LabChart

Quick
Reference
Guide
Get set up and start recording
How to use this guide
The LabChart Student Quick Reference Guide is a resource for users of PowerLab systems in
the classroom laboratory. The topics in this guide are arranged to help you, the student, with
many of the most commonly used functions in LabChart.

Color coding scheme: Each section in this guide is color coded. The Introduction is purple,
Acquisition is blue, Data Analysis is green, and Troubleshooting is red. You will find words
printed in these colors in the text of your experiment protocols to call your attention to the
appropriate section of this guide if you need help.

Legends: References to PowerLab hardware and LabChart software will often be followed
by a number in parentheses. These numbers refer you back to the legends on pages 4, 5, 6, 7,
11 and 18.

The exclamation icon   indicates a caution or warning. Be sure to carefully read steps
marked with this icon before proceeding.

The check mark icon   is used when a graphic represents the way your window should
look if everything is adjusted properly.

i
Contents
Part One: Introduction
1 PowerLab Front Panel
2 PowerLab Rear Panel
3 Chart View
4 Scope View
5 Welcome Center

Part Two: Acquisition

6 Input Amplifier
7 Input Amplifier Dialog
8 Setting the Range
9 Setting the Sampling Rate
10 Y-Axis Scaling/Auto Scale
11 Time Scale Compression
12 Units Conversion
13 Adding Comments
14 Sampling Dialog

Part Three: Data Analysis

15 Selecting Data
16 The Waveform Cursor
17 The Marker
18 The Zoom Window
19 The Data Pad: Setting up
20 The Data Pad: Adding Data
21 Cyclic Measurements

Part Four: File Sharing

22 LabChart Online
23 Send
24 Publish

Part Five: Troubleshooting

25 Signal is too small
26 “Out of Range” message appears in Chart View
27 Data appears compressed
28 Waveform appears choppy or irregular
29 Data not scrolling after Start button is clicked
30 Data not present in LabChart after clicking Stop
31 Start button not working
32 Unable to select Input Amplifier
33 Troubleshooting the Finger Pulse Transducer

ii
PowerLab Front Panel

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9
1 Power indicator light: Illuminates blue when PowerLab is turned on.
Status light: Illuminates green when PowerLab is on. Flashes orange when
communicating with LabChart software.

2 Analog output connections: Provides a differential voltage output in the range of ±10 V.
NOT safe for human connection!

3 Pod Ports (2)*: Inputs 1 and 2 on the PowerLab. Used to connect transducers or pods
with 8-pin DIN connectors. NOT safe for human connection!

4 Isolated Stimulator safety switch: Turns the Isolated Stimulator on and off.

5 Isolated Stimulator status lights: Indicates that the Isolated Stimulator is delivering a
pulse (green), OOC indicates that the pulse is out of compliance (yellow).

6 Dual Bio Amp input*: Connects to a 5 lead Bio Amp cable; displays as Inputs 3 and 4
in LabChart software. Cannot be used at the same time as Inputs 3 and 4. SAFE for
human connection.

7 Trigger input: May be used to start or stop a recording from an external event.

8 Pod Ports (2)*: Inputs 3 and 4 on the PowerLab. Used to connect transducers or Pods
with 8-pin DIN connectors. Cannot be used at the same time as the corresponding Bio
Amp inputs. NOT safe for human connection!

9 Isolated Stimulator outputs: Used to connect stimulating electrodes to the Isolated

Stimulator. SAFE for human connection.

* Transducers with a BNC connector can be attached using

a BNC to DIN Smart Adapter (MLAC22).

1
PowerLab Rear Panel

10 11 12

13 14 15 16

10 Audio output connector: Standard 1/8˝ (3.5 mm) phono jack for sound output of
recordings from the Bio Amp.

11 Digital Output connector: Used to signal to external TTL devices.

12 Earthing post: Used to ground PowerLab if grounded power supply is unavailable.

2
13 I C Bus: Connects ADInstruments signal conditioners called Front-ends to the
PowerLab.

