3B SCIENTIFIC® PHYSICS
Digital Counter with Interface (115 V, 50/60 Hz) 1003122
Digital Counter with Interface (230 V, 50/60 Hz) 1003123
Instruction sheet
09/12 ALF
1. Safety instructions
The counter conforms to safety regulations for
electrical measuring instruments and control and
laboratory equipment as per DIN EN 61010, part
1. It is intended for operation in a dry environment,
suitable for the operation of electrical equipment
and systems.
Safe operation of the counter is guaranteed,
provided it is used correctly. However, there is
no guarantee of safety if the counter is used in
an improper or careless manner.
If it may be assumed for any reason that nonhazardous operation will not be possible (e.g. visible damage), the counter should be switched off
immediately and secured against any unintended
use.
• Before using the counter for the first time,
confirm that the specifications printed on the
rear side of the housing are compatible with
the local mains voltage.
• Replace a faulty fuse only with one matching
the specifications stated at the rear of the
housing.
• Disconnect the counter from the mains be-
fore replacing a fuse.
• Never short the fuse or the fuse holder.
2. Description
The digital counter with interface is a microprocessor based counter. It was specially designed for the
education in Physics.
The instrument has the following functions and
measuring modes:
Frequency counting
Period measurement
Impulse counting
Start A - Stop B
Pass times
Run + Pass times
1
The digital counter with interface can be used as a
stand-alone instrument or together with a Personal Computer. A Windows programme for
operation and data logging from the instrument
is supplied with the instrument. Also a cable for
connecting the counter and the PC serial port
(COM-1 or COM-2) is supplied.
The Geiger-Müller amplifier module is as standard supplied with the counter.
The counter with the order number 1003123 is
for mains supplies of 230 V (±10%) while the one
with order no. 1003122 is for 115 V (±10%) systems.
3. Operating controls and connections
Front panel
POWER
On / Off contact
FUNCTION
Push button for selection of function. Push
to select next.
SELECT
Push button for selection of measuring
method, and for use
with display of results
START/STOP
Push button to start
and stop of measurement
Hz LED for indication
of measurement in Hz
kHz LED for indication
of measurement in
kHz
s LED for indication of
measurement in seconds
ms LED for indication
of measurement in
milli seconds
4-digit LED-display for
results
2x16-character LCDdisplay for function,
selection, setup etc.
A LED
indicator for input A
B LED
indicator for input B
IMPULSE Electrical
impulse input A
IMPULSE Electrical
impulse input B
SWITCH
Electro/mechanical
switch input A
SWITCH
Electro/mechanical
switch input B
PHOTO/MIC
mini-DIN8 socket for
connection of photo
gates or microphone
PHOTO/MIC
mini-DIN8 socket for
connection of photo
gates or microphone
Rear panel
Mains connection 230 V or 115 V AC 50/60 Hz
Mains fuse (0.5 AT)
RS232 interface to PC
für PC
GM
BNC-connector for
Geiger-Müller tube
GM VOLTAGE
Voltage regulation
potmeter for the Geiger-Müller tube.
2
4. Technical data
Input A and B
Input impedance: 500 kΩ
Sensitivity: 200 mV
Trigger polarity: positive going or
negative going, individually selectable in
each function if relevant
Frequency
Range: 0.01 Hz – 99,9 kHz
Hint: Voltage can be measured with a 10 MΩ
multimeter, and multiplied by 2.
General data
Mains connection:
1003122: 115 V (±10 %), 50/60 Hz
1003123: 230 V (±10 %), 50/60 Hz
Power consumption: 20 VA approx.
Dimensions: 95x245x185 mm
Weight: 5 kg approx.
Resolution: 0.01 Hz - 10 Hz
Method: continuous / single
measurement
Period
Range: 0.01 Hz – 99.9 kHz
Resolution: 0.01 ms - 10 ms
Method: continuous / single
measurement
Impulse count
Range: 0 - 9999 impulses per s
Resolution: 1 impulse
Method: continuous;
counting for 1 s; 6 s; 10
s and 60 s;
counting for 10 s followed by 5 s pause;
counting for 10 s continuous
Start A - Stop B
Range: 0.01 ms - 100 s
Resolution: 0.01 ms
Pass time
Range: 0.01 m - 100 s
Resolution: 0.01 ms
Method: simultaneous on both
channels
Memory: up to 9 times per
The instrument is powered by activating the
switch marked ‘POWER’.
Immediately on power-on the instrument displays the version number (i.e. ‘r 1 1.00 .00 .00’
for approx. 2 secs.).
