Measurement USB-5201 User Manual
Software Help
Document Revision 5
USB-5100 Series
USB Data Loggers for Windows® and Mac®
February 2015
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SM USB-5100
Table of Contents
About this Help Document ................................................................................................................... 6
What you will lear n from this help docu ment .................................................................................................... 6
Conventio ns in this user's guide ......................................................................................................................... 6
Where to find more information ......................................................................................................................... 6
Chapter 1
Introducing USB-5100 Series ............................................................................................................... 7
Getting Started .................................................................................................................................................... 7
Installing USB-5100 Series Software ................................................................................................................. 7
Installing USB-5100 Serie s Sof tw a r e ............................................................................................................................... 7
Checking for Software Upd ates ........................................................................................................................................ 7
A Tour of the U SB-5100 Series Software Interface ........................................................................................... 8
The Points Table ............................................................................................................................................................... 8
The Details Pane ............................................................................................................................................................... 9
The Plot ............................................................................................................................................................................10
Chapter 2
Working with USB-5100 Series Data Loggers .................................................................................. 11
Connecting Devices .......................................................................................................................................... 11
Connecting a USB logger ................................................................................................................................................11
Disconnecting a Device ...................................................................................................................................................11
Connecting Multip le Devices ...........................................................................................................................................11
Launching Devices ........................................................................................................................................... 12
Launch Logger Dialog Box .............................................................................................................................. 12
Launch Options for USB-5100 Series Data Loggers ........................................................................................ 13
Logger Information ..........................................................................................................................................................13
Sensors .............................................................................................................................................................................13
Deployment......................................................................................................................................................................14
Options.............................................................................................................................................................................15
Using Launch Utilities ...................................................................................................................................... 15
Configuring a Filt er Series at Launch ..............................................................................................................................15
Configuring a Data Assistant (Scaling) ............................................................................................................................16
Configure Alarms ............................................................................................................................................................18
Statistics: Maximum, Minimum, Average, and Standard Deviation ................................................................ 20
Filtered Series vs. Statistics Lo ggi ng ................................................................................................................ 21
Burst Logging ................................................................................................................................................... 22
Checking the Device Status .............................................................................................................................. 24
The Status Dialog Box ...................................................................................................................................... 25
Device Identification ........................................................................................................................................................25
Device Details ..................................................................................................................................................................25
Current Readings .............................................................................................................................................................25
Stopping a Device ............................................................................................................................................. 26
Chapter 3
Reading Out, Plotting, and Analyzi n g Data ...................................................................................... 27
Reading Out Data ............................................................................................................................................. 27
Plotting Data ..................................................................................................................................................... 28
Opening Files .................................................................................................................................................... 30
Working with Plots ........................................................................................................................................... 30
Actions .............................................................................................................................................................. 31
Menus ............................................................................................................................................................... 31
Using the Arrow Tool ....................................................................................................................................... 32
3
Using the Crosshair Tool .................................................................................................................................. 32
Zooming, P anning, and Smart Scaling Plots .................................................................................................... 33
Zooming ...........................................................................................................................................................................33
Panning ............................................................................................................................................................................33
Smart Scaling ...................................................................................................................................................................33
Copying the Plot ............................................................................................................................................... 34
Closing a Pl ot ................................................................................................................................................... 34
Printing Plot Elements ...................................................................................................................................... 34
Printing a Graph ...............................................................................................................................................................34
Printing Points and Details ...............................................................................................................................................34
Chapter 4
Modifying a Plot .................................................................................................................................. 35
Setting Properties for Plo t E lements ................................................................................................................. 35
Setting Axis Properties ....................................................................................................................................................36
Setting Series Properties ................................................................................................................................... 37
Setting Legend Properties ................................................................................................................................. 38
Setting Title Properties ..................................................................................................................................... 39
Setting View Properties .................................................................................................................................... 39
Adding a Graph Label ...................................................................................................................................... 40
Moving a Series from Front to Back on the Plot .............................................................................................. 41
Filtering a Series ............................................................................................................................................... 41
Removing a Se ries from a Plot ......................................................................................................................... 42
Copying a Series to Another Plot ..................................................................................................................... 42
Overlaying Series .............................................................................................................................................................42
Merging Files .................................................................................................................................................... 43
