INSTRUCTION BOOK

IMPEDANCE MEASURING UNIT

TYPE CA-3462
SERIAL NOS. 1-10
FEDERAL AVIATION AGENCY
WORK ORDER AFS 8- 5 - 1
JULY 3,1957
ASSEMBLED BY
FACILITIES MATERIEL DIVISION
AERONAUTICAL CENTER
P. O. BOX 10'82
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA
INSTRUCTION BOOK
I EDANCE MEASURING UNIT
TYPE CA-3462
SERIAL NOS. 1-10
FEDERAL AVIATION AGENCY
WORK ORDER AFS 8-5-1
JULY 3, 1957
ASSEMBLED BY
FACILITIES MATERIEL DIVISION
AERONAUTICAL CENTER
P. O. BOX 1082
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA
WCCW
WMTU
INSTRUCTION BOOK
IMPEDANCE MEASURING UNIT
TYPE CA-3462
FEDERAL AVIATION AGENCY
WORK ORDER AFS-8-5-1
July 3, 1957
ASSEMBLED BY
FACILITIES MATERIEL DIVISION
P. O. BOX 1082
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA
CONTENTS
I Circuit Description
IT Theory of Operation
ill Accuracy
IV Operating Instructions
V Maintenance
VI Separate Use of Decades and Condensers
Parts List
List of Manufacturers
Page No.
1
1
2
3
7
8
9
10
Photograph, Front View, Type CA-3462
Photograph, Internal View, Type CA-3462
Schematic Diagram, Type CA-3462
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
11
12
13
f
--
1. ,
ll.
IMPEDANCE MEASURING UNIT
TYPE CA-3462
CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
The circuit is of the substitution type and consists of an inductance to
which is coupled the source of radio frequency energy, a calibrated
condenser to tune the circuit to resonance, and a resistance decade.
Low capacity switches are used to change from "STD" (standard) to trUNK"
(unknown) and from IlLow" to "Int. II (intermechate) and "High" frequency.
Provision Is made by means of terminal blocks on the panel for using
component parts of the set separately in other circuits. The standard
condenser, decade resistors, and R. F. Milliammeter are made available
by these terminals.
THEORY OF OPERATION
From the schematic diagram (Figure 5) it Is evident that the circuit Is
fundamentally a simple series resonant circuit containing an R. F.
Milliammeter as a resonance indicator and a coupling call as a means
of introducing RF energy. When an impedance is connected across the
"UNK" terminals and the switch is in the "UNK" position, the external
impedance is made a part of the tuned circuit. When the switch is thrown
In the "STO" position the decade resistors are inserted into the tuned
circuit instead of the external impedance. It is thus possible through the
use of the switch to quickly insert a lmown or an unlmown impedance into
the tuned circuit. With the IlUNK-STO" switch in the nSTO" position, there
lS some condenser setting which will tll1lle the circuit to resonance for any
frequency in the particular band being used, RF energy being introduced
through the coupling coil. If then the "UNK-STOIl switch is placed in the
HUNK" position, thereby inserting an external impedance into the circuit,
a change in setting of the tuning condenser may be required for resonance,
dependent upon the characteristics of the external impedance, that is
whether it does or does not have reactance. If the reactance of the external
impedance is inductive, the capacity of the tuning condenser must be reduced
in order to provide an increase of capacitive reactance equal to the effective
inductive reactance in the external impedance. If the external impedance
bas capacitive reactance, the capacity of the condenser will have to be
increased in order to reduce the total capacitive reactance by an amount
equal to the effective capacitive reactance of the unknown. The actual change
of capacitive reactance of the variable condenser must be such as to exactly
equal and oppose the reactance introduced into the tuned circuit by the
external impedance. It will thus be seen that the change in capacity when the
tuned circuit is adjusted to resonance with and without the external impedance,
is an indication of the reactance of the external impedance both as to quantity
and sign. In a tuned circuit of this nature with equal amO\Dlts of inductive
and capacitive reactance, the current is determined solely by the amount of
resIstance in the circuit (granting a constant level of driving energy). Thus,
if the circuit is tuned to resonance with the external impedance in
l
the circuit
and the current noted and then the external impedance is removed from the
circuit and the impedance unit circuit retuned to resonance. any difference
in current will be due to a difference In the resistance of the circuit. Hence.