The counter is now ready for use.
The selected function and method of measure-
ment are shown in the LCD-display.
To change language turn off the power, hold the
‘SELECT’ and simultaneous switch on the power.
Use the ‘SELECT’ button to change the lan-
guage, press ‘FUNCTION’ to store the selection
in memory.
Select a function with the push-button ‘FUNC-
TION’ and then the measuring method with the
pushbutton ‘SELECT’.
If the selected function has the option to select
the trigger polarity, then a simultaneous push on
‘FUNCTION’ and ‘SELECT’ displays the trigger
polarity in the LCD-display for each input.
Pushing the ‘SELECT’ changes the trigger polarity. Push the ‘START/STOP’ to store the se-
lection in memory.
List of the functions and measurement methods:
Function Select Description
channel
Pass / Run time
Range: 0.01 ms - 100 s
FREQUENCY
Resolution: 0.01 ms
Method: first pass time on A,
then pass time on B
Memory: one set of measure-
ments (run time A to
B, pass time A and
pass time B)
Geiger-Müller amplifi er module
Anode resistor: 10 MΩ (Ri)
GM voltage range: 325 – 650 V DC con-
tinuously adjustable
5. Operation
Continuous
Single
measurement
Pendulum
continuous
approx.
When button
‘START/STOP’ is
pressed, frequency
is continuously
measured
When button
‘START/STOP’ is
pressed, a single
measurement is
started
When button
‘START/STOP’ is
pressed, a pendulum’s freq. is continuously measured
3
PERIODES
Pendulum
single
measurement
Continuous
Single
measurement
Pendulum
continuous
Pendulum
single
measurement
When button ‘START/
STOP’ is pressed, a
single measurement is
started
When button ‘START
/STOP’ is pressed, the
period time is measured continuously
When button ‘START
/STOP’ is pressed, a
single measurement is
started
When button ‘START
/STOP’ is pressed, a
pendulum’s period time
is cont. measured.
When button ‘START
/STOP’ is pressed, a
single measurement is
started
RUN &
PASS
TIME
[START]
/STOP’ is pressed,
the run time from A to
B, and the pass time
for A and B are
measured.
On each of the above three functions (and the
pendulum selection in frequency and period),
the following applies:
When ‘FUNCTION’ and ‘SELECT’ are pressed
simultaneously, the start-/stop-polarity triggering
is shown on the display.
Pressing ‘SELECT’ shifts through the four (two)
different combinations possible.
Press ‘START/STOP’ to store the selection in
memory for each individual function. The setup
is memorized, even when the power is off.
Geiger-Müller amplifi er module
Function Select Description
When button ‘START
When button
‘START/STOP’ is
IMPULSE
COUNT
Continuous
pressed, the impulse counting is
started, and runs
until ‘START/STOP’
is pressed again
1 s
6 s
10 s
60 s
When button ‘START
/STOP’ is pressed,
counting for 1 / 6 / 10
or 60 s is started
When button
Count 10 s
Hold 5 s
‘START/STOP’ is
pressed, counting for
10 s is started followed by 5 s pause
When button
10 s Continuous
‘START/STOP’ is
pressed, sequential
counting for 10 sec
is started
At frequency, period and impulse measurements, only input A is used.
START A STOP B
[START]
When button
‘START/STOP’ is
pressed, the time from
A to B is measured
When button ‘START
/STOP’ is pressed,
PASS
TIME
[START]
pass times on A and
B are measured (up
to 9 measurements
per channel)
When button
‘START/STOP’ is
IMPULSE
COUNT
GM
Continuous
pressed, GM input
counting is started,
and runs until
‘START/STOP’ is
pressed again
When button
1 s 6
s 10 s
60 s
‘START/STOP’ is
pressed, GM input
counting for 1 / 6 /
10 or 60 s is
started
When button
‘START/STOP’ is
Count 10 s
Hold 5 s
pressed, GM input
counting for 10 s is
started followed by
5 s pause
When button
‘START/STOP’ is
10 s Continuous
pressed, sequential GM input
counting for 10 sec
is started
5.1 Frequency measurement
• Select frequency measuring with the push-
button ‘FUNCTION’ and hereafter the wan-
ted measuring function with the push-button
‘SELECT’.
• Press the button ‘START/STOP’ to start the
frequency measurement.
If the measuring function ‘Single measuring’ or
‘Pendulum Single‘ (pendulum), has been selected, a new frequency measurement is made
4
every time the push-button ‘START/STOP’ is
pressed.
