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Brand: Sonatest
Sonatest Sitescan 500S Digital Flaw Detector
Description
A rugged broadband flaw detector for weld, corrosion and casting inspection
The Sitescan 500S is the entry-level broadband model in the Sonatest Sitescan series of portable ultrasonic flaw detectors. It combines a full VGA colour display, sync and proportional outputs and a fixed 200 V square-wave pulser in a bracketed, automotive-grade impact-resistant enclosure. Sonatest lists weld fabrication, corrosion detection, forgings and castings and general ultrasonic inspection as its typical uses.
The 2.5 kg tilting-stand case suits a bench or scaffold hook; the lighter D-series version of the same electronics is the separate Sitescan D-50.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Instrument class | Entry-level broadband digital ultrasonic flaw detector |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 256 x 145 x 145 mm |
| Weight with battery | 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) |
| UT ports | 1 TX/RX and 1 RX; LEMO 1 or BNC connectors (factory option) |
| Encoder and other connections | D-Sub 15 encoder connector; two sync outputs S1 and S2 on the POP connector; composite video output on the rear panel; USB shows internal storage as a memory device |
| Display | 117 x 87 mm TFT LCD, 640 x 480 pixels (full VGA), anti-glare, LED backlight, 8 colour options, sunlight-readable high contrast mode |
| A-scan area | Normal 92.5 x 73 mm (510 x 402 pixels); full 116 x 77.5 mm (640 x 427 pixels) |
| Pulser | Square wave, negative pulse, fixed 200 V; rise and fall time below 15 ns into 50 ohm |
| Pulse repetition frequency | 35 Hz to 1 kHz adjustable; external sync available |
| Damping | 50 ohm or 400 ohm, selectable |
| Receiver gain | 0 to 110 dB |
| Receiver filter | One broadband filter, 1 MHz to 16 MHz |
| Receiver mode | Pulse-echo (transmit/receive) |
| Digitizer | 10 bits per sample at 200 MHz sampling rate |
| Gates | 2 gates; triggering on peak, flank or first peak; 7 measurement modes |
| Alarms | 2 alarms, sources G1, G2 and DAC |
| Calibration | Units mm or inch; automatic two-point calibration for zero and velocity; velocity 1000 to 10000 m/s; range 1 to 10000 mm; probe zero 0 to 999.995 microseconds; delay 0 to 9999 mm |
| Memory | 4 GB; 450,000 panels, 200,000 A-logs, 300,000 B-charts, 440,000 T-logs |
| Battery | Li-ion pack, 14.8 V nominal, 6.6 Ah; typical 10.5 h continuous use; replaceable without tools; maximum power consumption 20 W |
| External power | 15 V DC supply; charger 100 to 240 V, 50 to 60 Hz |
| Environmental | Designed to meet IP67; tested to MIL-STD-810F for vibration, shock and explosive atmosphere |
| Temperature | Operating -10 to 55 deg C; storage -40 to 75 deg C (battery -20 to 60 deg C) |
What the instrument gives the operator
The specification sheet shows a 10-bit digitizer running at 200 MHz with FPGA processing, a gain range of 0 to 110 dB, selectable 50 ohm or 400 ohm damping and a pulse rise and fall time below 15 ns into a 50 ohm load. The transflective colour display offers nine palettes according to the product page, including a black-on-white emulation mode, and a sunlight-readable high contrast mode is listed in the sheet.
Sonatest highlights its Active Edge mode for better near-surface resolution, a live reference A-scan for quick comparison against a stored A-log, active peak memory that keeps every A-scan on screen for echo-dynamic analysis, and automatic gain control that sets the Gate 1 signal between 10 % and 90 % of screen height. Waveform smoothing can be set to off, smooth or fill, and the A-scan capture function stores the full-resolution trace together with the scan parameters and measurements.
Sizing software, options and data management
Weld and pipe inspection are the main applications named by Sonatest, which is why the sizing tools matter. Service companies often work to different customer codes, so options can be added later.
Option codes: SW-API, SW-AWS, SW-BEA (needs TCG), SW-CORROSION (T-Log and B-Chart), SW-DGS, SW-IFT, SW-SPDAC, SW-TCG and UTILITY PRO.
The free UT-Lity Lite software manages calibrations, A-scans, B-scans and thickness logs on the instrument and on a PC, builds report templates and prints PDF documents; the advanced UT-Lity Pro works with the corrosion option to hold inspection plans, location notes and historical readings and to export them to spreadsheets or maintenance databases.