if resistance can be conveniently added or removed from the impedance unit
circuit as through decade resistors. a value of resistance will be found which
results in the same meter reading as with the unknown impedance in the
circuit. As the currents are the same the total resistance must be the same
in each case. Now the resistance of the condenser is negligible and the
resistance of the coil is constant for a given frequency hence the resistance
of the decade must equal the resistance component of the external impedance
when the currents are equal. It is. therefore. possible to determine the value
of the resistive component of an external impedance from the change in
the condenser capaCIty and the amount of resistance required in the decade to
obtain the same current. Numerical values of reactance can then be obtained
by calculation from the capacities required for resonance.
The circuit is floating in the shielded box and permits the grounding of the
unknown at any point. To permit this. the stray capacities of the circuit
to the box must be balanced so that a hypothetical ground or zero potential
appears to bisect the unknown terminals. To do this a balancing condenser
has been introduced and IS shown as item (C3) on the schematic diagram.
The setting of this condenser has been accurately made by the mamifllc-
turer and should not be disturbed, except under conditions set forth in the
section headed "Maintenance
ll

m. ACCURACY
The accuracy of measurements made Wlth this instrument are directly
dependent on the care with which the condenser is adjusted for resonance.
At points where the resonance curve is broad or it is o t h e r w i ~ e dIfficult
to determine the exact condenser reading, the setting for resonance may be
determined by noting the exact condenser setUngs at which the current
starts to decrease (one on each side of resonance) then take the midpoint
between these readings as the correct setting for resonance. The correct
resonance point is more readily determined when the milliammeter reads
over half scale and this condition is desirable, provided the hundreds decade
is not being used and provided the impedance being measured will not be
heated appreciably by such a current. Inaccuracies which may be excepted
due to the decades are given in tables in the section headed "separate Use
of Decades. Condenser, and Meter". Capacity between the case and ground
should be kept to a minimum through the use of a direct ground connection
to the GND terminal of the box. Leads to the terminals of the unknown being
measured should be separated as much as practicable to reduce capacity
between the leads.
Errors due to fluctuations in power supply should be guarded against when
changing from t1known" to "unknown" or vice versa. If fluctuations are
encountered, several observations should be made before a final setting
is determined.
- 2 -
/
II'. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS.
The range of frequency is obtained by adding or removing the 400 uuf
fixed capacitor. A tap on the inductance of the Type CA-3462 unit
provides the additional coverage reqUired on that unit. Tuning ranges
are approximately as shown below:
Low
Int.
High
140KC
185 KC
400 KC
to 200 KC
to 515 KC
to 1,000 KC
To measure the impedance of an unknown proceed as follows:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
,
(11)
(12)
(13)
Connect the unknown impedance across the HUNKIt terminals.
Set the coupling dial at zero and the decade resistor at several
hundred ohms.
Connect a source of radio frequency voltage to the terminals
marked "Input".
Throw the frequency switch to the proper range and the lIUNK-STD"
switch to "UNK".
Set the coupling dial between two and ten divisions.
Apply power and adjust the standard condenser to obtain
resonance as indicated by a maximum deflection of the milliammeter.
Adjust coupling and retune until a meter deflection of approximately
fifty milliamperes at resonance is obtained.
Check tuning carefully to obtain exact resonance.
Record Condenser setting (C
u
) ani meter reading.
Throw HUNK-STOll Bwitch to "STO" making certain first that the
decade resistance is approximately\-So.O ohms. 1l1"'ll
DO NOT CHANGE COUPUNG.
Retune to exact resonance.
Decrease resistance of the decades and check tuning until the me ter
reads the same as in (8).
Record the condenser settirg (C
s
) and resistance. (The resistance
is recorded as the sum of the decades remaining in the circuit).
-3-
To determine the reactance of the unknown, the observed capacities in
uuf are substituted in the following formula:
(C
s
- Cn)
2-f C C 10-
12
.. s u
The reactance is positive (inductive) Lf capacity was added when the circuit
was switched to standard (inductive reactance was removed from the
circuit and capacItIve reactance had to be reduced by increasing the capa-
city of the oox condenser), and negative (capacitive) if capacity was sub-
tracted. The resistIve component IS equal to the resistance read from the
decades. To determine the impedance, another calculation is necessaty.
