Where Can I Find a Simple Hall Probe for Measuring Magnetic Fields?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter dfx
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Probe
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a simple Hall probe for measuring magnetic fields, specifically targeting devices suitable for educational or basic experimental use. Participants share their experiences and suggestions regarding availability, pricing, and alternatives.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses frustration in finding a simple Hall probe, similar to those used in school, that can measure up to 1.5 - 2 tesla.
  • Another participant suggests searching for terms like magnetometer, gaussmeter, or teslameter, presuming the intent is to measure magnetic fields rather than current.
  • A participant mentions that while some suggestions yielded results, the prices were generally over $100, contrasting with their previous experience of using a simpler, cheaper device.
  • One suggestion involves contacting the school for information on the model or manufacturer of the previously used probe.
  • Links to resources for Hall probes and pricing are shared, with some participants noting that full systems tend to be expensive.
  • A participant mentions a specific low-cost option for a calibrated Hall sensor from Allegro Microsystems, which requires additional components for use.
  • Another participant indicates plans to postpone their search and revert to using the school’s Hall probe, citing high costs for ready-made options.
  • Several posts shift the conversation towards nostalgic experiences in lab work, including humorous anecdotes about past frustrations and challenges faced during experiments.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a specific solution or product, as there are multiple suggestions and experiences shared, with some expressing dissatisfaction with current options and others reminiscing about past lab experiences.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of frustration regarding the availability and affordability of Hall probes, with some suggesting alternative approaches while others reflect on their past experiences in laboratory settings.

dfx
Messages
59
Reaction score
1
Hey,
Sorry this is probably in the wrong section but I couldn't think of a more appropriate one. Anyway, I've spent ages on the net looking for a really simple hall probe - like one which I used back in school measuring a max of upto 1.5 - 2 tesla, and I just cannot seem to find any school lab type supplies websites! Really frustrating! Any ideas? I'm in the UK. Any help much appreciated!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Has one tried searching for magnetometer, gaussmeter, teslameter?

I presume one wishes to measure magnetic field as opposed to current?
 
Yes, that is correct. I may be addressed outisde the third person too. :)

I've tried your suggestions and they brought some up, but they all seems really expensive (>$100) ! Back in school I had a really simple hall probe which you could hook up to USB and mess around with. Good times. Sigh.
 
Last edited:
Why not call someone at the school and obtain the model or manufacturer or perhaps even the purchase order?

This might be useful - http://www.gaussmeter.co.uk/hall-probes.html

http://www.gaussmeter.co.uk/online-quotation.html
If one wants just a probe.

I think the full system with probe and electronics/processor will be pricey.

Or make a Hall probe and meter :biggrin:
http://spallation.physics.sc.edu/~blanpied/phys308/hallE67.pdf
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Dr Transport said:
www.teachspin.com has hall probes for advanced labs
Great resource, DT!

http://www.teachspin.com/instruments/prices.shtml#hall - a bit pricey.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
For $25, you can buy a calibrated, linear hall sensor from Allegro Microsystems. These are the cheapest sensors I've come across. They are basically a single chip package that you can easily mount on a board. You with need a 5V power supply (or a DC voltage source) and a meter/display to read the output.

Example: http://www.allegromicro.com/en/Products/Part_Numbers/1321/
Price: http://www21.serrahost.com/AllegroMicroSystems/Detail.bok?no=248

Scroll down to near the bottom of this pricing list: http://www21.serrahost.com/AllegroMicroSystems/StoreFront.bok#distributor
 
Thanks, all very helpful. I think I'll just postpone my plans for a few months and go back into use the school one for abit when I can. All of the ready made ones seem over $150, apart from the chipset. Might resort to the chipset and just hook it up to my multimeter.

Btw I got a quotation from gaussmeters.co.uk and it was well over £100.
 
Astronuc said:
Great resource, DT!

http://www.teachspin.com/instruments/prices.shtml#hall - a bit pricey.

Pricey, but the owner was my experimental physics profeesor way back when before all of these new fangled computer driven labs. You know, when you set the temperature on the blackbody for your infrared spectroscopy lab and come back 2 days later when it has stabilized, then you take data all night until the system craps out.

By the way, he is working an initiative for advanced labs, I plan on donating, anyone else?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #10
Dr Transport said:
You know, when you set the temperature on the blackbody for your infrared spectroscopy lab and come back 2 days later when it has stabilized, then you take data all night until the system craps out.

You've given me an anxiety attack reminding me of that freakin' thermopile!

(Thermo-pile-of-$#*%! On my deathbed, I'm going to demand that month BACK!)
 
Last edited:
  • #11
Chi Meson said:
You've given me an anxiety attack reminding me of that freakin' thermopile!

(Thermo-pile-of-$#*%! On my deathbed, I'm going to demand that month BACK!)


Me too, the best thing about my lab time was that I had a girl-friend who would come over to the lab, do her homework and genrally keep me company all night while I was taking data and pouring over it to analyze it.
 
  • #12
Dr Transport said:
Me too, the best thing about my lab time was that I had a girl-friend who would come over to the lab, do her homework and genrally keep me company all night while I was taking data and pouring over it to analyze it.

Oh that makes me feel so much better! :ironic smiley:

Not only did you have a girlfriend, you had DATA! A month of lugging liquid N2 up to the observatory--no TA's to be found anywhere--lousy instruction manual--plus nobody else in the class had the same project since we all picked one out of a basket and the better ones had been pilfered by the front rows. Five attempts later, all I had was a completely flat field.

20 years later, I'm still mad!
 
  • #13
Chi Meson said:
Oh that makes me feel so much better! :ironic smiley:

Not only did you have a girlfriend, you had DATA! A month of lugging liquid N2 up to the observatory--no TA's to be found anywhere--lousy instruction manual--plus nobody else in the class had the same project since we all picked one out of a basket and the better ones had been pilfered by the front rows. Five attempts later, all I had was a completely flat field.

20 years later, I'm still mad!


I didn't say the data was worth anything...almost flunked lab because I couldn't get some of the experiments to work at all.
 

Similar threads

Hall Effect Probe for Measuring Magnetic Field Strength
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
Electrical Where Can I Find a High Voltage DC 30kv - 40kv Generator for My Experiment?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
How Can a Physics Major Begin Learning About the Fractional Quantum Hall Effect?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad How can i measure high magnetic fields?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Admissions Could I please get critique on my SOP? (Experimental Biophysics)
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Measuring Magnetic Field Strength with Hall Probe
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
High School Where Can I Find The New Daya Bay Results?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Undergrad Calibrating a Hall Probe for Magnetic Flux Density Measurements
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
High School Where Can I Find the RA and Dec of the V1 Star?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Can I Catch Up on Years of Math in Two Years for a High School Exam?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K