PASCO PS-3204 Reference Manual

Wireless pH Sensor

®

Bluetooth status LED

Battery status LED

ON button

pH Probe

BNC connector

BNC

connector

Rubber washer

Storage

bottle

Cap

pH

Device ID

Gasket (water resistant)

Sensor Housing

Power: Replaceable Battery

Connection:

PS-3204

Reference Guide

013-14662B

Hardware

Included Equipment Part Number

Wireless pH Sensor PS-3204

pH Probe

Introduction

The Wireless pH Sensor measures the pH of a solution
within a range between 0 and 14 pH. The pH of a solution
is a numeric scale used to specify the acidity or alkalinity of
an aqueous solution. The pH of pure water is 7, the pH of
an acidic solution is generally between 7 and 0, and the pH
of a basic solution is generally between 7 and 14. The pH
measurement is transmitted wirelessly through

and recorded and displayed by the PASCO
software on a connected wireless device such as a tablet or
computer. The Wireless pH Sensor is powered by a
replaceable three volt coin cell battery (included) and is
well-suited for continuous recording and discrete
measurements. The sensor is designed to optimize the
battery usage time.

Since each sensor has a unique Device ID number, more
than one can be connected to a computer or tablet at the
same time.

The pH Sensor can also be used with alternative probes,
such as Ion Selective Electrodes (ISE) and the

800-772-8700 (US) [phone]
www.pasco.com [e-mail]

Oxidation-Reduction Potent (ORP) Probe. (See Alternative
Probes, page 4.)

The pH sensor housing is water resistant (depth of 1 meter
in water for 30 minutes). However, immersing it in water or
other fluids may cause a loss of wireless connection. Put
only the end of the included pH Probe into the substance
being measured.

ON/OFF Information

To turn the sensor on, press and hold the ON button
temporarily until the status LEDs start blinking. To turn the
sensor off, press and hold the ON button for a moment until
the status LEDs stop blinking. The sensor puts itself to
sleep after a period of about one hour of inactivity if
connected, and several minutes of inactivity if not
connected.

®

Wireless pH Sensor PS-3204

Sensor

pH Probe

slot

tab

1. Align tab and slot

2. Push probe onto BNC
connector

3. Twist probe BNC

connector clockwise

Cap
and

washer

Bottle

Data Collection Software

PASCO Capstone SPARKvue

• Mac OS X • Mac OS X

• Windows • Windows

• iOS

• Android

• Chromebook

See the PASCO web site at www.pasco.com/software for help in
selecting the right PASCO software and to check the latest versions.

Compatibility

Platform Bluetooth SMART Compatibility

iOS iPad 3 and later

iPhone 4S and later
iPod touch 5 and later

SPARK Element All models

Set-up

Connecting the pH Probe

Hold the Wireless pH Sensor in one hand and the pH
Probe in the other. Align the tabs on the sensor’s BNC
connector with the slots on the BNC connector at the end of
the pH Probe. Push the probe’s BNC connector onto the
sensor’s BNC connector. Twist the probe’s BNC connector
clockwise (left-to-right) about one-quarter turn to lock it in
place.

Android Android 4.3 and later

Chromebook Chrome OS (requires PS-3500 Adapter*)

Mac OS X Models introduced July 2011 or later*

Windows Windows 7 and later (requires PS-3500 Adapter*)

See Appendix A for more information about the PS-3500 Adapter and
Mac OS X models.

LED Information

The Bluetooth connection LED (light-emitting diode) and
the battery status LED operate as follows:

Bluetooth LED Status Battery LED Status

Red blink Ready to pair Red blink Low power

Green blink Connected

Yellow blink Logging*

*Logging: PASCO wireless sensors can either stream live
data to a compatible device or log data (save it to the
sensor’s memory). The data can then be uploaded to the
device for display and analysis at a later time. Logging
capability supports long-term or remote data collection
while not connected to the device.

Note: Versions of SPARKvue and PASCO Capstone
available in 2016 will support logging. Check the PASCO
Web page at:

www.pasco.com/software

To remove the pH Probe from the Wireless pH Sensor,
reverse the process. NOTE: When removing the probe, it
may help to push the pH Probe onto the pH Sensor
connector slightly before twisting the BNC connector
counter-clockwise to release the probe.

Removing the Storage
Bottle

1. Hold the pH Probe vertically so

that the solution will not spill out
of the bottle.

2. Unscrew the plastic cap and

remove the bottle. Keep the
storage solution for later use.

3. Push the bottle cap and the

rubber washer up the pH Probe
shaft to keep them out of the
way.

Connecting the Sensor to a Wireless Device

for the latest software version.

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013-14662B

®

Set-up PS-3204

or a Computer via Bluetooth

SPARKvue

Software Help

See the SPARKvue Help for information about collecting,
displaying, and analyzing data.

• In SPARKvue, select the HELP button ( ) in any

screen, including the Home Screen.

Connect the Sensor

• In SPARKvue, select the Bluetooth icon. In

the Wireless Devices list that opens, select
the desired sensor that matches the
XXX-XXX Device ID number on the sensor.
Select Done.

Collect Data

• In SPARKvue, select a measurement from the list

under the sensor in the Home Screen. A graph of the
measurement versus time opens.

• Select the Start button to begin collecting data.

2. Immerse the end of the pH Probe in the solution to be

measured. The bulb-shaped glass membrane should
be entirely immersed.

3. Press or click start or record to begin recording data.

4. Wait for the reading to stabilize.

5. Rinse the end of the pH Probe again before placing it in

another solution.

Calibration

Calibration is not always necessary, especially if you are
measuring a change in pH rather than absolute pH values.
However, the pH Sensor can be calibrated. For detailed
theory of calibration, see Appendix B at the end of the
document.

Battery Usage

The Wireless pH Sensor includes a 3 V coin cell battery
(CR2032). Battery life is very important in making the
sensor simple and always ready to use, so all of the
PASCO wireless products are designed for long battery life.
For example, the sensor turns itself off after a short time of
inactivity.

PASCO Capstone

Software Help

See the PASCO Capstone Help for information about
collecting, displaying, and analyzing data.

• In PASCO Capstone, select PASCO Capstone Help
from the Help menu, or press F1.

Connect the Sensor

• In PASCO Capstone, click Hardware Setup in the
Tools palette to confirm that the sensor is recognized.

Select the desired sensor in the Hardware Setup
window that matches the XXX-XXX Device ID number
on the sensor. Close the Hardware Setup window.

Collect Data

• In PASCO Capstone, select a display in the main
window. In the display, use the <Select
Measurement> menu(s) to set up the desired

measurement in the display.

We expect more than one year of battery life, but the actual
amount depends on factors such as the data collection
sampling rate.

Sensor Storage

If the sensor will be stored for many months, we
recommend that you remove the battery to avoid damaging
the sensor in case of a battery leak.

Battery Removal and Replacement

If the sensor’s battery status LED blinks red, the battery
may need to be replaced. Replacing the small, disk-shaped
battery involves removing the Battery Compartment Door
on the bottom of the sensor, removing the old battery,
installing a new battery of the same type, and replacing the
Battery Compartment Door. The procedure needs a coin
and a CR2032 three volt battery. (NOTE: This battery is
commonly available in electronic and commercial stores.)

• Select Record to begin collecting data.

Collecting Data

1. Rinse the end of the pH Probe with distilled water.

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