1. The Swain Meter Co. Mission Statement:
To build a global company focused on providing cost-effective, highest quality deliverables and the most reliable service available in our industry. To create a prospering and loyal, employee-empowered workforce, where personal safety, corporate accountability and community involvement are integral to our business. To conduct our business in alignment with our core values.

2. A brief history of Swain and Operational Procedures
The Swain Meter Co.
A brief history of Swain
and
Operational Procedures
The Swain Meter Co. is located at 1611 S. Isabella Road, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 48858
We manufacture a one-of-a-kind, world renown, DC ammeter used in a wide variety of industries both onshore and offshore applications. By
Scott Miret 10/7/08

3. William H. Swain founded the company in 1965
Bill Swain founded the William H. Swain Co. in Sarasota Florida back in Previous to this Bill was employed in various roles with the US military and NASA – working on guidance systems for rocket and advanced marine navigation tech for that time period.
Bill Pictured second from left

4. Development of the SWAIN METER
Pictured below are some of Swain’s first analog ammeters.
In Bill Swain developed the first DC Clamp-on Ammeters. These durable and accurate instruments were created to help pipe line operators monitor cathodic protection (CP) current flow on their lines.
Used in a wide variety of industries all over the world, Swain meters measure the magnitude and direction of current on conductors.
From the beginning Swain meters
were used not only as portable DC and AC current measuring devices, but as permanently installed instruments on buried pipelines both on-shore and in sub-sea applications.
The uniqueness of the Swain Meter is the same today as it was 43 years ago when Bill built his first meter. This DC Clamp –on ammeter is Still the only one of its kind in the world today.

5. The next 40 years
In the mid 1980’s Swain meters were fitted with digital LCDs. The technology remains basically the same while the meter face becomes more streamlined and user-friendly.

6. Swain Meter evolves
Later models of Swain meters in the 90’s and 2000’s still use the bullet-proof and patented technology. These later models have digital LCD’s and further simplified controls.
Swain meters are manufactured in 2 models – The MER Meter (pictured left) has a “manual” Zeroing knob and Range select switch.

7. Swain Meter evolves
The second meter we call the “AUTO MER”. This features Auto- Zeroing and Automatic
Ranging from 0 – 2.0 Amps, 0 – 20 Amps &
0 – 200 Amp ranges.
Both MER and AUTO MER
Meters have data output
Jacks.
MER is a Bill Swain coined term meaning “Magnetic Error Reduction”. A key benefit to Swain Meter’s accuracy it the ability to Zero-Out the earths magnetic field thus giving a true measurement of DC Current. The Swain Meter also cancels out AC Interference upwards of 10-Amps to again provide the user with accurate DC current measurements.

8. The technology that drives the Swain Meter has changed little in over 40 years. Yet the switch from Analog to Digital technology has greatly increased the efficiency of the manufacturing and calibration processes.
The wrench and space shuttle are not part of our new circuitry
Old School
New School

9. Swain Clips & Clamps
Swain Clips & Clamps are precise and sensitive instruments that form a 360` closed loop around a conductor.
Swain Clips and Clamps are also referred to in literature as “Sensors” connect to the MER meter.
Swain Sensors are rugged, hand crafted instruments that work in harsh environments
Swain clips and clamps connect to the Swain Meter and detect DC currents from 5-mA to 200+ Amps. Direction of current is etched onto the clip or clamp.

10. Clips & Clamps come in many sizes
Clips are hand held, spring loaded sensors for quick readings on conductors.
Clips are built from 3/4” in diameter through 6” in diameter.
Clips shown to the right are sizes: Mini-Clip (no longer built), 3/4”, 1.5”, 2.5”, 4” &
6”.

11. Swain Clips & Clamps
Clamps are sensors made in 2-half circles that go around
Conductors then held together with Nuts to form a circle.
Clamps are built in diameters beginning at 6” through 82”.
Clamp diameters from 60”on up are built in 4 sections.
Swain Clamps are coated with a rock-hard epoxy that withstands decades of rough usage. Clamps are permanently installed around pipelines in the

12. Larger Clamps Clamp Construction 42” Clamp
It takes many days to weeks to build each large clamp. Each step of the process to build clips and clamps was perfected by Bill Swain decades ago. Little changed to date.
42” Clamp

13. Larger diameter clamps must be manufactured in 4 pieces
Larger diameter clamps must be manufactured in 4 pieces. This clamp is being assembled for a field test prior to shipping.
82” MER 2 Clamp
Clamp is constructed in 4 Sections

14. Our largest to date – 82”
This 82” Clamp was sold to Water Care Services in Auckland New Zealand in Summer 07’
Clamps of this size usually require their own AUTO MER meter
Each Swain Meter is “Calibrated” precisely to “One” clip or clamp. Additional clips or clamps that accompany a meter have a “Calibration Factor” tagged to the meter cable. Some users have 6 clips and clamps per Swain meter. We recommend larger clamps get partnered to their own specific meter because there are additional electronic components needed to support these big hoops.

