PASCO PS-3223 User manual

Reference Guide
013-16192A
800-772-8700 www.pasco.com
Wireless 3-Axis Acceleration/Altimeter
PS-3223
Included Equipment
Wireless Acceleration/Altimeter sensor
Thumbscrew, M5 X 25mm
Hook and loop strap
Introduction
The PS-3223 Wireless 3-Axis Acceleration/Altimeter
sensor measures acceleration in three axes, angular
velocity in three axes, and altitude. The sensor can be
mounted to any PASCO cart using the included
thumbscrew. The included hook and loop strap can be
used to mount the sensor to a variety of objects. For
additional mounting options, the sensor casing includes a
threaded hole that accepts 6-32 screws, such as the
PASCO Truss Set Screws.
Collecting data
SPARKvue
1. Press and hold the power button until the
Bluetooth status LED starts flashing red.
2. Open SPARKvue and select Sensor Data.
3. Under Connected Devices, select the sensor that
matches your device ID.
4. Select the measurements you wish to display.
5. Under Templates, select Graph.
6. Select Start to begin data collection.

PS-3223 Wireless 3-Axis Acceleration/Altimeter
013-16192A
PASCO Capstone
1. Press and hold the power button until the
Bluetooth status LED starts flashing red.
2. Open Capstone and click Hardware Setup.
3. Select the sensor that matches your device ID.
4. In the Displays palette, double-click Graph.
5. On the vertical axis of the graph, click Select
Measurement, then select the measurement you
wish to display.
6. Click Record to begin data collection.
Data collection tips
Acceleration
Acceleration is measured using an electronic three-axis
accelerometer. Due to the way an accelerometer
functions, the acceleration measurement will be offset by
9.8 m/s2in the direction normal to the surface of Earth.
For example, if the x-axis of the sensor is normal to
Earth’s surface, this axis will measure 9.8 m/s2when at
rest. If the sensor is rotated so that the y-axis is normal to
Earth’s surface, the y-axis will now measure 9.8 m/s2
(Figure 1).
Figure 1. Acceleration will be offset by 9.8 m/s2in the direction
normal to the Earth's surface.
It is recommended to zero the acceleration sensor when
collecting data in one-dimension (such as the acceleration
of a cart on an inclined plane). However, the sensor
should not be zeroed when collecting data in all three
axes simultaneously. This will result in the sensor
reporting invalid acceleration measurements whenever
the sensor changes direction.
The default measurement range is ±16 g. For high-g
acceleration measurements, the range can be changed to
±100 g, ±200 g, or ±400 g. Increasing the measurement
range will decrease the accuracy and resolution of the
sensor. Select the smallest range required when
recording data to provide the most precise and accurate
acceleration data.
Altitude
Altitude is measured by detecting changes in barometric
pressure. Since barometric pressure can vary due to
weather conditions, the sensor is best used to measure
changes in altitude instead of absolute altitude. The
sensor is most useful when measuring significant
changes in altitude such as riding a roller coaster or
launched as a projectile.
Mounting options
PASCO carts
Align one of the holes in the sensor casing with a threaded
hole in the accessory tray of the cart. Fasten with the
included thumbscrew. Be sure to pay attention to the
direction of the x-axis of the sensor when mounting.
Figure 2. Mount the sensor toa PASCO cart using the included
thumb screw.
Hook and loop strap
Insert each end of the strap through the slots between the
sensor and the casing. Use the strap to mount the sensor
to an object such as a human arm. Two indentations in
the casing accommodate for mounting to a rod (such
as the rod included with the ME-8969 Pendulum
Accessory or ME-3420 Rotational Inertia Accessory).

PS-3223 Wireless 3-Axis Acceleration/Altimeter
013-16192A
Rotating Platform
The sensor can be mounted to the track of the ME-8951
Rotating Platform. Secure the sensor to the track using
the thumbscrew and square nut included with the 300 g
square mass. Be sure to pay attention to the direction of
the xand yaxes of the sensor when mounting.
Figure 3. Sensor mounted to the ME-8951 Rotating Platform.
Truss Set Member
The threaded hole on the sensor casing can be used to
attach the sensor to a PASCO Truss Set Member. Other
objects (such as masses) can be attached to the sensor
using 6-32 screws.
Figure 4. Sensor mounted to a PASCO Truss Set Member.
String or rubber band
Tie a string to the center mounting hole in the sensor
casing. Use the string to swing the sensor in a circle to
measure centripetal acceleration.
Tie a rubber band to the hole. Use the rubber band to
launch sensor to explore projectile motion.
Battery Replacement
1. Insert a coin into the battery compartment door
slot then turn the door counterclockwise until the
indicator aligns with the second mark.
2. Remove the battery compartment door, O-ring
gasket, and battery.
3. Insert a new CR2032 battery in the compartment
with the positive (+) side facing up.
4. Replace the door and O-ring gasket, aligning the
indicator with the second mark.
5. Turn the battery compartment door clockwise
until the indicator aligns with the first mark.
Figure 5. Battery compartment door.
LED Status
Bluetooth LED Status
Red blink Ready to be connected to software
Green blink Connected to software
Yellow blink Remotely logging data
Battery LED Status
Red blink Battery needs to be replaced soon
Green solid Battery is fully charged
Yellow solid Battery is charging

PS-3223 Wireless 3-Axis Acceleration/Altimeter
013-16192A
Specifications
Low-g Accelerometer
Range ±16 g
Accuracy ±0.04 g
Resolution 0.001 g
Max sample rate 1 kHz
Max sample rate (burst) 5 kHz
Low-g Accelerometer
Range ±100 g, ±200 g, ±400 g
Accuracy ±1 g (@ ±100 g)
Resolution 0.1 g (@ ±100 g)
Max sample rate 1 kHz
Gyroscope
Range ±34.9 rad/s
Accuracy ±0.017 rad/s
Max sample rate 1 kHz
Max sample rate (burst) 5 kHz
Altimeter
Range -1869.65 – 9481.98 m
Accuracy ±0.5 m
Resolution 5 cm
Max sample rate 1 kHz
Technical Support
For assistance with PASCO products, contact PASCO at:
Address: PASCO scientific
10101 Foothills Blvd.
Roseville, CA 95747-7100
Phone:
916-462-8384
Web:
www.pasco.com
Email:
[email protected]om
Product End of Life Disposal Instructions
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/disposal service, or the
place where you purchased the product.
The European Union WEEE (Waste
Electronic and Electrical Equipment) symbol
(to the right) and on the product or its
packaging indicates that this product must not
be disposed of in a standard waste container.
Warranty, Copyright, and Trademarks
Limited Warranty For a description of the product
warranty, see the PASCO catalog.
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/or in other countries. All other
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trademarks or service marks of, and are used to identify,
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information visit www.pasco.com/legal.