PASCO PASPort PS-2168 Instruction Manual

Instruction Manual

012-09456B

General Science MultiMeasure Sensor

PS-2168

LIGHTSOUND

GENERAL

VOLTAG E

SCIENCE

TEMPERATURE

ä

PS-2168

Included Equipment Part Number

General Science MultiMeasure Sensor PS-2168

Stainless Steel Temperature Probe PS-2153

Voltage Probe PS-2165

Required Equipment

PASPORT Interface

1

See PASCO catalog or

www.pasco.com

Optional Equipment

Fast-response Temperature Probe PS-2135 (3-pack)

Skin/surface Temperature Probe PS-2131

1

PASPORT interfaces include the AirLink (IW-4100 or PS-2005), Xplorer GLX (PS-2002), Xplorer

(PS-2000), PowerLink (PS-2001), and USB Link (PS-2100)

Introduction

The PS-2168 General Science MultiMeasure Sensor combines four sensors in a single unit:

•Temperature

•Light

• Sound Level

• Voltage

Temperature Probe

Voltag e P robe

®

General Science MultiMeasure Sensor Sensor, Interface, and Software Setup

When connected to a PASPORT interface, the multi-sensor collects data at
up to 200 samples per second from each component sensor. You can use
just one component sensor at a time or any combination simultaneously. If
you have a PASPORT interface that supports multiple sensors, or if you
have more than one interface connected to your computer, you can use the

GENERAL

SCIENCE

VOLTAGE

SENSOR

LIGHTSOUND

TemperatureVoltage

TEMPERATURE

General Science MultiMeasure Sensor in combination with other
PASPORT sensors.

Sensor, Interface, and Software Setup

Connect the multi-sensor to your PASPORT interface as pictured (right).
Connect the included temperature and voltage probes to the ports on the
sides of the multi-sensor. (You can leave either of the probes disconnected
if you do not plan to use it.)

Follow the instructions below to set up the sensor with DataStudio software
(if you are using a computer) or the Xplorer GLX (if you are using it stan­dalone without a computer).

For detailed information about each of the multi-sensor sensor’s component sensors
see below on this page and the next page.

DataStudio Setup

If you are using a computer, connect the PASPORT interface to the computer and start
DataStudio. (Refer to the documentation that came with your PASPORT interface for
instructions on connecting it to your computer.) In DataStudio, click the Start button
to begin data collection; click the Stop button to stop data collection.

The General Science MultiMeasure Sensor always collects sound-level, light, and
voltage data, but collects temperature data only if a temperature probe is connected.
The default sampling rate is 2 Hz. To change the sampling rate or hide measurements
that you do not need, open the Experiment Setup Window by clicking the Setup but­ton. For more instructions on using DataStudio, press F1 to open DataStudio’s on-line
help.

ä

PS-2168

PASPORT
Interface

Click to Start

Xplorer GLX Setup

If you are using an Xplorer GLX in standalone mode, press to start data collec­tion. The General Science MultiMeasure Sensor always collects sound-level, light,
and voltage data, but collects temperature data only if a temperature probe is con­nected. The default sampling rate is 2 Hz. To change the sampling rate or hide mea­surements that you do not need, open the Sensors screen (from the Home screen,
press ). For more instructions on using the Xplorer GLX, refer to the GLX

F4

Users’ Guide.

Temperature

Use this component of the multi-sensor to measure the temperature of a fluid or
object. The measurement can be displayed in units of °C, °F, or K. (In DataStudio,
click the Setup button to change units.) You can use the included stainless steel probe
or a different probe, such as the Fast-response Probe (PS-2135) or Skin/Surface Probe
(PS-2131). PASCO physics apparatus containing an embedded 10 kΩ thermistor can
also be connected to the multi-sensor. The multi-sensor automatically detects the

2

®

Model No. PS-2168 Light

presence of a temperature probe, and will only collect temperature data if a probe is
connected.

To measure temperature, connect the probe and start data collection. Immerse the tip
of the probe in a fluid or place it in contact with an object. The included probe is suit­able for temperatures between −35 °C and +135 °C. It can be used in both dry condi­tions and in liquids, such as water and other mild chemicals and solutions.

Tip: Keep the connector of the probe and the body of the multi-sensor away from liquids. For bet­ter chemical resistance, use a Teflon

®

cover (CI-6549).

The temperature measurement can be calibrated; however, for most applications cali­bration is not necessary. For instructions on calibrating in DataStudio, see Appendix
A. For instructions on calibrating on the Xplorer GLX, refer to the Xplorer GLX
Users’ Guide.

Light

The light component of the multi-sensor measures light intensity, or the power per
unit area of light incident on the light-sensitive element. The element is located
behind the black cylinder protruding from the multi-sensor. Though it measures light
intensity, the sensor’s output is calibrated to indicate illuminance in units of lux.

Point the sensor in the direction of a light source and start data collection. The light
sensor has three ranges, which you select using the three buttons on the multi-sensor.
To select a range, push one of the buttons: for 0 lux to 100 lux, for 0 lux to 10000
lux, or for 0 to 150000 lux. Lights on the buttons indicate which range is selected.
To determine which range is appropriate, look at the data (on a Graph display, for
instance) while it is being collected; if the measurement appears to be “railed” at the
top of the selected range (100 lux or 10000 lux), select the next higher range. You can
push a button to change the range without stopping data collection.

