PASCO PS-3212 Reference Manual

Reference Guide

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4

Power: Rechargeable Battery

OR

USB Cable

Connection:

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2

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Wireless Current Sensor

PS-3212

WARNING: DO NOT CONNECT THE WIRELESS CURRENT SENSOR DIRECTLY ACROSS A

BATTERY OR OTHER VOLTAGE SOURCE. MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A RESISTOR OR SOME

KIND OF “LOAD” IN SERIES WITH THE SENSOR. SEE PAGE 3.

Device ID Number 5 Micro USB Port

1

Bluetooth Status LED 6 Red Test Lead Jack

2

Battery Status LED 7 Micro USB Cable

3

ON Button

4

Hardware

Included Equipment Part Number

Wireless Current Sensor PS-3212

Micro USB Cable (1 meter)

Introduction

The Wireless Current Sensor is a combination wireless
and USB sensor that connects to a computer or tablet

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

device through , and can also connect to a
computer with a USB cable (included). The sensor
measures current in two ranges: between -1 ampere (A)
and +1 A, and between - 0.1 A and + 0.1 A. 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.

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Wireless Current Sensor PS- 3212

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 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 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.

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 back end of the
Wireless Current 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 back end of the sensor for a moment until the status
LEDs stop blinking. The Wireless Current Sensor puts
itself to sleep after several minutes of inactivity if not
connected and about one hour of inactivity if connected.

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