Vernier Charge Sensor User manual

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lSince the sensor is capable of measuring very small amounts of charge, it is
critical to begin experiments by zeroing the sensor.
lYou must be careful when handling the leads or you may alter the readings
with stray charge. The insulator on the clip lead quickly becomes oily from
handling, and fingers often carry small amounts of charge at high potential
that can easily leak through the insulator and affect your reading. The best
way to minimize this is by grounding your fingers, or wearing a grounding
strap on your wrist, to remove any charge before releasing the positive lead
from its ground connection. Start recording data before removing the lead
from ground so you will be aware if any stray charge accumulates before
making your connection. When connecting to static sources (not a fixed
voltage like a battery), the Reset button can be used while connected to a
passive charge receptor. Make sure the output reads zero after reset.
lThe sensor is not differential; therefore the negative (black) side is always at
ground potential. The supplied cable is shielded and has a low leakage
dielectric. When using other cables, the unit should be tested to make sure
the cable does not allow excessive leakage currents
lThe negative (black) lead is the ground connection. The effects of stray
static charges will be minimized by connecting the black lead to a metal
ground plane below your experiment, such as a sheet of aluminum foil.
lSynthetic clothing can carry significant charge, as can the experimenter’s
body. Grounding the experimenter by using a ground strap on one wrist will
help.
lWhen not using a Faraday Pail and ground plane, it helps to connect a metal
cup to the positive (red) lead. This cup adds negligible capacitance to the
system, but makes it easy to see induced or deposited charges. Insulate the
cup from the ground plane using a glass jar or beaker. Plastic does not work
well because it will accumulate stray charge quickly.
lComplete all experiments quickly. Due to leakage currents in the cable and
apparatus, the reading will rarely be reliable after 15 seconds.
Tips for Use with a Faraday Pail and Ground Plane
lUse of this sensor is simplified with the aid of a Faraday pail and ground
plane such as found in the Vernier Electrostatics Kit (ESK-CRG).
lSince the sensor is capable of measuring very small amounts of charge, it is
important to begin experiments by zeroing (resetting) the sensor. Simply
press the Reset button on the sensor for a few seconds to zero the equipment.
(Pressing the Reset button, internally shorts the leads, shorts the internal
input capacitor and the internal integrator capacitor.)
lThe sensor should be zeroed after initial power up.
lThe sensor must be zeroed whenever a new range setting is chosen.
lDuring data collection, monitor the sensor reading. If an excess charge
develops on the sensor, zero the sensor prior to a new data-collection run.
Charge Sensor
(Order Code CRG-BTA)
The Charge Sensor is used as an
electronic electroscope. Unlike a
traditional electroscope, the Charge Sensor can make quantitative measurements.
Numerical measurements improve many electrostatics experiments, such as
charging by induction, charging by friction, and charging by contact. The sensor
can also be used to measure charge polarity.
An extremely high impedance voltage sensor with a 0.01µF input capacitor
makes these measurements possible. The sensor has two operating ranges and a
zeroing switch to discharge the input capacitor.
Note: Vernier products are designed for educational use. Our products are not
designed nor recommended for any industrial, medical, or commercial process
such as life support, patient diagnosis, control of a manufacturing process, or
industrial testing of any kind.
Compatible Software and Interfaces
See www.vernier.com/manuals/crg-bta for a list of interfaces and software
compatible with the Charge Sensor.
Getting Started
1. Connect the sensor to the interface (LabQuest Mini, LabQuest 2, etc.).
2. Start the appropriate data-collection software (Logger Pro, Logger Lite,
LabQuest App, or Graphical Analysis 4) if not already running, and choose
New from File menu. The software will identify the sensor and load a
default data-collection setup. You are now ready to collect data.
If you are collecting data using a Chromebook™, mobile device such as iPad®
or Android™ tablet, or a Vernier wireless interface, please see the following
link for up-to-date connection information:
www.vernier.com/start/crg-bta
Using the Product
Connect the sensor following the steps in the Getting Started section of this user
manual.
General Tips
lWhen the sensor is stored, it is a good idea to short together the leads in
order to protect the sensor from high static potential that could damage the
unit.
lPress the Reset button for a few seconds to zero the sensor.
lPressing and releasing the Reset button with the leads connected to a
voltage source such as a power supply or battery will cause an error in the
reading and is not recommended, because it will short the power supply as
well.