Range

100 lux

10000 lux

150000 lux

Light indicates

selected range

Tip: If you anticipate that the measured value will increase during your experiment, select a higher
range.

Tip: Fluorescent lights flicker at a high rate (100 Hz or 120 Hz), which causes aliasing, or the illu­sion of a lower-frequency periodic signal, in data collected at relatively low sampling rates. For
this reason, it is recommended that the General Science MultiMeasure Sensor be used to mea­sure light from incandescent bulbs and natural light sources. To measure high- frequency light
sources, use the PS-2106 Light Sensor, with a maximum sampling rate of 1000 Hz.

Sound Level

The sound component sensor measures sound level on the dbA weighting scale. This
weighting scale is designed to match the frequency response of the human ear and is
commonly used to measure environmental sound levels. The table (right) shows some
typical sound levels.

Voltage

Use the voltage component of the multi-sensor to measure electric potential differ­ence between the terminals of a battery or power supply, or two points on a circuit.
The voltage probe has two connectors: red and black. The sensor measures the volt­age of the red connector in reference to the black connector. Its range is ±24 V.

Sound

Level

Source

Rustling
leaves

Library 40

Normal
conversation

Noisy office 80

Subway train 100

Rock concert 120

(dBA)

20

60

®

3

General Science MultiMeasure Sensor Specifications

Specifications

General

Component Sensors Temperature, Light, Sound Level, Voltage

Max. Sampling Rate 200 samples per second (for each component sensor)

Default Sampling
Rate

Range −35 °C to + 135 °C

Accuracy ±0.5 °C

Resolution 0.01 °C or better

Sensing Element 10 kΩ thermistor located in probe tip

Output calibrated to indicate illuminance

Spectral Response 320 nm to 1100 nm

Range 50 dbA to 100 dbA

Accuracy ±4 dBA

Resolution 0.1 dBA

Repeatability 0.5 dBA

Range −24 V to + 24 V

2 samples per second

Temperatu re

Light

three user-selectable ranges: 100 lux, 10000 lux, 150000 lux

Sound Level

Volt age

Accuracy ± 0.1 V

Resolution ± 0.001 V

Voltage Protection up to 240 V

Input Resistance 1 MΩ

4

®

Model No. PS-2168 Specifications

Appendix A: DataStudio Temperature Calibration

In DataStudio, click the Setup button to open the Experiment Setup window; in that
window, click the Calibrate button to open the Calibrate Sensors dialog box. For a
two-point calibration, you will need two “known standards,” or liquids that you know
the temperature of, such as ice water and boiling water.

1. From the Sensor field, select General Science.

2. Ensure that “Calibrate all similar measurements simulta-

neously” is not selected.

3. From the Calibration Type menu, select 2 Point (Adjust Slope
and Offset), if it is not already selected.

4. Place the probe in the first known standard.

5. Enter the known temperature of the standard in the Standard
Va lu e field for Point 1.

6. Observe the Present Sensor Measurement and wait until it

has stabilized.

7. Click the Read From Sensor button for Point 1.

8. Place the probe in the second known standard.

9. Enter the known temperature of the standard in the Standard
Va lu e field for Point 2.

10. Observe the Present Sensor Measurement and wait until it

has stabilized.

11. Click the Read From Sensor button for Point 2.

12. Click OK to accept the new calibration.

Appendix B: EZ Screen

If you are using the General Science MultiMeasure Sensor with a PASPORT interface
connected to a computer, you can use EZ-Screen software instead of DataStudio.
When the sensor is connected to the computer through the interface (if DataStudio is
not running) a window automatically launches giving you the option of launching
EZ-Screen. In EZ-Screen, click the green arrow button to start data collection. Click
the General Science Sensor icon in the lower-right corner to cycle through
sound-level, voltage, temperature, and light measurements.

Click to start
data collection

Click to change
measurements

EZ-Screen

®

5

General Science MultiMeasure Sensor Technical Support

Technical Support

For assistance with any PASCO product, contact PASCO at:

Address: PASCO scientific

10101 Foothills Blvd.
Roseville, CA 95747-7100

Phone: [phone] (worldwide)

800-772-8700 (U.S.)

Fax: [phone]

Web: www.pasco.com

Email: [e-mail]

Limited Warranty

For a description of the product warranty, see the PASCO catalog.

Copyright

The PASCO scientific 012-09456B
Permission is granted to non-profit educational institutions for reproduction of any part of this manual, providing the reproductions are
used only in their laboratories and classrooms, and are not sold for profit. Reproduction under any other circumstances, without the
written consent of PASCO scientific, is prohibited.

General Science MultiMeasure Sensor Instruction Manual

is copyrighted with all rights reserved.

Trademarks

PASCO, PASCO scientific, DataStudio, MultiMeasure Sensors, PASPORT, and ScienceWorkshop are trademarks or registered
trademarks of PASCO scientific, in the United States and/or in other countries. All other brands, products, or service names are or
may be trademarks or service marks of, and are used to identify, products or services of, their respective owners. For more informa­tion visit www.pasco.com/legal. Teflon is a registered trademark of DuPont.

6

®