PASCO PS-2177 User Manual

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Light Level Sensor
Eight pin mini­DIN connector
Light Dome
Light Level
Sensor
Range Select
Buttons
PS-2177
Instruction Sheet
012-11060A
*012-11060*
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Included Equipment Part Number
Light Level Sensor PS-2177
Recommended Items
PASPORT Extension Cable PS-2500
PASCO Interface Catalog or web site*
Data Acquisition Software Catalog or web site*

Introduction

Photometry deals with the measurement of visible light as perceived by human eyes. The PASPORT Light Level Sensor measures illuminance in lux. The readings of the sensor mimic the wavelength sensitivity of the human eye, which is most sensitive in the green part of the spectrum (peaking at about 555 nanometers). This is achieved with a green filter in the sensor.
In photometry, illuminance is the luminous flux incident on a surface, per unit area. In other words, it is the mea­sure of the intensity of the incident light, wavelength-weighted to correlate with human brightness perception. Illuminance is measured in lux, or lumens per square meter. Luminous flux, measured in lumens, is the perceived power (energy per unit of time) of light. One lumen is defined as the luminous flux of light produced by a light source that emits one candela of luminous intensity over a solid angle of one steradian. Luminous intensity, mea­sured in candela, is the wavelength-weighted power emitted in a particular direction per unit solid angle. If a light source emits one candela, a metric (SI) base unit, it emits monochromatic green light with a frequency of 540 terahertz (THz) that has a radiant energy of 1/683 watts per steradian in a given direction. A one-hundred watt incandescent light bulb emits about 120 candela. A uniform one candela source emits 12.6 lumens.
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Model No.PS-2177 Introduction
PS-2500 PASPORT
Extension Cable
About the Sensor
The PS-2177 Light Level Sensor uses a silicon photodiode that produces a voltage that is proportional to light intensity. The photodiode has a spectral response range from 320 to 730 nanometers (nm) and a peak sensitivity at 560 nm, which is very close to the peak sensitivity wavelength of the human eye. The maximum dark cur­rent is 10 picoamperes at one volt. The accuracy is ±10%.
Light Level Ranges
The sensor has three ranges which can be selected using the range select buttons on the sensor. The range for each button is represented by an icon.
Icon Light Level Resolution
Candle 0 to 1,500 lux 0.5 lux
Light bulb 0 to 15,000 lux 5 lux
Sun 0 to 150,000 lux 50 lux
Illuminance: Typical Readings
The following table shows typical readings for a variety of conditions
Condition Illuminance (lx) Condition Illuminance (lx)
Sunlight 100,000 Quarter moon 0.01
Full daylight 10,000 Starlight 0.001
Overcast day 1,000 Warehouse 150
Very dark day 100 Offices, labs 500
Twilight 10 Supermarkets 750
Deep twilight 1 Operating rooms 1,000
Full moon 0.1 Detailed drawing work 1,500 to 2,000
Usage
The sensor can be used for a variety of experiments.
Plant growth versus light intensity.
Light intensity through polarized filters.
Amounts of solar energy in various locations.
Relationship of light intensity versus distance for a point source.
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Model No.PS-2177 Setup
Using the Sensor
Point the light dome on the sen­sor toward the light source.
The default light intensity range is “Light Bulb”.
Select a different range if needed by pressing the button next to the icon.
When a button is pressed, the green LED lights up.
Start button

Setup

Hardware Setup
Connect the Light Level Sensor to a PASPORT interface.
If you will be using a computer, connect the PASPORT interface to the computer’s USB port.
DataStudio Setup
If you will be using the Light Level Sensor with a computer, install the lat­est version of DataStudio first. Check the PASCO web site at www.pasco.com for information.
1. When you connect the Light Level Sensor to the computer through a PASPORT inter­face, the PASPortal window will launch automatically (if DataStudio is not already running).
2. Select Launch DataStudio in the PASPortal window.
A Digits display for Light Level measured in lux will open automatically.
3. Click to begin data collection.
To view and change the sample rate and other sensor properties, click to open the Experment Setup window. The default sample rate is 5 Hz and the maximum sam­ple rate is 1000 Hz.
Xplorer and Xplorer GLX Setup
If you will be using an Xplorer or Xplorer GLX in logging mode (not connected to a computer), connect the Light Level Sensor to the Xplorer or Xplorer GLX, turn the interface on, and press to begin data collection.
SPARK Setup
If the SPARK Science Learning System (SLS) is off, press and hold the power
Connect the PASPORT sensor to either of the ports on the top of the SPARK. The
Graph Display (default)
To open a graph display, touch any quantity in the list and then touch SHOW to open PAGE 1. Touch the right arrow next to PAGE 1 to go to the next display (digits). Touch the Start button to begin collecting data.
button on the bottom to turn it on and then wait for the SPARK to boot up. The screen will show a message to plug in a sensor.
screen will show the list of quantities measured by the connected sensor.
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Light Level Sensor Setup
Select a Display
To set up a particular display (e.g., digits display), touch BUILD. Touch a quantity from the list, and then touch one of the display icons. Touch OK to open the display, and then touch the Start button to begin collecting data.
Calibration
You do not need to calibrate the Light Level Sensor
Specifications
Accuracy: ±10% Maximum Sample Rate: 1000 Hz
Technical Support
For assistance with any PASCO product, contact PASCO at:
Address: PASCO scientific
10101 Foothills Blvd. Roseville, CA 95747-7100
Phone: 916-786-3800 (worldwide)
800-772-8700 (U.S.)
Fax: (916) 786-3292
Web: www.pasco.com
Email: support@pasco.com
For more information about the Light Level Sensor and the latest revision of this Instruc­tion Sheet, visit: www.pasco.com/go?PS-2177
Limited Warranty For a description of the product warranty, see the PASCO catalog. Copyright The PASCO scientific 012-11060A Light Level Sensor Instruction Sheet is copyrighted with all rights reserved. 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. Trademarks PASCO, PASCO scientific, DataStudio, PASPORT, Xplorer, and Xplorer GLX are trademarks or registered trademarks of PASCO scientific, in the United States and/or in other countries. For more information visit www.pasco.com/legal. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Mac is trademark of Apple Com­puter, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Product End of Life Disposal Instructions:
This electronic product is subject to disposal and recycling regulations that vary by country and region. It is your responsibility to recycle your electronic equipment per your local environmental laws and regulations to ensure that it will be recycled in a manner that protects human health and the environment. To find out where you can drop off your waste equipment for recycling, please contact your local waste recy­cle/disposal service, or the place where you purchased the product.
The European Union WEEE (Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment) symbol (to the right) and on the product or its packaging indicates that this product must not be disposed of in a standard waste container.
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