NeuLog NUL-202 User manual

NEULOG CURRENT LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
NeuLog current logger sensor
NUL-202
The NeuLog current sensor can be used for any science experiment which utilizes
current readings. It is used in the fields of Physics, Electronics, Chemistry, Biology,
etc.
The sensor comes pre-calibrated so you can start experimentation right out of the box
using this guide.
Among hundreds of possible experimental subjects that can be studied with the
NUL-202 sensor are: fuel cells, battery chemistry, electrical parallel circuits, electrical
series circuits and electronics.
The current sensor's measurement units are:
Amperes (A): Amperes are the SI base unit of electric current.
Quick start procedure:
PC or Mac Computer
Materials needed:
NUL-202 Current Sensor
USB-200 USB Module
USB to mini USB cable (included with the USB-200 module)
Your current sensor needs to be connected to a USB-200 module. The USB-200
module then connects to a computer via a USB to mini-USB cable. Please note that
you cannot plug the current sensor directly into the computer.
The browser based application can be downloaded for free at www.NeuLog.com as
well as a full application user guide.
Choose "Downloads" on the main menu and then choose "Software and Application".
Procedure:
1. Install the NeuLog application.
2. Connect the USB-200 module to the PC or Mac.
3. Connect the current sensor to the USB-200 module (they directly plug together).
Please note that no calibration is required for this sensor.
4. Open the NeuLog application by clicking on the shortcut on the screen.
5. Once a current sensor module box appears on the left side of the screen, the
probe has been automatically identified and you can begin experimentation.
6. If the current sensor is not automatically identified, click the “Search for sensors”
icon to find the sensor.
7. Click on the “On-line experiment” icon; this will open a graph below.
8. Click on the “Module setup” button located in the current sensor module box to
change the sensor's settings if need be.
9. Click on the experiment set up icon to change the experiment settings if need be
(experiment duration for example).
10. The current sensor will give a live reading in its module box while plugged in.
11. To run an experiment and collect data, click the “Run experiment” icon.
12. To end data collection early, click the “Stop experiment” icon.
Tablet, smart phone device
Materials needed:
NUL-202 Current Sensor
WIFI-201 WiFi module
BAT-200 Battery Module
Your current sensor needs to be connected to a WIFI-201 module. The WIFI-201
module will create a closed NeuLog WiFi network which will stream the NeuLog data
to the device of your choosing. Once your device is wirelessly connected to the
NeuLog network, you can run experiments and collect data through a browser of your
choosing.
Procedure:
1. Connect the current sensor directly to the left side of a WIFI-201 module (no
wires required).
2. Connect a BAT-200 module to the right side of the WIFI-201 module.
3. Although not required, we recommend plugging the BAT-200 to an outlet using a
USB to mini USB charger (such as a typical cell phone charger). The WIFI-201
module will run for 60-90 minutes (depending on the sensor) without being
plugged in.

NEULOG CURRENT LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
4. The WIFI-201 can be powered directly using a mini to USB cord and plugging it
into your computer or a wall charger. Please note this function is only available
on WIFI-201 units with the USB icon on the cover.
5. For further WIFI-201 instructions or the WIFI-201 quick start guide please visit:
www.NeuLog.com; Choose "Products" on the main menu,
then choose "WiFi Communication module".
6. The WIFI-201 indicator lights will flash; take no action until the LED to the far left
turns blue; this can take up to one minute.
7. Take your tablet or smart phone, go to the WiFi settings and select the NeuLog
network (NeuLog0184 for example) which matches the ID found on the back of
the WIFI-201 module (0184 for example).
8. Give your device about 20 seconds to connect to the WIFI-201 module.
9. Once the device is connected, go to your browser and type the website
wifi201.com into the URL bar, then wait for 30-60 seconds.
10. You will see a “Control mode” icon in the application, click on it.
11. The application will then load a new screen and begin to auto detect the
sensor(s); this can take a minute. (You can stop the search when the sensor is
found.)
12. If the application does not auto detect the sensor(s), select “Search for sensors”.
13. Once the sensor is found, you will see a module box on the left side of the
screen for the current sensor. In this box, real time data will be displayed.
14. Click on the “Module setup” button located in the current sensor module box to
change the current probe settings if need be.
15. Click on the “Experiment setup” icon to change the experiment settings if need
be (Experiment duration for example).
16. To run an experiment and collect data, click the “On-Line experiment” icon, then
select the "Run experiment" icon.
17. If you have a newer generation WIFI-201 module (with the USB icon on the
cover) this can be used as a USB-200, meaning you can tether the probes
directly to the computer using the WIFI-201. To engage operation in this fashion,
press 3 times on the panel button. Repeating this operation will return the unit to
WiFi mode.
Operation with NeuLog Graphic Display Module (viewer)
Materials needed:
NUL-202 Current Sensor
VIEW-101 Graphic Display Module
BAT-200 Battery Module
Procedure:
1. Connect the current sensor to the left side of the viewer.
2. Connect the BAT-200 module to the right side of the viewer.
3. The VIEW-101 will auto detect the sensor and you will see it appear on the left
side of the screen.
4. Once the sensor appears it will be monitoring data in real time.
5. To run an experiment and collect data press the run icon (little green person).
Off-line experiments
(Off-line experiments are when you do not have a sensor connected directly to a
computer, tablet, smartphone, or NeuLog viewer).
Materials needed:
NUL-202 Current Sensor
BAT-200 Battery Module
Materials needed to configure your offline experiment:
USB-200 Module, WIFI-201 module or VIEW-101 Viewing Module
USB to mini USB cable (included with the USB-200 module)
Procedure:
1. To determine the experiment settings, first connect to your chosen device (PC,
Mac, tablet, smart device) and click on the “Off-line experiment” icon after the
sensor search has ended. (For more information on how to change the
experiment settings, view the quick start procedure section for your chosen
device in this document.)
2. Connect the current sensor directly to the left side of a charged BAT-200
module.
3. When ready to collect data, press the “Start/Stop” button on the current sensor,
a red light will turn on for the duration of the experiment.
4. After the experiment has concluded (the “Start/Stop” button is pressed again or
the data collection period ends) connect the sensor to your chosen device (you
can find full instructions in each device’s quick start procedure section).
5. Open the NeuLog application.
6. Click the “Off-line experiment” icon.
7. Click the “Load data from sensors” icon.
8. Select which experimental data to upload (5 experimental runs can be stored at
one time on the NUL-202 current sensor).

