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Single-Ended or Differential?

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Section 8. Operation The following topics discuss methods of generally improving voltage measurements. Related information for special case voltage measurements (thermocouples (p. 328), current loops, resistance (p. 329), and strain (p. 336)) is located in sections for those measurements. Single-Ended or Differential? Deciding whether a differential or single-ended measurement is appropriate is usually, by far, the most important consideration when addressing voltage measurement quality. The decision requires trade-offs of accuracy and precision, noise cancelation, measurement speed, available measurement hardware, and fiscal constraints. In broad terms, analog voltage is best measured differentially because these measurements include noise reduction features, listed below, that are not included in single-ended measurements. • Passive Noise Rejection o No voltage reference offset o Common-mode noise rejection ̶ Rejects capacitively coupled noise • Active Noise Rejection o Input reversal ̶ Review Input and Excitation Reversal (p. 325) for details ̶ Increases by twice the input reversal signal integration time Reasons for using single-ended measurements, however, include: • Not enough differential terminals available. Differential measurements use twice as many U terminals as do single-ended measurements. • Rapid sampling is required. Single-ended measurement time is about half that of differential measurement time. • Sensor is not designed for differential measurements. Many Campbell Scientific sensors are not designed for differential measurement, but the draw backs of a single-ended measurement are usually mitigated by large programmed excitation and/or sensor output voltages. Sensors with a high signal-to-noise ratio, such as a relative-humidity sensor with a full-scale output of 0 to 1000 mV, can normally be measured as single-ended without a significant reduction in accuracy or precision. Sensors with a low signal-to-noise ratio, such as thermocouples, should normally be measured differentially. However, if the measurement to be made does not require high accuracy or precision, such as thermocouples measuring brush-fire temperatures, which can exceed 2500 °C, a single-ended measurement may be appropriate. If sensors require differential measurement, but adequate input terminals are not available, an analog multiplexer should be acquired to expand differential input capacity. Refer to the appendix Analog Multiplexers (p. 596) for information concerning available multiplexers. Because a single-ended measurement is referenced to CR6 ground, any difference in ground potential between the sensor and the CR6 will result in an error in the measurement. For example, if the measuring junction of a copper-constantan thermocouple being used to measure soil temperature is not insulated, and the 313

Section	Page
Revision and Copyright Information	1