14 USB connector: Connects a computer to the PowerLab.

15 Digital Input connector: Used to receive TTL signals from external devices.

16 Power switch: Turns PowerLab on and off.

Power cord connector: Attaches to power cord.

2
Chart View
32

31
17 30
18 29
28

27

19

20 26

21 25
24
22 23
17 Scale pop-up menu: Allows the Y-axis scale to be 25 Start/Stop button: Used to start or stop a LabChart
adjusted manually or automatically. recording.
18 Comments bar: Used to type comments that are 26 Record/Monitor button: Enables recording. If a
then added to the data file during a recording at red cross is showing, LabChart is in Monitor mode;
user-defined times. data is visible in the Chart View but is not saved to
19 Waveform Cursor and Pointer: Tracks the the computer.
waveform in the Chart View. 27 Channel color picker: Changes the data trace
20 Scaling buttons: Allow the Y-axis to be expanded color.
or compressed to improve the data view. 28 Channel Function pop-up menu: Provides access
21 Marker: An analysis tool that can be dragged onto to all major channel functions.
the waveform in any channel to mark relative time 29 Range/Amplitude display: Shows the range (idle)
and amplitude. or waveform amplitude (recording) of the input
22 Scroll bar: Allows scrolling through data in the channel.
Chart View window. 30 Range pop-up menu: Changes the range of the
23 Scroll/Review button: Switching to Review mode Input Amplifier.
allows previously recorded data to be displayed 31 Rate/Time display: Shows sampling rate (idle) or
while new data is still being recorded. elapsed time (recording).
24 View buttons: Change the compression of the time 32 Rate pop-up menu: Used to adjust the sampling
(horizontal) axis. rate.

33 Tool Bar Buttons

Open Print Go to Auto Scale Add to Multiple add Add Scope Zoom Smart New Start/Stop
start of file all channels Data Pad to Data Pad comment View View Tile Layout button

New Save Find Find Go to end Data Data Pad Comment Chart XY View Spectrum Tile miniwindows
again of file Pad miniwindow list View View

3
Scope View
54 53 52 51 50
34
35
36
37
38
39
49

40
41 48
42
43
44
45
47
46
34 Scope Overlay Options: Adjusts the trace color 45 Auto Scroll button: Toggles between auto scroll to
saturation and depth of the 3D overlay. latest page and manual scrolling while sampling.
35 Lock in Overlay button: Click to always show the 46 Locked page: This page is locked so it will always
selected page or subpage in the overlay. be shown in the overlay.
36 Average button: Averages the (2 or more) selected 47 Horizontal Auto-scale button: Fits all traces into
pages. the overlay.
37 Scroll to end: Jump directly to the first page in the 48 Selected page: Indicated by a darker line. The is
file. the trace for the page indicated by item 42 .
38 Scroll one page: Use this to scroll one page at a 49 Overlay pages: Set the color for these traces using
time. the channel color picker 27 .
39 Number of pages in average: This may vary if 50 Toggle black background button: Turns the black
subpages have been excluded. background on/off.
40 Page scroll bar: Allows scrolling through pages in 51 Event Settings button: Access the Event Mode
the Page Explorer. Settings dialog (or Sampling dialog in Block mode).
41 Overlay marker: Shows which pages are included 52 Mode button: Toggle between Event and Block
in the overlay. modes.
42 Selected page: Indicates the page currently 53 Exclude from Average button: Manually exclude
highlighted in the Scope View window. the selected subpage from the average.
43 Excluded subpage: This subpage has been manually 54 Overlay Pages control and slider: Turns Overlay
excluded from the average for page 27. Pages on or off. Use the slider to specify how many
44 Subpage: This subpage is included in the average. pages are overlaid.

