PASCO PS-3213 User manual

Wireless Light Sensor (PS-3213)
Introduction
The Wireless Light Sensor is a coin cell battery-powered
wireless sensor that connects to a computer or tablet device
through Bluetooth. The sensor measures light through two
apertures. The Spot Light Aperture measures red-green-blue
(RGB) and white light. The Ambient Light Aperture measures
illuminance (measured in lux, or lumens per square meter),
Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) in sunlight, and solar
irradiance (in watts per square meter). The Ambient Light
Aperture also measures ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B
(UVB), allowing ultraviolet index (UVI) to be calculated.
Either PASCO Capstone or SPARKvue is used to display and
analyze the measurements from the sensor. The sensor also
supports remote data logging for long term experiments; for
more information on this, see the PASCO Capstone or
SPARKvue online help. Since each sensor has a unique device
ID number, more than one can be connected to a computer or
tablet at the same time.
Features
Battery Status LED
Indicates the battery level of the sensor by blinking red at
low power.
Spot Light Aperture
Used to measure red, green, blue, and white light.
Bluetooth Status LED
Indicates the status of the sensor’s Bluetooth connection.
Bluetooth LED Status
Red blink Ready to pair
Green blink Connected
Yellow blink Logging data
For information on remote data logging, see the PASCO
Capstone or SPARKvue online help.
Device ID number
Use this to identify the sensor when connecting via
Bluetooth.
Battery drawer
Holds the coin cell battery that powers the sensor.
ON button
Press to turn the sensor on. Press and briefly hold to turn
the sensor off. Note that the sensor automatically turns
itself off after several minutes of inactivity if not connected.
Ambient Light Aperture
Used to measure UVA and UVB.
Get the software
You can use the sensor with SPARKvue or PASCO Capstone
software. If you’re not sure which to use, visit
pasco.com/products/guides/software-comparison.
SPARKvue is available as a free app for Chromebook, iOS, and
Android devices. We offer a free trial of SPARKvue and
Capstone for Windows and Mac. To get the software, go to
pasco.com/downloads or search for SPARKvue in your device’s
app store.
If you have installed the software previously, check that you have
the latest update:
SPARKvue
Go to Main Menu > Check for Updates
PASCO Capstone
Go to Help > Check for Updates.
Check for a firmware update
SPARKvue
1. Press the power button until the LEDs turn on.
2. Open SPARKvue.
3. Select Sensor Data on the Welcome Screen.
4. From the list of available devices, select the sensor that
matches your sensor’s device ID. A notification appears if a
firmware update is available. Click Yes to update the
firmware.
5. Close SPARKvue when the update is complete.
PASCO Capstone
1. Press and hold the power button until the LEDs turn on.
2. Open PASCO Capstone.
3. Click Hardware Setup.
4. From the list of available devices, select the sensor that
matches your sensor’s device ID. A notification appears if a
firmware update is available. Click Yes to update the
firmware.
5. Close Capstone when the update is complete.
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Set up the software
SPARKvue
Connecting the sensor to a tablet or computer:
1. Turn on the Wireless Light Sensor. Check to make sure the
Bluetooth Status LED is blinking red.
2. Open SPARKvue, then click Sensor Data.
3. From the list of available wireless devices on the left, select
the device which matches the device ID printed on your
Wireless Light Sensor.
Collecting data:
1. Select the measurements you intend to record from the
Select Measurements for Templates menu by clicking the
check box next to the relevant measurements' names.
2. Click Graph in the Templates section to open the
Experiment Screen. The graph’s axes will auto-populate
with the selected measurements.
3. Click Start to begin recording data.
PASCO Capstone
Connecting the sensor to a computer:
1. Turn on the Wireless Light Sensor. Check to make sure the
Bluetooth Status LED is blinking red.
2. Open Capstone, then click Hardware Setup in the
Tools palette.
3. From the list of Available Wireless Devices, click the
device which matches the device ID printed on your
Wireless Light Sensor.