By substituting in the formula the values of resistance (Ru> and reactance
<Xu), the impedance (Zu) is obtained:
sample Measurements
Example 1.
Suppose it is desired to determine the impedance of an electrical component
on which no data is available: connect the device to the unlmown terminals
and make measurements as outlimd above. Assume the unknown circuit
tuned at 476 uut (Col and the RF milliammeter deflection was 78. The
standard oircuit tuned at 481 uut (C
s
) and 37.1 ohms had to be used to make
the milliammeter read 78 as above. The r.f. source was 300 KC. From
the above formula compute Xu and X
s

=
Where: -
'IT" - 3.1416
f - frequenoy in cycles per seoond
c = capacity in micro-microfarads
- 4 -
1 = 1114.6 ohms
2 x 3.1416 x 300,000 x 476 x 10 -12
1
1 = 1103.0 ohms
2 x 3.1416 x '300,000 x 481 x 10-
12
x 1114.6 - 1103.0 = 11.6 ohms
or
x
(Cs - CuI
211"rC C 10-
12
u s
=
(481 - 476) - 11. 6 ohms
2 x 3.1416 x 300.000 x 481 x 476 x 10-
12
This reactance is positive, or inductive, si nee capacity was added to
obtain resonance with the standard circuit. The resistance of the unknown
is directly obtainable from reading the decades and in this case is 37.1
ohms. The impedance. (z), of the device is found by substituting in the
formula.
z 38.5 ohms
This sample measuretmIlt demonstrates the memanics a. operating the
impedance measurlng set.
EX3lJlPle 2. Tuning Range Towers. (After other necessary adjustments,
includmg resonating antenna tuning unit primary circuit, have been made in
accordance with equipmmt instruction books).
It is desired to tune a radio range tower: Ground all of the towers except
the one bemg tuned. Disconnect the transmission line from the tumng house
and connect the rnput terminals of the impedance box to the transmISSIon
- 5 -
line with the twisted pair leads. Connect the unknown termmals of the
impedance unit to the mput terminals of the tuning house with the "dual"
test leads. Adjust the taps, condenser links, etc., m the tuning house
to approximate resonance in accordance with the tuning house instruction
book data. Set the impedance unit coupling at zero, the HUNK-STD"
switch on "STOll and the decades on a high value of resistance. Apply
power (to line feeding tower being tuned only), decrease the decade
reSIstance to the value of the characteristic impedance of the transmission
line and tune impedance unit oondenser, as the impedance unit coupling
is increased, until approxirrately half scale reading at resonance is obtained
on the meter. Note the impedance unit condenser setting, coupling dial
setting and meter reading. If the impedance unit selector switch were
changed to "UNK" at this time, the antenna tuning unit impedance might
be such that excessive current would flow 1D the irnPJdance unit circuit.
In order to avoid this possibility, a rough check of antenna tuning is
made. Reduce the impedance unit coupling to near zero, switch to ltUNK"
and check for resonance, increasing the impedance unit coupling to obtain
sufficient current to clearly indicate resonance. The antenna P ,
coupling and tuning are now adjusted to result in the impedance unit
condenser reaching resonance with approximately the same impedance unit
condenser setting, and with coupling dial setting and meter reading as
noted above when the switch was in the "STO" position.
For final antenna tuning, see that shields are on and securely fastened
down, antenna insulators clean and the antenna and counterpoise system
in good mechanical and electrical condition. Carefully resonate the
impedance unit with the switch in the nSTD" position with sufficient
impedance unit coupling to prodace half scale meter deflection. Do not
change impedance unit coupling from this setting until the antenna tuning
is completed. Switch to "UNKI1 and note meter reading and impedance unit
condenser setting for resonance. If these are not exactly the same as for
tl&'m
n
I adjust the antenna coupling transformer and the antenna tuning and
again check. Repeat this procedure until the meter reads exactly the same
current and the condenser setting is exactly the same on "STD" and "UNK",
with the antenna tuning unit dials locked in place by the dial stops.