33 Tool Bar Buttons

Open Print Go to Auto Scale Add to Multiple add Add Scope Zoom Smart New Start/Stop
start of file all channels Data Pad to Data Pad comment View View Tile Layout button

New Save Find Find Go to end Data Data Pad Comment Chart XY View Spectrum Tile miniwindows
again of file Pad miniwindow list View View

4
Welcome Center
Overview: The Welcome Center contains all of the files that are required to perform
classroom experiments. Use this tool to access the student experiment protocol files, sample
data files, LabChart settings files and lab report forms.

Click on the File menu and select

1 Welcome Center, OR click the
Welcome Center button in the bottom
left corner of the LabChart window.

Select the experiment that you are

2 going to perform.

Select from the files that are displayed

3 in the right hand screen. Here you will
find your experiment protocol file,
sample data file, LabChart settings file
and lab report forms. To open a file
double-click on its icon.

5
Input Amplifier
Overview: Allows for precise setting of the input range for a recording channel and provides
filtering options for specific transducers.
*Note: If you have a ‘smart’ transducer connected to the input on your PowerLab, the Input Amplifier... text will
be replaced with the name of the smart transducer, for example “Pulse Transducer”.

Click the Channel Function pop‑up

1 menu for the channel you are interested
in, and choose Input Amplifier.

Observe the signal in the scrolling

2 window, then click on the Range pop‑up
menu to adjust the signal resolution.

When the signal occupies 1/3 to 1/2 of

3 the screen, you have found the proper
range. Make sure to leave enough room to
accommodate any experimental changes
to the signal. You will have the option to
adjust the Y axis once your recording is
underway.

6
Input Amplifier Dialog

58

59
60
61
55 62
63
56

57
64

55 Display Offset: Displays the offset of some 60 AC coupled: Sample only the AC component of
transducers. the signal.
56 Units: Opens the Units Conversion dialog (see 61 Mains Filter: Eliminates 50 or 60 Hz mains “hum”
page 16). from the signal.
57 Pod Scan: Used to update the Input Amplifier 62 Invert: Allows you to invert the signal on the
dialog if a Pod is plugged in after opening the screen.
dialog. 63 Anti-alias: An automatically adjusting low pass
58 Low pass filter: A digital filter which removes filter to prevent aliasing artifacts.
unwanted high frequency “noise” from the signal. 64 Scaling buttons: Compress or expand the Y-axis.
59 Single-ended vs. Differential input: Specialised
transducers will require these settings.

Note: Front-ends and pods are amplifiers that provide additional amplification, filtering, isolation, and
support for special transducers. When they are connected to PowerLab inputs, the Input Amplifier dialog
for those inputs may be replaced with a dialog specific to the device.

7
Setting the Range
Overview: Establishes the maximum and minimum range of signal to be recorded in a
selected channel.
Note: if you do not know the range of the transducer you are using we suggest you use the Input Amplifier from the
previous page. Skip this step if you have just completed the “Input Amplifier” procedure from the previous page.

Click the Range pop-up menu 30 for

1 the channel of interest.
Note: This procedure can be done while
recording.

Select a new range from the pop-up

2 menu.

If you were not already recording,

3 click Start. Verify that the signal is 1/3
to 1/2 of the channel window height. If
not, readjust the range as necessary.
Note: Ensure that the range is sufficient to
accommodate changes in signal amplitudes
during recording.

Scale the Y-axis (amplitude) if desired,

4 using the Scaling buttons 20 or by
dragging on the Y-axis.

8
Setting the Sampling Rate
Overview: Sets the number of times per second the PowerLab samples data from your
transducer. Use fast sampling rates for rapidly changing signals, such as nerve recordings
or ECG. Use slow sampling rates for slow changing signals such as force or temperature
measurements.

Click the Rate pop-up menu 32

1 located at the upper-right of the Chart
View window.
Note: This procedure can be performed
while recording.

Use the pop-up menu to select a new

2 rate.

New data will be recorded at the new

3 rate. Adjust time axis compression as
needed using the View buttons   24 .

Note: Only adjust the Rate if instructed to

do so by your instructor. Rate settings affect
the quality and size of your data files; an
incorrect rate could affect your results!

