Instruction Manual

012-09456C

General Science MultiMeasure Sensor

PS-2168

Included Equipment Part Number

General Science MultiMeasure Sensor PS-2168

Stainless Steel Temperature Probe PS-2153 (not shown)

Voltage Probe PS-2165 (not shown)

Required Equipment

PASCO Interface
See PASCO catalog or
PASCO Data Collection Software www.pasco.com

Optional Equipment

Fast-response Temperature Probe PS-2135 (3-pack)

Skin/surface Temperature Probe PS-2131

Introduction
The PS-2168 General Science MultiMeasure Sensor combines four sensors in a single unit:

• Temperature
Temperature Probe
• Light

• Sound Level

• Voltage
Voltage Probe

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 General Science MultiMeasure Sensor Sensor Setup

When connected to a PASPORT interface, the multi-sensor

collects data at up to 200 samples per second from each
Voltage Temperature
component sensor. You can use just one component sensor at a Probe Probe
time or any combination simultaneously. If you have a PASPORT
interface that supports multiple sensors, or if you have more than
one interface connected to your computer, you can use the
General Science MultiMeasure Sensor in combination with other
PASPORT sensors.

Sensor Setup
Connect the multi-sensor to your PASPORT interface. Connect
PASPORT
the included temperature and voltage probes to the ports on the Interface
sides of the multi-sensor. (You can leave any of the probes
disconnected if you do not plan to use it.)

See the following pages for detailed information about each of the multi-sensor sensor’s component
sensors.

Software Help

See the SPARKvue Help or PASCO Capstone Help for information about collecting, displaying, and
analyzing data.

• In SPARKvue, select the HELP button ( ) in any screen including the Home Screen.

• In PASCO Capstone, select PASCO Capstone Help from the Help menu, or press F1.

Hardware Setup

Plug the General Science MultiMeasure Sensor into a PASPORT input ports on the PASCO Interface
and turn on the device. The General Science MultiMeasure Sensor always collects sound-level, light,
and voltage data, but collects temperature data only if a temperature probe is connected. The default
sampling rate is 2 Hz. You can adjust the sampling rate in the data collection software.

SPARKvue

Collect Data

• In the SPARKvue Home Screen, select a measurement from the list under the sensor’s name. A
graph of the measurement versus time opens.

• In SPARKvue, select the Start button ( ) to begin collecting data.

PASCO Capstone

Collect Data

• In PASCO Capstone, select a display in the main window or from the Display palette. In the display,
use the <Select Measurement> menu to pick a measurement to be shown.

• Select Record to begin collecting data.

If you have questions about using the data collection hardware or software, check the Online Help or
contact Technical Support.

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Model No. PS-2168 Temperature

Temperature
Use this component of the multi-sensor to measure the temperature of a fluid or object. The
measurement can be displayed in units of °C, °F, or K. You can use the included stainless steel probe
or a different probe, such as the Fast-response Probe (PS-2135) or Skin/Surface Probe (PS-2131).
PASCO physics apparatus containing an embedded 10 k thermistor can also be connected to the
multi-sensor. The multi-sensor automatically detects the presence of a temperature probe, and will only
collect temperature data if a probe is connected.

To measure temperature, immerse the tip of the probe in a fluid or place it in contact with an object. The
included probe is suitable for temperatures between 35 °C and 135 °C. It can be used in both dry
conditions and in liquids, such as water and other mild chemicals and solutions.

• Tip: Keep the connector of the probe and the body of the multi-sensor away from liquids.

The temperature measurement can be calibrated; however, for most applications calibration is not
necessary. For instructions on calibrating, see the software Online Help. For instructions on calibrating
on the Xplorer GLX, refer to the Xplorer GLX Users’ Guide.

Light
The light component of the multi-sensor measures light intensity, or the power Ranges
per unit area of light incident on the light-sensitive element. The element is
located behind the black cylinder protruding from the multi-sensor. Though it 100 Lux
measures light intensity, the sensor’s output is calibrated to indicate illuminance
in units of lux. 10000 Lux

Point the sensor in the direction of a light source and start data collection. The 150000 Lux
light sensor has three ranges, which you select using the three buttons on the
Light indicates the
multi-sensor. To select a range, push one of the buttons: for 0 lux to 100 lux, selected range
for 0 lux to 10000 lux, or for 0 to 150000 lux. Lights on the buttons indicate
which range is selected. To determine which range is appropriate, look at the data (on a Graph display,
for instance) while it is being collected; if the measurement appears to be “railed” at the top of the
selected range (100 lux or 10000 lux), select the next higher range. You can push a button to change
the range without stopping data collection.

• Tip: If you anticipate that the measured value will increase during your experiment, select a higher
range.

• Tip: Fluorescent lights flicker at a high rate (100 Hz or 120 Hz), which causes aliasing, or the illusion
of a lower-frequency periodic signal, in data collected at relatively low sampling rates. For this
reason, it is recommended that the General Science MultiMeasure Sensor be used to measure light
from incandescent bulbs and natural light sources. To measure high-frequency light sources, use
the PS-2106 Light Sensor, with a maximum sampling rate of 1000 Hz.

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 General Science MultiMeasure Sensor Sound Level

Sound Level Source Sound

Level
The sound component sensor measures sound level on the dbA weighting (dBA)
scale. This weighting scale is designed to match the frequency response of
Rustling 20
the human ear and is commonly used to measure environmental sound leaves
levels. The table (right) shows some typical sound levels.
Library 40

Voltage
Normal 60
conversation

Noisy office 80
Use the voltage component of the multi-sensor to measure electric potential
difference between the terminals of a battery or power supply, or two points Subway train 100
on a circuit. The voltage probe has two connectors: red and black. The Rock concert 120
sensor measures the voltage of the red connector in reference to the black
connector. Its range is 24 V.

Specifications
General

Component Sensors Temperature, Light, Sound Level, Voltage

Max. Sampling Rate 200 samples per second (for each component sensor)

Default Sampling Rate 2 samples per second

Temperature

Range 35 °C to 135 °C

Accuracy 0.5 °C

Resolution 0.01 °C or better

Sensing Element 10 k thermistor located in probe tip

Light

Output calibrated to indicate illuminance

three user-selectable ranges: 100 lux, 10000 lux, 150000 lux

Spectral Response 320 nm to 1100 nm

Sound Level Voltage

Range 50 dbA to 100 dbA Range 24 V to  24 V

Accuracy 4 dBA Accuracy  0.1 V

Resolution 0.1 dBA Resolution  0.001 V

Repeatability 0.5 dBA Voltage Protection up to 240 V

Input Resistance 1 M

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Model No. PS-2168 Te c h n i c a l S u p p o r t

Technical Support
For assistance with any PASCO product, contact PASCO at:

Address: PASCO scientific

10101 Foothills Blvd.
Roseville, CA 95747-7100
Phone: +1 916-786-3800 (worldwide)
800-772-8700 (U.S.)
Web: www.pasco.com
Email: [email protected]

For the latest version of the instruction manual, see the website at

www.pasco.com/manuals

Limited Warranty
For a description of the product warranty, see the PASCO catalog or the PASCO website at www.pasco.com/legal.

Copyright
This PASCO scientific Instruction Manual 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. Version 2016-05-04.

Trademarks
PASCO and PASCO scientific are trademarks or registered trademarks of PASCO scientific, in the United States and/or 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 Instructions:

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/disposal service, or the
place where you purchased the product.
The European Union WEEE (Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment) symbol (to the right) and on the
product or its packaging indicates that this product must not be disposed of in a standard waste container.

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