In some cases, particularly on the higher frequencies, the impedance box
tuning may be very sharp, making it difficult to tune out all reactance.
If difficulty is encountered, the tuning may be broadened by plugging in
either the .00025 mid or .0005 mid condenser in place of the link con-
necting to the tiC" terminal, thus placing the external condenser in series
with the regular tuning condenser. The external condensers are accurate
only!. 10%, thus, while resonance of circuits may be checked with these
units in the circuit, absolute measurements cannot be made using the
series condensers unless they are calibrated.
- 6 -
-
-
V. MAINTENANCE.
The unit should receive the usual care and attention given any portable
precision instrument. It should be checked periodically for any
irregularities which may develop. Care should be exercised, however.
to keep dust, dirt and moisture from entering the box. "Rough" or
irregular operation of dials or switches should receive immediate
attention. Cleaning plus a very small amount of heavy grease on the
detent mechanisms or bearings will correct most irregularities.
In the event of the Bet not operating when all the instructions have been
followed to put it into operation, a few simple checks can be made to
determine the trouble. Firat throw the "UNK-STD" switch to "STD" and
with several hundred ohms in the circuit, see if resonance can be obtained.
If the Bet still does not work, check to see if the meter fuse has been
burned out or whether reduction of decade resistance will permit current
to flow. Remove fuse by unscrewing and pulling the fuse lmob adjacent
to the meter. If this is not the trouble, check the circuit with an ohmmeter.
This should reveal the difficulty and steps can be taken to correct it.
If the coupling dial should shift so that zero coupling is not at zero on the
dial, the rotor coil should be shifted on the shaft until zero coupling is
obtained at zero. If the zero coupling is obtained at zero on the dial,
but the dial is permitted to rotate past zero, the dial stop should be
rotated so that the dial is not permitted to go below zero.
Zero setting for the coupling coil will be different in the case than outside
the case. The amount of change due to insertion into the case should be
determined and compensated for so that zero coupling and zero dial will
agree after insertion into the case.
In the event that the balancing condenser should be jarred or changed, the
folloWing procedure should be followed in resetting it: Connect a reactance
of + 300 ohms across the unknown terminals and tune the set to resonance.
Ground first one side of the unknown to the case and note the decrease in
the milliammeter deflection. Ground the other side and note its decrease.
These decreases in the milliammeter deflections should be equal. If not,
the balancing condenser should be adjusted until these deflections are equal.
Care should be taken to retune the circuit each time the balancing condenser
is changed and before it is checked for balance.
During laboratory adjustments, the impedance box was adjusted for balance
at 400 KC and the position of the balancing condenser marked with a white
dot on the panel opposite the marked end of the slot in the balancing con-
denser shaft.
- 7 -
VI. SEPARATE USE OF DECADES AND CONDENSERS
With reference to the wiring diagram, the various component parts are
readily accessible without opening the box. Connections and positions
of switches are obvious from a study of this wiring diagram. When
using the condenser, it may be advisable to isolate thll meter by removing
the fuse.
The decades for the most part may be used as standards and considered
as nonreactive; however, should more precise measurements be required,
the following information may be of value. Accuracy of adjustment of the
resistance increments should be within! 1% for the 0.1 ohm steps, 0.25%
for the 1. 0 ohm step and:t 0.1% for the 10.0 ohm and 100 ohm steps. It
would be desirable to have non-inductive resistors; however, since it is
impossible to construct satisfactory units of this type, the next best thing is
to utilize a unit having a very low but constant inductance. Consequently,
compensated decade resistors are used for the 1.0, 10.0 and 100 ohm
units; however, a noncompensated unit is used for the 1000 ohm section.
Zero resistance and inductance characteristics are listed as follows:
Decade
G.R. Type
668-A
668-B
668-C
510-D
Unit
Ohms
1.0
10.0
100.0
1000.0
Zero Resistance
0.001 - 0.010
0.015 - 0.025
0.010 - 0.020
0.002 - 0.003
Inductance
0.15 uh
0.30 uh
0.50 uh
0.29 uh per 10 ohms
Changes in R. F. resistance due to frequencies of 500 KC or below are
negligible, except that variations of 0.1% at 500 KC and on the 10.0 ohm
unit may be expected. The temperature coefficient is less than +0.002%
per degree centigrade at room temperatures. Currents should not exceed
the v a l ~ e s stamped on dial plates. More detailed information relative to
the decades may be had by referring to General Radio Catalog K.
