Portable Selective Level Meter with integrated Signal Generator
Field Portable Power Line Communications Analysis instrument featuring colour display and USB memory stick interface for data transfer. The N4L SLM3505 also includes VSWR, Oscilloscope and impedance(LCR) modes.
The SLM3505 was designed to provide a single instrument solution for the Electric Utility System Protection Engineer and Relay/Communications Technician responsible for the alignment and maintenance of Power Line Carrier, Audio Tone and FSK Communications Systems. This multifunction instrument replaces all 4 existing Power Line Carrier Instruments in one for a fraction of the cost, all in a compact lightweight package. It is important to note that the requirement for a separate signal generator is no longer the case, the SLM3505 integrates the signal generator into the same chassis as the selective level meter.
Product Images
Features & Benefits
Frequency range 5Hz to 5MHz | Selectable inputs up to 300 Vpk |
Low and High level generators | Dual frequency SLM mode |
Impedance analyzer | VSWR Meter |
Oscilloscope mode | Line trap/tuner test |
Mains / 12 volt dc / internal battery operation | Supplied complete with rugged flight case |
Brochures | Documentation |
SLM3505 Brochure & Technical Specification PDF, 360Kb | SLM3505 User Manual v2_73 594kB |
SLM3505-E Brochure & Technical Specification PDF, 360Kb |
SLM3505
SLM3505 Options, Software, Accessories + Application Notes and Related Articles
![]() |
Communications Interfaces: |
- Standard: RS232, USB, LAN
![]() |
Connection Leads and Accessory Options: |
- SLM Custom Cable Set – 2x BNC to Alligator Clip 2m, 2x BNC to Pin Tip 2m, 2x BNC to BNC 2m, 3x 4mm Plug to Pin Tip 2m, 3x 4mm Plug to Alligator 2m
![]() |
Direction Coupler Options |
![]() |
Port Accessory Options: |
- USB to 9 Pin RS232 Serial Converter
![]() |
Carry Cases: |
- SLM3505 Hard Carry Case – Hard Carry Case suitable for aircraft hold supplied as standard
![]() |
Calibration and Documentation: |
- Standard Recalibration (ISO17025 Traceable) – SLM3505
- Spare set of user manuals – Hard copy of user and communications manual
![]() |
PC Software (Free of charge): |
- CommView 2 Scripting Software – SLM PC Scripting Software
Below are a list of application notes related to the field of power line carrier communications (PLCC)
APP004 – Testing FSK Communications
MEASUREMENT SPECIFICATIONS | |
---|---|
Selective Level Meter | |
Frequency Range | 5Hz to 5MHz |
Frequency Accuracy | ±5ppm over all temperature range |
High Accuracy “Option F” |
< ±2ppm over all temperature range |
Magnitude Accuracy | < 1KHz: 0.05% rng + 0.05% rdg + 50μV < 10KHz: 0.05% rng + 0.05% rdg + 0.01%/kHz +50μV < 5MHz: 0.05% rng + 0.25% rdg + 0.001%/kHz +50μV |
Inputs (Unbalanced) Type & Connection |
Differentially Isolated & Isolated BNC |
Bandwidth Settings | 3, 25, 100, 1.95k, 3.1k HZ & Wideband |
Measurement Units | V dBm dBu dB0 (Traditionally referred to as dB in PLCC applications) |
Accuracy of Level Measurement at 0 dBm | ±0.3dB(m) |
High Voltage Input | |
Max Input | ±300V peak |
Input Impedance | 1MΩ ±5% // 30pF |
50Ω Input | |
Max Input | 10W (22Vrms) |
Input Impedance | 50Ω ±5% // 30pF |
75Ω Input | |
Max Input | 10W (28Vrms) |
Input Impedance | 75Ω ±1% // 30pF |
Low Level Input | |
Max Input | ±10V peak |
Input Impedance | 50Ω ±1% // 30pF 75Ω ±1% // 30pF 600Ω ±1% // 30pF 1MΩ ±1% // 30pF |