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Calibration
You do not need to calibrate the Charge Sensor. We have set the sensor to
match our stored calibration before shipping it. You can simply use the
appropriate calibration file that is stored in your data-collection program from
Vernier.
Stored Calibration Values
±2 V setting in Volts slope: 1.0
intercept: –2.5
±2 V setting in nC slope: 10.0
intercept: –25.0
±10 V setting in Volts slope: 3.3
intercept: –8.25
±10 V setting in nC slope: 33.0
intercept: –82.5
Specifications
Ranges: ±2 V (±20 nC)
±10 V (±100 nC)
Maximum input: ±150 V
Typical bias input current: 0.005 pA
Instrument time constant: 0.1 s
This sensor is equipped with circuitry that supports auto-ID. When used with
LabQuest 2, LabQuest, LabQuest Mini, LabPro, Go! Link, SensorDAQ, TI-
Nspire™ Lab Cradle, EasyLink, or CBL 2™, the data-collection software
identifies the sensor and uses pre-defined parameters to configure an experiment
appropriate to the recognized sensor.
Care and Maintenance
Do not wrap the cable tightly around the sensor for storage. Repeatedly doing
so can irreparably damage the wires and is not covered under warranty.
How the Sensor Works
The Charge Sensor is an extremely high impedance voltage sensor with a
0.01μF capacitor in series with the input. The capacitor will accumulate charge
until the source’s voltage is reached, i.e. equilibrium is achieved. Small amounts
of charge can be measured even though their initial potential is higher than the
input range of the sensor. The input circuit also includes a 1 MΩ resistor in
series with the capacitor to protect the unit from large current surges. When used
with a data-collection interface, connected by USB to a computer, or to an
Experiment Ideas
lUse the sensor with a Faraday pail to investigate charging by induction.
Bring a charged object near the pail. What charge is measured? Ground the
pail and remove the charged object. What charge is measured?
lUse a Faraday pail to investigate charging by contact. Do this by dropping a
charged object into the can. All of the charge on the object will be
transferred to or induced in the can.
lWithout a grounding strap, scuff your feet on carpet or pull off a sweater.
Hold your hand near a Faraday pail. Do you induce a charge? What sign?
Does a ground strap remove or reduce this effect?
lCharge various objects and determine the sign of the charge.
lMeasure how quickly objects lose charge. Plot the charge as a function of
time; this will take some minutes on a dry day.
lUse the Charge Sensor and Faraday pail to observe the separation of charge
when two strips of invisible tape are pulled apart. On two 3 inch pieces of
tape, make a tab by folding over the top of each. Stick the combination to
the table top. Pull the combination off the table and run your thumb or
finger along the smooth side of the tape to neutralize the combination. Then
pull the top strip off the bottom strip. Individually insert each strip into the
Faraday pail to measure the charge. Simultaneously insert them in the pail to
measure the charge.
lCharge a Faraday pail by contact on the inside; add more charge. How much
charge can you add from the inside of the can? Can you add as much from
the outside? More? Less? Investigate.
lUse a second pail (not connected to the red lead as a detector) and charge it
by induction. Do this by charging an insulating object, holding it inside the
pail (inducing a charge on the outside of the can) and then briefly grounding
the pail. Remove the charged insulator, and you’ve got a charged pail.
Measure the charge by testing it by induction, or by touching it to the inside
of the detector pail.
Many of these tips are based on suggestions from Robert Morse, Ph.D.
Videos
View videos related to this product at www.vernier.com/crg-bta

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interface connected to AC power, the negative polarity (black) input lead is
grounded to Earth.
Troubleshooting
For additional troubleshooting and FAQs, see www.vernier.com/til/1427
Repair Information
If you have watched the related product video(s), followed the troubleshooting
steps, and are still having trouble with your Charge Sensor, contact Vernier
Technical Support at [e-mail] or call 888-837-6437. Support
specialists will work with you to determine if the unit needs to be sent in for
repair. At that time, a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number will be
issued and instructions will be communicated on how to return the unit for
repair.
Accessories/Replacements
Item Order Code
Electrostatics Kit ESK-CRG
High Voltage Electrostatics Kit HVEK-CRG
Electrostatic High-Voltage Genecon HVEK-GEN
Warranty
Vernier warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of five years from the date of shipment to the
customer. This warranty does not cover damage to the product caused by abuse
or improper use. This warranty covers educational institutions only.
Vernier Software & Technology
13979 SW Millikan Way • Beaverton, OR 97005-2886
Toll Free [phone] • [phone] • Fax [phone]
[e-mail] • www.vernier.com
Rev. 08/29/19
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