Re: READING AND USING THE METER . . . Part 1
Reply #3 –
Reply #3 – September 18, 2016, 10:53:11 AM
SETTING UP YOUR METER AND SESSION
Ok, I have just collided with one of our members who knew nothing about the above and who also added in stuff from "where?" he did not know. Hence this ditty.
It also just came to me that various members will likely be using different types of e-meters, ABLs, and/or other "instruments." I've seen and used many, beginning in the '50's with the original "blue metal case" job.
Also these instructions may appear rather pedantic and to be addressing utter, utter novices . . . well, I just learned during a Skype coaching chat that one of our members did not know why it was that when he "set his meter up by turning it on (without cans plugged in), set it to "2 sensitivity," then plugged his cans in but without any hand grip, that the needle instantly blew up off the dial. I'll not give you rest of the drama.
So we are going to go very basic here to be sure nothing is missed for any of you.
I am not up to date with the latest super-duper CofS e-meters. My last CofS meter was the 1980 Mk VI. That and its related meters needed to often be calibrated . . . that is, checked to sure 2.0 and 3.0 were reading true as to ohms of resistance. My Clarity Meter (my preferred meter made by Hank Levin) and the ABLs I had from the ranch stay true and do not require recalibration. I don't know about the other meters on the market. Thus it is possible my friend this morning was thinking in terms of some old verbal data regarding setting the calibration for 2.0 on the meter rather than sensitivity . . . I did not bother to get into untangling that one.
In any event, this is the drill for setting up the meter and the session each time. If your meter is one that needs calibration checked, do it away from sessions.
Attached is a scan of the notes made at the beginning of one of my solo sessions including meter set up.
You need to date and number each page as they are started . . .
Then, top left: note the time, noting AM or PM.
So, at this point one has the cans plugged into the meter, and you turn the meter on, then pick up the cans using two hands, one on each part of the solo cans if this is a solo session. Use your knuckle to adjust the knob or button to reset the resistance value (TA) position. If you are processing a client who uses two cans, one in each hand, you do not need to set the resistance value for one-handed solo.
Next, opposite the time, on the right hand side of the column, note the resistance value (RV) (we used to call it the TA position) USING TWO HANDS. This to get the correct RV relative to and in the terms of all the information earlier tech development. Note it is a two handed setting.
Next, IF YOU ARE DOING SOLO, place the cans in the one hand you use in solo, center the needle on the dial and, below the time write down what the needed sensitivity setting is for the session . . . this can vary day to day and even within a session. This setting is derived from doing a gentle but complete can squeeze and adjusting the sensitivity knob or button till you get the needle dipping to the right about three-quarters of the distance from center to the right side (on my meter, about 2.25-2.5 inches)
Next, write down the RV you have using one-handed solo cans . . . it will be higher than your two-handed RV . . something in the range of 1.0 divs (example 3,0 two-handed: 4.0 one-handed) but often between only 0.5 and 1.0 divs higher. Don't fuss over this, it will be what it is. Note it is the one-handed setting.
Next, now that your sens is set, check for metabolism: deep breath (I get a good lung full and hold a second at the top) . . . note the meter response (it should fall . . . if not, you might not be sessionable . . . but I check again after breathing out and building up a little oxygen debt or doing some little vigorous exercise in the chair to build the bodily oxygen demand . . . then I do get a proper metab read) Note the metab read on the left under the Time and Sens
Next, zero out the accumulated RV change value so that what then is the number at end of session is the actual RV accumulated change (charge blown in session) that does not include that generated during the set-up. Note this in the right under the two RV position notes.
In the attached scan you'll see in red I have noted the action and case gain of the particular session . . . this so, if I need to consult these records I can find them.
The mechanics behind the phenomena of meter construction and use can be Googled . . . It'll save us from putting it here.
But, just to be sure you have this particular point, my friend this morning didn't understand that when he did not have the cans in his hand(s) there was no complete circuit for the battery current to run through and so, the resistance was absolute as though trying to read through an insulator . . . that is, it was why the needle jumped up to the left when he plugged the cans jack in while at the same time not holding the cans. Conversely, if you touch the two cans you short out the circuit giving it NO resistance and the needle will crash off to the right side. Holding the cans puts your body into and as part of the circuit.
It is to be noted that the above sequence of steps is exact and exactly so for a reason . . . . if you get them out of order, you screw up getting it completed: as an example, you can't get the metab read till you've set the sens.
It is rather like the old joke from our days as Vikings . . . we used to love to come ashore for a little bit of rape, pillage, burning and killing . . . but, some idiots would screw up the correct sequence and that only ever resulted in no goodies. If you kill or burn first, it destroys the fun and profit of the rape and pillage!
Rog
Session and Meter Set Up.pdf
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