Converting Units............................................................................................................................................... 44
Undoing and Redoing Plot Changes ................................................................................................................. 44
Saving Project Files .......................................................................................................................................... 45
Using the Linear Data Assistant (USB-5106 Only) .......................................................................................... 45
Default Settings................................................................................................................................................................45
Hiding Assistants .............................................................................................................................................................45
Updating the Linear Scal ing Assistant .............................................................................................................................45
License Agreement ..........................................................................................................................................................45
Linear Scaling Assistant ................................................................................................................................... 45
Using the Linear Scaling Assistant ..................................................................................................................................46
Exporting Da ta .................................................................................................................................................. 47
Exporting Table Data ........................................................................................................................................ 47
Exporting Details .............................................................................................................................................. 48
Formatting the Date/Time Column in Excel ..................................................................................................... 48
Chapter 5
Hardware Reference ........................................................................................................................... 49
Updating U S B-5100 Series Logger Firmware .................................................................................................. 49
Determining the installed firmware version: ....................................................................................................................49
Updating the firmware .....................................................................................................................................................49
Fixing a Read Header Failed Error ................................................................................................................... 50
Chapter 6
Preferences .......................................................................................................................................... 51
Setting Preferences ........................................................................................................................................... 51
General Preferences .......................................................................................................................................... 51
4
Export Settings .................................................................................................................................................................51
Selecting Devices .............................................................................................................................................................51
File Associations ..............................................................................................................................................................52
Startup ..............................................................................................................................................................................52
Data Encoding .................................................................................................................................................................52
Export Settings ................................................................................................................................................. 52
Communications Preferences ........................................................................................................................... 53
Other Options ...................................................................................................................................................................53
Plotting Preferences .........................................................................................................................................................54
Fonts ................................................................................................................................................................................54
Layout ..............................................................................................................................................................................54
Points Table & Details Pane ............................................................................................................................................54
Gridlines ..........................................................................................................................................................................54
Plot Setup .........................................................................................................................................................................54
Other Options ...................................................................................................................................................................55
Undo & Redo ...................................................................................................................................................................55
Display Preferences .......................................................................................................................................... 55
Default Units ....................................................................................................................................................................55
Date/Time ........................................................................................................................................................................55
Series ...............................................................................................................................................................................56
Warnings Preferences ....................................................................................................................................... 56
General .............................................................................................................................................................................57
Warnings Before the Launch Screen ................................................................................................................................57
Warning After the Launch Screen ....................................................................................................................................57
Restoring Default Preferences .......................................................................................................................... 58
Menus ............................................................................................................................................................... 58
The USB-5100 Series Menu ............................................................................................................................................58
The File Menu ..................................................................................................................................................................59
The Device Menu .............................................................................................................................................................59
The Edit Menu .................................................................................................................................................................60
The View Menu ...............................................................................................................................................................61
The Window Menu ..........................................................................................................................................................61
The Help Menu ................................................................................................................................................................61
The Toolbar ...................................................................................................................................................... 62
Setting the Language/Format on Your Computer ............................................................................................. 63
On Windows 7 and Windows 8 .......................................................................................................................................63
On Windows XP ..............................................................................................................................................................63
On Macintosh OS X .........................................................................................................................................................63
5
About this Help Document
What you will learn from this help docume nt
This help document describes the Measurement Computing USB-5100 Series.
Conventions in this user's guide
Note
Text presented in a box signifies ad ditional information related to the subject matter.
bold text Bold text is used for the names of objects on a screen, such as buttons, text boxes, and check boxes.
italic text Italic text is used for the names of manuals and help topic titles, an d t o emphasize a word or phrase.
Where to find more informati on
Additional information about USB-5100 Series is available on our website at www.mccdaq.com. You can also
contact Measurement Computing Corporation with specific questions.
Knowledgebase:
Tech support form:
Email:
Phone: 508-946-5100 and follow the instructions for reaching Tech Support
techsupport@mccdaq.com
kb.mccdaq.com
www.mccdaq.com/support/support_form.aspx
6
Chapter 1
Introducing USB-5100 Series
USB-5100 Series is used for launc hing, reading out, and plotting dat a from USB-5100 Series data loggers.
Launch and read out USB-5100 Series data loggers
Check the logger status and current readings
Plot, filter, and export data
Save changes to graphs in a project file
Getting Started
Follow the instructions in the USB-5100 Series Getting Started to install the software, connect your logger,
launch, and readout data. You can expect to be comfortable with software fundamentals w i thin a few minutes.
For an introduction to the software interface, see
A Tour of the USB-5100 Series Interface.