Collecting data:
1. Double-click or drag the Graph icon in the Displays
palette to create a new blank graph display.
2. To assign measurements to the graph’s axes, click each
<Select Measurement> box and select an appropriate
measurement from the list.
3. Click Record to begin collecting data.
Measurements
The Spot sensor measures relative light levels in red, green,
blue, and white. The Ambient sensor measures relative light
levels in red, green, blue, white, UVA, and UVB. Note that the
software does not report red, green, blue, or white from the
Ambient Light Aperture.
Spot Light Sensor:
Measurement Range of Values
White (count) 0 to 65,535
Red* (%) 0 to 100
Green* (%) 0 to 100
Blue* (%) 0 to 100
*As a percentage of the total light detected by the Spot Light
Sensor
Ambient Light Sensor:
Measurement Range of Values
UVA (count) 0 to 65,535
UVB (count) 0 to 65,535
UV Index 0 to 12 (typical in daylight)
Illuminance* (lux) 0 to 131,000
Solar Irradiance* (W/m2) 0 to 1,362
Solar PAR* (µmol/m2/s) 0 to 2,400
*Based on solar radiance
Definitions of measurements
UVA: Ultraviolet A refers to ultraviolet radiation with wavelengths
between 315 and 400 nm.
UVB: Ultraviolet B refers to ultraviolet radiation with wavelengths
between 290 and 320 nm; this range comprises less than 1% of
the ultraviolet radiation that reaches Earth.
UV Index: The ultraviolet index, or UV index, measures the
potential for skin damage by exposure to sunlight at a given
location. A low number means less risk than a higher number.
Illuminance: This refers to the total luminous flux incident on a
surface per unit area. It is used as a measure of how much the
incident light illuminates the surface. Illuminance is measured in
lux, or lumens per square meter.
Irradiance: In radiometry, irradiance is the radiant flux (power)
received by a surface per unit area. The SI unit of irradiance is
the watt per square meter (W/m2).
PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation): This designates
the spectral range, or wave band, of solar radiation from 400 to
700 nm that photosynthetic organisms are able to use in the
process of photosynthesis. This spectral region corresponds
closely with the range of light visible to the human eye.
Light Sensor response curves
The sensor’s relative responsivity for a given wavelength refers
to a ratio of the current produced in the sensor in response to
light of this wavelength from an LED of a specific color to the
current produced in response to the same wavelength from a
clear LED. The graph in Figure 1 shows normalized Relative
Responsivity versus Wavelength (in nm) for red, green, blue, and
clear LEDs.
The approximate wavelength ranges at half-max are:
•Red: 580 to 650 nm
•Green: 510 to 580 nm
•Blue: 400 to 510 nm
Wireless Light Sensor | PS-3213
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Figure 1. Response curves for red, green, blue, and unfiltered light for
the Spot sensor.
Troubleshooting
•If the Wireless Light Sensor loses Bluetooth connection
and will not reconnect, try cycling the ON button. Press and
briefly hold the button until the status LEDs blink in
sequence, then release the button. Start the sensor in the
usual way.
•If the sensor stops communicating with the computer
software or tablet application, try restarting the software or
application.
•If the problem persists, press and hold the ON button for 10
seconds, then release. Start the sensor in the usual way.
•If the above steps do not fix the problem, turn Bluetooth off
and back on for your computer or tablet, then retry.
About the battery
Battery usage
Battery life is very important to making the sensor simple and
always ready to use. Therefore, like all PASCO wireless
products, the Wireless Light Sensor is designed for long battery
life. For example, the sensor turns itself off after a few minutes of
inactivity to preserve battery life.
The Wireless Light Sensor includes a three volt coin cell battery
(CR2032). This battery should provide more than one year of
battery life, but the actual amount depends on factors such as
the data collection sampling rate.
Sensor storage
If the sensor will be stored for many months, we recommend that
you remove the battery and store it separately to avoid
damaging the sensor in case of a battery leak.
