The ZIROX vacuum probe is used to determine oxygen partial pressures in low-pressure equipment. Typical applications include vacuum processes (PVD, magnetron sputtering, and other plasma processes), surface treatment applications, and material-scientific investigations.
In contrast to the ZIROX normal pressure probes, the vacuum probe is not calibration-free. The reasons are the special sensor heater (inside the probe tube) and several conditions at the measuring electrode (energy removal depends on gas pressure and thermal conductivity). Therefore, isothermal electrodes, required for the correct use of the NERNST equation, cannot be realized. For process control, however, the use of empirically determined values is sufficient in most cases. For the measurement of oxygen partial pressures, the user must calibrate the probe (test measurements).
Inbuilt length | 140...300 mm |
Diameter | 6 mm, with protection tube 16 mm |
Mass | 1.5 kg |
Dimension clamp head | 150 x 63 x 35 mm |
Protection degree | IP54 |
Flange | KF40, others on request |
Max. temperature at flange | 60 °C |
Power supply | 24 V DC +/- 10 % |
Current consumption | 1.2 A |
Heating power | 30 W |
Pressure range | 1.5 x 10^5...1 x 10^-5 Pa |
Sensor voltage range | 0...400 mV or 0...1200 mV (range changing on circuit board) |
Range (oxygen partial pressure) | 1 x 10^5...1 x 10^-21 Pa |
Output signal | 0-20 mA |
Accuracy | < 5 % rel. error |
Sensor working temperature | 700 °C (electronically controlled) |
Offset (with protection sleeve) | -15...-20 mV |
Helium leak rate | < 10^-8 mbar l/s |
Gas flow | max. 10 m/s |
Reference gas | Surrounding air |
Reference gas flow | 5...10 l/h (by internal pump) |