NEULOG CURRENT LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
Restoring sensor’s factory default settings:
Procedure:
1. Connect the USB-200 to a PC, Mac, tablet, or smart device.
2. Connect the current sensor to a USB-200 module (they directly plug together).
3. Open the NeuLog application.
4. Click the “Tools” icon.
5. Click the “Restore sensor’s factory defaults” on the menu.
Included with the sensor:
NeuLog NUL-202 Current Sensor Guide (this document)
Red (positive probe) and black (negative probe) wires with 4 mm plugs connected
directly to the sensor's body
Sensor specifications
Range and operation
modes
±2500 mA
ADC resolution
15 bit
Accuracy
1%
Resolution
1 mA
Max sample rate (S/sec)
3000
Experiment Duration: 50 milliseconds to 31 days.
Sensor features:
Fully digital data
Rugged plastic ergonomic case
4 mm power and ground plugs for easy connectivity
Push button switch for Start/Stop experiments in off line mode
LED indicator of experiment status (blinks while collecting data)
Pre-calibrated sensing equipment
Note: NeuLog products are intended for educational use.
Videos and experiment examples:
Videos, literature and other probes can be found at www.NeuLog.com.
In order to access the current sensor's page, choose "Products" on the main
menu and then "Current logger sensor".
In order to find the science experiments, choose "Experiments" on the main
menu of the NeuLog website, then choose "Physics", "Chemistry", "Biology" or
"Environmental Science".
Physics Experiments:
oOhm’s Law (P-10)
oHow Incandescent Light Bulbs Work? (P-11)
Technical background:
The philosophy behind NeuLog’s plug and play technology is based on each sensor’s
ability to store its own data due to an internal flash memory chip and micro-controller
in each plastic NeuLog body. This technology allows the sensor to collect and then
store the digital data in the correct scientific units (oC, oF, Lux, %, ppm, for example).
The sensor is pre-calibrated at the factory. The built-in software in the logger can be
upgraded for free at any time using the provided firmware update.
The NeuLog current sensor houses a shunt resistor and an amplifier. The circuit's
current passes through the shunt resistor and its electric potential is measured using a
very fast, high input impedance differential operational amplifier with protected inputs.
Using ohm’s law (I = V/R) the current is calculated from the known resistance and
voltage values.
The shunt resistor is very high power (to protect it in high current) and very small
resistance (in order not to affect the circuit conditions). The protection is up to 5 A.

NEULOG CURRENT LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
Maintenance and storage:
Never submerge the NeuLog plastic body in any liquid.
Do not allow liquid into the current sensor’s body.
After using the probe, wipe off all excess material, liquid or residue from the
sensor.
Store in a box at room temperature out of direct sunlight.
Warranty:
We promise to deliver our sensor free of defects in materials and workmanship. The
warranty is for a period of 3 years from the date of purchase and does not cover
damage of the product caused by improper use, abuse, or incorrect storage. Sensors
with a shelf life such as ion selective probes have a warranty of 1 year. Should you
need to act upon the warranty, please contact your distributor. Your sensor will be
repaired or replaced.
Thank you for using NeuLog!
Flexible, simple, fast, forward thinking.
W: www.neulog.com
E: [e-mail]
A: 850 St Paul Street, Suite 15, Rochester, NY 14605
P: 1.866.553.8536
V11042014