Electrostatic Voltmeters

Contact and non-contact electrostatic voltmeters for voltages up to 20kV.

Supplier: Trek Inc. (Advanced Energy)

Technology type: Electrostatic Voltmeters

Trek offers a large range of non-contacting AC and DC feedback electrostatic voltmeters with a wide variety of probes to accurately measure the surface potential up to 20kV of different and of spot size as small as 1mm.

In addition, Trek also offers ultra-high-impedance-contacting voltmeters which make it possible to do highly accurate contacting measurements with virtually no charge transfer, giving excellent spatial resolution to allow tests on very small surfaces/ IC leads.

Theory of operation – AC feedback electrostatic voltmeter

Trek offers two types of electrostatic voltmeters. One product line utilises DC feedback technology while the other product line is based on Trek’s novel approach to electrostatic measurement via patented AC feedback technology.

The AC feedback electrostatic voltmeters are based on a unique design developed and patented by Trek to address some of the problems associated with electrostatic field meter technology. The AC feedback technology delivers accurate measurements over a wide range of probe-to-surface spacings without the need to generate high voltage. Compare this to field meter technology which requires a specific fixed spacing in order to provide useful measurements. In addition, the AC feedback electrostatic voltmeter can measure smaller surface areas than field meters because Trek’s technology allows the probe to be placed closer to the surface.

Theory of operation – DC feedback electrostatic voltmeter

The DC feedback electrostatic voltmeters use a well-known technology that Trek has employed for over 45 years. The design utilises a field-nulling method where the body of the probe is driven to the voltage being measured. This provides very high accuracy and fast speed of response. Since the probe is spaced relatively close to the surface being measured (1-2mm typical) it is capable of measuring very small surface areas, with no arc over.

What's in this range?

All the variants in the range and a comparison of what they offer

Handheld and desktop AC feedback electrostatic voltmeters

Model	Measurement range	Accuracy
520	0 to ±2kV DC	Better than ±5% of full scale
523	0 to ±20kV DC	Better than ±5% of full scale
876	0 to ±2kV DC	Better than ±5% of full scale
884	0 to ±20kV DC	Better than ±5% of full scale
541A-1	0 to ±1kV DC	Better than 1% of full scale
541A-2	0 to ±100kV DC	Better than 1% of full scale
542A-1	0 to ±10kV DC	Better than ±5% of full scale
542A-2	0 to ±20kV DC	Better than ±5% of full scale

DC feedback electrostatic voltmeters

Model	Measurement range	Accuracy
323	0 to ±100V	0.05% of full scale
325	0 to ±40V	0.05% of full scale
341B	0 to ±20kV	0.1% of full scale
344	0 to ±2kV	0.05% of full scale
347	0 to ±3kV	0.05% of full scale
370	0 to ±3kV	0.05% of full scale
P0865	0 to ±10kV	0.1% of full scale