Installing USB-5100 Serie s Software
You can download and install USB-5100 Series software from the MCC website.
Note: You must be an administra tor to install USB-5100 Series software.
If you have additional questions, please contact MCC Technical Support.
Installing USB-5100 Series Software
Refer to the ReadMe.rtf file installed with the software for detailed information about the s ystem
requirements needed to run USB-5100 Series.
Installing on Windows
You must be an administrator to install USB-5100 Series.
1. Download t he USB-5100 Series for Windows from
The Java™ R untime Environment is required. If the correct Java Runtime Environment version is not
already installed on your computer, the setup program asks if you want to install it. Click
the prompts. After the Java Runtime E nvironment is installed, the software installation continues.
2. Run the
3. Launch the software by double-clicking the USB-5100 Series icon .
The software is installed by default to \Measurement Computing\USB-5100 Series.
Installing on Macintosh
USB-5100 Series_Setup.exe installer file and follow the onscreen instructions.
www.mccdaq.com/Software.
Yes and follow
1. Download t he USB-5100 Series for Mac OS X from
2. Open the
onscreen ins tructions.
3. Click
your logger until you have restarted.
4. After restarting, launch the software by double-clicking the USB-5100 Series icon in the computer
Applications folder.
USB-5100 Series_Installer.dmg file, run the USB-5100 Series.pkg package file, and follow the
Restart when you reach the final screen of the installation program. The software does not recognize
www.mccdaq.com/Software.
Checking for Software Updates
Periodically check for updates to USB-5100 Series at www.mccdaq.com/Software.
7
USB-5100 Series Software Help Introducing USB-5100 Series
2
Details pane
A Tour of the USB-5100 Series Software Interface
This is the ma in USB-5100 Series window. Use the menu bar or tool bar to access all the features within the
software. The status bar at the bottom of the window shows the current view in place (as selected from the
Window menu) as well as the device currently selected or connected.
1 Points table 3 Plot
Figure 1. Main USB-5100 Series Window
This example shows a file that has been opened and plotted. There are three components to a plotted data file:
the Points Table, the Details Pane, and the Plot.
The Points Table
The Points Table lists data po ints (values) and logged events displayed in the plot. The Points Table is linked to
the graph – only the data for the series and events on the plot are listed in the Points Table.
Figure 2. Points Table
The data points are listed chronologically. Each point or event is listed in a single row and each series or event
type is displayed in a column. You can resize the columns by clicking and dragging the dividers between the
column headers.
8
USB-5100 Series Software Help Introducing USB-5100 Series
Deployment information, such as the launch description, deployment number, start time and time zone,
logging interval, and battery voltage at launch.
Series statistics, such as the total number of sensor samples and events, time of the first and last sample, and
To navigate the Points Table:
Use the arrow keys or scroll bars to move up, down, left, and right in the Points Table.
Click the crosshair tool in the plot to select the corresponding point in the Points Table.
Click a value or event cell in the Points Table to display the crosshair on the graph at the time
corresponding to that cell.
To resize the pane, drag the divider between the Points Table and the plot.
To hide the Points Table, clear the
View»Points Table checkbox option.
To hide the Points Table by default when you plot data, complete the follo wing steps:
1. Select
2. Clear the
File»Preferences»Plotting»Layout.
Show the points table when plotting data checkbox.
The Details Pane
The Details Pane shows information for each series and event displayed in the plot including:
Information about the devices, such as model and serial numbers.
the maximum, minimum, average, and standard deviation for each sensor series in the plot,
Figure 3. Details Pane
Click to expand or to collapse an entry in the Details Pane. Click Show All/Hide All to expand or collapse
the entire details tree.
Click a series node in the details tree to select the corresponding series on the graph and corresponding column
in the Point s Table.
To resize the pane, drag the divider between the Details pane and the graph.
To hide the Details Pane, clear the
View»Details Pane checkbox option.
To hide the Points tab le by default when you plot data, comple te the following steps:
1. Select
2. Clear the
File»Preferences»Plotting»Layout.
Show the details table when plotting data checkbox.
9
USB-5100 Series Software Help Introducing USB-5100 Series
The Plot
The plot displays the data series and events in a graph. The plot has a time axis (x-axis) and a value axis (y-axis)
for each series selected in the Plot Setup dialog box. The title is displayed at the top of the plot by default. The
title text comes from the Description field in the Plot Setup dialog box.
