VideoLabs FlexCam iCam Technical Information download pdf (Page 41)

16.11.3 Weather stations

Dataloggers and their sensors may be used to measure various quantities associated

with the weather, eg, temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind speed, light. How-

ever, dedicated weather stations and computer software are available for school use

These include more specialised and robust sensors, suitable mounting apparatus and

long cables or wireless connections to allow the sensor unit to be located remotely from

the computer.

16.11.4 Energy-monitoring systems

It is often useful to be able to monitor the energy consumption of mains-powered

equipment for educational purposes. Devices are available which can be inserted

between the mains supply and an electrical appliance to measure the amount of

electricity used

. The data can be collected and processed by an adjacent computer.

16.11.5 Renewable-energy systems

Interest in renewable- and sustainable-energy systems has led some schools, perhaps

with the aid of a government grant, to install this type of technology for educational

purposes. Equipment includes photovoltaic (solar) panels and wind turbines. Such

systems are usually computer controlled and supplied with appropriate software.

16.11.6 Oscilloscopes

Oscilloscopes are used to analyse electronic signals. They plot a graph of voltage

against time. Dedicated oscilloscopes are usually required where a significant amount

of electronics is taught. However, some science departments only make occasional use

of an oscilloscope, eg, during lessons about sound to display signals produced by

microphones or signal generators. The expense and storage space for dedicated oscillo-

scopes might not be justified and computer-based oscilloscopes might be used instead.

These fall into two categories.

The first is where an oscilloscope input is available via a standard datalogging system,

perhaps via a special adaptor. These systems are often limited in their effectiveness,

since the sampling rate (number of readings per second) and hence frequency range is

restricted.

The second is a dedicated computer-based oscilloscope with its own interface, inputs

and software

There are three major advantages of any computer-based oscillosope system.

• Transient (fast-changing) signals can be frozen or stored for easy viewing. This

allows the computer-based oscilloscope to behave like a professional storage osc-

illoscope, which would be prohibitively expensive for most schools.

• The computer-based oscilloscope display can be projected onto a large screen for

easy class viewing.

• The display can be copied into electronic documents and printed out for inclu-

sion in students’ notes.

For example, the WeatherHawk

weather stations.

For example, the Power-energy-cost meter from DJB Microtech.

For example, the Picoscope

manufactured by Pico Technology Limited.

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