Pasco Scientific SCIENCE WORKSHOP 500 INTERFACE User manual

Instruction Sheet
for the PASCO
Model CI-6400
SCIENCEWORKSHOP
®500 INTERFACE
012-07915A
Introduction
The PASCO CI-6400 ScienceWorkshop®500 Interface
is a data acquisition computer interface designed for
use with DataStudio™software and ScienceWorkshop®
sensors.
Analog input channels
Equipment included:
•ScienceWorkshop® 500 Interface (1)
•9 V AC adapter (1)
•Serial cables (2), 6 ft. each., one for a Windows -
compatible PC, and one for a Macintosh
Additional Equipment Required:
•Computer, with Windows 3.1 or later operating
system, 1 MB RAM available; OR 1 Macintosh,
operating system 7.0 or later, and Color Quickdraw
•PC or MAC serial cable, with USB and R232
adapter for Macintosh iMAC and Power
Macintosh G-3 computers
•One copy of DataStudio software per interface
•4 AA batteries (for standalone operation)
•At least 1 ScienceWorkshop® sensor
Features:
Data Logging Capability - The 500 ScienceWorkshop
Interface is a portable datalogger for taking measurements
in the laboratory or field. To record data, all you need is the
interface and a sensor. Students can set up an experiment
using the 500 interface, disconnect the computer to collect
data at their lab table or out of the classroom, and then
reconnect the interface to the computer to upload data for
analysis inside DataStudio.
50 KB Storage Buffer -The interface uses a 50 KB storage
buffer to store multiple data runs and experiment setup
information.
Cross-platform Compatible - Logged data will open on
either a Macintosh or Windows-compatible computer. The
interface stores the ScienceWorkshop sensor and data display
information so it knows what experiment setup to open.
Portability and Plug-in - You can carry the interface in the
field or plug the interface into your computer. The interface
operates on 4 “AA” cell batteries or a 9 V AC adapter.
Back panel of the 500 interface
9 V AC adapter
PASCO
scientific
300
Interface
ANALOG CHANNELS Science
Workshop
Interface
500
scientific
PASCO
Science Workshop DATA LOGGING INSTRUCTIONS
Digital
channels
Logging
button
Indicator light
© 2001 PASCO scientific

Science Workshop®500 Interface 012-07915A
2
+/- 10 V range (+/- 0.02 V + 0.1% of reading), 5 mV resolution
Analog Inputs:
Analog output capability:
Analog range
Analog-to-Digital Conversion: 12-bit
Battery option:
Crystal-controlled timebase:
Data storage:
Digital channels:
Momentary overvoltage protection (ESD):
Power supply:
Host connection:
Remote data measurement:
Sampling rate (maximum):
(Note: The speed of the computer is a
factor, especially if it is busy with many
displays.)
Selectable gain (analog channels A and B):
A: Differential input - 2M
W
impedance; gain = 1or 10
B: Single-Ended input- 200 k
W
impedance; gain = 1 or 10
C: Single-Ended input - 200 k
W
impedance; gain=1
no
50 KB data storage buffer, with multiple data runs,
50 microsecond timing resolution
Serial, RS232
yes
One or two analog channels, burst mode: 20,000 Hz
One or two analog channels, sustained rate: 200 Hz
Three analog channels, burst mode:10,000 Hz
Three analog channels, sustained rate:100 Hz
Any combination of analog and digital sensors: 10,000 Hz
yes
2 channels, 0.1 millisecond
Connecting the ScienceWorkshop® 500
Interface to a IBM-
compatible Windows PC:
1. With your computer turned off,
locate the serial port on the
back of your computer. The
serial port may have 25 pins or
9 pins or the symbol “10101” next to it.
2. Connect and secure the serial cable to the back of the
computer. The cable is keyed so that you cannot plug
it in incorrectly.
3. Connect the other end of the serial cable to the port
labeled “TO COMPUTER” on the back of the 500
interface box.
4. Insert the AC adapter plug into the “Power” port on
the back of the 500 interface. Plug the AC adapter
into a standard AC power outlet (a grounded
electrical receptacle).
5. Switch the interface on using the power switch on the
back of the interface. The green light will illuminate
on the front on the interface.
6. Turn on the computer and run DataStudio to install
the Science Workshop 500 interface.
Specifications
Setup Procedures
Back panel of the ScienceWorkshop® 500 Interface
9-pin serial
port
1x, 10x
9V @ 500 mA DC supply or 4AA batteries
yes
collects up to 17,000 data points in Data Log mode