Warranty	3
Assistance	5
Table of Contents	7
1. Introduction	29
1.1 HELLO	29
1.2 Typography	29
1.3 Capturing CRBasic Code	30
1.4 Release Notes	30
2. Cautionary Statements	31
3. Initial Inspection	33
4. System Quickstart	35
4.1 Data-Acquisition Systems — Quickstart	35
4.2 Sensors — Quickstart	36
4.3 Datalogger — Quickstart	37
4.3.1.1 Wiring Panel — Quickstart	37
4.4 Power Supplies — Quickstart	38
4.4.1 Internal Battery — Quickstart	39
4.5 Data Retrieval and Telecommunications — Quickstart	39
4.6 Datalogger Support Software — Quickstart	40
4.7 Tutorial: Measuring a Thermocouple	40
4.7.1 What You Will Need	40
4.7.2 Hardware Setup	41
4.7.2.1 External Power Supply	41
4.7.3 PC200W Software Setup	41
4.7.4 Write CRBasic Program with Short Cut	43
4.7.4.1 Procedure: (Short Cut Steps 1 to 5)	43
4.7.4.2 Procedure: (Short Cut Steps 6 to 7)	44
4.7.4.3 Procedure: (Short Cut Step 8)	45
4.7.4.4 Procedure: (Short Cut Steps 9 to 12)	46
4.7.4.5 Procedure: (Short Cut Steps 13 to 14)	47
4.7.5 Send Program and Collect Data	48
4.7.5.1 Procedure: (PC200W Step 1)	48
4.7.5.2 Procedure: (PC200W Steps 2 to 4)	48
4.7.5.3 Procedure: (PC200W Step 5)	49
4.7.5.4 Procedure: (PC200W Step 6)	50
4.7.5.5 Procedure: (PC200W Steps 7 to 10)	51
4.7.5.6 Procedure: (PC200W Steps 11 to 12)	52
4.7.5.7 Procedure: (PC200W Steps 13 to 14)	52
5. System Overview	55
5.1 Measurements — Overview	56
5.1.1 Time Keeping — Overview	57
5.1.2 Analog Measurements — Overview	57
5.1.2.1 Voltage Measurements — Overview	57
5.1.2.1.1 Single-Ended Measurements — Overview	59
5.1.2.1.2 Differential Measurements — Overview	60
5.1.2.2 Current Measurements — Overview	60
5.1.2.3 Resistance Measurements — Overview	60
5.1.2.3.1 Voltage Excitation	61
5.1.2.3.2 Current Excitation	63
5.1.2.4 Strain Measurements — Overview	64
5.1.3 Pulse Measurements — Overview	64
5.1.3.1 Pulses Measured	64
5.1.3.2 Pulse-Input Channels	65
5.1.3.3 Pulse Sensor Wiring	65
5.1.4 Period Averaging — Overview	66
5.1.5 Vibrating-Wire Measurements — Overview	67
5.1.5.1 Quickstart	68
5.1.6 Reading Smart Sensors — Overview	68
5.1.6.1 SDI-12 Sensor Support — Overview	69
5.1.6.2 RS-232 — Overview	69
5.1.6.3 RS-485 — Overview -- 6	70
5.1.7 Field Calibration — Overview	70
5.1.8 Cabling Effects — Overview	71
5.1.9 Synchronizing Measurements — Overview	71
5.2 Datalogger — Overview	71
5.2.1 Time Keeping — Overview	72
5.2.2 Wiring Panel — Overview	72
5.2.2.1 Switched Voltage Output — Overview	75
5.2.2.2 Voltage and Current Excitation — Overview	75
5.2.2.3 Grounding Terminals	76
5.2.2.4 Power Terminals	76
5.2.2.4.1 Power In	76
5.2.2.4.2 Power Out Terminals	76
5.2.2.5 Communication Ports	77
5.2.2.5.1 CS I/O Port	77
5.2.2.5.2 RS-232 Ports	78
5.2.2.5.3 USB Port	78
5.2.2.5.4 Micro SD Card Slot	78
5.2.2.5.5 SDI-12 Ports	78
5.2.2.5.6 SDM Port	78
5.2.2.5.7 CPI Port	78
5.2.2.5.8 Ethernet Port	79
5.2.3 Keyboard Display — Overview	79
5.2.3.1 Character Set	79
5.2.3.2 Custom Menus — Overview	80
5.2.4 Measurement and Control Peripherals — Overview	81
5.2.5 Power Supplies — Overview	81