15. 80” Clamp sold to San Diego County Water Authority
Brendan has given Swain permission to use this photo in our marketing literature. San Diego uses these instruments for current distribution studies and Flange isolation testing.
80” Clamp sold to San Diego County Water Authority
Long time Swain enthusiast Brendan Sheehan

16. 80” clamp in use in San Diego to test flanges

17. Brian Horanoff, President of The Swain Meter Co
Brian Horanoff, President of The Swain Meter Co. & wife Deb showing off trophy Salmon taken in Lake Michigan.
In the Summer of 2006 Bill Swain, founder of The William H. Swain Co., finally retired at the age of 80 and sold his company.
It was purchased by a Mt. Pleasant, Michigan USA based company and became The Swain Meter Co.

18. What IS a Swain Meter?
Precision built and calibrated instrument, coupled with clips or clamps, used to measure magnitude and direction of current flow.
Swain meters are used today in most all countries on the planet.

19. MER Meter with 4” clip
The MER meter allows the operator to manually adjust the zero and range switch. The AUTO MER does this for the operator

20. USES Corrosion Control
CP system circuit diagnostics
Locate shorts
Find foreign line interference
Rectifier output
Anode cables
Telluric Current Studies

21. USES POWER GENERATION Battery float charge and load current
Grounding system current drain
Tower leg interference
Guy wire current drain
Data-logger studies

22. USES MARINE Dock/Platform anode current Current leakage from propeller
Undersea pipelines/anode cables
ROV capable
Oil rig platform testing
Ship anchor current leakage

23. USES AUTOMOTIVE Current leakage in electrical systems
Alternator and battery diagnostics
Production plant assembly

24. USES Energy Transmission Flange leakage
Direct burial for long-term monitoring
Interference testing
Used during direct assessment of pipe

25. Other Uses Copper Electro-winding Nitric Acid drilling
INS troubleshooting
Dairy farm stray current
DC transit stray current
“Well Head” current measurements
Defense industry
Defense Contractors

26. Refineries use Swain meters to precisely measure current distribution and to see if insulating flanges are working. Individual cables in rectifiers are measured with accuracy as are banks of pipes and cables in close proximity

27. Standard Operation of the Swain Meter

28. Using the MER Meter
The Swain meter is a precise instrument that measures DC current from 5-milliamps to 200 Amps with a + /- 1% accuracy.
The meter measures with a
1-milliAmp resolution in the 0 – 2 Amp Range
10-milliAmp resolution in the 0-20Amp Range
100-milliAmp resolution in the 0 – 200 Amp Range
The meter will cancel out up to a
10-Amp AC interference - this designed to maintain accuracy with DC measurements

29. Using the MER Meter Connect the Clip or Clamp to the Swain Meter
Turn the On/Off Switch to the “ON” position
Turn Range Select to 2A
Hold the Clip or Clamp 6 inches away from the conductor, oriented so the plane of the clip/clamp intersects the conductor at a right angle
Hold the Clip/Clamp still
Adjust Zero knob until LCD reads Zero
*(You have successfully canceled the earth field reading)
Place clip/clamp on conductor and observe reading
If current exceeds 2-Amps and “Over Range” message appears on LCD – Turn Range knob to 20A or the 200A position

30. Using the MER Meter
Current direction is indicated by either the presence or the absence of a “Negative”
Sign the left of the numbers on the LCD
The current direction Arrow is etched onto the sides of all clips and clamps.
Take a reading with the clip/clamp in one direction then flip-it 180` and notice the appearance of the Negative sign.
*Current direction is always flowing in the positive clip/clamp orientation

31. Clip on conductor and take reading

32. Using the AUTO MER
The Swain meter is a precise instrument that measures DC current from 5-milliamps to 200 Amps with a + /- 1% accuracy.
The meter measures with a
1-milliAmp resolution in the 0 – 2 Amp Range
10-milliAmp resolution in the 0-20Amp Range
100-milliAmp resolution in the 0 – 200 Amp Range
The meter will cancel out up to a
10-Amp AC interference - this designed to maintain accuracy with DC measurements

33. Using the AutoMER Connect the Clip or Clamp to the Swain AutoMER meter
Hold the Clip or Clamp 6 inches away from the conductor, oriented so the plane of the clip/clamp intersects the conductor at a right angle
Hold the Clip/Clamp still
Turn the On/Off Switch to the “AUTO” position. Wait several seconds until the “Ready” light comes on
*(You have successfully canceled the earth field reading)
Place clip/clamp on conductor and observe reading
If current exceeds 2-Amps the AutoMer meter automatically changes ranges to the 20A range or 200A range

34. Using the AutoMER in Manual Mode
Turn On/Off Switch to “Manual” Mode
Hold clip/clamp steady near conductor
Zero meter using the “Zero” knob
Place clip/clamp onto conductor and take reading
*To manually change ranges, turn On/Off
Switch from “Manual” to “Off” for a split second. Note the LCD decimal point shifts one position to the right . Repeat to change ranges again.
Example of LCD positions:
.000 = 2A Range
0.00 = 20A Range
00.0 = 200A Range