Four-point transient potential drop measurements on metal plates

Abstract

The transient potential drop method is based on measurement of the transient voltage on the surface of a conductor due to the injection of a pulsed current. In this paper, we consider an approximate analytical model for four-point transient potential drop measurements on plates that are thin compared to the probe separation. Experimental results show good agreement with the theory for measurements made on non-magnetic and ferromagnetic plates when an exponentially rising pulsed current is used as a source. To demonstrate possible applications of the theory we consider measurement of the conductivity and relative permeability of the materials as well as plate thickness.

Special Feature on Nondestructive Evaluation of Materials

“…Measurement of the conductivity and relative permeability of materials as well as plate thickness using four-point transient potential drop measurements is presented by Persvik and Zhang [8].…”

Combined Experimental and Numerical Modelling of the Electrical Behaviour of Laser-Soldered Steel Sheets

“…On the other hand, the electrical characterisation of joints in overlap geometry created by any technique is a challenging task in itself, and no standardised methods are currently available to meet these. On most occasions, the four-point probe method, also known as the Kelvin or van der Pauw method is the most favourable option [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ], as it offers a robust approach for resistance measurement that is also capable of mitigating measurement errors introduced by contact and lead wire resistances. The four-point probe method enables precise determination of the joint’s resistance while minimising the impact of parasitic resistances, resulting in highly accurate and reproducible measurements [ 18 ].…”

“…On most occasions, the four-point probe method, also known as the Kelvin or van der Pauw method is the most favourable option [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ], as it offers a robust approach for resistance measurement that is also capable of mitigating measurement errors introduced by contact and lead wire resistances. The four-point probe method enables precise determination of the joint’s resistance while minimising the impact of parasitic resistances, resulting in highly accurate and reproducible measurements [ 18 ]. However, the measurement probes are unable to distinguish between the resistance of the joint and the resistance of the base sheets to be joined, regardless of how close they are to the joint interface.…”

“…In the literature, the four-point probe method with several distances between the needle-tipped probes was used. Schmidt et al and Schmalen et al used 21 mm as a distance between the probes [ 16 , 17 , 20 ], while a 16.5 mm or 11 mm distance was used by Biele et al [ 18 ] and Hollatz et al [ 21 ], respectively. The method, performed at one fixed measurement distance, is perfectly suitable for comparing the electrical characteristics of different samples but it cannot give exact values for the joint; instead, it provides the cumulative resistance of the base plates and the filler together.…”

Combined Experimental and Numerical Modelling of the Electrical Behaviour of Laser Soldered Steel Sheets

“…On the other hand, the electrical characterization of joints in overlap geometry created by any techniques is a challenging task in itself, and no standardized methods are currently available to meet these. On most occasions the four-point probe method, also known as the Kelvin or van der Pauw method is the most favourable option [16][17][18][19][20][21], as it offers a robust approach for resistance measurement that is also capable to mitigate measurement errors introduced by contact and lead wire resistances. The four-point probe method enables precise determination of the joint's resistance while minimizing the impact of parasitic resistances, resulting in highly accurate and reproducible measurements [18].…”