PASCO PS-3208 Reference Manual

Wireless CO2 Sensor

5

4

Power: Rechargeable Battery

OR

USB Cable

Connection:

1

2

6

3

*CAUTION: Do not wash
the sampling bottle in a
dishwasher or autoclave.
It will melt.

PS-3208

Reference Guide

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Battery Status LED 5 Micro USB Port

1

Bluetooth Status LED 6 Micro USB Cable

2

Device ID Number Gas Sampling Bottle*, 250 milliliters

3

ON Button

4

Hardware

Included Equipment Part Number

Wireless CO

Micro USB Cable (1 meter)

Gas Sampling Bottle (250 mL)

Sensor PS-3208

2

(Included. Shown on page 3.)

Introduction

The Wireless CO2 Sensor is a combination wireless
USB sensor that connects to a computing device
through , and can also connect to a computer
with a USB cable (included). The sensor measures car­bon dioxide concentration in the range between 0 parts
per million (ppm) and 100,000 ppm. The sensor can be
used with or without the included gas sampling bottle.
The PASCO Data Collection Software will display and
analyze the measurements from the sensor. NOTE: The
software also supports “remote data logging” for long
term experiments.

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.

and

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

Wireless CO2 Sensor PS- 3208

Data Collection Software

PASCO Capstone SPARKvue

• Mac OS X • Mac OS X

• Windows • Windows

•iOS

•Android

• Chromebook

See the PASCO Web page at

www.pasco.com/software

for help in selecting the right PASCO software and to
check the latest versions.

for the latest information.

Platform

iOS iPad 3 and later

SPARK Element All models

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.

Bluetooth SMART

iPhone 4S and later
iPod touch 5 and later

®

Compatibility

Initial Step: Charge the Battery

Software Help

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

• In SPARKvue, select the HELP button in any screen
including the Home Screen.

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

Compatibility

Check the PASCO Web page at

www.pasco.com/compatibility

• Connect the Cable: Use the Micro USB Cable to
connect the micro USB port on the end of the
Wireless CO2 Sensor to a USB port or USB charger
such as the PASCO PS-3501 USB Charging
Station. See the diagram.

• Charging begins automatically. The charger circuit
inside the sensor turns itself off when the unit is fully
charged.

• The battery status LED will shine yellow as the
battery is charging, and will shine green when the
battery is charged.

• The battery is partially charged at the factory. Initial
charging time may be three hours or longer
depending on the power source.

ON/OFF Information

To turn the sensor off, press and hold the ON button on
the end of the sensor for a moment until the status LEDs
stop blinking. The Wireless CO
sleep after several minutes of inactivity if not connected
and about one hour of inactivity if connected.

Sensor puts itself to

2

2

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Set Up the Hardware PS - 3208

Rubber collar

Sample bottle

and cap

CAUTION: Do not wash
the sampling bottle in a
dishwasher or autoclave.
It will melt.

LED Information

The Bluetooth and the Battery Status LEDs operate as
follows depending on the type of connection:

For a wireless Bluetooth connection:

Bluetooth
LED

Red blink Ready to pair Red blink Low power

Green blink Connected

Yellow blink Logging*

For a micro USB cable connection to a USB

Bluetooth LED Status Battery

OFF -- Yellow ON Charging

OFF -- Green ON Charged

Yellow blink Logging*

For a micro USB cable connection to a USB

Status Battery

LED

LED

Status

port

:

Status

charger

Calibration

The sensor has a one-point calibration in the software
with a default value of 400 ppm (user editable). If you
have a meter that provides an accurate carbon dioxide
measurement, you may want to edit the default value. A
two-point calibration is not possible. The user can reset
to the factory calibration which is stored in the probe at
any time.

Sensor Operating Theory

Concentration of carbon dioxide is measured by non-dis­persive infrared (NDER) technology. The sensing ele­ment is a pyroelectric device that senses the carbon
dioxide gas concentration by measuring the amount of
infrared (IR) energy absorbed by CO
housing. The infrared (IR) source at one end of the
probe is a lamp with a quartz envelope and a gold plated
reflector. The sensitive thermopile element at the other
end of the probe is covered with a narrow band filter that
only passes IR energy at 4.27 microns; a wavelength
that is absorbed by the CO

gas in the probe housing.

2

As concentration increases, the IR energy ‘seen’ by the
thermopile decreases.The relationship between the gas
concentration and the absorption of IR energy is similar
to that of Beer’s Law.

gas in the probe



Bluetooth
LED

Red blink Ready to pair Yellow ON Charging

Green blink Connected Green ON Charged

Yellow blink Logging*

Status Battery

LED

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

Set Up the Hardware

Warm-Up Time

Turn on the sensor and connect it to a computing device.
Let it come to equilibrium with the environment where it
will be used. Allow 180 seconds (3 minutes) for the sen­sor to equilibrate. Variations in temperature, humidity,
and air pressure can impact the calibration so equilib­rium with the environment is critical

Status

Storage and Maintenance

• Do not use or store the sensor in a highly dusty
environment. Avoid direct sunlight or heat radiation.