9
Y-Axis Scaling/Auto Scale
Overview: Makes the signal appear larger or smaller in the vertical scale, without affecting
the Range settings. Options include Auto Scale, manual and interactive scaling.

The Scaling buttons 20 for a channel

1 will expand or compress the Y‑axis
(amplitude) scale.

The Auto Scale button on the Tool bar

2 33 will automatically adjust the Y-axis
scaling on ALL channels (ctrl+U is the
keyboard shortcut).

To Auto Scale the data in an individual

channel: Double-click (or right-click)
on the Y‑axis to Auto Scale the data in
that channel only.

Alternatively, you can adjust the

3 scale by dragging the mouse over
the Y-axis. You will notice the cursor
change to arrow symbols that indicate
the direction of axis expansion or
compression.

10
Time Scale Compression
Overview: The View buttons allow you to expand or compress the view of your data in the X-axis.

Locate the View buttons 24 in the

1 Chart View (or Scope View).

25

2 The right button will expand the

data timescale.

3 The left button will compress the

data timescale.

The center button is a pop‑up menu

4 that allows you to select a compression
ratio directly.

11
Units Conversion
Overview: Changes the units of the Y-axis from Volts to meaningful units such as %, °C, grams, etc.

Using the mouse, select a block of data

1 to use for your calibration. From the
Channel Function pop-up menu 28 ,
select Units Conversion. The Units
Conversion dialog will open.

Choose the units you want to express

2 your data in from the pop‑up menu.
Or, select Define Unit to type a new
unit.

In the data display area click on the

3 waveform corresponding to Point 1 of
the calibration. Click the arrow next
to Point 1 to add the value. Type the
known value of your waveform in the
value field (on right).

Repeat step 3 for the second calibration

4 point.

Click OK to return to the Chart View

5 which will now display your results in
calibrated units.

12
Adding Comments
Overview: Comments facilitate analysis by marking events on your LabChart recording
as they occur. You can also add comments to a data file when recording has stopped by
selecting data with the waveform cursor.

Click in the Comments bar 18 and

1 type in a comment.

When the event takes place, either click

2 the Add button or press Enter/Return on
the computer keyboard. Your comment
will appear as a vertical dashed line in
your data file.

Type and add additional comments

3 as necessary. You can type a com­ment
well in advance of the event.

13
Sampling Dialog
Overview: The Sampling dialog is used to configure how LabChart starts sampling, stops sampling and
samples multiple blocks of data.

65
66
67
68
69

70

71 75
72
73

74

65 Trigger: Use the trigger as a source to begin 71 Scope average: Only available when Fixed duration
sampling. is active. Choose the number of pages that you
66 Source: Choose an External Trigger, Stimulator want to average.
Event, or a Channel event. If External Trigger is 72 Repeat: Only available when Fixed duration is
selected an Options button enables you to select the active. Records the specified number of blocks,
trigger mode and whether a marker is displayed. each of the duration set in Fixed duration.
67 Trigger threshold and slope: Select a voltage 73 Time between block starts: Only available when
above or below which sampling will start. The Fixed duration and either Scope average or Repeat
slope buttons select whether sampling is triggered are active. Sets the time duration between the
by an upward or downward voltage change. start of consecutive blocks of data. This total time
68 Begin recording: Set the point at which recording includes the fixed duration period.
starts, whether this is at, before or after the 74 Infinity buttons: Click to set the average/repeat
trigger. count to infinite.
69 Show data while waiting for start: View the data 75 Exclusions: Click to set criteria for excluding pages
in while waiting for a trigger. from the Scope average.
70 Fixed duration: Sample for a fixed time period.
If After Trigger end is selected the fixed duration
period will begin after the trigger has ended.

14
 Selecting Data
Overview: You can use the mouse to select data in one or more channels.

From the Chart View window, click

1 and drag the mouse over the data in
the channel of interest.

