operating Temperature Range: 0°C to 50°C
Temperature Coefficient: ±.002% per °C (from 0°C to 15°C and 35°C to 50°C)
Conversion Rate: Approximately 3 per second
Power: Rechargeable Ni-Cad batteries (5.0 Ahr) & Charger (115 VAC 50-60 Hz) (For Safety Reasons, the 630A Ohmmeter operation is electrically disabled and mechanically blocked (no mechanical access to the test lead connection) while charging the batteries).
Waterproof when submersed to a depth of 3 feet - with case and purge valve closed
Max. Internal Voltage: 4.8 VDC - 4 ea. 1.2 V   Ni-Cads
Size: 295mm/11.5" D x 335mm/13.5" W x 155mm/6" H
Weight: 12 lbs NET - 15 lbs shipping