PASCO PS-2184 User manual

Current Probe (PS-2184)
Included Equipment
•Current Probe (PS-2184)
Additional Equipment Required
•Voltage Sensor, shrouded (UI-5100) OR unshrouded (UI-
5110)
Introduction
The Current Probe attaches to a PASCO voltage sensor to
enable the measurement of current between -4 A and +4 A. The
probe contains a 0.10 resistor. Current to be measured flows
through the resistor; the voltage sensor measures the resulting
potential across the resistor, which can be easily converted into
current measurements using PASCO Capstone or SPARKvue,
or using simple calculations.
Component Set-up
1. Insert the probe into a circuit where you want to measure
current. Positive current will flow from the red terminal on
one side of the probe to the black terminal on the opposite
side.
IMPORTANT: The voltage applied across the
probe should not exceed 0.4 V. The maximum
absolute voltage of the circuit should not exceed
10 V.
2. Connect the voltage sensor to the side-by-side red and
black terminals.
3. Plug the voltage sensor into one of the Analog Inputs on
the Universal Interface.
If you are using the UI-5100 or UI-5110 Voltage Sensor, current
is selectable in software as one of the sensor’s measurements.
For any sensor, multiply the measured voltage (in volts) by 10 to
find the current (in amps).
Measurement Set-up
Before using the current probe to measure current, it is
important to properly set up the voltage and current sensor.
Failure to do so may cause the system to display inaccurate
measurements of current.
1. Connect the voltage sensor to the current probe and
Universal Interface. Ensure that current is not flowing
through the current probe at this time.
2. Open PASCO Capstone, then select Hardware Setup. The
system should automatically identify the Universal Interface
plugged into your computer.
3. Click on the port corresponding to the Analog Input where
your voltage sensor is plugged in; from the dropdown
menu, select "Voltage Sensor".
4. Click on the icon next to the voltage sensor’s name to
open the Properties menu for the voltage sensor.
5. Adjust the Gain for the voltage sensor from the Properties
menu. It is recommended that you set the gain to 1000x for
this setup in order to decrease noise in the data; however,
make sure to set the gain back to 1x after setup unless you
are measuring very small currents.
6. Close the Properties menu, then double-click the "Graph"
icon in the Displays toolbar on the right.
7. Set up the graph so that the y-axis is measuring the voltage
from the voltage probe; the x-axis should then automatically
be set to measure time.
8. Press the start button to begin recording data.
9. While data is being collected, press "Zero Sensor Now"
on the lower toolbar to zero the sensor. (Note: you may
need to repeat this step a couple times in order to ensure
your measurement is accurate.)
You will know the sensor is properly set up when the voltage
measurement forms a straight line on the x-axis.
SPARKvue®
1. Connect the voltage sensor to the current probe and
Universal Interface. Ensure that current is not flowing
through the current probe at this time.
2. Open SPARKvue, then select Sensor Data. The system
should automatically recognize the PASCO Universal
Interface.
3. For the channel your voltage sensor is plugged into, click
the gear icon to open the "Assign Analog Adapter" menu.
4. Select "Voltage Sensor" from the dropdown list. It is
recommended that you set gain to "High (100x)" for the
setup to reduce noise; however, make sure to set the gain
back to 1x after setup is complete unless you are
measuring very small currents.
Product Guide | 012-10042B
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5. Select "OK", then select "Graph" from the list of templates
to create a new graph, which should autofill with Voltage on
the y-axis and time on the x-axis.
6. Press the start button to begin recording data.
7. While data is being collected, press "Zero Sensors" on
the lower toolbar to zero the sensor. (Note: you may need
to repeat this step a couple times in order to ensure your
measurement is accurate.)
You will know the sensor is properly set up when the voltage
measurement forms a straight line on the x-axis.
Specifications and accessories
Visit the product page at pasco.com/product/PS-2184 to view
the specifications and explore accessories. You can also
download support documents from the product page.
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]
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.
Current Probe | PS-2184
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