Sauter JCT 100 coating thickness gauge, Fe/NFe combination sensor, internal measuring cell

The Sauter JCT 100 measures the thickness of paint and coating layers on metallic substrates, with a measuring range of up to 2,000 µm and a readability of 0.1 µm. An internal sensor combines two measuring principles in a single device: magnetic induction for iron and steel (Fe), and eddy current for non-ferrous metals such as aluminium or copper (NFe). The JCT 100 automatically recognises the base material, eliminating the need to switch manually between measuring methods. This provides a handy coating thickness gauge for both material groups, suitable for corrosion protection testing, paint shops or incoming goods inspection.

One sensor for ferrous and non-ferrous metals

Automatic base material recognition saves time when working with different components, as there is no need to check whether the workpiece is magnetic before each measurement. The tolerance is 2 % of the full-scale range. To ensure reliable measurement, the base material beneath the coating must have a minimum thickness of 300 µm. The shape of the sample also plays a role: for flat surfaces, a very small sample of 10 mm is sufficient; for convex curves, a radius of curvature of at least 1.5 mm is required; and for concave shapes, a radius of at least 50 mm is needed. If you are testing very small or highly curved components, it is best to verify these values in advance using your own workpiece.

Operation via traffic-light display and rotatable screen

A three-colour LED indicates at a glance whether a measured value lies within the tolerance band (green), falls below a limit value (red) or exceeds it (yellow). For production testing, you can choose between single measurements and repeat measurements with a pass/fail assessment. The device can be adjusted using either one or two points; Sauter calls this single-point and two-point calibration. The display rotates automatically to match the hand’s position and can be locked manually if required. A dedicated automotive mode is provided for vehicle paint inspection, along with voice output.

Memory and wireless data transfer

The JCT 100 stores up to 55 measurement groups, each containing 60 individual values, internally; this is sufficient for extensive batch testing without the need for interim data retrieval. For further processing, the device transmits data wirelessly to a companion app, which, according to the manufacturer, is available for Android.

Typical applications

Coating thickness gauges such as the JCT 100 are used wherever an applied paint or anti-corrosion coating must meet a specific thickness requirement, for example after painting a vehicle body or following electroplating. According to Sauter, these include:

• Automotive industry
• Electroplating and surface finishing
• Shipbuilding and aircraft manufacturing
• Laboratories and quality control
• Construction and building sites

Calibration and warranty

According to Kern & Sohn, this device comes with a 2-year warranty. Kern grants 3 years on products with a list price of €500 or more and 2 years on products below that and on components; wear parts such as batteries and rechargeable batteries are excluded. Warranty repairs are carried out by Kern or by a Kern dealer. A warranty extension by a further 3 years to a total of 60 months is available separately (item no. 970-016). A factory calibration certificate is available as an option; according to the manufacturer, the processing time for this is 4 working days (item no. 961-112). According to the manufacturer, the device does not contain any substances prohibited under REACH.

Technical details

Scope of delivery

• Sauter JCT 100 coating thickness gauge
• Practical storage box

Regulatory information

As an electrical device, the device falls under the ElektroG. The manufacturer Kern & Sohn GmbH is registered under the WEEE registration number DE 80821200. How to return old appliances is described on the page Environment and disposal.

Individual requirements and procurement service

Suitable adjustment foils are available for the regular adjustment of the JCT 100 (item no. ATB-US07). Our procurement service provides support with factory calibration certificates, warranty extensions and bespoke enquiries relating to Sauter measurement technology.