pico Technology ADC-20 User manual

ADC-20/ADC-24
High-Resolution Data Loggers
User's Guide
adc20.en r6
Copyright © 2005–2016 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

I Contents
Contents
1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1
1 Overview ............................................................................................................................................ 1
2 Notices ....................................................................................................................................... 2
1 Safety warning .................................................................................................................................... 2
2 Legal information ............................................................................................................................... 2
3 CE notice ............................................................................................................................................ 3
4 FCC notice ......................................................................................................................................... 3
5 Trademarks ........................................................................................................................................ 3
6 Updates ............................................................................................................................................. 3
7 Support and refunds ........................................................................................................................... 4
3 Getting started ............................................................................................................................ 5
1 Installing the software ......................................................................................................................... 5
2 Connecting the data logger ................................................................................................................. 5
3 Starting PicoLog ................................................................................................................................. 5
4 About the unit ............................................................................................................................ 8
1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 8
2 Specifications ...................................................................................................................................... 8
3 Analog connector ............................................................................................................................. 10
4 Noise-free resolution and conversion time ......................................................................................... 11
5 ADC-20/ADC-24 terminal board ....................................................................................................... 11
6 LED .................................................................................................................................................. 11
5 Programmer's reference ........................................................................................................... 12
1 Recording methods ........................................................................................................................... 12
2 Windows driver ................................................................................................................................ 12
3 Scaling .............................................................................................................................................. 12
4 Driver functions ................................................................................................................................ 13
1 HRDLCloseUnit .................................................................................................................... 14
2 HRDLCollectSingleValueAsync .............................................................................................. 15
3 HRDLGetMinMaxAdcCounts ................................................................................................. 16
4 HRDLGetNumberOfEnabledChannels ................................................................................... 17
5 HRDLGetSingleValue ............................................................................................................ 18
6 HRDLGetSingleValueAsync ................................................................................................... 19
7 HRDLGetTimesAndValues .................................................................................................... 21
8 HRDLGetUnitInfo ................................................................................................................. 22
9 HRDLGetValues ................................................................................................................... 24
10 HRDLOpenUnit .................................................................................................................. 25
11 HRDLOpenUnitAsync ......................................................................................................... 26
12 HRDLOpenUnitProgress ..................................................................................................... 27
13 HRDLReady ........................................................................................................................ 28
14 HRDLRun ........................................................................................................................... 29
15 HRDLSetAnalogInChannel .................................................................................................. 30
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IIADC-20/ADC-24 User's Guide
16 HRDLSetDigitalIOChannel (ADC-24 only) ........................................................................... 31
17 HRDLSetInterval ................................................................................................................. 33
18 HRDLSetMains ................................................................................................................... 34
19 HRDLStop .......................................................................................................................... 35
5 Programming examples ..................................................................................................................... 36
6 Sequence of calls and data flow .......................................................................................................... 37
1 Streaming recording methods ................................................................................................ 37
2 Single-value recording methods .............................................................................................. 39
6 Glossary .................................................................................................................................... 40
7 Appendix A: Connecting the data logger in Windows XP ........................................................ 42
Index ........................................................................................................................................... 44
Copyright © 2005–2016 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. adc20.en r6

1 Introduction
1 Introduction
1.1 Overview
The ADC-20 and ADC-24 High-Resolution Data Loggers are multichannel, high-
accuracy USB data loggers for use with PCs. They require no external power supply
and take up no expansion slots. They come complete with PicoLog, a program offering
all the features of a stand-alone data logger.
You should have the following items in your ADC-20 or ADC-24 package:
ADC-20 or ADC-24 High-Resolution Data Logger
Pico Technology Software and Reference CD
Installation Guide
The CD includes driver software that enables you to write your own programs to
control the data logger, using a variety of popular programming languages.
The hardware and software are compatible with Microsoft Windows XP (SP3) or later.
Optional accessories
PP310 ADC-20/ADC-24 Terminal Board
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2ADC-20/ADC-24 User's Guide
2 Notices
2.1 Safety warning
We strongly recommend that you read the general safety information below before
using your product for the first time. If the equipment is not used in the manner
specified, then the protection provided may be impaired. This could result in damage
to your computer and/or injury to yourself or others.
Maximum input range. The ADC-20 and ADC-24 are designed to measure voltages
in the range ±2.5 volts, but are protected against overvoltages of ±30 volts. Any
voltages outside the overvoltage protection range may cause permanent damage to
the unit.
Mains (line) voltages. The ADC-20 and ADC-24 data loggers are not designed for
use with mains (line) voltages.
Safety grounding. The ground of every product is connected directly to the ground of
your computer via the interconnecting cable provided. This is done to minimize
interference. If the PC (especially laptops) is not grounded, reading stability cannot be
guaranteed and it may be necessary to manually ground the equipment.
As with most data loggers, you should take care to avoid connecting the inputs of the
product to any equipment which may be at an unsuitable voltage. If in doubt, use a
meter to check that there is no hazardous AC or DC voltage. Failure to check may
cause damage to the product and/or computer and could cause injury to yourself or
others.
You should assume that the product does not have a protective safety earth. Incorrect
configuration and/or use on voltages outside the maximum input range can be
hazardous.
Repairs. The unit contains no user-serviceable parts: repair or calibration of the unit
requires specialized test equipment and must be performed by Pico Technology
Limited or their authorized distributors.
2.2 Legal information
The material contained in this release is licensed, not sold. Pico Technology Limited
grants a license to the person who installs this software, subject to the conditions
listed below.
Access. The licensee agrees to allow access to this software only to persons who have
been informed of these conditions and agree to abide by them.
Usage. The software in this release is for use only with Pico products or with data
collected using Pico products.
Copyright. Pico Technology Limited claims the copyright of, and retains the rights to,
all material (software, documents etc.) contained in this release. You may copy and
distribute the entire release in its original state, but must not copy individual items
within the release other than for backup purposes.
Liability. Pico Technology and its agents shall not be liable for any loss, damage or
injury, howsoever caused, related to the use of Pico Technology equipment or
software, unless excluded by statute.
Copyright © 2005–2016 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. adc20.en r6