To select data in a second channel

2 while retaining the first selection, drag
the mouse over the second channel
while holding down the Shift key on
the keyboard.

To select data in all of the viewable

3 channels, click and drag the mouse
along the time axis.

15
 The Waveform Cursor
Overview: The Waveform Cursor scrolls along your data trace in the Chart, Scope or Zoom
Views. As you move the cursor, the data values (time and amplitude) are displayed in the
Channel control area.

To use the Waveform Cursor 19 , you

1 must not be recording data or have
LabChart in Review mode (the Scroll/
Review button depressed 23 ).

Move the mouse over your data trace.

2 You will see the Waveform Cursor
appear on the trace and follow it as you
move the mouse.

As you move the cursor, values will

3 change at the top of the Channel
control area. The Rate/Time display 31
will show elapsed time, while the
Range/Amplitude display 29 will show
signal amplitude. You can use this
information to write down values for
specific time points in your data trace.

16
 The Marker
Overview: The Marker can be placed on any point on your waveform data trace. When in
use, the display output from the Waveform Cursor changes from absolute time and amplitude
to relative time and amplitude with respect to the Marker. The Marker can be used in either
the Chart, Scope or Zoom Views.

Locate the Marker 21 in the lower left

1 corner of the Chart View, Scope View
or Zoom View as shown right.
Note: If the icon is not there, double-
click in the empty Marker box and it will
reappear.

Using the mouse, drag the Marker

2 along your waveform to the spot you
want to place it. Release the mouse
button to drop the Marker.

If the Marker is not where you want

3 it, reposition it by dragging it with the
mouse.

The read-out from the waveform

4 cursor will now be displayed as relative
(∆) time and amplitude from that of
the Marker point.

17
 The Zoom Window
Overview: The Zoom window expands the view of your data, facilitating precise
measurements with the Marker and Waveform Cursor and the viewing of multiple channels
in overlay mode.

Select a range of data from one or more

1 channels from the Chart window.

Click the Zoom window button from

2 the Tool Bar 33 .

Your data will now appear magni­fied in

3 the Zoom window. Y‑axis (amplitude)
scaling is available exactly as in the
Chart View window. You can use the
Marker 21 directly from the Zoom
window.

To zoom in further, select a new

4 area with the mouse in the
Zoom window. The window will
automatically zoom to the new
view. To revert to the previous view,
click the back arrow button .

Multiple channels may be super­

5 imposed by clicking the overlay button
. The waveform cursor will track in
the channel selected at the bottom of
the Zoom window.
Note: Alternate multichannel display using
the stack button .

18
 The Data Pad: Setting up
Overview: The Data Pad is a powerful analysis tool that functions like a spreadsheet. The
Data Pad can be set up to perform a variety of calculations on your waveform data. The first
step is to set up the Data Pad columns with the calculations you want to use.

To access the Data Pad dialog, click

1 the Data Pad button in the Tool bar
33 .

Click the column header in the Data

2 Pad window to set up the calculation
for the channel of interest. By default,
each column number corresponds to
the channel of the same number.

First, select the type of calculation you

3 want to perform from the left column.
Then select a specific function from the
available choices in the right column
(scroll to see all the options).

Make sure that you have selected the

correct channel for analysis before
you click OK.

19
 The Data Pad: Adding Data
Overview: Once you have set up the Data Pad columns, you are ready to analyze data from
your file. The data in the Data Pad can then be saved as text or as an Excel file (Windows
only) for importing into spreadsheets or graphing applications.

Drag the mouse to select a range of

1 data in either the Chart View window
or the Zoom window.

Click the Add to Data Pad button in

2 the Tool bar 33 .

Alternatively, from the Commands

pop‑up menu, select Add to Data
Pad.

Click the Data Pad button in the Tool

3 bar 33 . Your results will be displayed
in the Data Pad window.