The legend lists the ke ys ( line colors and marker types) for each series, and is displayed to the right of the plot
by default. If the crosshair tool is in use, it also lists the date, time and point values currently selected by the
crosshair.
Figure 4. Plot Display
To hide the title, clear the View»Title checkbox.
To hide the legend, clear the
View»Legend checkbox.
Double-click a plot element (series, axis, title, or legend) to change its properties, or right-click the plo t a nd
select the item from the context menu.
For more information about working with the plot, see
Reading Out, Plottin g, and Analyzing Data
.
10
Chapter 2
Working with USB-5100 Series Data Loggers
Working with USB-5100 Series data loggers involves the following basic steps:
1. Connect the logger to the computer for the initial setup and launch.
2. Configure the options for the logger deployment and then launch the logger.
3. Check the status of the logger and any existing readings while it is still connected to the co mputer . This
helps verify that the launch is configured as expected.
4. After deploying the logger, read out all recorded data and save it to a file.
5. After reading out the logger and saving the data, select and define the data series to plot in a graph. Data
Assistants may be available for ce rtain loggers to automatically scale data whe n plotting.
6. Analyze the data and customize the plot using the tools for exporting, filtering, merging files, and more.
7. Save changes to the axis, series, plot, a nd le gend properties as well as any filtering or merging to a project
.hproj).
file (
Connecting Devices
Connect a USB-5100 Series data logger to the computer with the USB cable that shipped with the device.
Once a device is properly connected to the computer as described below, the device name is listed in the status
bar at the bottom of the main USB-5100 Series window.
Note (Windows only)
If the device has never been connected to this computer before, it may take some time for the computer to detect
the new device and report that it has connected successfully. One or more messages display, indicating that new
hardware has been found. You may also hear a chime.
Your computer may prompt you to reboot before you can use the device. It is not necessary to reboot.
Connecting a USB logger
To connect a logger to a computer using a USB cable, complete the following steps:
1. Launch the USB-5100 Series software.
2. Plug the large end of the USB interface cable into a USB port on the computer.
3. Plug the small end of the USB interface cable into the port on the device.
Disconnecting a Dev ice
To disconne ct the logger, unplug the USB cable.
Connecting Multiple Devices
If your computer has multiple USB ports, you can connect multiple loggers and work with them one at a time.
When multiple loggers are connected, the Select Device dialog box opens every time you select
Readout, Stop, or Status from the Device menu. Click the button ne xt to a device to select it, then click OK.
The selected action then proceeds. The status bar lists the number of devices connected.
To display the Select Device dialog box at any time, click the
Device»Select Device. Check the serial number (S/N) on your devices to make sure that it matches the one
selected in this dialog box.
Select Device icon on the toolbar, or select
Launch,
11
USB-5100 Series Software Help Working with USB-5100 Series Data Loggers
Launching Devices
To set up a logger to record data, you must configure several options and launch the logger.
To launch a l ogger, complete the following steps:
1. Connect the logger to the computer.
2. Click the
3. Different messages may display depending on the state of the logger. Answer each of the prompts
accordingly.
Note
A warnin g displays if the logger has already been launched. Click Yes to continue or click No to cancel.
A warning displays if the logger has recorded data since its last readout. Click Yes to proceed to the Launch
Logger window, or click No to cancel the launch and read out the data first. Because loggers are tested before
shipping, there may be data in your log ger the first time you launch it. In this case, it is not necessary to read out
the logger. Click Yes to proceed.
4. Select the options for the launch in t he Launch Logge r dialog box.
5. Click
depending o n when you chose logging to begin. The software d isplays the progress of the launch and warns
you not to unplug the logger while it is being configured.
Once the logger begins logging, it continues logging until the memory i s f u ll (if configured for this condition),
the logger is stopped, or the battery runs out.
Launch icon on the toolbar, or select Device»Launch.
Start when you finish configuring launch settings. Note that the caption on the Start b utton changes
Launch Logger Dialog Box
Use the Launch Logger dialog box to set up your logger to record data. The Launch Logger dialog box is
divided into the following three p a nes:
Logger Information: The name of the logger currently selected displays at the top of this pane, a lo ng wit h
the serial number, deployment number, and current battery level.
Use the Description field to enter a name (up to 40-characters) for the logger deployment. The description
is used as the default file name when you read out the logger and save the data. It is also the default title on
the plot. For new loggers, the description defaults to the logger serial n umber.
Status in this pane to see the current status of the logger and the settings used on the previous launch.
