Measuring Instruments and

Sensors Used For Magnetic

Field Measurements

Magnetic Field Instruments Information

Image Credit: MicroSense, Ohio Semitronics, Extech Instruments

What are Magnetic Field Instruments?

Magnetic field instruments are devices used to measure the magnetic field or flux around
permanent magnets, coils, and electrical devices. They include meters, gauges, sensors,
recorders, and other instrumentation.

Selection
Selecting a specific magnetic field instrument depends upon the type of device needed,
the technology it implements, its form, its outputs and interfaces, and various
performance specifications.

Device Type
Magnetic field instruments include magnetometers and Gaussmeters (Tesla meters).
Magnetometers and Gaussmeters are sometimes used interchangeably for describing
devices used to measure magnetic field strength. However, the two can be differentiated
based on the type of field strength they measure. Gaussmeters are considered devices
for high field strengths while magnetometers are used for low field strengths.
Specifically, Gaussmeters are said to take magnetic field measurements above 1 mT
(milliTesla), while devices measuring fields below this value are considered
magnetometers.

Instrument Technology
Magnetic field instruments include several types of sensing technologies. Depending on
the range of sensitivities the devices can be designed for, they can be considered
Gaussmeters, magnetometers, or both.

Gaussmeters

Hall Effect devices convert the energy stored in a magnetic field to an

electrical signal by developing a voltage between the two edges of a current-carrying

conductor whose faces are perpendicular to a magnetic field.
Magnetodiodes are two-terminal Hall effect devices similar to a

conventional bipolar diode. The voltage-current characteristic of a magnetodiode is

sensitive to a magnetic field.
Magnetotransistors consist of a bipolar transistor implemented on a
semiconductor surface. They are three-pronged devices consisting of an emitter
region, an elongated base region, and a collector region. The presence of a magnetic
field in the base region creates a Hall effect voltage which produces a pulse on the
transmission line.

Magnetometers
Magnetometers are magnetic field instruments for high-sensitivity applications detecting
low-strength fields. They can be classified as vector or scalar devices based on their
ability to sense field direction in addition to field strength.
Scalar
These magnetometers measure magnitude only.

Proton precession devices use liquids such as kerosene and methanol that

have high densities of hydrogen atoms.

Optically-pumped instruments polarize a gaseous alkali with a specific

wavelength of light. An RF signal is modulated to determine its optimum

depolarization frequency - this depolarization frequency varies with the ambient
magnetic field.
Overhauser or nuclear precession devices combine an electron-rich liquid
with hydrogen and then subject the mixture to a radio frequency (RF) signal.
Vector
There magnetometers measure both magnitude and direction.

SQUIDs or superconducting quantum interference devices consists of two

superconductors separated by thin insulating layers to form two parallel Josephson

junctions. They are most commonly used to measure the magnetic fields produced by
brain or heart activity.
Atomic SERF magnetometers achieve very high magnetic field sensitivity by

monitoring a high density vapor of alkali metal atoms precessing in a near-zero

magnetic field. They are among the most sensitive magnetic field sensors available.
Flux gate or coil instruments measure differences in the magnetic field at

the ends of a vertical rod and plot this information on a grid.

Magnetoinductive devices consist of a coil that surrounds a ferromagnetic
core whose permeability changes within the earth's magnetic field.

All Inclusive Technologies

Magnetoresistive instruments measure electrical resistance as a function of

the applied or ambient magnetic field. They can be built as magnetometers for more
sensitive applications, or as Gaussmeters for stronger magnetic fields.

Form
Magnetic field instruments can either be in handheld or mounted form. For field
applications and those requiring portability, handheld form may be necessary. Mounted
forms are usually bigger devices incorporated into a larger transportable unit or vehicle,
or are used in fixed lab or building environments.

Outputs and Interfaces

It is important for a magnetic field instrument to have outputs and interfaces that are
usable for the operator and compatible with other incorporated systems. Magnetic field
instruments differ in terms of electrical outputs. Analog current levels such as 4 - 20 mA
are suitable for sending signals over long distances. Analog voltages are simple, usually
linear functions. Modulated analog output signals are encoded, but still analog in nature.
Examples include sine wave, pulse wave, amplitude modulation (AM), and frequency
modulation (FM) signals. Several digital outputs are available. RS232, RS422, and RS485
are common serial, digital protocols. Popular parallel protocols include the generalpurpose interface bus (GPIB), a standard which is also known as IEEE 488. Other digital
outputs for magnetic field instruments include transistor-transistor logic (TTL) signals.
Outputs that change the state of a switch or alarm are also available.

Performance Specifications
Magnetic field instruments can be selected based on a number of different specifications
related to device performance.

Flux density measurement is the range through which the sensor or

instrument is designed to measure, often corresponding to the linear output region of

the sensing technology.
Sensing accuracy is the required measuring accuracy of the device.
Resolution is the smallest increment of measurement possible with the

device. An instrument with higher resolution can make smaller measurements.

Bandwidth is the frequency range over which the device meets its accuracy

specifications. Accuracy degrades with lower frequencies unless the device is capable
of dc response. Accuracy also degrades near and above resonance frequencies,
where its output response rolls off.
Operating temperature is the temperature range over which the device
must operate