The variable condenser is rated at 1,100 volts peak and is accurate to +1 uuf.
, -
The dial used with this condenser is calibrated in 200 divisions each division
is equivalent to 4.07 uuf. Maximum capacity is obtained at the 124th division
(see conversion chart). The fixed capacitor is adjusted to 400 uuf t 1.0 uuf.
Four hundred uuf must be added to the capacity indicated by the dial when
the "HIGH-LOW" switch is in the "LOW" < 400 uuf) posi tion.
- 8-
IMPEDANCE MEASURING UNIT TYPE CA-3462
LIST OF PARTS
Sch.
Desig.
C-1
C-2
C-3
F-1
L-1
L-2
L-3
DescrIption
Condenser, vairable, 40-500 uuf
Condenser, fixed, 400 uuf, air dielectric
Condenser, variable, 6-50 uuf
Fuse, Littlefuse, lisA., 500 V., 3 AG:
Coil, coupling, secondary, 145-705 uh
Coil, coupling, primary, 465 uh
Coil, coupling, secondary, 145-705 uh
Mfr.
Card
FAA
Budd
L. F.
FAA
FAA
FAA
Mfr's.
Desig.
PL-9046
Special*
LC-1644
3 AG. liB
A Cat.
#1044
Special*
Special*
Special*
M-1
RF Milliammeter 0-120 expanded scale
bakelite case flush mounting
Weston 425
R-1
R-2
R-3

S-l
S-2
Decade-resistance unit, compensated,
1 ohm, ten steps 0.1 ohms each wlknob
and metal etched dial plate.
Decade-resistance unit, compensated,
10 ohm, ten steps 1.0 ohms each
wlknob and metal etched dial plate.
Decade-resistance unit,
100 ohm, ten steps 10.0 ohms, each
wlknob and metal etched dial plate.
Decade-resistance unit; 1000 ohms,
ten steps 100 ohms ea., wlknob and
metal etched dial plate.
Switch, rotary, three position, three pole
Switch, rotary three position, two pole
G.R.
G.R.
G.R.
G.R.
S
S
66S-A
(knob
202-y)
66S-B
(knob
202-y)
66B-C
(knob
202-'4
510-D
(knob
202-y)
5925-23
5925-53
* Order replacements through Operating Materials Division.
- 9 -
Bmding post
G.R. 938A
Dial. coupling, 3" dia., calIbrated 0-100 N
for 1/4" shaft, vernier dr ve
Dial, tuning, 4", friction drive, complete
with dial and mdicator
G.R. 704 JF*
Fuse post and knob
Insulator, for single binding post
Insulator, for double binding post
Insulator, standoff Steatite, 3/4" dia.,
x 1" long tapped 8-32 each end
Knob, for switches
Plugs, double
Condenser, bandspread, .00025 mfd
5000 V. Test
Condenser, bandspread, .0005 mfd
5000 V. Test
* Order replacements through Division.
LiST OF MANUFACTURERS
Symbol
L. F. 342001
G.R. 938BB
G.R. 938Z
Johnson Type
135-501
G.R. KNB-2
G.B. 274-MB
Sprague
Sprague
Budd
Card
G.R.
Johnson
L.F.
N
s
Sprague
Budd Radio Inc., 2118 E. 55th., Cleveland, Ohio
Cardwell Co., Allen D. The, 97 Whitting st., Plainview, Conn.
General Radio Co., Dambridge, Mass.
Johnson, E. F., Waseca, Minn.
LitUefuse, Inc., 4757 Ravenswood Ave., Chicage, Ill.
National Co., 61 Sherman st., Molden, Mass.
Shallcross Mfg. Co., 10 Jackson Ave., Collingdale, Pat
Sprague Electric Co., 125 Marshall St., North Adams, Mass.
- 10 -
IMPEDANCE MEASURING U
CA- 3462

CONVERSION CHARI
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fMPE ANCE MEAS4R'NG UNIT
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