To save the Data Pad output as a text

4 file, which can be imported into a
spreadsheet or graphing program,
select Save As... from the File menu,
and choose Data Pad Only as Text
File (.txt) from the pop-up menu.
Select Data Pad Only as Excel File
(.xls) to save as an Excel spreadsheet
(Windows only).

20
 Cyclic Measurements
Overview: The Cyclic Measurements feature automatically calculates cyclic parameters of
waveform data. These include rate, interval, count, mean and many others.

Create a new channel by right-clicking in

1 the data display area and selecting Add
Channel.

Click the Channel Function pop-up

2 menu for the NEW channel and select
Cyclic Measurements.

Note: Cyclic Measurements is also available

from the Data Pad Column Setup dialog.

Select the source channel you want to

3 perform the calculation on from the pop-
up menu. Next select the parameter you
want calculated from the Measurement
pop-up menu.

Select a detection setting from the

4 Preset pop-up menu. Pick a waveform
that matches the type of signal you are
acquiring or select a general setting.

Adjust the Minimum peak height using

5 the slider to the smallest value required
to detect all peaks of interest, while
skipping unwanted noise. A small circle
will appear above each detected peak in
the preview. Scroll through the preview
to check you have the optimal setting.

Your calculated value will now be

6 displayed in the selected channel.

21
 LabChart Online
Overview: Familiarize yourself with LabChart Online and the new Send and Publish
features, and be able to share LabChart files over the Internet.

What is the Cloud?

A ‘Cloud’ refers to a network of virtual computers

hosting data that are connected through the Internet.

Use Cloud technology to send and publish LabChart

files over the Internet, and even embed published files
into other websites.

LabChart Online can be accessed directly from within

LabChart. You may upload up to 1 GB of LabChart
files per LabChart license.

If you didn’t check Remember this account when publishing a file, or if you’re accessing
LabChart Online from a different computer, you will need to log in to access and manage
your published files.

22
 Send a File
Overview: This feature allows users to upload any .adicht file to the Internet from within
LabChart, then send or share the link to the file to anyone, anywhere in the world.

Send makes emailing files convenient as only a

1 link to a file is sent, and not the file itself.

Receivers can view the file online, or download

2 the file for their own analysis and use – very
useful for students completing labs at home, or
colleagues sharing data between labs.

Important!

Sent files are not fully secure. The link provided

has a security token in the web address meaning
it is unlikely that others could accidentally
access the file. However, users should be aware
that Send is not suitable for confidential file
sharing.

View Files Online

3
1. See Chart View and Notebook
2. User the marker and waveform cursor to
scan and measure data
3. Resize the window
4. Rescale the x- and y-axes
5. Scroll data
6. View comments and find where they occur
in the data
7. View notes
8. View time and date stamp (in ‘details’)
9. Hover tips for command buttons

Download Files
4
• Download the .adicht file.

• If the receiver does not have a LabChart

product, they can download the free
LabChart Reader.

23
 Publish a File
Overview: As well as Send, you can also Publish files from within LabChart. Published files
are permanent, and allow the user to embed the LabChart file into a website.

The very first time you want to Publish,

1 you will be asked to set up an account.

When using Publish, users can choose

2 whether viewers can download the file
or not. This means that the user decides
if they want to make all their raw data
available, or just the Chart View.

Important!
The Publish file function is designed for
sharing and, like Sent files, published files
are not fully secure and not suitable for
confidential file sharing.

Embedding – A published file may

3 be embedded; a sent file cannot be
embedded. The Publish feature gives an
.html script which you can cut and paste
into the html of any website.

Who is Publish for?

4
• An educator can embed a file into a learning management system (Blackboard, Moodle, Sakai),
allowing students to see and navigate data for tutorials and lessons. If the educator allows the
file to be downloaded, the students can complete laboratory reports at home without going to
a lab (this feature is particularly awesome if the students have LabChart Pro Student License!).

• Researchers can embed the file into their website, or even better, an online journal article. If
they ensure the file is not downloadable, their colleagues and peers can navigate and inspect
their high quality, real data without the concern of other lab teams seeing all their raw data
and processes.

