PASCO PS-2130 Flow Rate Sensor User Manual
Flow rate quick start, Flow rate sensor
PS-2130
The PS-2130 Flow Rate Sensor measures the flow rate and temperature of
moving water.
Flow Rate Quick Start
Additional Equipment Needed
•
PASPORT
™
interface (Xplorer, Power Link, etc.) with USB-compatible computer
•
EZscreen or DataStudio
®
software (version 1.9 or later)
Equipment Setup
Flow Rate Sensor
Sensor Specifications:
Sensor Range:
Flow Rate: 0.3 to 13 ft./sec.
Temperature: -3
°
to 42
°
C
Accuracy:
0.1 ft./sec
Pulse frequency:
8.62 pulses/linear foot
Unit options:
meters/sec; feet/sec; total pulses
Probe length:
3 to 7 ft. with telescoping tube
(Probe is 7 feet when fully
expanded.)
Minimum depth:
1.5 in. (3.8 cm)
Connect the PASPORT interface to a
USB port on your computer or to a USB
hub.
Connect the Flow Rate Sensor to the
PASPORT interface. (If using an Xplorer
in the classroom, connect the Xplorer
cable to your computer.)
The software launches when it detects
a PASPORT sensor. Launch
DataStudio.
3
2
2
1
3
1
Activity: Measuring Flow Rate
and Temperature in a Stream
DataStudio/DS Lite Tasks: Procedure (Optional):
View the flow rate
measurement:
In the Data list, drag the
Flow Rate icon
(
) to an open
display.
Change measurement
units:
Click the
Setup
button (
) to open the PASPORT
Experiment Setup window. Scroll to the Flow Rate box,
and click in the box of the units you wish to change.
Scale to fit the data:
Click the
Scale-to-Fit
(
) button on the Graph display.
Change the sample rate:
In the PASPORT Setup window, scroll to the Flow Rate box.
Click on the down arrow to select the desired unit. Click the
Plus/Minus
buttons to increase/decrease the value.
View data statistics:
On the Graph display toolbar, click the
Statistics
button
(
) to view the minimum, maximum, and mean. Use the
pull-down menu to turn statistics on or off.
Measuring the Velocity (Flow Rate) of Water in a Stream
Equipment required:
Flow Rate Sensor (PS-2130), PS-2000 Xplorer, pad of
paper, pencil
Note:
The Flow Rate Sensor is factory calibrated and is not set up for user
calibration. The propeller produces 2 pulses per revolution. In DataStudio,
you can simultaneously view flow rate and temperature.
1. Plug the Flow Rate Sensor
into a PASPORT Xplorer.
(
Note:
Ensure the Xplorer
has functional batteries.)
2. Insert the propeller housing
about 2 inches below the
water of a moving stream.
Hold the propeller housing
steady.
3. On the Xplorer, click the
Start
button to take a reading.
4. On a piece of paper, draw a
diagram of the stream and shoreline. On the stream diagram, mark
the point where you took the measurement. Next to the point, record
the flow rate and temperature readings displayed on Xplorer.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 at several locations and/or depths in a stream or
creek:
a)
near the shore at 0.5 foot
b)
midstream at 0.5 foot
c)
midstream at 1 foot
d)
midstream at 2 feet
e)
midstream at 3 feet.
6. Compare the flow rate and temperature at the different locations. Is
the flow rate higher midstream or near the shore? What effect might
depth have on the flow rate and temperature?
Figure 1: Taking Flow Rate Measure-
ments from a Stream
®
800-772-8700 • 916-786-3800 • [email protected] • www.pasco.com
012-08622A