NeuLog NUL-231 User manual

NEULOG TURBIDITY LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
NeuLog turbidity logger sensor
NUL-231
The NeuLog Turbidity Sensor can be used for any science experiment or
activity using samples with suspended particles in liquids such as in the
fields of Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Earth Science, Environmental
Science, Biochemistry, etc.
Turbidity is a measurement of the concentration of suspended particles in a
solution. The particles could be anything from sand, and non-dissolved
nutrients to bacterial cells. When a liquid is turbid, it is often referred to as
cloudy or hazy. This sensor measures turbidity by measuring sending a
beam of light though a cuvette and measuring the unelected light from the
beam.
The sensor comes pre-calibrated so you can start experimentation right out
of the box using this guide.
Three cuvettes with lids come packaged with the sensor, which load directly
into the opening on the sensor’s faceplate.
Hundreds of possible experiments that can be done with the NUL-231
sensors are: Monitoring of ecological systems, bacteria or yeast culturing,
studying colonies of Protozoa, environmental health testing, water quality
testing, etc.
The turbidity sensor can take measurement with the following units of
measure:
NTU –Nephelometric Turbidity Unit
Cuvette usage and handling:
It is important to maintain a standard for cuvette usage as their quality will
directly make an impact on the results of your experiments. If the cuvette
has fingerprints, smudges, or cracks the sensor will detect them and give off
an improper turbidity reading. Smudges left from handling can easily be
wiped off with tissue paper.
Proper usage:
1. Carefully remove the cuvettes from their packaging.
2. Load your liquid sample into the cuvette before placing it into the
sensor to prevent spilling and damaging the sensor.
3. Plug the cap into the cuvette and gently invert a few times. Shaking
will create air bubbles which will be detected by the sensor and give an
incorrect reading.
4. Before placing the cuvette in the sensor; hold the cuvette as far toward
the top as you can and wipe the bottom portion of the cuvette off with
a tissue. Do not touch the bottom of the cuvette again as this will leave
a residue which will affect the results of the experiment.
5. Load the cuvette into the square hole located on the sensor’s faceplate
and press down gently to slide the cuvette into place.
6. After experimentation, empty your samples and gently rinse out the
cuvettes with distilled water and then let the cuvettes air-dry.

NEULOG TURBIDITY LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
Quick start procedure:
PC or Mac Computer
Materials needed:
NUL-231 Turbidity Sensor
Cuvettes + Cuvette Lids
USB-200 USB Module
USB to mini USB cable (included with the USB-200 module)
Your turbidity 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 turbidity sensor directly into the
computer.
Resident PC software and browser based application can be downloaded for
free at
www.neulog.com/Download/SoftwareandApplication.aspx as well as a full
software user guide.
Note: Make sure not to download and install both types of software they
will conflict on the computer.
Procedure:
1. Install the NeuLog software
2. Connect the USB-200 module to the PC or Mac
3. Connect the turbidity sensor to the USB-200 module (they directly
plug together). Please note there is no calibration required for this
sensor.
4. Open the NeuLog software.
5. Once a turbidity sensor logo appears on the left side of the screen the
probe has been automatically identified and you can begin
experimentation.
6. If the turbidity sensor is not automatically identified then click the
“Search for sensors” icon to find the sensor.
7. Select the “On-line experiment” button; this will open a graph below.
8. Click on the “Module setup” button located on the turbidity sensor
icon in the module window to change the sensor settings if need be.
9. Click on the "experiment set up" button to change the experiment
settings if need be (experiment duration for example).
10. The turbidity sensor will give a live reading in the box to the left of the
screen while plugged in.
11. To run an experiment and collect data click “Run experiment”.
12. To end data collection early, click “Stop experiment”.
Tablet, smart phone device
Materials needed:
NUL-231 Turbidity Sensor
Cuvettes + Cuvette Lids
WIFI-201 WiFi module
BAT-200 Battery
Your turbidity 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 a 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 turbidity sensor directly to the left side WIFI-201 (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

NEULOG TURBIDITY LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
charger). The WIFI-201 module will run for 15-75 minutes (depending
on the sensor) without being plugged in.
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/Download/SoftwareandApplication.aspx
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 which matches the WIFI-201 Module ID found on the
back of the WIFI-201 device. (NeuLogXXXX for example).
8. Give your device about 20 seconds to connect to the WIFI-201.
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 browser, click on this icon.
11. The browser 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 browser does not auto detect the sensor(s), select “Search for
sensors”.
13. Once the sensor is found you will see an icon on the left side of the
screen for the turbidity sensor. The icon will display real time data.
14. Click on the “Module setup” button located on the turbidity sensor
icon in the module window to change the turbidity probe settings if
need be.
15. Click on the experiment set up button to change the experiment
settings if need be (Experiment duration for example).
16. To run an experiment and collect data, select “On-Line” experiment,
then select "Run".
17. If you have a newer generation WIFI-201 (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 key. Repeating this
operation will return the unit to WiFi mode.
Operation with NeuLog viewer
Materials needed:
NUL-231 Turbidity Sensor
Cuvettes + Cuvette Lids
VIEW-101 Viewing Module
BAT-200 Battery
Procedure:
1. Connect the turbidity 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 click the run button (little green
person).
Off-line experiments
(Off-line experiments are for when you do not have a sensor connected
directly to a computer, tablet, smartphone, or NeuLog viewer).
Materials needed:
NUL-231 Turbidity Sensor
Cuvettes + Cuvette Lids
BAT-200 Battery

