How to Use a Magnetometer
A magnetometer measures the direction and strength of a magnetic field and may also be referred to as a Gauss meter. Magnetometers can usually register a very wide range of field strengths and typically use the gauss as the unit of measure for magnetic fields. Magnetometers can be used to measure an ambient magnetic field such as the one exerted by the Earth and can also measure the strength of a specific magnet. The most common type of Gauss meter is typically a handheld unit that runs on batteries.
Instructions
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1
Define the Gauss. The standard unit of measure for magnetic flux density is the tesla, which is equal to 1 kilogram/coulomb-second. A Gauss is equal to 1/10,000 tesla. The Earth's magnetic field is about one-half Gauss, a small bar magnet exerts about 100 Gauss, and a large electromagnet may exert a field of up to 15,000 Gauss.
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Select the right probe for the field strength to be measured. Magnetometers frequently have more than one probe in order to register a wider range of strengths. A probe with higher stability will have a smaller resolution but will also have a smaller range.
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Choose the desired settings. These typically include settings for magnetism caused by alternating and direct current. Many magnetometers also have a setting for peak values, which detects the maximum value when the field strength is changing rapidly.
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Place the tip of the probe at the desired location and record the magnetic field strength. Calculate the error of the reading according to your model's specifications. Magnetometers typically have a greater error at the upper end of its range and the measurement error also increases with temperature.
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