Maximizing battery life
One of the factors that affects battery life is the storage
temperature. Therefore, avoid storing the sensor in very cold or
very hot environments.
Battery removal and replacement
If the sensor’s Battery Status LED blinks red, the battery may
need to be replaced. Replacing the battery involves opening the
Battery Drawer on the back of the sensor, removing the old
battery, installing a new battery of the same type, and closing
the Battery Drawer. The procedure requires a small, thin blade
screwdriver (or a fingernail) and a CR2032 three volt battery,
such as those provided in the PS-3504 Coin Cell Battery Pack.
This battery is also commonly available in
electronic and commercial stores.
Open the battery drawer
1 cm
Step 1
Step 2
Hold the sensor with the top side facing up. Use a thin blade
screwdriver or a fingernail to push down slightly on the center
section of the battery drawer. See Step 1 in the figure above.
Pull the battery drawer out of the sensor about one centimeter.
See Step 2 in the figure above.
Turn the sensor over so the bottom is
facing upward. Pull the battery drawer
the rest of the way out of the sensor.
Replace the battery with another
identical battery.
Close the battery drawer
Align the battery drawer with the slot on the end of the sensor
and push the battery drawer all the way back into the sensor
until you hear a click.
The discharged battery must be recycled or disposed of
separately from typical household waste. For more information,
see the Battery disposal guidelines under Regulatory
information.
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Software help
The SPARKvue and PASCO Capstone Help provide additional
information on how to use this product with the software. You
can access the help within the software or online.
SPARKvue
Software: Main Menu > Help
Online: help.pasco.com/sparkvue
PASCO Capstone
Software: Help > PASCO Capstone Help
Online: help.pasco.com/capstone
Specifications and accessories
Visit the product page at pasco.com/product/PS-3213 to view
the specifications and explore accessories. You can also
download experiment files and support documents from the
product page.
Experiment files
Download one of several student-ready activities from the
PASCO Experiment Library. Experiments include editable
student handouts and teacher notes. Visit
pasco.com/freelabs/PS-3213.
Technical support
Need more help? Our knowledgeable and friendly Technical
Support staff is ready to answer your questions or walk you
through any issues.
Chat pasco.com
Phone [phone] x1004 (USA)
[phone] (outside USA)
Email [e-mail]
Regulatory information
Limited warranty
For a description of the product warranty, see the Warranty and Returns page at
www.pasco.com/legal.
Copyright
This document is copyrighted with all rights reserved. Permission is granted to non-
profit educational institutions for reproduction of any part of this manual, providing
the reproductions are used only in their laboratories and classrooms, and are not
sold for profit. Reproduction under any other circumstances, without the written
consent of PASCO scientific, is prohibited.
Trademarks
PASCO and PASCO scientific are trademarks or registered trademarks of PASCO
scientific, in the United States and in other countries. All other brands, products, or
service names are or may be trademarks or service marks of, and are used to
identify, products or services of, their respective owners. For more information visit
www.pasco.com/legal.
Product end-of-life disposal
This electronic product is subject to disposal and recycling regulations
that vary by country and region.
It is your responsibility to recycle your electronic equipment per your
local environmental laws and regulations to ensure that it will be
recycled in a manner that protects human health and the environment.
To find out where you can drop off your waste equipment for recycling, please
contact your local waste recycle or disposal service, or the place where you
purchased the product.
The European Union WEEE (Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment) symbol
on the product or its packaging indicates that this product must not be disposed of
in a standard waste container.
CE statement
This device has been tested and found to comply with the essential requirements
and other relevant provisions of the applicable EU Directives.
FCC statement
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept
any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Battery disposal
Batteries contain chemicals that, if released, may affect the environment
and human health.
Batteries should be collected separately for recycling and recycled at a
local hazardous material disposal location adhering to your country and
local government regulations.
To find out where you can drop off your waste battery for recycling, please contact
your local waste disposal service, or the product representative.
The battery used in this product is marked with the European Union symbol for
waste batteries to indicate the need for the separate collection and recycling of
batteries.
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