Click
Sensors: This pane displays a list of the sensors available for the logger. Choose the sensors, or channels,
that you want to log in this deployment, select any external sensors you may be using, and type labels for
sensors as needed. Labels may not be applied to some calculated or derived channels, such as filtered
series. This pane also disp lays any utilities available for your logger, such as Alarms, Scaling, and Filters.
Deployment: Use this pane to configure the logging interval and when the logger begins recording data.
Loggers ca n be configure d to start logging immediatel y, on a specific date/time, at an interval, or by
pushing the button.
This pane also displays the loggin g d ura tion, which is the approximate time it takes to fill the logger
memory based on the logging interval, sensors, and other configured options. You can also set a sampling
interval, a stop logging condition, and turn on/o ff the LCD.
When you are done configuring the launch options, click (
of the dialog box to send the settings to the logger. That the button text varies depending on the configured Start
Logging mode.
Button/Delayed) Start in the lower ri ght-hand corner
12
USB-5100 Series Software Help Working with USB-5100 Series Data Loggers
Launch Options for USB-5100 Series Data Loggers
Select Device»Launch to display the Launch Logger dialog box. The following launch options are available for
USB-5100 Series data loggers.
Figure 5. Launch Logger Dialog Box
Logger Information
Description: Enter a description (up to 40 characters) for the launch. This description is used as the default
file name when you read out and save the data recorded by the logger. It is also the default title of the plot.
Serial Number: Displays the serial number of the logger
Deployment Number: Displays the number of times (including this time) that the logger has been
launched.
Battery Level: Displays the current battery level in the logger.
Status button: Click Status to display the lo gger settings from the previous launch.
Sensors
The Sensors list displays all sensors available to reco r d data. Choose the sensors (channels) that you want to log
in this deployment, and select the appropriate sensor type from the listbox. Enter a label for the sensor as
needed.
To change temperature units, select
US (°F) units.
or
If you are launching an analog sensor, you can also enter a custom unit (up to three characters) to display on the
LCD screen.
Although it is useful to see the connected sensors/devices when setting up the launch, it is not r e quired that
you physically connect them while selecting sensor type options. You can set up the launch for a delayed or
push button start, then connect the sensors/devices later, before logging begins.
Important: Sensors that are connected after logging begins may not log accurate data.
File»Preferences»Display»Default Unit System and select either SI (°C)
13
USB-5100 Series Software Help Working with USB-5100 Series Data Loggers
Click the Alarms button to set an alarm for this logger. Note that the Logging Mode must be set to Normal
or Statistics to configure an alarm. For thermocouple loggers, alarms can only be configured on
thermocouple channels; they are not available on the internal 10 K thermistor (temperature) channel.
Click the
Filters button to create additional filtered ser ies for any of the configured channels. The filtered
series is automatically calculated when you read out the logger and plot the data.
You can record the logger battery voltage at each samp le time; this is the last channel in the sensors list.
Like the other data channels, loggi ng the internal battery channel consumes some of the logger memory.
Unless you suspect abnormal battery performance, you do not need to log the battery voltage. You can also
hide the battery channel with Series preferences (
File»Preferences»Display»Series).
Although it i s po ssible to set up more than one scaling value for each sensor, only the first scaling value for
that sensor will be used.
Labels do not apply to all calculated or derived channels, such as filtered series channels.
Deployment
Logging Interval: Select how often the logger records data. You can choose either one of the preset
logging intervals or specify a custom logging interval. The minimum logging interval is one s econd and t he
maximum interval is a
interval, the more quickly memory fills and battery power is consu med .
Logging Mode: Select Normal, Burst Logging, or Statistics logging mode.
Normal: Configures the logger to collect data at the selected logging interval.
o
Burst Logging: Configures the logger to use a different logging interval when specific conditions are
o
met. Burst logging is not available for the internal temperature channel (if available).
The Burst Logging interval must be less than the Logging Interval.
Statistics: Configures the logger to calculate maximum, minimum, average, and standard deviation
o
during logging for all enabled sensors except battery voltage. The more statistics you record, the
shorter the logger duration and the more memory is required. Once you launch the logger, the selected
statistics are displayed on the logger LCD. Statistics logging is not available for the internal
temperature channel.
If you select Burst or Statistics logging, an Edit button displays next to Logging Mode in the Launch
Logger dialog box. Click this button to make additional changes as necessary.