LED ‘Input A’ is lit when the input (the gate) is
open.
Selection of trigger polarity is possible, if pendu-
lum is selected.
The frequency is displayed in Hz or kHz.
5.2 Period measurement
• Select frequency measuring with the push-
button ‘FUNCTION’ and hereafter the wan-
ted measuring function with the push-button
‘SELECT’.
• Press the button ‘START/STOP’ to start the
frequency measurement.
If the measuring function ‘Single measuring’ or
‘Pendulum Single ‘ (pendulum), has been selected, a new period measurement is made,
every time the push-button ‘START/STOP’ is
pressed.
Selection of trigger polarity is possible, if pendu-
lum is selected.
LED ‘Input A’ is lit when the input (the gate) is
open.
The period time is displayed in s or ms.
5.3 Impulse counting
• Select frequency measuring with the push-
button ‘FUNCTION’ and hereafter the wan-
ted measuring function with the push-button
‘SELECT’.
At all counting functions, the ‘Input A’-LED is lit
when counting.
If ‘Continuous’ has been selected, the counter is
started when ‘START/STOP’ is pressed. The
counter can be stopped and restarted (without
resetting the counter) by pressing the
‘START/STOP’.
If the counter has to be reset (count set to zero):
push ‘START/STOP’ to stop the counting, and
thereafter push ‘FUNCTION’ to reset and pre-
pare the counter for a new counting.
If count time has been selected to 1, 6, 10 or 60
seconds, a new counting time is started by
pressing ‘START/STOP’. The counter can not
be restarted if a count is in progress.
If ‘Count. 10s-Hold 5s’ has been selected, the
counter is started when ‘START/STOP’ is pres-
sed. Counting is done in segments of 10 seconds with a 5 seconds’ interval pause. The
counter is reset before each 10 seconds’ count-
ing. The function is stopped when ‘FUNCTION’
is pressed, and the counter is then reset and
prepared for a new measurement.
If ‘10s Continuous’ has been selected, the
counter is started when ‘START/STOP’ is pres-
sed. The counting sequence is continuous, with
10 seconds’ counting followed by a 5 seconds’
displaylock (for reading the result). The counter
is reset (and restarted) every 10 seconds, even
if the display is locked (the counter is still count-
ing). The function is stopped when ‘FUNCTION’
is pressed, and the counter is reset and prepared for a new measurement.
5.4 Start A - Stop B
• The function is selected with the push-button
‘FUNCTION’, and started when
‘START/STOP’ is pressed.
The time measurement starts when an impulse
occurs at input A, and stops when an impulse
occurs at input B. The time is displayed in s or
ms.
The positive- or negative-going triggering is
setup by pressing ‘SELECT’ and ‘FUNCTION’
simultaneously. The current state of the setup is
shown in the display i.e.
Pressing ‘SELECT’ shifts through the four dif-
ferent combinations. When satisfied, press
‘START/STOP’ and the setup is stored in the
internal Lithium Battery backup-memory.
The LEDs ‘Input A’ and ‘Input B’ are lit until an
impulse has occurred at each input. When the
measurement is stopped, a new measurement
is prepared when ‘START/STOP’ is pressed.
The function is aborted if ‘FUNCTION’ is
pressed again, and the counter is reset and
prepared for a new measurement.
5.5 Pass times A and B
• The function is selected with the push-button
‘FUNCTION’, and started when
‘START/STOP’ is pressed.
The positive- or negative-going triggering is
setup by pressing ‘SELECT’ and ‘FUNCTION’
simultaneously. The current state of the setup is
shown in the display i.e.
Pressing ‘SELECT’ shifts through the four dif-
ferent combinations. When satisfied, press
‘START/STOP’ and the setup is stored in the
internal Lithium Battery backup-memory.
The LEDs ‘Input A’ and ‘Input B’ are lit.
The pass times on ‘Input A’ and ‘Input B’ are
measured independent from each other. During
passage of A and B, the light emitting diode at
‘Input A’ or ‘Input B’ is turned off.
5
The number of pass times on each input is constantly shown in the display: ‘2 4’ indicates 2
pass times on A and 4 on B.
The counter’s memory holds up to 9 pass times
per input.
When no more measurements are needed, press
‘START/STOP’ once and the light emitting diodes ‘Input A’ and ‘Input B’ are turned off. Each
time the push-button ‘SELECT’ is pressed, the
measurements are read out one by one. The
measurements are numbered A1-9 or B1-9.