• Do not let the sensor get wet.

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3

Wireless CO2 Sensor PS- 3208

Set Up the Software

SPARKvue

Connecting the Wireless Sensor to a Computing Device
via Bluetooth

• For SPARKvue, select the Bluetooth icon to open
the Wireless Devices list. In the Wireless Devices
list, the sensors are ordered by proximity to the
device.

• Select the correct address that matches the six digit
XXX-XXX number found on the sensor.

• Select Done. A list of measurements appears under
the sensor in the Home Screen.

Connecting the Wireless Sensor to a Computing Device
with the Micro USB Cable

• Connect the micro end of the included Micro USB
Cable into the micro USB port on the end of the
sensor.

• Connect the other end of the Micro USB Cable to a
USB port on the computing device, or into a
powered USB hub connected to the device.

Collect Data

• Connect the other end of the Micro USB Cable to a
USB port on the computing device, or into a
powered USB hub connected to the device.

Collect Data

• In PASCO Capstone, select a display in the main
window or from the Display palette. In the display,
use the <Select Measurement> menu to pick a
measurement to be shown.

• Select Record to begin collecting data.

Troubleshooting the Wireless CO2 Sensor

• If the Wireless CO2 Sensor loses Bluetooth
connection and will not reconnect, try cycling the ON
button. Press and briefly hold the button until the
status LEDs blink in sequence, and then release the
button. Start the sensor in the usual way.

• If the sensor stops communicating with the
computer software or tablet application, try
restarting the software or application.

• If the problem remains, press and hold the ON
button for 10 seconds and then release. Start the
sensor in the usual way.

• Turn Bluetooth off and then turn it back on. Retry.

• In the SPARKvue Home Screen, select a
measurement from the list under the sensor’s name.
A graph of the measurement versus time opens.

• In SPARKvue, select the Start button to begin
collecting data.

PASCO Capstone

Connecting the Wireless Sensor to a Computing Device
via Bluetooth

• For PASCO Capstone, select Hardware Setup in the
Tools palette. The sensors in the list are ordered by
proximity to the wireless device.

• Select the sensor with the address that matches the
six digit XXX-XXX Device ID number on the sensor.

Connecting the Wireless Sensor to a Computing Device
with the Micro USB Cable

• Connect the micro end of the included Micro USB
Cable into the micro USB port on the end of the
sensor.

About the Battery

The Wireless CO2 Sensor’s battery is partially charged
at the factory. If the battery status LED blinks red, use
the included micro USB cable to connect the sensor to a
USB port or a USB charger.

Battery Usage

Battery life is very important to 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 few minutes of inactivity
to conserve battery life.

The battery life between charges for the sensor varies
depending on the sampling rate.

In typical classroom/lab use, battery life between
charges should range from one to four weeks or more.
Battery life should range from 18 to 24 hours of continu­ous use either when connected to devices or in logging
mode.

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Technical Support PS - 3208

Overall length =17 cm, Width = 4.0 cm, Probe length = 5.5 cm

Maximum thickness = 3.3 cm,
Body thickness = 2.3 cm,
Probe diameter = 1.56 cm

Maximizing Battery Life

One of the factors that affects battery life is the storage
temperature. Therefore, avoid storing the sensor in very
cold or very hot environments.

Suggested Experiments

Practically any experiment that uses a carbon dioxide
gas measurement can be done with the PS-3208
Wireless CO

and also select “Training & Resources” at the top of the
page for more information about experiments.

Or, enter “carbon dioxide” into the Search window at

•Measure CO
terrarium

Sensor. See the PASCO Web site at

2

www.pasco.com/products/lab-manuals

www.pasco.com

uptake during photosynthesis in a

2

Item

Operating Environment

Warm-up Time

Pressure Effect

Max Wireless Range

Gas Sampling Mode

Dimensions

Value

0 to 50³C
0 to 95% relative humidity

180 seconds

0.19% of reading per mm
of Hg from standard
pressure

30 m (unobstructed)

Diffusion

• Compare indoor versus outdoor CO

2

• Study cellular respiration of yeast

• Study chemical reactions

• Investigate exhaled carbon dioxide concentration
and the duration of holding your breath.