5.2.6 CR6 Configuration — Overview	82
5.2.7 CRBasic Programming — Overview	82
5.2.8 Memory — Overview	83
5.2.9 Data Retrieval and Telecommunications — Overview	84
5.2.9.1 PakBus — Overview	84
5.2.9.2 Telecommunications	85
5.2.9.3 Mass-Storage Device	85
5.2.9.4 Micro SD Card	85
5.2.9.5 Data-File Formats in CR6 Memory	86
5.2.9.6 Data Format on Computer	86
5.2.10 Alternate Telecommunications — Overview	86
5.2.10.1 Modbus	86
5.2.10.2 DNP3 — Overview	87
5.2.10.3 Web API — Overview	87
5.2.11 Security — Overview	87
5.2.12 Maintenance — Overview	88
5.2.12.1 Protection from Water	88
5.2.12.2 Protection from Voltage Transients	88
5.2.12.3 Calibration	88
5.2.12.4 Internal Battery — Details	88
5.3 Datalogger Support Software — Overview	89
6. CR6 Specifications	91
6.1 Voltage Measurements — Specifications	91
6.2 Resistance Measurements — Specifications	93
6.3 Voltage and Current Excitation — Specifications	93
6.4 Vibrating-Wire Measurements — Specifications	94
6.5 Thermistor Measurements — Specifications	95
6.6 Period Averaging — Specifications	95
6.7 Pulse Measurements — Specifications	96
6.8 Switched Voltage Output — Specifications	97
6.9 Total System Current — Specifications	98
6.10 Communications — Specifications	98
6.11 System — Specifications	99
6.12 Power Supplies — Specifications	100
6.13 Compliance — Specifications	100
6.14 Physical Attributes — Specifications	101
7. Installation	103
7.1 Moisture Protection	103
7.2 Temperature Range	103
7.3 Enclosures	103
7.4 Power Supplies — Details	104
7.4.1 CR6 Power Requirement	105
7.4.2 Calculating Power Consumption	105
7.4.3 Power Sources	105
7.4.3.1 Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS)	106
7.4.4 Vehicle Power Connections	107
7.5 Switched Voltage Output — Details	107
7.5.1 Switched-Voltage Excitation	109
7.5.2 Switched Current Excitation	109
7.5.3 Continuous Unregulated Voltage (12V Terminal)	109
7.5.4 Switched Unregulated Voltage (SW12 Terminal)	109
7.6 Grounding	110
7.6.1 ESD Protection	110
7.6.1.1 Lightning Protection	111
7.6.2 Single-Ended Measurement Reference	113
7.6.3 Ground-Potential Differences	114
7.6.3.1 Soil Temperature Thermocouple	114
7.6.3.2 External Signal Conditioner	114
7.6.4 Ground Looping in Ionic Measurements	114
7.7 CR6 Configuration — Details	115
7.7.1 Device Configuration Utility	116
7.7.2 Sending the Operating System (OS)	117
7.7.2.1 Sending OS with DevConfig	118
7.7.2.2 Sending OS with Program Send	119
7.7.2.3 Sending OS with External Memory	119
7.7.3 Settings	120
7.7.4 Durable Settings	120
7.7.4.1 'Include' File	120
7.7.4.2 Default.CR6 File	124
7.7.5 Program Run Priorities	124
7.7.6 Network Planner	125
7.7.6.1 Overview	125
7.7.6.2 Basics	126
7.8 CRBasic Programming — Details	126
7.8.1 Writing and Editing Programs	127
7.8.1.1 Short Cut Programming Wizard	127
7.8.1.2 CRBasic Editor	127
7.8.1.2.1 Inserting Comments into Program	128
7.8.1.2.2 Conserving Program Memory	128
7.8.2 Sending Programs	128
7.8.2.1 Preserving Data at Program Send	129
7.8.3 Syntax	130
7.8.3.1 Numerical Formats	130