Input Balanced | |
Max Input | ±10V peak |
Input Impedance | 50Ω ±1% // 30pF 75Ω ±1% // 30pF 600Ω ±1% // 30pF 1MΩ ±1% // 30pF |
Input Type | Differential |
Input Connection | 3 x 4mm connectors: Positive, Negative & Ground |
Signal Generator | |
Generator Type | Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS), single frequency or sweep |
Generator Waveforms | Sinewave, Square, Triangle, White Noise |
Frequency Accuracy | 5ppm over all temperature range |
High Accuracy “Option F” |
< ±2ppm over all temperature range |
Magnitude Accuracy | ± 1% ± 1%/MHz (Low Level Output)
± 2.5% ± 1%/MHz (High Level Output) |
Frequency Setting | 1Hz or better up to 999.999Hz 10Hz > 1MHz |
Resolution | 6 Digits |
Output Level Range for 0dB(m) |
Selectable in 0.001dB(m) steps between: Low Output -40dB(m) to +24dB(m) High Output -7dB(m) to +35dB(m) |
Hi Level Output | |
Frequency Range | 10kHz to 5MHz |
Output Level | 2W into 50Ω (10V rms) |
Output Impedance | 50Ω ±2% 75Ω ±2% (Option) |
Lo Level Output | |
Frequency Range | 5Hz to 5MHz |
Output Level | 5Vrms into high impedance |
Output Impedance | 50Ω ±2% +24dBm 75Ω ±2% +22dBm 600Ω ±2% +15dBm |
Frequency Shift Delay Timer | 0 to 1s (1ms steps) |
Impedance Analyzer | |
Impedance Range | 100 milli Ohm to 100 Kilo Ohm |
Accuracy | < 10KHz: 1% rdg < 1MHz: 1% rdg + 0.005%/KHz +50μV < 5MHz: 5% rdg + 0.002%/KHz +50μV |
Features | LCR Measurements (Inductance, Capacitance, Resistance, tan delta, QF) Lead Compensation (zero lead function) Impedance versus Frequency Curve |
Oscilloscope | |
Sample Rate | 5M samples/s |
Timebase | 5μs/div to 5s/div |
Trigger | Auto, Normal or Single Shot |
Pretrigger | None, 25%, 50%, 75% |
Input Ranges | As Selective Level Meter |
Second Input | ±10V peak 1MΩ ±5% // 30pF |
VSWR Meter | |
Accuracy | 1% of reading up to 1MHz. 5% of reading above 1MHz to 5MHz for power measurements (forward and reflected) at VSWR = 3 |
Features | Forward Power, Reflected Power, % Reflected Power, & Frequency under test visible on one screen |
Frequency Response Analyzer | |
Frequency range | 5Hz to 5MHz |
Gain Accuracy dB | 0.02dB < 1KHz 0.05dB < 10KHz 0.1dB + 0.001dB/KHz |
Phase Accuracy ⁰ | 0.02⁰ < 10KHz 0.02⁰ + 0.003⁰ / KHz |
General Specifications | |
Sweep Steps | Up to 2000 in all sweep functions |
Set Up and Data Storage | Up to 1000 analyser setups, readings and sweep results can be stored |
Interface | USB, RS232, LAN |
Real Time Clock | Time and date stamp for data stores |
Data Storage | Internal 1GB flash, External USB pen port |
Display Type | 5.7″ 1/4 VGA colour, high brightness backlight |
Display resolution | 6 digit frequency, 5 digit voltage, 4 digit dBm |
Size | Approx: 305 x 230 x 45mm “tablet” style |
Weight | 2.3Kg |
Power Source | 9-18V @ 3A AC adapter or 12V dc from car or external batteries |
Battery type and Battery Life | 10 x AA size NiMH Minimum 4 hours |
Temperature Range | -5 to +50⁰ C |
MEASUREMENT SPECIFICATIONS | |
---|---|
Selective Level Meter | |
Frequency Range | 5Hz to 5MHz |
Frequency Accuracy | ±5ppm over all temperature range |
High Accuracy “Option F” |
< ±2ppm over all temperature range |
Magnitude Accuracy | < 1KHz: 0.05% rng + 0.05% rdg + 50μV < 10KHz: 0.05% rng + 0.05% rdg + 0.01%/kHz +50μV < 5MHz: 0.05% rng + 0.25% rdg + 0.001%/kHz +50μV |
Inputs (Unbalanced) Type & Connection |
Differentially Isolated & Isolated BNC |
Bandwidth Settings | 3, 25, 100, 360, 400, 1.95k, 3.1kHZ & Wideband |
