No. The pyroelectric sensors must be the PE-C type sensors to work with the Centauri meter.

No. Centauri meter will not work with PD300RM and BC20 sensors.

Select the range that contains your wavelength. The sensors have coatings on them that have been characterized and for any wavelength within that range the sensor will be within calibration tolerance including variations in sensitivity within that range. When there is a difference in sensitivity that exceeds the allowable tolerances, a new wavelength range is created and a calibrated for.

Think of it like a voltmeter or ammeter, these have to be recertified/recalibrated as well like most other pieces of test equipment. In general, our instruments are unlikely to drift or fail over time like a sensor might that is constantly exposed to laser energy. But the possibility exists. So the general practice in our industry is to have Power and Energy Meters recalibrated and recertified as well. ISO standards and FDA, as well as other agencies, require both be recalibrated and recertified.

In all Ophir instruments, all adjustments, including zeroing internal circuits, are done from the software. This ensures simple and accurate realignment. The zeroing process helps eliminate internal biases in the unit which could affect accuracy and repeatability of measurements. It is recommended to re-zero the instrument every month or two for best performance. Specific instructions for doing this can be found in the User Guide/Manual for each instrument.

The Single Channel Centauri is actually a Dual Channel Centauri with the second Channel B disabled.
You can field upgrade a Single Channel Centauri to a Dual Channel Centauri by purchasing a Dual Channel Activation Code, ordering P/N .
The code number received is then entered by the user in the Instrument Settings to enable the second channel.

Unless otherwise indicated, Ophir sensors and meters should be recalibrated within 18 months after initial purchase, and then once a year after that.

The analog output of the meter - using the mating connector provided – gives a voltage signal proportional to the actual reading (it is in fact just a D/A translation of what is being displayed), so it represents a fully calibrated reading. The full scale value is a function of the meter being used and the power range it is on. With the StarBright, Vega and Nova II, for example, the user can select full scale analog output voltage ranges of 1, 2, 5 or 10 V, and the 100% level of the chosen power scale is scaled to the full scale voltage. For example: if you choose 5V full scale analog voltage range, and your sensor is set to a 50 W full scale power range, then you will have 5 V = 50 W or 0.1 V/W. It will vary according to the chosen power range and chosen full scale voltage range. The electrical accuracy is stated in the specification (see the User manual) as ±0.2% (of reading) ±0.3% of full scale volts (in addition to the calibration accuracy of the sensor’s reading itself).

Yes, the battery needs to be replaced. A new battery should last 8 hours per charge. We recommend that you send the meter back for battery replacement and recalibration. User battery replacement is possible. For battery part numbers and ordering information, check out the Spare Parts.

Yes. We now offer a switchable universal power adapter/charger P/N  for the Ophir displays.

For firmware upgrade and logging purposes, use USB Flash Drives of up to 32GB storage capacity, formatted as a FAT32 file system only. (Not exFAT nor NTFS).
Larger capacities, or differently formatted USB Flash Drives will not work with the Centauri.

Yes. The meter will then come on automatically when the power supply is connected, without pressing the ON button. The idea is intended for when a meter is integrated into a larger machine, so that when the machine is powered up, the meter also comes on without having to have physical access to the buttons on the meter.

Our recalibration process is to not automatically upgrade the firmware in meters when they are sent in for recalibration, unless specifically requested to upgrade it. The reason for this is that we support many companies, such as medical companies, that have equipment validation processes that don’t allow changing the firmware version from the currently validated version. If you do want the latest firmware version installed, we will do that at no additional charge (for meters which are upgraded electronically) if it is specifically requested on the RMA request checklist form. For older meters (such as the Nova) that are upgraded through changing the EEPROM, a nominal fee is added, if firmware upgrade is requested. Note that upgrading the firmware does not affect the calibration.