7.8.3.2 Program Structure	131
7.8.3.3 Command Line	133
7.8.3.3.1 Multiple Statements on One Line	133
7.8.3.3.2 One Statement on Multiple Lines	134
7.8.3.4 Single-Line Declarations	134
7.8.3.4.1 Variables	134
7.8.3.4.2 Constants	143
7.8.3.4.3 Alias and Unit Declarations	143
7.8.3.5 Declared Sequences	144
7.8.3.5.1 Data Tables	144
7.8.3.5.2 Subroutines	152
7.8.3.5.3 Incidental Sequences	152
7.8.3.6 Execution and Task Priority	152
7.8.3.6.1 Pipeline Mode	153
7.8.3.6.2 Sequential Mode	154
7.8.3.7 Execution Timing	155
7.8.3.7.1 Scan() / NextScan	156
7.8.3.7.2 SlowSequence / EndSequence	157
7.8.3.7.3 SubScan() / NextSubScan	157
7.8.3.7.4 Scan Priorities in Sequential Mode	157
7.8.3.8 Instructions	159
7.8.3.8.1 Measurement and Data-Storage Processing	159
7.8.3.8.2 Argument Types	160
7.8.3.8.3 Names in Arguments	160
7.8.3.9 Expressions in Arguments	161
7.8.3.10 Expression Types	161
7.8.3.10.1 Floating-Point Arithmetic	162
7.8.3.10.2 Mathematical Operations	162
7.8.3.10.3 Expressions with Numeric Data Types	162
7.8.3.10.4 Logical Expressions	164
7.8.3.10.5 String Expressions	167
7.8.3.11 Program Access to Data Tables	168
7.8.3.12 System Signatures	170
7.9 Programming Resource Library	170
7.9.1 Advanced Programming Techniques	170
7.9.1.1 Capturing Events	170
7.9.1.2 Conditional Output	171
7.9.1.3 Groundwater Pump Test	172
7.9.1.4 Miscellaneous Features	175
7.9.1.5 PulseCountReset Instruction	177
7.9.1.6 Scaling Array	178
7.9.1.7 Signatures: Example Programs	179
7.9.1.7.1 Text Signature	179
7.9.1.7.2 Binary Runtime Signature	179
7.9.1.7.3 Executable Code Signatures	179
7.9.1.8 Use of Multiple Scans	180
7.9.2 Compiling: Conditional Inclusion of Code Segments	181
7.9.3 Data Displays: Custom Menus — Details	183
7.9.4 Data Input: Loading Large Data Sets	188
7.9.5 Data Input: Array-Assigned Expression	189
7.9.6 Data Output: Calculating Running Average	193
7.9.7 Data Output: Triggers and Omitting Samples	195
7.9.8 Data Output: Two Intervals in One Data Table	197
7.9.9 Data Output: Using Data Type Bool8	198
7.9.10 Data Output: Using Data Type NSEC	202
7.9.10.1 NSEC Options	203
7.9.11 Data Output: Writing High-Frequency Data to Memory Cards	206
7.9.11.1 TableFile() with Option 64	206
7.9.11.2 TableFile() with Option 64 Replaces CardOut()	207
7.9.11.3 TableFile() with Option 64 Programming	207
7.9.11.4 TableFile() with Option 64 Q & A	208
7.9.12 Field Calibration — Details	210
7.9.12.1 Field Calibration CAL Files	211
7.9.12.2 Field Calibration Programming	211
7.9.12.3 Field-Calibration Wizard Overview	211
7.9.12.4 Field Calibration Keyboard Procedures	212
7.9.12.4.1 One-Point Calibrations (zero or offset)	212
7.9.12.4.2 Two-Point Calibrations (gain and offset)	213
7.9.12.4.3 Zero Basis Point Calibration	213
7.9.12.5 FieldCal() Examples	213
7.9.12.5.1 FieldCal() Zero or Tare (Opt 0) Example	214
7.9.12.5.2 FieldCal() Offset (Opt 1) Example	216
7.9.12.5.3 FieldCal() Slope and Offset (Opt 2) Example	218
7.9.12.5.4 FieldCal() Slope (Opt 3) Example	221
7.9.12.5.5 Zero Basis (Option 4)	223