Specifications

Item

Range

Accuracy: 0 to 1000 ppm:

Accuracy: 1000 - 10,000 ppm

Accuracy: 10,000 - 50,000 ppm

Accuracy: 50,000 - 100,000 ppm

Resolution

Battery

Battery Life

Connectivity

Value

0 to 100,000 ppm

± 100 ppm

±5% of reading+100 ppm

±10% of reading

±15% of reading

2 ppm

Rechargeable
Lithium-Polymer

18 to 24 hours of
continuous use either
when connected to
devices or in logging
mode

Bluetooth SMART or USB

levels

Accessories

• PS-3501 10 Port USB Charging Station

• ME-6668 EcoZone System

• ME-6667 EcoChamber

• ME-6936B Metabolism Chamber

Check the PASCO Web site for additional future options
for the PS-3208 Wireless CO

Sensor.

2

www.pasco.com

Technical Support

For assistance with any PASCO product, contact
PASCO at:

Address: PASCO scientific

10101 Foothills Blvd.
Roseville, CA 95747-7100

Phone: [phone] (worldwide)

8700-772-8700 (U.S.)

Web:

Email: [e-mail]

www.pasco.com/support

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Wireless CO2 Sensor PS- 3208

PS-3500 USB

Bluetooth 4.0

Adapter

The Reference Guide will be updated periodically. For
the latest revision of this Reference Guide, visit the
PASCO Web site at

www.pasco.com/manuals

and enter the product number, PS-3208, in the text
window.

Replacement Parts

For information about possible replacement parts,
contact Technical Support at 916-462-8384 or
www.pasco.com/support

• USB Cable, Micro-to-USB A

• Gas Sampling Bottle (250 mL)

Limited Warranty
For a description of the product warranty, see the PASCO catalog. For
more information visit www.pasco.com/legal

Copyright
This PASCO scientific
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. Version 23-07-2016.

Trademarks
PASCO, PASCO scientific, PASCO Capstone, PASPORT, and
SPARKvue 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.

FCC Statement
This Class A digital device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may
not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.

CE Statement
This device has been tested and found to comply with the essential
requirements and other relevant provisions of the applicable EU
Directives.

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.

Reference Guide

is copyrighted with all rights

Battery Disposal Instructions:
Batteries contain chemicals that, if released, may affect the environment
and human health. Batteries should be collected separately for recycling,
and recycled at a local hazardous material disposal location adhering to
your country and local government regulations. To find out where you can
drop off your waste battery for recycling, please contact your local waste
disposal service, or the product representative.

The Lithium Polymer (Li-Poly) rechargeable battery used in this product is
marked with the International symbols to indicate the need for the
separate collection and recycling of batteries.

Appendix A: Compatibility

Check the PASCO Web page at

www.pasco.com/compatibility

for the latest information on Bluetooth SMART
compatibility.

Platform Bluetooth SMART Compatibility

iOS iPad 3 and later

iPhone 4S and later
iPod touch 5 and later

SPARK Element All models

Android Android 4.3 and later

Chromebook Chrome OS (requires PS-3500 Adapter*)

Mac OS X

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

1

*The PS-3500 USB Bluetooth 4.0
Adapter, when connected to a USB
port, allows up to three Bluetooth
SMART devices, such as this PASCO
wireless device, to connect to Windows
computers, Chromebooks, and older
Macintosh computers.

Note: The PS-3500 USB Bluetooth 4,0
Adapter is the only adapter we can currently
recommend. Many other Bluetooth 4.0 adapters are
available but this adapter has a specific design that
enables in-app pairing of Bluetooth SMART sensors.

1

To check the Mac computer’s Bluetooth compatibility,

do the following:

• Click the

Models introduced July 2011 or later

 (Apple) Menu.

6

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Technical Support PS - 3208

• Select

• Click the

• Click the

• Select
underneath

About This Mac

More Info

... button.

System Report

Bluetooth

from the sidebar on the left,

Hardware

... button.

.

• Scan down the list of information until you find “LMP
Version”.

• If your Mac is equipped with Bluetooth SMART, the
LMP Version will show 0x6. (Anything lower than
0x6 means an older version of Bluetooth. Your
device will need the PS-3500 USB Bluetooth 4.0
Adapter.)

1

The Mac Mini and MacBook Air were updated with
Bluetooth SMART support in 2011. The MacBook Pro
was updated in 2012. The Mac Pro that debuted in
December 2013 has Bluetooth SMART support.

Exception: Before you upgrade to El Capitan (Mac OS X

10.11.x), if you have a Macintosh with LMP version “0x4”
that requires the PS-3500 USB Bluetooth 4.0 Adapter,
please contact PASCO Technical Support for further
instructions.

What is Bluetooth SMART

®

?

Bluetooth SMART (also known as Bluetooth Low Energy
or Version 4.0 of the Bluetooth specification) is the latest
protocol of the proprietary open wireless technology
standard created by telecoms vendor Ericsson in 1994.
It is the power- and application-friendly version of
Bluetooth that was built for the Internet of Things (IoT).

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