The following information highlights some of the powerful features and advantages of the MK Test Systems AutoMeg Product Range.

Specific Build Options
Built to your specific requirements, supplied installed and commissioned at your site with no hidden costs, AutoMeg offers you the optimum in quality, accuracy and reliability - the complete turnkey solution.

Control of AutoMeg Systems
The backbone of the whole AutoMeg product range is the PC based software control. The AutoMeg has set new standards with its simple to use, yet powerful, menu driven software. Test files for even the most complex harness systems are created with ease, using one of a variety of Auto Create facilities, confirming AutoMeg’s place at the forefront of Automatic testing technology. For an overview of AutoMeg Software see the Software Overview area of our web site.

Quality
The AutoMeg has a comprehensive diagnostics system to allow verification of the switching matrix, programmable power supplies and all measurement circuits. This includes verification of external test fixtures. All diagnostics give clear results with an optional dated report and archive file. Diagnostics can be configured to run either before every test, daily, weekly, monthly etc.

In addition to the diagnostics tools, the operation of power supplies, switching matrix and measurement circuits is being monitored during normal testing.

The AutoMeg is designed to be ‘fail-safe’. This means that 100% of defects are detected.

Calibration is designed to be carried out by your on-site engineers making use of the in-built calibration programme and calibration card which is supplied with the system. This is a simple and fast operation and is completed in a matter of minutes.

All equipment is designed and manufactured to ISO 9001 and CE marked. MK Test Systems is a registered ISO9001 company.

Additional Services
MK Test Systems are pleased to offer to supply test interface fixture, harnesses and jigs as part of a complete package. If you would like to take advantage of this service please contact us with full details of your requirement.

Resistance measurements
The AutoMeg range of test systems can be supplied in three formats either Two-wire, Four-wire, or a Dual systems capable of performing both two and four wire measurement. The fundamental difference is explained in the following paragraphs.

Two-Wire Measurement
The Two-wire measurement technique is what is typically found in general purpose test equipment such as multi-meters. When measuring low resistance measurements using the two-wire technique the test lead or test interface wiring will be in series with the device under test. The example clearly demonstrates this.

With a constant test current of 1 Amp flowing through the circuit a volt drop of 6.010v is measured, therefore displaying a resistance of 6.01 Ohms. All contact resistances and test lead resistances are added into the test value. If the test lead and interface wiring changes the test resistance is greatly effected. In this typical example the measurement error is >60,000%.

Four-Wire Measurement
The Four-wire measurement technique is found in some higher specification ATE, more commonly known as Kelvin measurement. When measuring low resistance measurements using the four-wire technique the test lead or test interface wiring will be automatically nulled out. The example clearly demonstrates this.

With a constant test current of 1 Amp flowing through the circuit a volt drop of 0.010v is measured, therefore displaying a resistance of 0.01 Ohms. If the test lead and interface wiring changes the test resistance is not effected.

Most Aerospace and Defence companies have adopted the Four-wire continuity measurement technique as the industry standard. The Two-wire technique is typically used in automotive wiring, computer cables and other low specification applications to merely verify that an item is wired correctly and not to verify the integrity or performance of a cable.

Using the four-wire technique would highlight the following common faults:

A two-wire system with anything more than a few 100mm of interface wiring would not detect the faults above.

Many of the cables being tested in the aerospace sector are of very low resistance and one would expect that with the ever-increasing complexity of onboard electrical systems and avionics the accuracy of measurement of cable harnesses will become more and more important...4 wire techniques will become the norm.