3 Notices
Fitness for purpose. As no two applications are the same, Pico Technology cannot
guarantee that its equipment or software is suitable for a given application. It is your
responsibility, therefore, to ensure that the product is suitable for your application.
Mission-critical applications. This software is intended for use on a computer that
may be running other software products. For this reason, one of the conditions of the
license is that it excludes usage in mission-critical applications, such as life-support
systems.
Viruses. This software was continuously monitored for viruses during production, but
you are responsible for virus-checking the software once it is installed.
2.3 CE notice
The ADC-20 and ADC-24 meet the intent of EMC directive 89/336/EEC and meets
the EN61326-1 (1997) Class B Emissions and Immunity standard.
The ADC-20 and ADC-24 also meet the intent of the Low Voltage Directive and meet
the BS EN 61010-1:2001 IEC 61010-1:2001 (safety requirements for electrical
equipment, control, and laboratory use) standard.
A Declaration of Conformity is available from Pico Technology Ltd.
2.4 FCC notice
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 or her own
expense.
For safety and maintenance information see the safety warning.
A Declaration of Conformity is available from Pico Technology Ltd.
2.5 Trademarks
Pico Technology Limited and PicoLog are trademarks of Pico Technology Limited,
registered in the United Kingdom and other countries.
PicoLog and Pico Technology are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office.
Windows and Excel are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the USA
and other countries.
2.6 Updates
We provide upgrades, free of charge, from our web site. We reserve the right to
charge for updates or replacements sent out on physical media.
adc20.en r6 Copyright © 2005–2016 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

4ADC-20/ADC-24 User's Guide
2.7 Support and refunds
If you are dissatisfied with the performance of this software, please contact our
technical support staff, who will try to fix the problem within a reasonable time. If you
are still dissatisfied, please return the product and software to your supplier within 14
days of purchase for a full refund.
Copyright © 2005–2016 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. adc20.en r6

5 Getting started
3 Getting started
3.1 Installing the software
Before you connect the ADC-20 or ADC-24 to your computer for the first time, you
must install the software supplied on the CD. Insert the Software and Reference CD,
then follow the Install Software link.
A 32-bit driver is installed automatically along with the PicoLog software. Alternatively,
you can download the software development kit (SDK) from our website at
www.picotech.com: this is available with 32-bit or 64-bit drivers.
3.2 Connecting the data logger
You must install the software before plugging in the data logger. When you have
installed the software, connect the data logger's USB cable to a spare USB port on
your computer and wait until Windows displays the message "Device is ready to use".
3.3 Starting PicoLog
To check that the data logger is working, start the PicoLog application as follows:
1. Start PicoLog. (Click the PicoLog icon: in your Windows Start
menu).
2. Click File.
3. Point to New settings.
4. At the Recording dialog, click OK.
adc20.en r6 Copyright © 2005–2016 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

6ADC-20/ADC-24 User's Guide
5. At the Sampling Rate dialog, click OK.
6. In the Converter details dialog, set the Converter type to High Resolution
Data Logger. The device type and serial number should appear in the USB
Devices list, and the USB enumeration progress indicator should gradually
move towards 100%. If the progress indicator does not start moving, disconnect
and reconnect the unit and then press Refresh.
7. Click OK.
8. At the ADC-20 (or ADC-24) channels dialog, double-click on "Channel 1".
Copyright © 2005–2016 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. adc20.en r6

7 Getting started
9. At the Edit ADC-20 (or ADC-24) Channel dialog, click OK.
10. Back at the ADC-20 (or ADC-24) Channels dialog, click OK.
11. The PLW Recorder view should now display the voltage on channel 1 (near 0 mV
if nothing connected).
12. Connect a suitable voltage (for example, from a 1.5 V battery) to the channel. Pin
connections are marked on the logger and also listed in the Analog connector
topic.
adc20.en r6 Copyright © 2005–2016 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.