operating manual
QB1 Quick Break tester
part number 148335
Getting started
Congratulations on the purchase of your Quick Break Tester.
Magnaflux® provides the NDT industry with top-performing,
innovative accessories.
An explanation of Quick Break
When current passes through a coil, it creates a magnetic
field. If the current is stopped, the magnetic field collapses
and induces a current in the opposite direction in the
coil. This, in turn, creates a magnetic field in the opposite
direction. The cycle continues back and forth until the current
is dissipated through resistance. This effect is commonly
called ring down.
Quick Break is a term associated with the circuitry employed
to rapidly terminate high amperage direct current (DC) flowing
through a magnetizing coil. The resulting rapid collapse
of the coils magnetic field imparts a desirable residual
field within the part under test. The nature of this field is
advantageous for disclosing certain transverse discontinuities on the surface of the part, even when the continuous
method is being employed.
When the ring down dissipation is too slow, the resulting
effect could give inconsistent results. At the very least, it will
cause undesirable leakage fields on the outer edges of the
part under test. Quick Break can give you sharper resolution
of transverse indications.
The ring down rate, frequency, and peaks are all functions of
the coils size, voltage and resistance. It is much like ringing
a bell. Different sized bells will give you different tones
(Frequency & Coil Size). Different hammer hits will change
how long the bell resonates (Voltage Drop). Putting your
hand on the bell will also change how long it will resonate
(Resistance).
With Quick Break, the concern is the dissipation of the
energy. If the energy is dissipated too slowly the resulting
residual field is not properly developed. The frequency is
tied to the coil size, which is not usually something that
can be manipulated. Resistance can be manipulated in the
design of the unit. The voltage drop is determined by the
machine design and the amperage desired.
By designing the QB1 tuned for a certain amperage, we
can determine if the Quick Break of the unit is functioning
properly. The testers are designed to verify the voltage induced by the coil. The voltage induced is a function of the
inductance of the coil and the rate of change of the current.
Although it is a function of time, Quick Break is like velocity
and it is a product of the inductance multiplied by the rate of
fall (amps per second). The QB1 gives us an easy functioning gauge that allows us to verify the units operation.
Precautions
• The QB1 is designed for 3 Phase, Full Wave and DC
output machines only. Do not use with 1 Phase DC, Half
wave or AC output machines.
• The tester should always be used as shown for the
appropriate component.
• Occasionally, the bulb could flash at the beginning of the
magnetic cycle. This indication should be ignored, as it is
the break (current turning off) that is being tested.
• Always avoid dropping the tester as internal circuits
could be damaged.
• The Quick Break Tester is tuned for 2000 amps no matter
the coil size. All tests should be done as close as possible
to 2000 amps.
Note: Often the Bus Bar and White Metal Cover will not
be used with the Quick Break Tester. If necessary, these
components can be removed.
OPERATING MANUAL
QB1 quick break tester
Operation - checking a coil on a wet
horizontal unit
1. Center the Coil in a convenient spot for easy access to
the bottom of the coil and the current (mag) activation
button.
2. Remove all ferrous materials from inside the coil.
3. Place the Magnaflux QB1 on the bottom of the
coil with the studs facing to the center of the coil.
Note: Never clamp the QB1 between the Head and Tail
Stocks. This test will not confirm quick break and may
damage tester.
4. Set mag current as close as possible to 2000 amps.
5. Set the mag shot time for 0.5 to 1 second.
6. Initiate the mag current shot and observe the tester’s
indicating lamp at the end of the mag cycle.
Flash of the lamp indicates a good Quick Break;
absence of flash is indicative of “Quick Break” malfunction
or the unit does not have the Quick Break feature.
7. Repeat this test firing at least 20 mag shots. The bulb
should flash a minimum of 16 times (80%). Be aware of
the unit’s duty cycle when performing this test. Exceeding
the duty cycle can affect the quick break function as well
as the unit.
Note: At timesthe lampmay flash at the beginning of the
mag cycle. This should be ignored as the end (break) of
the cycle is the concern.
Operation - checking a remote coil or
cable wrap with external power source
1. Install the bus bar and cover on the Quick Break Tester.
2. Place the coil/cable wrap in a convenient spot for easy
access to the bottom of the coil and the current (mag)
activation button. Cable wraps should be five (5) turns to
match the tuning of the quick break tester.
7. Initiate the mag current shot and observe the tester’s
indicating lamp at the end of the mag cycle. Flash of the
lamp indicates a good Quick Break; absence of flash is
indicative of “Quick Break” malfunction or the unit does
not have the Quick Break feature.
8. Repeat this test firing at least 20 mag shots. The
bulb should flash a minimum of 16 times (80%).
Note: At times the lamp may flash at the beginning of the
mag cycle. This should be ignored as the end (break) of
the cycle is the concern.
Cleaning
Use only mild soap and damp cloth to clean the tool. Never
let any liquid get inside the housing. Never immerse any
part of the tool into a liquid. Store protected in a clean, dry
environment.
Troubleshooting
Problem: Indicator light does not illuminate.
Possible cause: Amperage set too low to activate.
Solution: Equipment must be set to produce over 15,000
amp turns, 3,000 amps through a 5 turn coil or 2,000 amps
when connected in series with a 5 turn coil wrap.
Possible cause: Damaged or defective bulb.
Solution: Contact Authorized Magnaflux Service Center
to repair or replace. QB1 Replacement Bulb Part Number:
106793.
Possible cause: Damaged coil due to misuse.
Solution: Contact Authorized Magnaflux Service Center to
repair or replace.
Warranty
Refer to the Magnaflux Warranty Statement on our website,
www.magnaflux.com.
3. Remove all ferrous materials from the coil or cable wrap.
4. Place the Magnaflux QB1 in series with the cable
going to the coil.
Note: Never clamp the QB1 between Head and Tail
Stocks. This test will not confirmquick break and may
damage tester.
5. Set mag current as close as possible to 2000 amps.
6. Set the mag shot time for 0.5 to 1 second.
Customer support
The QB1 is a certified tester. If you have a question about the
purchase, operation, recertification or servicing of the QB1,
please contact Magnaflux (details on next page). You may
also contact your local Distributor or Magnaflux Authorized
Service Center directly. Contact information for our local
Distributors and Authorized Service Centers can be found on
our website.
OPERATING MANUAL
QB1 quick break tester
Identifying parts
Indicating Lamp
Copper Bus
Figure D-3: Quick Break Tester with Bus Bar and Brackets
Cables to Coil or Induced
Current Fixture
Figure D-1: Quick Break Tester without
Bus Bar and Brackets
Tester
Coil
Tailstock
Headstock
Tester
Contact Block
Figure D-4: Testing Contact Circuit
Figure D-2: Testing Coil Circuit
Faraday Road, South Dorcan Industrial Estate, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN3 5HE, UK
T + 44 (0)1793 524566 F +44 (0)1793 490459 E sales@magnaflux.co.uk
T +49 (0) 7365 81-0
Version 15.1
Bahnhofstr 94-98, 73457 Essingen, Germany
F +49 (0) 7365 81-449 E sales@magnaflux.com.de
T +46 54 29 39 50
P.O. Box 530, 651 12 Karlstad, Sweden
F +46 54 85 05 58 E info@magnaflux.se