Measurement Units | V dBm dBu dB0 (Traditionally referred to as dB in PLCC applications) |
Accuracy of Level Measurement at 0 dBm | ±0.3dB(m) |
High Voltage Input | |
Max Input | ±300V peak |
Input Impedance | 1MΩ ±5% // 30pF |
75Ω Input | |
Max Input | 10W (28Vrms) |
Input Impedance | 75Ω ±1% // 30pF |
Low Level Input | |
Max Input | ±10V peak |
Input Impedance | 75Ω ±1% // 30pF 120Ω ±1% // 30pF 150Ω ±1% // 30pF 600Ω ±1% // 30pF 1MΩ ±1% // 30pF |
Input Balanced | |
Max Input | ±10V peak |
Input Impedance | 75Ω ±1% // 30pF 120Ω ±1% // 30pF 150Ω ±1% // 30pF 600Ω ±1% // 30pF 1MΩ ±1% // 30pF |
Input Type | Differential |
Input Connection | 3 x 4mm connectors: Positive, Negative & Ground |
Signal Generator | |
Generator Type | Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS), single frequency or sweep |
Generator Waveforms | Sinewave, Square, Triangle, White Noise |
Frequency Accuracy | 5ppm over all temperature range |
High Accuracy “Option F” |
< ±2ppm over all temperature range |
Magnitude Accuracy | ± 1% ± 1%/MHz (Low Level Output)
± 2.5% ± 1%/MHz (High Level Output) |
Frequency Setting | 1Hz or better up to 999.999Hz 10Hz > 1MHz |
Resolution | 6 Digits |
Output Level Range for 0dB(m) |
Selectable in 0.001dB(m) steps between: Low Output -40dB(m) to +24dB(m) High Output -7dB(m) to +35dB(m) |
Hi Level Output | |
Frequency Range | 10kHz to 5MHz |
Output Level | 2W into 75Ω (10V rms) |
Output Impedance | 75Ω ±2% |
Lo Level Output | |
Frequency Range | 5Hz to 5MHz |
Output Level | 5Vrms into high impedance |
Output Impedance | 75Ω ±2% +22dBm 120Ω ±2% +20dBm 150Ω ±2% +19dBm 600Ω ±2% +15dBm |
Frequency Shift Delay Timer | 0 to 1s (1ms steps) |
Impedance Analyzer | |
Impedance Range | 100 milli Ohm to 100 Kilo Ohm |
Accuracy | < 10KHz: 1% rdg < 1MHz: 1% rdg + 0.005%/KHz +50μV < 5MHz: 5% rdg + 0.002%/KHz +50μV |
Features | LCR Measurements (Inductance, Capacitance, Resistance, tan delta, QF) Lead Compensation (zero lead function) Impedance versus Frequency Curve |
Oscilloscope | |
Sample Rate | 5M samples/s |
Timebase | 5μs/div to 5s/div |
Trigger | Auto, Normal or Single Shot |
Pretrigger | None, 25%, 50%, 75% |
Input Ranges | As Selective Level Meter |
Second Input | ±10V peak 1MΩ ±5% // 30pF |
VSWR Meter | |
Accuracy | 1% of reading up to 1MHz. 5% of reading above 1MHz to 5MHz for power measurements (forward and reflected) at VSWR = 3 |
Features | Forward Power, Reflected Power, % Reflected Power, & Frequency under test visible on one screen |
Frequency Response Analyzer | |
Frequency range | 5Hz to 5MHz |
Gain Accuracy dB | 0.02dB < 1KHz 0.05dB < 10KHz 0.1dB + 0.001dB/KHz |
Phase Accuracy ⁰ | 0.02⁰ < 10KHz 0.02⁰ + 0.003⁰ / KHz |
General Specifications | |
Sweep Steps | Up to 2000 in all sweep functions |
Set Up and Data Storage | Up to 1000 analyser setups, readings and sweep results can be stored |
Interface | USB, RS232, LAN |
Real Time Clock | Time and date stamp for data stores |
Data Storage | Internal 1GB flash, External USB pen port |
Display Type | 5.7″ 1/4 VGA colour, high brightness backlight |
Display resolution | 6 digit frequency, 5 digit voltage, 4 digit dBm |
Size | Approx: 305 x 230 x 45mm “tablet” style |
Weight | 2.3Kg |
Power Source | 9-18V @ 3A AC adapter or 12V dc from car or external batteries |
Battery type and Battery Life | 10 x AA size NiMH Minimum 4 Hours |
Temperature Range | -5 to +50⁰ C |