If you select Normal or Statistics logging, you can click
Filters to create additional filtered series for any of the channels you configured. The filtered series is
Click
automatically calculated when you read out the logger and plot the data.
You can record the logger battery voltage for each sample. Lo gging the internal battery channel consumes
logger memory. Unless you suspect abnormal battery performance, you do not need to log the battery
voltage. The logger records a bad battery event even if it is not logging the battery channel. You can also
hide the battery channel with Series preferences (select
Logging Duration: Calculates the approximate time it takes to fill the logger memory based on the logging
interval, logging mode, and sensors currently selected. This is an estimate only – battery life and other
factors also affect the duration.
Start Logging: Select one of the following options to launch the logger:
Now: Logging begins as soon as you click Start in the Launch Logger dialog box.
o
At Interval: Logging begins at an exact interval (for example 9:00:00 rather than 8:47:00 when you
o
choose a one-hour logging interval). The exact st art time depends on the logging inte rval you choose.
On Date/Time: Logging begin at a date and time you enter, up to approximately six months from the
o
present. The LCD screen counts down to that start date/time and then log gin g be gins.
Push Button: Logging starts when you press the Start/Stop button on the logger and hold it down for
o
at least three seconds. The LCD screen on the logger displays
Stop Logging: Select one of the following options to stop the logger:
When memory fills: The logger stops recording data once the memory is full.
o
Never (wrapping): The logger records data continuously until either the logger batte ry runs out or you
o
stop it. When the logger memory is full, the newest data overwrites the oldest data. A wrap indicator
icon displays on the logger LCD screen.
Custom interval of 18 hours, 12 minutes, and 15 seconds. The shorter the logging
Alarms to set an alarm for the logger.
File»Preferences»Display»Series).
Start until you press the button.
14
USB-5100 Series Software Help Working with USB-5100 Series Data Loggers
o Push button: The logger stops recording data whe n you press the Start/Stop button on t he logger for
three seconds. The LCD screen on the logger displays
Resume logging on next button push: Only a va ila b le whe n Push button is selected as a Stop
o
Logging
option. You can resume a stopped logger when the next logging interval is reached by
Stop when this option has been selected.
pressing the Start/Stop button for thre e sec onds.
For example, you launch the logger and it s tarts logging immedia tely at 9:45:00 am with a logging
interval of 1 hour. You press the Star t/Stop logging button once at 10:15:00 am to stop logging. You
press the Start/Stop loggi ng button once again at 11:20:00 am to start logging. The logger does log
another sample until 11:45:00 a m, which is the next sampling interval based on the 1-hour logging
interval. Y ou can then continue to start and stop logging as often as you'd like during this same
deployment. Any gaps between when you stopped and restarted logging during this deployment are
reflected on the plotted data when you read out the logger. Once you relaunch the logger with the
software, a new deployment and data file is created. The data from the previous deployment is not
carried over to the new one.
Specific stop date: Select the date you want the logger to stop recording data. Choose either a preset
o
time or set your own custom date and time.
If you select a specific stop date and also have the logger configured to resume logging on the next
button push, then the logger stops logging at the date you select regardless of how many times you stop
and restart the logger with the Start/Stop button.
Options
Turn LCD off: Configure the logger to operate in stealth mode with the L C D screen turned off. You can
override this temporarily by pressing the Start/Stop button on the logger to turn the LCD on for 10 minutes.
Important: After you choose the launch settings in this dialog box and click Start, the settings are then loa ded
into the logger. The LCD screen on the logger does display
logger fro m t he USB cable before this process is finished,
Err at any point during launch configuration, chec k the USB connection between the computer and the logger,
LOAD during this process. If you disconnect the
Err displays on the LCD screen instead. If you see
reopen the Launch Logger dialog box and click Start again.
Using Launch Utilities
The Launch Logger dialog box includes the followin g utilities for setting up customized data series, configuring
alarms, and setting advanced logger options:
Filters
Alarms
Statistics: Maximum, Minimum, Average, and Standard Deviation
Filtered Series vs. Statistics Lo gging
Burst Logging
Configuring a Filter Series at Launch
As part of the launch setup, you can create a filtered series that automatically calculates additional values, such
as maximum, minimum, average, or total, for a set interval upon readout of the logger. The filtered series is
saved as an additional series in the data file so it is always available when plotting your d ata. This save s you the
time of manually filtering data for each series after readout using the regular USB-5100 Series filter tool,
although this tool is still available should you need to further filter data later.
