Vernier Go Direct GDX-3MG User Manual

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blink green when it is successfully
connected.

7. This is a multi-channel sensor. The
active channel is listed in the
Connected Devices Sensor
Channels list. To change channels,
select the check box next to the
Sensor Channel(s) you would like
to activate.

8. Click or tap Done to enter
data-collection mode.

Charging the Sensor

Connect Go Direct 3-Axis Magnetic Field to the included Micro USB Cable
and any USB device for two hours.

You can also charge up to eight Go Direct 3-Axis Magnetic Field Sensors using
our Go Direct Charge Station, sold separately (order code: GDX-CRG).

Charging

Blue LED is on steady and a red LEDis flashing
while sensor is connected to the Micro USB
Cable or Charge Station.

Fully charged

Blue LED is off when charging is complete.

Powering the Sensor

Turning on the sensor

Press button once. Red LED indicator flashes
when unit is on.

Putting the sensor in sleep
mode

Press and hold button for more than three
seconds to put into sleep mode. Red LED
indicator stops flashing when sleeping.

Connecting the Sensor

See the following link for up-to-date connection information:

www.vernier.com/start/gdx-3mg

Connecting via Bluetooth

Ready to connect Red LED flashes when sensor is awake and

ready to connect.

Connected Green LED flashes when sensor is connected via

Bluetooth and taking data.

Go Direct®3-Axis
Magnetic Field

(Order Code GDX-3MG)

Go Direct 3-Axis Magnetic Field allows you to
determine the magnitude and direction of the magnetic field at any point in
space. It directly connects wirelessly via Bluetooth®or wired via USB to your
platform.

Note: Vernier products are designed for educational use. Our products are not
designed nor are they recommended for any industrial, medical, or commercial
process such as life support, patient diagnosis, control of a manufacturing
process, or industrial testing of any kind.

What's Included

l Go Direct 3-Axis Magnetic Field
l Rechargeable battery (included inside unit)
l Micro USBCable

Compatible Software

See www.vernier.com/manu als/gdx-3mg for a list of software compatible with Go
Direct 3-Axis Magnetic Field.

Getting Started

Please see the following link for platform-specific connection information:

www.vernier.com/start/gdx-3mg

Bluetooth Co nnection USB Connection

1. Install Graphical Analysis 4 on
your computer, Chromebook™, or
mobile device. See
www.vernier.com/ga4 for software
availability.

2. Charge your sensor for at least
2hours before first use.

3. Turn on your sensor by pressing
the power button once. The
Bluetooth®LED will blink red.

4. Launch Graphical Analysis 4.

5. Click or tap Sensor Data
Collection.

6. Click or tap your Go Direct sensor
from the list of Discovered
Wireless Devices. Your sensor's ID
is located near the barcode on the
sensor. The Bluetooth LED will

1. If using a computer or Chromebook,
install Graphical Analysis 4. If using
LabQuest 2, make sure LabQuest
App is up to date. See
www.vernier.com/ga4 for Graphical
Analysis 4 availability or
www.vernier.com/downloads to
update LabQuest App.

2. Connect the sensor to the USB port.

3. Launch Graphical Analysis 4 or turn
on LabQuest 2. You are now ready
to collect data.

4. This is a multi-channel sensor. To
change the default channel
selections, see
www.vernier.com/start/gdx-3mg

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Measuring the X-direction Magnetic Field

Magnetic fields that point in the same direction the wand is pointing are
recorded as positive, and fields that point in the opposite direction are recorded
as negative. Thus, the magnetic field of the Earth will register as a positive field
when the wand is pointed toward the magnetic pole in the Earth’s northern
hemisphere, which is a South magnetic pole. When the wand is aligned with a
permanent magnet and pointed toward the South pole of a magnet it will also
record a positive field.

The x-direction measurement is positive when the wand points toward the South

pole of a magnet.

Measuring y- and/or z-directions

The marks on the sides of the wand, at the tip, indicate the y- and z-directions
of positive magnetic field measurements, as well as marking the location within
the housing where the ±5 mT magnetic field sensor is located. This is important
for consistent placing of the sensor and accurately measuring the distance
between the sensor and the source of a magnetic field.

Connecting via USB

Connected and charging Blue and green LED solid when sensor is con-

nected to Graphical Analysis via USB and unit
is charging. (Green LED is obscured by the blue
one.)

Connected, fully charged Green LED solid when sensor is connected to

Graphical Analysis via USB and the unit is fully
charged.

Charging via USB,
connected via Bluetooth

Blue LED is solid and green LED is flashing, but
the green flashing LED looks white because it is
overwhelmed by the blue.

Identifying the Sensor

When two or more sensors are connected, the sensors can be identified by
tapping or clicking Identify in Sensor Information.

Using the Product

Connect the sensor following the steps in the Getting Started section of this user
manual.

Channels

Go Direct 3-Axis Magnetic Field has 6 measurement channels. The channel
names are

l X magnetic field
l Y magnetic field
l Z magnetic field
l X magnetic field 130mT
l Y magnetic field 130mT
l Z magnetic field 130mT

The default channel that is active when connected is the X magnetic field
channel, which has a maximum range of ±5 mT. This range works well for the
experiments we have published in our lab manuals.

There are two additional channels that use the ±5 mT range, Y magnetic field
and Z magnetic field. The y- and z-directions are indicated by the dots
impressed in the plastic near the end of the wand. These marks also indicate the
location of the actual sensor chip within the wand.

When using any of the ±5 mT channels, if the sensor is exposed to a magnetic
field greater than ±5 mT on any axis, the software will display a reading of 5
mT. To measure the field strength of stronger magnetic fields, use the 130 mT
channels. The 130 mT channels are measured by a second sensor chip inside the
wand, located 5.5 mm toward the handle from the dots in the end of the wand.