Picolog1216 channel calibration

Post any questions you may have about our current range of USB data loggers
Post Reply
picolog1216
Newbie
Posts: 0
Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2012 12:52 pm

Picolog1216 channel calibration

Post by picolog1216 »

Hi:
I purchased and am currently using a Picolog datalogger (Picolog 1216). When I tried to measure small voltages (1-2 mV DC), which I convert to temperature, the datalogger reads to me on its software temperatures in an ambient environment that are below ambient. Also, each channel seems to have a different oscillation of the voltage readings. Is there an issue of calibration of the datalogger?
Thanks.

Martyn
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 4491
Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2011 8:15 am
Location: St. Neots

Re: Picolog1216 channel calibration

Post by Martyn »

The 1216 is a 12bit logger with a 2.5V range which means that vertical resolution is just under 1mV and so your signals are too small to be measured with this device.
Martyn
Technical Support Manager

picolog1216
Newbie
Posts: 0
Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2012 12:52 pm

Re: Picolog1216 channel calibration

Post by picolog1216 »

Martyn wrote:The 1216 is a 12bit logger with a 2.5V range which means that vertical resolution is just under 1mV and so your signals are too small to be measured with this device.
Thanks for your reply.
How small a voltage can I measure with Picolog 1216 if I am unable to measure 1-2 mV?

Martyn
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 4491
Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2011 8:15 am
Location: St. Neots

Re: Picolog1216 channel calibration

Post by Martyn »

A 1 bit error in the ADC conversion will cause 2.5V/4095 error in the reading, ~0.6mV

How small a signal you can measure will depend upon the type of signal and how much noise is present and how much error you are happy with. If you are looking at 1mV signals then the error is 60% of the reading, 10mV 6% etc

In theory it will measure an individual value of 0.6mV but it wont be accurate.
Martyn
Technical Support Manager

Post Reply