Complete the following steps to set up a filtered series at launch:
1. Enable one or more channels and enter a name and LCD units for the channels.
2. Select the type of filter and the interval to use.
3. Edit the
Resultant Series Name as needed and click Create New Series.
The newly created series is added to the Filtered Series list as shown below.
To make a change to a filtered series, either double-click the series name or select the series name and click
Edit.
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USB-5100 Series Software Help Working with USB-5100 Series Data Loggers
To delete a filtered series, select the series name and click Delete.
Figure 6. Filter Series Dialog Box
4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 to create additional filtered series.
You can create filtered series for all channels and multiple filtered series on a single c han nel (for example,
you can show the maximum, minimum, and average temperature for a single temperature channel).
5. Click
Done when finished. The number of filtered series that you created is displayed on the Filter button
in the Logger Launch dialog box.
After you launch the logger and read it out, the filtered series is auto matica lly listed in the
Plot Setup dialog,
from which you can select the series you wish to plot.
Note
If you change the GMT offset for the f ilte red series, the data points do not reflect that change. They do continue
to be filtered based on times within the or iginal GMT offset at launch.
See Filtered Series vs. Statisti c s Logging for more information.
Configuring a Data Assistant (Scaling)
When you ru n a Data Assistant from the Launch Logger dialog box, you can create a derived series, which is an
additional data series automatically calculated each time you read out the logger. The Data Assistants dialog
box lists only those assistants available for the currently selected sensor and logger at launch time. There may
be other Data Assistants available for use after reading out the logger.
Complete the following steps to set up a derived series using the Linear Scaling Assistant:
1. Enable one or more channels and enter a name and
2. Click
3. Select
Scaling to open the Data Assistants dialog box.
Linear Scaling Assistant and click Create.
4. Select the scaling parameters to apply to the selected series and click
My Derived Series list.
Note: Although it is possible to set up more than one s caling value for each sensor on the USB-5106, only
the first scaling value for that sensor is used.
The example below shows a scaled series named Percentage set up for the first volta ge channel (ch1).
LCD units for the channels.
Save. The new series is added to the
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USB-5100 Series Software Help Working with USB-5100 Series Data Loggers
Since channel 1 is using a 24-volt sensor, to set up the series to show a percentage, set the scaled value to
equal 100 ÷voltage = 100 ÷24 = 4.16.
Figure 7. Linear Scaling Assistant Example
5. Create additional scaled series as needed.
To change a derived series, either double-click the derived series name or select it and then click
To delete a derived series, select the series and then click
6. After you finish creating, editing, or deleting one or more derived series, click
The total number of derived series created appears on
Scaling button in the Launch Logger dialog box. Derived
Delete.
Done.
series are also listed in the Status dialog box.
After you launch the logger and read it out, the derived series is automatically listed in the Plot Setup dialog,
from which you can select the series you want to plot.
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Edit.
USB-5100 Series Software Help Working with USB-5100 Series Data Loggers
Configure Alarms
To set an alarm to trip when a sensor reading rises above or falls below a specified value, complete the
following steps:
1. Click
2. In the Alarms dialog box, select the sensor that you want to have an alarm.
Alarms in the Launch Logger dialog box.
If the Alarms button is disabled, make sure the Lo gging Mode is set to N ormal or Statistics. Alarms are not
available for USB-5100 Series loggers when the Logging Mode is set to Burst.
Figure 8. Filter Series Dialog Box
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USB-5100 Series Software Help Working with USB-5100 Series Data Loggers
o Select the High Alarm checkbox to trip an alarm when the sensor reading rises above the high alarm
value. Enter the reading next to the High Alarm checkbox or drag the red upper slid er. In this example,
the alarm trips when the temperature rises above 85
o Select the
Low Alarm checkbox to trip an alarm when the sensor reading falls below the low alarm
°F.
value. Enter in the read ing next to the Low Alarm checkbox or drag the blue lower slide r. In this
example, the alarm trips when the temperature falls below 32
Note: The actual values for the high and low alarm limits are set to the closest value supported by the
logger. For example, the closest value to 85
°F and the closest value to 32 °F is 32.043 °F. In addition, alarms can trip or clear when the
84.990
°F that the USB-5100 Series logger can record is
sensor readi ng is within the l ogger specifications of 0.02
°F.
