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 which uses
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. A turbid liquid is often referred to as cloudy or hazy. This sensor measures
turbidity by sending a beam of light through a cuvette and sensing the scattered 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 are included with the sensor, which load directly into the
opening on the sensor’s faceplate.
Among hundreds of possible experiments that can be done with the NUL-231 sensor
are: Monitoring of ecological systems, bacteria or yeast culturing, studying colonies of
Protozoa, environmental health testing, water quality testing, etc.
The turbidity sensor's measurement unit is:
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. Do not shake since
this could create air bubbles which would be detected by the sensor and give an
incorrect reading.
4. Before placing the cuvette in the sensor, hold it as far toward the top as you can
and wipe the bottom part of the cuvette with a tissue. Be careful not to touch the
bottom of the cuvette again as this could leave residues which could affect the
results of the experiment.
5. Load the cuvette into the square hole on the sensor’s faceplate and press down
gently to slide the cuvette into place.
6. After experimentation, empty your samples, gently rinse out the cuvettes with
distilled water and then let them air-dry.
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.
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 turbidity sensor to the USB-200 module (they directly plug
together). Please note that there is no calibration required for this sensor.
4. Open the NeuLog application by clicking on the shortcut on the screen.
5. Once a turbidity 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 turbidity 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.

NEULOG TURBIDITY LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
8. Click on the “Module setup” button located in the turbidity 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 turbidity sensor will give a live reading in its module box to the left of the
screen 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-231 Turbidity Sensor
Cuvettes + Cuvette Lids
WIFI-201 WiFi Module
BAT-200 Battery Module
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 of a 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 charger). The WIFI-201
module will run for 60-90 minutes (depending on the sensor) without being
plugged in.
4. The WIFI-201 module 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 modules 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 turbidity sensor. In this box, real time data will be displayed.
14. Click on the “Module setup” button located in the turbidity sensor module box to
change the turbidity 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 on the “On-Line experiment” icon,
then click on 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
module to WiFi mode.
Operation with NeuLog Graphic Display Module (viewer)
Materials needed:
NUL-231 Turbidity Sensor
Cuvettes + Cuvette Lids
VIEW-101 Viewing Module
BAT-200 Battery Module
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 press the run icon (little green person).

NEULOG TURBIDITY LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
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-231 Turbidity Sensor
Cuvettes + Cuvette Lids
BAT-200 Battery Module
Materials needed to configure your offline experiment:
USB-200 Module, WIFI-201 module or VIEW-101 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 turbidity 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 turbidity 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 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-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).
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:
Three plastic cuvettes with three lids
NeuLog NUL-231 Turbidity Sensor Guide (this document)
Sensor's specifications
Range and operation
modes
0 to 200 NTU
ADC resolution
16 bit
Resolution
0.20 NTU
Max sample rate (S/sec)
100
Experiment Duration: 1 second to 31 days.
Sensor's 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.
Videos and experiment examples:
Videos, literature and other probes can be found at www.NeuLog.com.
In order to access the turbidity sensor's page, choose "Products" on the main
menu and then "Turbidity 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".
Biology Experiment:
oMonitoring Yeast Growth (B-38)

NEULOG TURBIDITY LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
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.
Samples are poured into cuvettes which are then placed inside the turbidity sensor for
analysis. An infrared light is directed at the cuvette and it is scattered off by 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.
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.
The cuvette usage guide can be found at the beginning of this document.
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