PICO ADC-20 User manual

Copyright © 2005-2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
ADC-20/ADC-24
User's Guide
adc20.en r5
High-Resolution Data Loggers

ContentsI
Copyright © 2005-2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.adc20.en r5
Contents
....................................................................................................................................11 Introduction
........................................................................................................................................1
1 Overview
....................................................................................................................................22 Notices
........................................................................................................................................2
1 Safety warning
........................................................................................................................................3
2 Legal information
........................................................................................................................................3
3 CE notice
........................................................................................................................................3
4 FCC notice
........................................................................................................................................4
5 Trademarks
........................................................................................................................................4
6 Updates
........................................................................................................................................4
7 Support and refunds
........................................................................................................................................4
8 Company details
....................................................................................................................................53 Getting started
........................................................................................................................................5
1 Installing the software
........................................................................................................................................5
2 Connecting the data logger
........................................................................................................................................7
3 Starting PicoLog
....................................................................................................................................104 About the unit
........................................................................................................................................10
1 Introduction
........................................................................................................................................11
2 Specifications
........................................................................................................................................12
3 Analog connector
........................................................................................................................................13
4 Noise-free resolution and conversion time
........................................................................................................................................13
5 ADC-20/ADC-24 terminal board
........................................................................................................................................13
6 LED
....................................................................................................................................145 Programmer's reference
........................................................................................................................................14
1 Recording methods
........................................................................................................................................14
2 Windows driver
........................................................................................................................................14
3 Scaling
........................................................................................................................................15
4 Driver functions
......................................................................................................................................................................16
1 HRDLCloseUnit
......................................................................................................................................................................17
2 HRDLCollectSingleValueAsync
......................................................................................................................................................................18
3 HRDLGetMinMaxAdcCounts
......................................................................................................................................................................19
4 HRDLGetNumberOfEnabledChannels
......................................................................................................................................................................20
5 HRDLGetSingleValue
......................................................................................................................................................................21
6 HRDLGetSingleValueAsync
......................................................................................................................................................................23
7 HRDLGetTimesAndValues
......................................................................................................................................................................24
8 HRDLGetUnitInfo
......................................................................................................................................................................26
9 HRDLGetValues
......................................................................................................................................................................27
10 HRDLOpenUnit
......................................................................................................................................................................28
11 HRDLOpenUnitAsync
......................................................................................................................................................................29
12 HRDLOpenUnitProgress
......................................................................................................................................................................30
13 HRDLReady
......................................................................................................................................................................31
14 HRDLRun
......................................................................................................................................................................32
15 HRDLSetAnalogInChannel

IIADC-20/ADC-24 User's Guide
Copyright © 2005-2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. adc20.en r5
......................................................................................................................................................................33
16 HRDLSetDigitalIOChannel (ADC-24 only)
......................................................................................................................................................................35
17 HRDLSetInterval
......................................................................................................................................................................36
18 HRDLSetMains
......................................................................................................................................................................37
19 HRDLStop
........................................................................................................................................38
5 Programming languages
......................................................................................................................................................................38
1 C and C++
......................................................................................................................................................................38
2 Delphi V3
......................................................................................................................................................................38
3 Excel
......................................................................................................................................................................39
4 LabVIEW
......................................................................................................................................................................39
5 Visual Basic
........................................................................................................................................40
6 Sequence of calls and data flow
......................................................................................................................................................................40
1 Streaming recording methods
......................................................................................................................................................................42
2 Single-value recording methods
....................................................................................................................................436 Glossary
....................................................................................................................................45
Index

Introduction1
Copyright © 2005-2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.adc20.en r5
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

ADC-20/ADC-24 User's Guide 2
Copyright © 2005-2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. adc20.en r5
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 voltages. Pico products are not designed for use with mains 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 specialised test equipment and must be performed by Pico Technology
Limited or their authorized distributors.

Notices3
Copyright © 2005-2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.adc20.en r5
2.2 Legal information
The material contained in this release is licensed, not sold. Pico Technology Limited
grants a licence 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.
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
licence 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.

ADC-20/ADC-24 User's Guide 4
Copyright © 2005-2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. adc20.en r5
2.5 Trademarks
Pico Technology Limited and PicoLog are trademarks of Pico Technology Limited,
registered in the United Kingdom and other countries. Pico Technology acknowledges
the following product names as trademarks of their respective owners: Windows,
Excel, Visual Basic, LabVIEW, Delphi.
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.
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.
2.8 Company details
Address:
Pico Technology
James House
Colmworth Business Park
St Neots
Cambridgeshire
PE19 8YP
United Kingdom
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email:
Technical Support: [email protected]
Sales: sal[email protected]
Web site: www.picotech.com

Getting started5
Copyright © 2005-2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.adc20.en r5
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.
You may choose to install the driver when you install the PicoLog software, by ticking
the box labelled "32 Bit Drivers" during the installation procedure. Alternatively, you
can download the driver from our website at www.picotech.com.
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.
The following instructions describe the installation procedure for Windows XP (SP3).
The procedure for Windows Vista and later operating systems is simpler: once the
software is correctly installed, just plug in the data logger and wait until Vista displays
the message "Device is ready to use".
When you first plug in the device, your computer should show this message:
and then display the New Hardware Found Wizard.

ADC-20/ADC-24 User's Guide 6
Copyright © 2005-2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. adc20.en r5
In the "Welcome to the New Hardware Found Wizard" dialog (above), click Next>.
Wait while the wizard installs the software.
A dialog will appear like the one below.
Click Continue Anyway.
Continue to wait while the wizard installs the software.
When instructed, click Finish to close the wizard.
After a few seconds you should see this message:
Your ADC-20 or ADC-24 Data Logger is now properly installed.

Getting started7
Copyright © 2005-2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.adc20.en r5
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.
5. At the Sampling Rate dialog, click OK.