• Presenters can embed the file within a presentation so that they can exhibit their data to large
audiences at conferences (provided there is internet access).

Important!
Publishing files is not a file back-up system. Users should always securely backup their files on a
trusted system. A sent or published file can be up to a maximum of 50 MB. There is a total file limit
for published files of 1 GB per license. i.e., all computers and accounts using the same LabChart
license have a combined total of 1 GB available.

24
 Problem: Signal
is too small

Solution: Decrease range using the Range pop-up menu

While recording, click the Range pop-
1 up menu 30 .

Select a smaller range value.

2

Verify the new range is appropriate

3 for your signal. The maximum height
should be 1/3 to 1/2 of the total
range.

Scale the Y-axis (amplitude) if desired,

4 using the Scaling buttons 20 .

25
 Problem:
“Out of Range”
message appears in
Chart View
Solution: Increase range from the Range pop-up menu

Click the Range pop-up menu 30

1 in the “Out of Range” channel.

Select a larger range value.

2

Verify that your signal is now 1/3 to

3 1/2 the window height.

Scale the Y-axis (amplitude) if

4 desired, using the Scaling buttons
20 .

26
 Problem:
Data appears
compressed
Solution: Adjust time axis scaling using the View buttons

In the Chart View window, click

1 the right-hand View button 24 to
expand the time axis.

Continue to click the View button

2 until the time axis is at a desirable
scale.

Note: The View button functions

3 both while recording and when in
analysis mode.

27
 Problem:
Waveform appears
choppy or irregular
Solution: Increase sampling rate with the Rate pop-up menu

Click the Rate pop-up menu   32 in

1 the Chart View window.

Select a faster sampling rate.

2

Verify that your signal quality has

3 improved. If the signal still looks
unusual, ask your instructor for
assistance.

28
 Problem: Data not
scrolling after Start
button is clicked

Solution: Set the Scroll/Review button to scroll mode

The Scroll/Review button   23 allows

1 the LabChart data file to be reviewed
while data is being recorded.

To return to scroll mode, make

2 sure the Scroll/Review button is not
depressed.

You can return to review mode at

3 any time during your recording by
clicking the Scroll/Review button
again.

29
 Problem:
Data not present
after clicking Stop
Solution: Click the Record/Monitor button

Click the Record/Monitor button

1 so that it does not have a red “X”.

If you are not already recording,

2 click Start. Data will now be
recorded and remain in the Chart
View when you click Stop.

30
 Problem:
Start button not
working
Solution: Restart LabChart in acquisition mode

Exit LabChart by clicking the Exit

1 button in the LabChart application
window.

Check the USB connection 14

2 between the PowerLab and the
computer.

Make sure PowerLab is plugged in

3 and turned on. The power indicator
light 1 should be lit.

Restart LabChart. The splash

4 screen at start up should indicate
that a PowerLab is connected.

31
 Problem: Unable
to select Input
Amplifier
Solution: Restart LabChart in acquisition mode

Exit LabChart by clicking the Exit

1 button in the LabChart application
window.

Check the USB connection

2 between the PowerLab 14 and the
computer.

Make sure PowerLab is plugged in

3 and turned on. The power indicator
light 1 should be lit.

Restart LabChart. Splash screen

4 at start up should indicate that a
PowerLab is connected.

32
 Troubleshooting the
Finger Pulse Transducer

The MLT1010 is a very sensitive transducer. It has largely been replaced with the TN1012/
ST, a ‘smart’ Finger Pulse transducer. Here are some tips to get the best possible signal:

Noisy signal:
1
Try to keep your finger still while
recording.

Small signal:
2
Decrease the Range. If that doesn’t
work, readjust transducer strap
or try placing the Finger Pulse
transducer on your thumb.

Large signal:
3
Increase the range using the Range
menu 30 .

No data:
4
Make sure the Finger Pulse
transducer is connected to the
correct input channel on the
PowerLab.

33