Overview
Advanced Geoscience Inc’s most powerful and comprehensive electrical resistivity meter is the SuperSting R8. Possessing eight channels, this induced polarization and self-potential system can take up to eight readings at once with array sizes from 28 to 112 electrodes, thereby creating a 2D or 3D scan of the earth below. In addition, the SuperSting R8 can perform large 4 pin surveys with the ability to output 2000 milliamps when connected to two batteries.
The SuperSting R8 is versatile enough to perform traditional vertical electrical sounding (VES,) Mise-a-la-masse, measurements, multi-electrode electrical tomography (imaging) in 2D, 3D, and 4D, groundwater exploration, imaging dams & levees, marine dredging, borehole tomography, monitoring landfills, mine leach piles, gold exploration, mineral exploration, borehole-to-borehole, tomography, marine measurements, imaging tree trunks, imaging vertical walls, imaging inside tunnels, imaging over pyramids, locating graves, and CO2 sequestration time-lapse monitoring.
Configuration and Considerations
Assuming the user is performing an eight channel, multi-electrode survey, the user is going to need to determine how many electrodes to use (28-112 takeouts.) In addition, if they plan on doing a large line slice, the user may need to determine whether they want to roll the line or make separate files and merge them in the EarthImager software. Although rolling may be quicker, it’s safer to make multiple files in case a file becomes corrupted.
In addition to the instrument, the user may need to supply some common items. Whether performing a 4 pin or a full scale 112 electrode survey, it is important to bring a 3lb hammer and drill with a large bit to be able to insert the electrodes into hard ground. A few 300ft or longer tape measures can make spacing easier. Further, the user may want to bring some water if the ground is very dry or frozen to make good contact with the ground. Often customers buy 12v deep cycle batteries and have trouble with the instrument. This can present problems because batteries off the shelf tend to sit for quite some time and discharge. Therefore, if one must purchase batteries, it is prudent to do so in advance and charge the batteries for at least a day with a proper charger.
The SuperSting usually runs smoothly, but there are some common problems. It can output up to 2000 milliamps when two batteries are connected. The unit is supposed to cycle down to a usable amperage, but sometimes starting out with too high a current can cause autoranging problems. Therefore, if your survey seems to be stuck “autoranging,” stop your survey and lower the current. This is specifically a problem with surveys with small spacing. In very hot weather, it is important to keep your instrument cool. This may mean keeping it in the shade or even putting it in a cooler surrounded by ice.
Typical SuperSting R8 Packing List
1 x SuperSting R8/IP Earth Resistivity Console
1 x Switchbox R8/84
1 x Power Supply for Office Use with AC Power Cable
1 x Main Battery Cable and 1 x Booster Battery Cable
1 x Cable for Communication to SuperSting/Windows Based Computer
1 x Cable for loading Firmware into the SuperSting
1 x Resistance Test Box
2 x Jumper cables (2 m) to Connect Switch Box Console
2 x Transgender Cables
1 x USB to Serial Adapter
1 x USB Flash Drive with Software and Manuals
1 x EarthImager Software with USB Dongle
6 x Passive Electrical Resistivity Imaging Cables
86 x 18 inch Stainless Steel electrode stakes with Stainless Steel spring
1 x Pelican Shipping case for SuperSting R8 (24×20 x16, 50lbs)
1 x Pelican Shipping case for Switch Box (20x16x8, 25lbs)
2 x Large Hard Case Plastic for Set of 3 Passive Cables (28x22x18, 80lbs)
1 x Box for the 86 Electrodes (22x15x10, 65lbs)
User Manuals
SuperSting Specifications
Measurement modes: Apparent resistivity, resistance, induced polarization (IP), battery voltage
Measurement range: +/- 10V
Measuring resolution: Max 30 nV, depends on voltage level
Screen resolution: 4 digits in engineering notation
Output current: 1mA – 2 A continuous
Output voltage: 800 Vp-p, actual electrode voltage depends on transmitted current and ground resistivity.
Output power: 200 W
Input channels: Eight channels
Input gain ranging: Automatic, always uses full dynamic range of receiver.
Input impedance: >20 MΩ
SP compensation: Automatic cancellation of SP voltages during resistivity measurement. Constant and linearly varying SP cancels completely.
Type of IP measurement: Time domain chargeabilitiy (M), six time slots measured and stored in memory
IP current transmission: ON+, OFF, ON-, OFF
IP time cycles: 0.5 s, 1 s, 2 s, 4 s and 8 s
Measure cycles: Running average of measurement displayed after each cycle. Automatic cycle stop when reading errors fall below user set limit or user set max cycles are done.
Resistivity time cycles: Basic measure time is 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 3.6, 7.2 or 14.4 s as selected by user via keyboard. autoranging and commutation adds about 1.4 s.
Signal processing: Continuous averaging after each complete cycle. Noise errors calculated and displayed as percentage of reading. Reading displayed as resistance (ΔV/I) and apparent resistivity (Ωm).
Resistivity is calculated using user entered electrode array coordinates.
Noise suppression: Better than 100 dB at f>20 Hz
Better than 120 dB at power line frequencies (16 2/3, 20, 50 and 60 Hz).
Total accuracy: Better than 1% of reading in most cases (lab measurements). Field measurement accuracy depends on ground noise and resistivity. The instrument will calculate and display running estimate of measuring accuracy.
System calibration: Calibration is done digitally by the microprocessor based on correction values stored in memory.
Supported configurations: Resistance, Schlumberger, Wenner, dipole-dipole, pole-dipole, pole-pole.
Operating system: Stored in re-programmable flash memory. New version can be downloaded from our web site andstored in the flash memory.
Data storage: Full resolution reading average and error are stored along with user entered coordinates and time of day for each measurement. Storage is effected automatically.
Memory capacity: More than 30000 measuring points can be stored in the internal memory.
Data transmission: RS-232C channel available to dump data from the instrument to a Windows type computer on user command.
Automatic multi-electrodes: The SuperSting is designed to run dipole-dipole, pole-dipole, pole-pole, Wenner and Schlumberger surveys including roll-along surveys completely automatic with the patented (patent 6,404,203) Swift Dual Mode Automatic Multi-electrode system. The SuperSting can run any other array by using user programmed command files. These files are ASCII files and can be created using a regular text editor. The command files are downloaded to the SuperSting RAM memory and can at any time be recalled and run. Therefore there is no need for a fragile computer in the field.
User controls: 20 key tactile, weather proof keyboard with alpha numeric entry keys and function keys.
On/off switch
Measure button, integrated within main keyboard.
LCD night light switch (push to light).
Display: Graphics LCD display (16 lines x 30 characters) with night light.
Power supply, field: 12V or 2x12V DC external power, connector on front panel.
Power supply, office: DC power supply
Operating time: Depends on conditions, internal circuitry in auto mode adjusts current to save energy. At 20 mA
output current and 10 kΩ electrode resistance more than 2000 cycles are available from a fully charged battery pack.
Weight: 10.7 kg (23.5 lb.)
Dimensions: Width 184 mm (7.25″), length 406 mm (16″) and height 273 mm (10.75″)