The readings are in s or ms.
All measurements must be read at least once,
before new measurements can be started by
pressing the ‘START/STOP’ push-button.
Note: When ‘FUNCTION’ is pressed, all meas-
urements are deleted, and the counter is prepared for new measurements.
5.6 Run and Pass times
• The function is selected with the push-button
‘FUNCTION’, and started when
‘START/STOP’ is pressed.
The positive- or negative-going triggering is
setup by pressing ‘SELECT’ and ‘FUNCTION’
simultaneously. The current state of the setup is
shown in the display i.e
5.7 Geiger-Müller amplifi er module
Geiger-Müller tube is connected to the BNC plug
marked ‘GM‘ at the rear panel of the counter.
The GM Voltage is adjusted with the knob ‘GM
Voltage’, at the rear panel of the counter.
Selecting the function ‘IMPULSE COUNT GM’,
the GM input at the rear panel of the counter is
used as the only signal input source.
Description of the methods and how to use the
function, please consult the section 5.3 ‘Impulse
Count’ as the methods are the same.
6. PC Programme CNT
Installation
• Insert the CDROM in drive.
• From Windows, run the programme <D:\3B
Scientific\CNT PC-Software/SETUP.EXE>.
• Click the „Target“-button to select where you
want to install the programme (e.g.:
C:\CNT\).
• Start the installation with the „Start“-button.
The programme is then installed on your
hard disk and the „CNT“ is added.
Pressing ‘SELECT’ shifts through the four dif-
ferent combinations. When satisfied, press
‘START/STOP’ and the setup is stored in the
internal Lithium Battery backup-memory.
The LEDs ‘Input A’ and ‘Input B’ are lit.
The pass times on ‘Input A’ and ‘Input B’ are
measured together with the run time (the time
from A to B). During passage of A and B, the
light emitting diode at ‘Input A’ and ‘Input B’
are turned off.
A must be passed before B.
If A is passed several times before B, the time in
memory is the first passage of A.
The light emitting diodes ‘Input A’ and ‘Input B’
are turned off, and the run time is displayed.
When the push-button ‘SELECT’ is pressed, the
pass time A is displayed, and another push on
‘SELECT’ displayes the pass time B.
If ‘SELECT’ is pressed again, the display se-
quence is repeated.
Display time unit is s or ms.
All three measurements must have been read at
least once, before a new measurement can be
started by pressing ‘START/STOP’.
Note: When ‘FUNCTION’ is pressed, all meas-
urements are deleted, and the counter is prepared for new measurements.
6
• Start the programme „CNT“ in the folder
„CNT“, and select the ComPort from the File
pull down menu, used to connect to the
Counter
When the counter has been correctly connected
with the supplied cable, the programme automatically displays the current function set on the
counter. See the example below.
Programme Information: Displays the version
of the programme etc. If a counter is connected,
the version of the instrument is also displayed.
Exit: Exit programme.
In the menu “Function” all of the above de-
scribed measurement methods are available.
The following keys can be used when IMPULSE
COUNT or IMPULSE COUNT GM were chosen:
Measurement method IMPULSE
COUNT
IMPULSE
COUNT
GM
Impulse count cont. F1 Shift F1
Impulse count 1 s F2 Shift F2
Impulse count 6 s F3 Shift F3
Impulse count 10 s F4 Shift F4
Impulse count 60 s F5 Shift F5
• To change language, use this sub-menu
<File>, <Instrument Setup>, <Language>:
Impulse count 10 s,
5 s pause
Impulse count 10 s
continuous
F6 Shift F6
F7 Shift F7
• Before cleaning the counter, disconnect it
7. Care and maintenance
from the mains.
• Use a soft, damp cloth to clean it.
8. Disposal
• The packaging should be disposed of at
local recycling points.
• Should you need to dispose of the counter
itself, never throw it away in normal domestic waste. Local regulations for the disposal
of electrical equipment will apply.
In the pull-down menu “File” the following is
available:
ComPort: Selection of the PC‘s Serial port
(COM-1 or COM-2).
U21005 setup Data flow: Selection of
Start/Stop or Continuous data fl ow from the
counter to the PC. Only active during IMPULSE
COUNT and START A - STOP B.
Language: Select the language.
3B Scientific GmbH ▪ Rudorffweg 8 ▪ 21031 Hamburg ▪ Germany ▪ www.3bscientific.com
Subject to technical amendments
© Copyright 2012 3B Scientific GmbH
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