NEULOG TURBIDITY LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
Materials needed to configure your offline experiment:
USB-200 Module or WIFI-201 module or VIEW-101 Module
USB to mini USB cable (included with the USB-200 module).
Procedure:
1. Connect the turbidity sensor directly to the left side of a charged BAT-
200 module.
2. When ready to collect data press the “Start/Stop” button on the
turbidity sensor, a red light will turn on for the duration of the
experiment.
3. To change the experiment settings first connect to your chosen device
(PC, Mac, tablet, smart device) and select the “Module setup” button.
(For more information on how to change the experiment settings view
quick start procedure section for your chosen device in this document.)
4. After the experiment has concluded (when the “Start/Stop” button is
pressed again or the data collection period ends) connect the sensor to
your chosen device. (full instructions in each device’s quick start
procedure section)
5. Open NeuLog software.
6. Click the “Off-line experiment” button.
7. Click the “Load data from sensors” button.
8. Select which experimental data to upload. (5 experimental runs can be
stored at one time on the NUL-231 turbidity sensor)
Restoring sensor’s factory default settings:
Procedure:
1. Connect the USB-200 to a PC, Mac, tablet, or smart device.
2. Connect the turbidity sensor to a USB-200 module (they directly plug
together). Please note there is no calibration required for this sensor.
3. Open the NeuLog software.
4. Click the “Tools” icon.
5. Click the “Restore sensor’s factory defaults” on the menu.
6. If prompted to clear the graph, click either the “Off-line experiment” or
“On-line experiment” (whichever you are using).
7. Click “Clear experiment results”.
8. Resume from step 4.
Included with sensor:
Three plastic cuvettes with three lids.
Neulog NUL-231 Turbidity sensor Guide (This Document)
Sensor specifications
Range and operation
modes
0-200 NTU
ADC resolution
10 bit
Resolution
0.2 NTU
Max sample rate (S/sec)
100
Sensor features:
 Fully digital data
 Rugged plastic ergonomic case
 Push button switch for Start/Stop experiments in off line mode
 LED indicator of experiment status (blinks while collecting data)
 Internal photodiode for collecting scattered infrared light
 Pre-calibrated sensing equipment
Note: NeuLog products are intended for educational use.

NEULOG TURBIDITY LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
Videos and experiment examples:
Videos, literature and other probes can be found at
http://ww.NeuLog.com
http://neulog.com/Turbidityloggersensor.php
Monitoring Yeast Growth-
http://neulog.com/portals/3/Users/Experiment_B-
38_Monitoring_Yeast_Growth_Ver_3.0.2.pdf
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 at any time using software.
Samples are poured into cuvettes which are then placed inside the Turbidity
Sensor for analysis. Infrared light is directed at the cuvette and is scattered
off of any suspended particles present in the sample.
A photodiode positioned perpendicular to the light source loses free
electrons (photoelectrons) when the scattered photons hit it, creating a
readable voltage.
The amount of light being scattered, and then detected, is directly
proportional to how many solid particles are present in the sample.
Turbidity is calculated in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) based on
the voltage reading.
Beer’s Law:
Beer’s Law is an extremely useful concept in solution concentration testing
in the fields of Chemistry and Biology. Standard curves are created by
using solutions of known concentrations which analyzed in a turbidity to
determine the absorbance then graphed. The absorption for unknown
samples can easily be tested and plotted on the standard curve to determine
their concentration.
Maintenance and storage:
Never place anything into the turbidity sensor opening other than the
cuvettes.
Never submerge the NeuLog plastic body in any liquid.
Do not allow liquid into the NeuLog plastic body.
After using the probe wipe off all excess material liquid or residue from
the turbidity sensor.
Store in a box at room temperature out of direct sunlight.
Cuvette usage guide can be found in the beginning of this document

NEULOG TURBIDITY LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
Warranty:
We promise to deliver our sensor free of defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of 3 years from the date of purchase. Our
warranty does not cover damage of the product caused by improper use,
abuse, or incorrect storage. Sensors with a shelf life such as ion selective
proves 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: [email protected]m
A: 850 St Paul Street, Suite 15, Rochester, NY 14605
P: 1.866.553.8536
V10012013