PASCO PS-3216 User manual

Wireless Load Cell (PS-3216)
Introduction
The Wireless Load Cell is a combination wireless and USB
sensor that connects to a computer or tablet device through
Bluetooth, and can also connect to a computer via the included
micro USB cable. The sensor measures force up to
±50 newtons (N) and acceleration up to ±16 g (where gis the
gravitation acceleration and 1 g = 9.8 m/s2). The sensor
measures compression and tension forces in any component of
the PASCO Structures System as a push or pull along its x-axis
and measures acceleration in three dimensions (x, y, and z).
PASCO Capstone or SPARKvue data collection software can
display the compression or tension forces, the acceleration in
any of the three dimensions, and the resultant acceleration. The
sensor uses a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device.
The sensor is designed to optimize the battery usage time.
Since each sensor has a unique device ID number, more than
one can be connected to a single computer or tablet at the same
time.
Features
Front view
Bottom view
Top view
XXX- XXX
Battery Status LED
Indicates the status and charge level of the sensor’s
battery.
Battery LED Status
Red blink Low power
Yellow ON Charging
Green ON Fully charged
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.
NOTE: The Bluetooth Status LED is disabled
when the sensor is connected to a computer via
the micro USB cable.
Device ID
Use this to identify the sensor when connecting to it via
Bluetooth.
LOAD side
This side is connected to the internal load cell and is used
to attach to the component which is expected to move or
shift.
FIXED side
This side is fixed in place and is used to attach to the
component which is expected to remain stationary.
ON/OFF button
Press to turn the sensor on. Press and briefly hold to turn
the sensor off. To preserve battery, the sensor
automatically turns itself off after several minutes of
inactivity if not connected.
Micro USB port
Use this with the included micro USB cable (not pictured) to
connect the sensor to a USB charger. The port and cable
can also be used to directly connect the sensor to a
computer without the use of Bluetooth. This connection
method is not supported by iOS.
Included hardware:
•Wireless Load Cell (PS-3216)
•Micro USB cable
Initial step: Charge the battery
Charge the battery by connecting the micro USB port to any
standard USB charger. The Battery Status LED is solid yellow
while charging. When fully charged, the LED changes to solid
green.
Product Guide | 012-15734B
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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 once 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 once the update is complete.
Set up the software
SPARKvue
Connecting the sensor to a tablet or computer via
Bluetooth:
1. Turn on the Wireless Load Cell. 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 Load Cell.
Connecting the sensor to a computer via micro USB cable:
1. Open SPARKvue, then click Sensor Data.
2. Connect the provided micro USB cable from the micro USB
port on the sensor to a USB port or powered USB hub
connected to the computer. The sensor should
automatically connect to SPARKvue.
Collecting data using SPARKvue:
1. From the Quick Start Experiments list, select Load Cell
Force. This will automatically open an Experiment Screen
containing a Graph display, a Digits display, and a Meter
display, all measuring Force.
2. Click Start to begin recording data.
PASCO Capstone
Connecting the sensor to a computer via Bluetooth:
1. Turn on the Wireless Load Cell. 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 Load Cell.
Connecting the sensor to a computer via micro USB cable:
1. Open Capstone. If desired, open Hardware Setup to
check the connection status of the sensor.
2. Connect the provided micro USB cable from the micro USB
port on the sensor to a USB port or powered USB hub
connected to the computer. The sensor should
automatically connect to Capstone.
Collecting data using Capstone:
1. Double-click 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.
Wireless Load Cell | PS-3216
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Set up the hardware
Connecting structure members
The Wireless Load Cell is designed to work with the PASCO
Structures Systems, such as the Building Better Bridges Kit
(ME-3581). The sensor can measure compression and tension
forces in any member of the PASCO Structures Systems. Use
thumbscrews to mount I-beams or other items from the
Structures Systems to the Wireless Load Cell, as shown below.
#2 Beam
#2 Beam
Thumbscrews
Figure 1. A pair of #2 I-beams being connected to the Wireless Load
Cell.
Adding Load Cells
To measure the tension and compression forces in individual
members of a PASCO Structure, replace a beam with two
shorter beams and a Wireless Load Cell, as shown below.
A Wireless Load Cell with two identical I-beams can be
substituted into the Structure as follows:
•#5 beam = Load Cell + two #3 beams
•#4 beam = Load Cell + two #2 beams
•#3 beam = Load Cell + two #1 beams
TIP: When using Wireless Load Cells, leave the
screws on the attached beams slightly loose.
This will simplify the analysis by ensuring that
the relevant members experience only tension
and compression, without moments.
The picture below shows an example of a Wireless Load Cell
connected into a PASCO Structures System.
Calibration
The Wireless Load Cell is calibrated at the factory and generally
does not need to be recalibrated. However, it is possible to
calibrate the force sensor using PASCO Capstone or SPARKvue
if needed. For instructions on calibrating the sensor, see the
PASCO Capstone or SPARKvue online help.
Direction of acceleration sensitivity
The acceleration sensing units inside the sensor are oriented so
that the lines of greatest sensitivity follow the x, y, and zarrows
indicating the direction of acceleration. Note that the software
calculates the magnitude of the resulting acceleration aRbased
on the individual values ax, ay, and azusing the following
equation:
As seen in the image below, when the sensor is held with the
LOAD and FIXED sides pointing upward, the x-axis direction is
horizontal, the y-axis direction is vertical, and the z-axis direction
is perpendicular to the label on the front of the sensor.
Note that a compression force (LOAD side pushed toward
FIXED side) is measured as being positive, and a tension force
(LOAD side pulled away from FIXED side) is measured as being
negative.
Product Guide | 012-15734B
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Zero (tare) the sensor
At the beginning of an experiment, the measurement from the
sensor may not read as zero when the load (force) is actually
zero. This is a normal behavior that is corrected when you zero
(or tare) the sensor using PASCO Capstone or SPARKvue. For
information on the procedure to zero the sensor, see the
Capstone or SPARKvue online help and search for "Zero
sensor data".
IMPORTANT: Zeroing of the acceleration
sensor should only be done if you are
measuring acceleration in only a single
direction, as zeroing this sensor will cause the
other two acceleration measurements to no
longer report accurate values.
Troubleshooting
•If the sensor loses Bluetooth connection and will not
reconnect, try cycling the ON button. Press and briefly hold
the button until the 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 the button and start the
sensor in the usual way.
•If the previous steps do not fix a connection problem, turn
Bluetooth off and then back on for your computer or tablet,
then retry.
About the battery
The Wireless Load Cell’s battery is partially charged at the
factory. If the battery status LED blinks red, use the micro USB
cable to connect the sensor to a USB port or USB charger.
Maximizing battery life
One factor that affects battery life is the storage temperature.
Therefore, to maximize battery life, avoid storing the sensor in
very cold or very hot environments.
Specifications and accessories
Visit the product page at pasco.com/product/PS-3216 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-3216.
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.
Wireless Load Cell | PS-3216
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