USB TC-08 Temperature Logger User's Guide usbtc08.en-6 Copyright © 2005-2012 Pico Technology Limited. All rights reserved.
USB TC-08 User's Guide I Contents 1 Introduction....................................................................................................................................1 1 Overview ........................................................................................................................................1 2 Legal information ........................................................................................................................................
USB TC-08 User's Guide 1 Introduction 1.1 Overview 1 The USB TC-08 is a temperature and voltage logger designed to support multiple thermocouples. With the accompanying PicoLog software, the unit can be used with any laptop or PC running Windows XP SP2, Vista or Windows 7. The driver provides cold junction compensation for thermocouples. PicoLog supports up to 20 USB TC-08 devices and the driver can support more (as many as 64, if you have a high-specification PC).
2 Introduction Support If you are unsatisfied with the performance of this software, please contact our technical support staff, who will try to fix the problem within a reasonable time scale. If you are still unsatisfied, please return the product and software to your supplier within 28 days of purchase for a full refund. Upgrades We provide upgrades, free of charge, from our web site at www.picotech.com. We reserve the right to charge for updates or replacements sent out on physical media.
USB TC-08 User's Guide 1.4 3 Company details Address: Pico Technology Limited James House, Colmworth Business Park, Eaton Socon, St Neots, Cambridgeshire PE19 8YP United Kingdom Phone: +44 (0)1480 396395 Fax: +44 (0)1480 396296 Email: Technical Support: Sales: support@picotech.com sales@picotech.com Web site: www.picotech.com Copyright © 2005-2012 Pico Technology Limited. All rights reserved. usbtc08.
4 Getting Started 2 Getting Started 2.1 Installing the driver The driver is installed automatically when you install the PicoLog software. Alternatively, you can download the driver from our website at http:// www.picotech.com. 2.2 Connecting the USB TC-08 Please note: do not connect the USB TC-08 until you have installed the software and restarted your PC. To begin using the USB TC-08, connect it to the USB port on your computer using the cable provided.
USB TC-08 User's Guide 5 5. Select USB TC-08 from the drop-down list of converters. The device name and serial number should appear in the USB Devices pane and the USB enumeration progress bar gradually expand to 100%. If the progress bar does not start moving, disconnect and reconnect the USB TC-08, then click Refresh. 6. In the USB Devices pane, select the USB TC-08.
6 Getting Started 9. From the Thermocouple drop-down list, select the type of thermocouple you are using and click OK. The TC-08 Channels dialog box reappears. 10. Click OK. Channel 1 should now appear in the monitor window with the current temperature reading. usbtc08.en Copyright © 2005-2012 Pico Technology Limited. All rights reserved.
USB TC-08 User's Guide 3 7 Product information Note: Do not expose the USB TC-08 to a direct heat source (e.g. sunlight) as heating/ cooling of the device may cause inaccurate readings. 3.1 Specifications Resolution 20 bits (16.25 NFR) Thermocouple types B,E,J,K,N,R,S,T Number of input channels 8 Conversion time - per active channel 100 ms Conversion time - CJC 100 ms Uncalibrated accuracy The sum of ±0.2% and ±0.5°C Full scale input ±70 mV Common mode range ±7.
8 3.2 Product information How a thermocouple works In a closed circuit of two dissimilar metals (a thermocouple), an electric current flows when one of the two junctions is heated with respect to the other. The current continues to flow as long as the two junctions are at different temperatures. The magnitude and direction of the current is a function of the temperature difference between the junctions and of the thermal properties of the metals used in the circuit.
USB TC-08 User's Guide 4 9 Glossary Cold junction compensation (CJC). A method of compensating for ambient temperature variations in thermocouple circuits. Common mode range. The voltage range, relative to the ground of the data logger, within which both inputs of a differential measurement must lie in order to achieve an accurate measurement. DLL. Dynamic Link Library. Files with this file extension contain a collection of Windows functions designed to perform a specific class of operations.
10 Glossary Type S thermocouple. Type S thermocouples are made from platinum and rhodium, and are suitable for high-temperature measurements of up to 1760°C. Low sensitivity (10 uV/vC) and high cost make these thermocouples unsuitable for general purpose use. Due to their high stability, type S thermocouples are used as the standard of calibration for the melting point of gold. Type T thermocouple.
USB TC-08 User's Guide 11 Index C Cold junction 8 Connection 4 Contact details 3 H Hot junction 8 I Impedance Installation 7 4 R Repairs 2 Resolution 7 S Safety 2 Specification 7 T Thermocouple 8 Copyright © 2005-2012 Pico Technology Limited. All rights reserved. usbtc08.
USB TC-08 User's Guide Copyright © 2005-2012 Pico Technology Limited. All rights reserved. 13 usbtc08.
Pico Technology James House Colmworth Business Park ST. NEOTS Cambridgeshire PE19 8YP United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 1480 396 395 Fax: +44 (0) 1480 396 296 www.picotech.com usbtc08.en-6 09.03.12 Copyright © 2005-2012 Pico Technology Limited. All rights reserved.