Ordering codes and accessories
Two kits are listed. The BNC kit and the LEMO kit share the same contents, and a site pack option adds a rugged airline carry-on shipping case of 488 x 386 x 229 mm, a centre-of-gravity bracket, a webbing bracket, a magnetic bracket and a strap with two karabiners.
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| SS500BKIT | Sitescan 500S digital flaw detector with BNC connectors; kit contents: battery, charger and mains cable, user guide, calibration certificate, certificate of conformance, carry bag, UT-Lity software with USB cable, display window cover |
| SS500LKIT | The same kit with LEMO connectors |
| 800208 | CH700 battery charger |
| 242174 | SS/MS battery pack |
| 195154 | DFD storm case |
| 145324 / 145221 | Sitescan screen cover / replacement screen cover |
| 195121 | Sitescan replacement bag |
| 165027 / 165028 / 152120 / 165040 | RCA video cable / USB cable assembly / DFD-to-PC cable / proportional output lead |
| MPS-701EU, MPS-701UK, MPS-701US | Flaw detector mains packs |
Documents and quotation
The Sonatest full specification (issue January 2025) is attached to this page, and the same Sonatest product page lists the Sitescan 500S and D-50 brochure. Browse more handheld flaw detectors. Seven Star LLC supplies Sonatest products on request; send the connector type (BNC or LEMO), the sizing options you need and the quantity, and we will respond with a quotation.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sitescan 500S a broadband or a narrowband flaw detector?
The Sonatest page describes it as an entry-level broadband flaw detector with one broadband receiver filter from 1 MHz to 16 MHz and a fixed 200 V square-wave pulser.
Which sizing methods are fitted as standard?
DAC with 20 reference points and three custom curves, and API, are listed as standard. TCG, split DAC, DGS/AVG, AWS, BEA, interface trigger and corrosion T-log software are options.
How long does the battery last?
The specification gives a typical 10.5 hours of continuous work from the 14.8 V, 6.6 Ah Li-ion pack, which can be replaced without tools.
What is the environmental rating?
The instrument is designed to meet IP67 and was tested to MIL-STD-810F for vibration, shock and explosive atmosphere; operating temperature is -10 to 55 deg C.
Which connector versions can be ordered?
SS500BKIT has BNC transducer connectors and SS500LKIT has LEMO connectors. The ports are one transmit/receive and one receive.
Datasheets & Documents
- Datasheet Sonatest Sitescan 500 full specifications, issue January 2025 (PDF) Download
Reviews (0)
About brand
Sonatest is a UK manufacturer of ultrasonic non-destructive testing equipment, founded in 1958 and based in Milton Keynes, England. Its portable flaw detectors, phased array instruments, thickness gauges and array wheel probes are used for weld, corrosion and composite inspection.
Product ranges
The Sonatest catalogue covers conventional flaw detectors such as the Sitescan, Masterscan and Railscan families, the Wave touchscreen detector, phased array and TFM instruments including Veo3 and XEO, corrosion and precision thickness gauges, WheelProbe array probes, transducers, calibration blocks and couplants.
Industries served
Sonatest lists aerospace, rail, oil and gas, chemical and petrochemical, power generation, maritime, mining and infrastructure among the sectors that use its equipment. Seven Star LLC is an independent supplier in Muscat that sources genuine Sonatest products for customers in Oman and the GCC on request.
Related products
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Sitescan 500S a broadband or a narrowband flaw detector?
The Sonatest page describes it as an entry-level broadband flaw detector with one broadband receiver filter from 1 MHz to 16 MHz and a fixed 200 V square-wave pulser.
Which sizing methods are fitted as standard?
DAC with 20 reference points and three custom curves, and API, are listed as standard. TCG, split DAC, DGS/AVG, AWS, BEA, interface trigger and corrosion T-log software are options.
How long does the battery last?
The specification gives a typical 10.5 hours of continuous work from the 14.8 V, 6.6 Ah Li-ion pack, which can be replaced without tools.
What is the environmental rating?
The instrument is designed to meet IP67 and was tested to MIL-STD-810F for vibration, shock and explosive atmosphere; operating temperature is -10 to 55 deg C.
Which connector versions can be ordered?
SS500BKIT has BNC transducer connectors and SS500LKIT has LEMO connectors. The ports are one transmit/receive and one receive.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.