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012-07915A Science Workshop®500 Interface
Connecting the ScienceWorkshop ®500 Interface to a
MacIntosh Computer
1. With your computer turned off, locate the modem or printer port on
the back of your computer.
2. Connect either end of the modem/printer cable( mini DIN 8- pin to
mini DIN 8-pin cable included with the 500 interface) to the port on
your computer. The cable is keyed so that you cannot plug it in
incorrectly.
NOTE: For the iMac, iBook, or the new G3/G4 or new PowerBook,
you will need a ‘USB-to-serial adapter’ (such as PASCO’s CI-6654
USB Port Adapter). Connect one end of the interface cable into the
adapter. Connect the other end into the back of the interface box.
3. Connect the other end of the modem/printer cable to the port labeled
“TO COMPUTER” on the back of the 500 interface box.
4. Insert the AC adapter plug into the back of the 500 interface. Plug
the AC adapter into a standard AC power outlet.
5. Switch the interface on using the power switch on the back of the
interface. The green light will illuminate on the front on the
interface.
6. Turn on the computer and run DataStudio to install the Science Workshop 500® interface software.
If you have any difficulties, see the Troubleshooting section of this manual or the DataStudio online help.
modem port
Interface Operation
Turning on the ScienceWorkshop 500
Interface
1. Turn on the interface (with the power switch on the
back). A green light-emitting diode (LED) on the
front panel should light.
Note: If the LED does not turn on, check the power
connections.
2. Turn on the computer and start DataStudio.
3. In the “Welcome to DataStudio™” window, select
“Create Experiment.”
4. When the DataStudio window asks whether you
want the program to scan for an interface or to pick
one to use for setup, click Scan to continue.
Result: If the program is able to find the interface,
the Experiment Setup window opens. You are ready
to begin collecting or retrieving data.
Unable to Find the Interface?
If the program can’t find the interface, the program asks
whether you want to scan again or to pick an interface.
Check the connections between the interface and the
computer, make sure the power is on, and then click Scan
Again. If the program fails again, see the Troubleshooting
section in this manual.
Collecting Data
1. Plug a sensor into the appropriate interface channel
(analog or digital). When you are ready to collect
data, press the LOG button on the front of the 500
Interface. Result: The green LED flashes slowly for
10 seconds and then flashes quickly. When the light
flashes quickly, data is being recorded.
2. Press the LOG button to stop recording data.
Result: The green LED resumes flashing very
slowly, indicating the interface box is in a “sleep”
mode.”
printer port
Setup Procedures (continued)

Science Workshop®500 Interface 012-07915A
4
Using a ScienceWorkshop® 500 Interface
with DataStudio
Note: Before you can use the interface with DataStudio,
you must have DataStudio installed on your computer, the
interface connected to a power supply, and the power supply
to the interface turned on.
1. Connect a sensor to the ScienceWorkshop® interface.
2. Start DataStudio. In the Sensors list, double-click
the sensor to associate the sensor with the interface
channel.
3. In the Displays list, double-click the display’s icon to
open a display window.
4. To collect some data, click the Start button
() on the main toolbar. Result: Data appears
in real-time on the Graph display.
5. To stop collecting data, go to the main toolbar and
click the Stop button ( ).
Reconnecting the Interface to the Computer
and Retrieving Data
1. Reconnect your 500 Interface to the computer, and
press the Connect button on the Setup toolbar.
2. In the Retrieved Data From the Interface dialog,
click “Yes.” Result: Your run(s) appear in the Data
List and in any open DataStudio displays.
Note: To set up DataStudio for remote data logging,
go to the Experiment menu and select “Disconnect
for Data Logging.” To set up DataStudio to receive
the remotely logged data, go to the Experiment
menu and click “Connect to Interface.”
Example: Connect a Temperature Sensor to analog channel
A.
Interface Operation (continued)
For more information about operating the interface with
DataStudio, see the DataStudio online help.