°C resolution. This mean s the value that
triggers the alarm may differ slightly than the value entered. For example, if the High Alarm is set to
°F, the alarm can trip when the sensor reading is 75.994 °F (which is within the 0.02 °C
75.999
resolution).
3. Enter the
each alarm. For example, we've set this number to
below 32
Number of out-of-range samples displayed which is the number of samples needed to trigger
5. This mea ns that five sensor readings above 85 °F or
°F are required before the alarm trips. The time indicates how long it wo uld ta ke for the alarm to
trip based on the number of samples you entered and the LCD refresh rate. In the example above, it would
take 1 minute for the alarm to trip (only if Consecutive is selected as described in the next step).
4. Select either the
Cumulative: The alarm trips after the set number of samples are outside the limits (the high or low
o
Cumulative or Consecutive option for the Sensor Alarm Mode.
samples do not need to be consecutive).
Consecutive: The alarm trips after a specific number of samples (based on the Number of out-of-
o
range samples displayed setting) outside the limits are logged in a r ow.
5. Choose how long the logger should maintain the sensor alarm once it has tripped.
Host has relaunched logger: Alarm remains visible on the LCD u nt il the next time you launch the
o
logger.
Sensor reading within limits: Alarm clears once the sensor reading returns to the normal range
o
between the high and low alarm limits.
Cleared with button press: Alarm remains on and visible on the LCD until you press the Alarm
o
button on the logger.
6. Click
OK to save the alarm settings and return to the Launch Logger dialog box.
Once the logger is launched, alarms trip as determined by these settings. Logger alarms display on the LCD
screen .
Important
Alarm limits are only checked when the LCD screen refreshes every 15 seconds. Therefore, if you set the
logging interval to less than 15 seconds and the sensor reading falls outside the ala rms limits, the alarm is not
tripped until the next refresh cycle.
When you read out the logger, high and low alar m l evels are displayed on the plo t. In the example below, the
temperature rose above 85
°F so those readings are in the red, or high alarm, portion of the plot. The
temperature never fell below the low alarm limit, which is the blue portion at the bottom of the plot. USB-5100
Series loggers also display alarm events showing when the alarm tripped (and cleared if applicable). In this
example, there are
temperature alarm tripped and cleared. The
Chan 1 Alarm Tripped and Chan 1 Alarm Cleared events showing when the
Chan 1 Alarm Cleared event conta ins the value that was
furthest out of range for the sensor before the alarm cleared (see the Points table for the actual value).
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USB-5100 Series Software Help Working with USB-5100 Series Data Loggers
Figure 9. Alarms on a Plot
Statistics: Maximum, Minimum, Average, and Standard Deviation
You can configure USB-5100 Series loggers to calculate maximum, minimum, average, and standard deviation
statistics for all enabled sensors during logging at each logging interval based on samples taken at a rate you
specify. This results in up to four additional series per sensor that record the following information at each
logging interval:
The maximu m, or highest, sampled va lue,
The minimum, or lowest, s ampled va lue,
An average of all sampled values, and
The standard deviation from the average for all sampled values.
For example, with the logging interval set to five minutes, the sampling interval is s et to 30 seconds, and
maximum, minimum, average, and standard deviation all enabled, once logging begins, t he logger measures and
records the actual thermocouple values every five minu te s. In addition, the logger takes a temperature sample
every 30 seconds and temporarily stores them in memory. The logger then calculates the max i mu m, minimum,
average, and standard deviation using the samples gathered over the previous five-minute period and logs the
resulting va lue(s). When reading out the logger, this results in five data series: one sensor s eries (with
temperature logged every five minutes) plus four maximum, minimum, average, and standard deviation series.
Notes
Statistics are not available for logging if Normal or Burst has been chosen as the Logging Mode in the Launch
Logger dialog box.
Statistics are only available on thermocouple channels and not on the internal temperature channel.
To configure statistics, co mple te the following steps
1. Select
2. Select the
Statistics from the Logging Mode drop-down menu in the Launch Logger dialog box.
If Statistics has already been configured, click
Maximum, Minimum, Average, and Standard Deviation checkboxes for each of the statistics
Edit.
you want to calculate during logging. Note that Average is automatically selected when selecting Standard
Deviation.
Important
Statistics apply to all enabled sensors; every selected statistic is calculated for all sensors (except battery
voltage). For example, if thermocouples have been selected in the Launch Logger dialog box and you select
Average, then the average is calculated for temperature. The more statistics you record, the shorter the logger
duration and the more memory is required.
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