- Cost effective measurement of
relative humidity (RH)
- Automatic sensor recognition and
display of appropriate units
- Broadens the range of experiments
- Humidity sensor and DrDAQ both take
their power from the PC -
so no batteries required
-
Low cost Reed Switch (for timing
applications) now also available
for DrDAQ
- Library of FREE
experiments available on the Web
- PicoLog and PicoScope software
supplied FREE with DrDAQ
Pico Technology, specialists in
PC-based
instruments, has announced the immediate
availability of a low-cost humidity
sensor for its popular educational data
logger DrDAQ. The sensor is designed
for the cost effective measurement of
relative humidity (RH) in the range 20
to 90 percent RH and features a
resolution of 0.2 percent RH and an overall
accuracy of +/- 10 per cent.
Operating in the temperature range 0 to
60 degrees C, the humidity sensor
plugs straight into DrDAQ (which
requires no power supply) and the data
logger 'recognises' the humidity sensor.
Readings are automatically
displayed in percent RH.
Mike Green, Managing Director of Pico
Technology comments: "By adding
humidity measurement to DrDAQ's
capabilities we've greatly increased the
number of science experiments that can
be conducted in primary and secondary schools. These experiments are
not only ideal for those courses/teachers aiming to deliver
step-by-step tuition to science pupils, but also provide a foundation
for courses where 'free-thinking' is encouraged."
Humidity sensing adds to DrDAQ's
existing ability to measure and record
temperature, light levels, sound
waveforms and sound level (dB) and -
through the use of plug-in sensors -
external temperature and pH. Pico
Technology's experiments, FREE to
download and written by science teachers
"Although the experiments can be
conducted using traditional, bench-top test
and measurement equipment, pupils often
have limited access to such
equipment," continues Green. "Which is
why we recommend the use of PC-based
(virtual) oscilloscopes and data
loggers."
The results of the experiments can be
observed on a large screen, printed,
saved to disk or even transferred over
the school or college
intranet/internet.
"The humidity sensor can be used in a
number of physics, chemistry and
biology experiments," notes Green. "And
by combining the use of the humidity
sensor with DrDAQ's existing sensors,
it's now possible to perform data
logging and measurement experiments that
require a number of parameters to
be monitored simultaneously."
Low-cost Reed Switch
Pico Technology has also announced the
immediate availability of a low-cost
reed switch sensor for DrDAQ that can be
used to detect the presence of a
magnetic field from, for example, bar or
electro- magnets.
The reed switch's response time is 2ms,
so it makes an ideal low cost
alternative to light gates for timing
and acceleration studies. In addition,
through PicoLog data logging software
the reed switch's condition
(open/closed) can be averaged over time;
for example to generate a
percentage figure of how frequently a
particular door in the school is
opened/closed.
"The Reed Switch lends itself well to
timing and statistical applications,"
concludes Green, "and can be used in a
number of physics and general study
experiments."
DrDAQ
DrDAQ takes its power from the PC to
which it is connected (via parallel
port) so there is no need for separate
power supplies.
The DrDAQ board features built-in
sensors for light, sound waveforms, sound
level, temperature, voltage and
resistance. In addition, a socket accepts
any standard pH electrode. There are two
sockets for a range of optional
external sensors such as humidity,
pressure and magnetic field.
DrDAQ recognises the presence of
external sensors and automatically scales
and calibrates all readings.
The PicoScope and PicoLog software
packages referenced above are compatible
with Windows 3.1x, 95/98/ME and NT/2000,
and are supplied FREE with DrDAQ.
>From this site, teachers can download
demonstration and full versions of
PicoScope and PicoLog.
*
DrDAQ retails for less than £60
*
DrDAQ plus 2 temperature sensors retails for less than
£80
*
DrDAQ plus 2 temperature sensors and a pH electrode
retails
for less than £100
*
DrDAQ plus 2 temperature sensors, a pH electrode,
humidity
sensor and reed switch retails for less
than £150
For those wishing to upgrade their
existing DrDAQs, accessories retail at
*
Temperature sensor = £15
*
pH sensor = £35
*
Humidity sensor = £49
*
Reed switch = £20
In addition, A Practical Guide To Using
Computer Sensors In Science
Teaching, is available for ages 11 to
18. Written by Roger Frost, the guide
features over 100 pages of experiments,
plus help and advice on teaching
science.
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