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012-07915A Science Workshop®500 Interface
Troubleshooting the 500 Interface—PC
1. Is the green LED on the front of the interface lit when the power is turned on? If not, substitute the AC
power adapter with 4 AA batteries. If after making the substitution, the green LED does not come on,
contact Technical Support . If the green LED does come on, you have a defective AC adapter. Contact
Technical Support for a replacement.
2. Make sure that all your cable connections are secure. Verify that there are no bent pins at either end of the
cable. Is there a device, such as a modem, connected to the same COM port? Contact your computer
administrator of Technical Support if you need help determining how your computer is configured.
3. Is your COM port enabled? After checking, try running DataStudio again.
4. If step 3 does not work, try communicating with the interface box using Hyperterminal. Make sure that
your interface is connected to the computer and that it is turned on (green light on the front is lit). To open
Hyperterminal, click Start,Programs, Accessories, Hyperterminal, Hyperterminal. Give any name and
select any icon. Choose the appropriate COM port for the connection. Then set the following:
Bits per Second 19,200
Data Bits 8
Parity None
Stop Bits 1
Flow Control None
5. Click OK, and a blank screen appears. Press Control-A. Tthe screen will say what device is connected to
your COM port. If you receive a message and DataStudio cannot boot the interface, then you have a
software problem. Contact Technical Support.
6. If none of the above suggestion help, contact Technical Support at 800-772-8700.
Troubleshooting the 500 Interface—Mac
1. Is the green LED on the front of the interface lit when the power is turned on? If not, substitute the AC
power adapter with 4 AA batteries. If after making the substitution, the green LED does not come on,
contact Technical Support. If the green LED does come on, you have a defective AC adapter. Contact
Technical Support for a replacement.
2. Make sure that all your cable connections are secure. Verify that there are no bent pins at either end of the
cable.
3. On some Macs, you may need to turn off AppleTalk for DataStudio to communicate with the interface. Try
turning off AppleTalk, and then run DataStudio.
4. If none of the above suggestion help, contact Technical Support at 800-772-8700.
Troubleshooting

Science Workshop®500 Interface 012-07915A
6
Limited Warranty
PASCO scientific warrants the product to be free from
defects in materials and workmanship for a period of
one year from the date of shipment to the customer.
PASCO will repair or replace, at its option, any part of
the product which is deemed to be defective in
material or workmanship. The warranty does not
cover damage to the product caused by abuse or
improper use. Determination of whether a product
failure is the result of a manufacturing defect or
improper use by the customer shall be made solely by
PASCO scientific. Responsibility for the return of
equipment for warranty repair belongs to the
customer. Equipment must be properly packed to
prevent damage and shipped postage or freight
prepaid. (Damage caused by improper packing of the
equipment for return shipment will not be covered by
the warranty.) Shipping costs for returning the
equipment after repair will be paid by PASCO
scientific.
Address: PASCO scientific
10101 Foothills Blvd.
Roseville, CA 95747-7100
Phone: [phone]
Or 1-800-772-8700 (toll free in U.S.)
FAX: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.pasco.com
The PASCO Model CI-6400 500 ScienceWorkshop
Computer Interface has been tested and complies
with the essential protection requirements of
Council Directive 89/336/EEC on the
approximation of the laws of the Member States
relating to electromagnetic compatibility.
Assessment of compliance of the product with the
requirements relating to electromagnetic
compatibility was based on the following
Directives and Standards:
• EN 50081-1 Electromagnetic compatibility
generic emission standard
• EN 55022, CISPR 22 Class A Limits and
methods of measurements of radio interference
characteristics of information technology
equipment
• EN 50082-1 Electromagnetic compatibility
generic immunity standard
• IEC 801-2 Electrostatic discharge requirements
• IEC 801-3 Radiated electromagnetic field
requirements
• IEC 801-4 Electrical fast transient/burst
requirements
➤ ➤
➤ ➤
➤ Note: This equipment has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. This equipment generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instruction
manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a
residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in
which case the user will be required to correct the
interference at his own expense.
The exclamation point within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the user of
important operating and safety instructions
that will help prevent damage to the
equipment or injury to the user.
500 Interface CI-6400
Tested To Comply
With FCC Standards
FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE
Electromagnetic Compatibility of the
ScienceWorkshop® 500 Interface

7
012-07915A Science Workshop®500 Interface
Contacting Technical Support
Before you call the PASCO Technical Support staff, it
would be helpful to prepare the following
information:
• If your problem is computer/software related, note:
-Title and Revision Date of software
-Type of Computer (Make, Model, Speed)
-Type of external Cables/Peripherals
If your problem is with the PASCO apparatus,
note:
-Title and Model number (usually listed on the
label)
-Approximate age of apparatus
-A detailed description of the problem/sequence
of events. (In case you can't call PASCO
right away, you won't lose valuable data.)
-If possible, have the apparatus within reach when
calling. This makes descriptions of individual parts
much easier.
• If your problem relates to the instruction manual, note:
-Part number and Revision (listed by month and
year on the front cover)
-Have the manual at hand to discuss your questions.
Feedback
If you have any comments about this product or this
manual, please let us know. If you have any suggestions
on alternate experiments or find a problem in the manual,
please tell us. PASCO appreciates any customer
feedback. Your input helps us evaluate and improve our
product.
To reach PASCO
For Technical Support:
Technical Support
Fax: [phone]
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.pasco.com
Phone: [phone] (toll-free in U.S.)
or [phone]