7.9.12.6 FieldCalStrain() Examples	225
7.9.12.6.1 FieldCalStrain() Quarter-Bridge Shunt Example	228
7.9.12.6.2 FieldCalStrain() Quarter-Bridge Zero	228
7.9.13 Measurement: Excite, Delay, Measure	229
7.9.14 Measurement: Faster Analog Rates	230
7.9.14.1 Measurements from 1 to 100 Hz	231
7.9.14.2 Measurement Rate: 101 to 600 Hz	232
7.9.14.2.1 Measurements from 101 to 600 Hz 2	233
7.9.14.3 Measurement Rate: 601 to 2000 Hz	234
7.9.15 Measurement: PRT	235
7.9.15.1 PRT Calculation Standards	235
7.9.15.2 Measuring PT100s (100 Ω PRTs)	239
7.9.15.2.1 Self-Heating and Resolution	239
7.9.15.2.2 PT100 in Four-Wire Half-Bridge	239
7.9.15.2.3 PT100 in Three-Wire Half Bridge	242
7.9.15.2.4 PT100 in Four-Wire Full-Bridge	243
7.9.15.2.5 PT100 with Current Excitation	245
7.9.16 Serial I/O: Capturing Serial Data	248
7.9.16.1 Introduction	248
7.9.16.2 I/O Ports	249
7.9.16.3 Protocols	250
7.9.16.4 Glossary of Serial I/O Terms	250
7.9.16.5 CRBasic Programming	252
7.9.16.5.1 Input Instruction Set Basics	252
7.9.16.5.2 Input Programming Basics	253
7.9.16.5.3 Output Programming Basics	255
7.9.16.5.4 Translating Bytes	255
7.9.16.5.5 Memory Considerations	256
7.9.16.5.6 Demonstration Program	257
7.9.16.6 Testing Applications	258
7.9.16.6.1 Configure HyperTerminal	258
7.9.16.6.2 Create Send Text File	261
7.9.16.6.3 Create Text-Capture File	261
7.9.16.6.4 Serial Input Test Program	261
7.9.16.7 Q & A	267
7.9.17 Serial I/O: SDI-12 Sensor Support — Details	269
7.9.17.1 SDI-12 Transparent Mode	269
7.9.17.1.1 SDI-12 Transparent Mode Commands	270
7.9.17.2 SDI-12 Programmed Modes	274
7.9.17.2.1 SDI-12 Recorder Mode	274
7.9.17.2.2 SDI-12 Sensor Mode	281
7.9.17.3 SDI-12 Power Considerations	283
7.9.18 String Operations	284
7.9.18.1 String Operators	284
7.9.18.2 String Concatenation	285
7.9.18.3 String NULL Character	287
7.9.18.4 Inserting String Characters	288
7.9.18.5 Extracting String Characters	288
7.9.18.6 String Use of ASCII / ANSII Codes	288
7.9.18.7 Formatting Strings	288
7.9.18.8 Formatting String Hexadecimal Variables	289
7.9.19 Subroutines	289
7.9.20 Web Services	291
7.9.20.1 PakBus Over TCP/IP and Callback	292
7.9.20.2 Default HTTP Web Server	292
7.9.20.3 Custom HTTP Web Server	293
7.9.20.4 FTP Server	296
7.9.20.5 FTP Client	296
7.9.20.6 Telnet	296
7.9.20.7 SNMP	296
7.9.20.8 Ping (IP)	297
7.9.20.9 Micro-Serial Server	297
7.9.20.10 Modbus TCP/IP	297
7.9.20.11 DHCP	297
7.9.20.12 DNS	297
7.9.20.13 SMTP	297
7.9.20.14 HTTPS	297
7.9.21 Wind Vector	298
7.9.21.1 OutputOpt Parameters	298
7.9.21.2 Wind Vector Processing	299
7.9.21.2.1 Measured Raw Data	299
7.9.21.2.2 Calculations	300
8. Operation	305
8.1 Measurements — Details	305
8.1.1 Time Keeping — Details	305
8.1.1.1 Time Stamps	305
8.1.2 Analog Measurements — Details	307
8.1.2.1 Voltage Measurements — Details	307
8.1.2.1.1 Voltage Measurement Mechanics	307
8.1.2.1.2 Voltage Measurement Limitations	310
8.1.2.1.3 Voltage Measurement Quality	312
8.1.2.2 Thermocouple Measurements	328
8.1.2.3 Current Measurements — Details	329
8.1.2.4 Resistance Measurements — Details	329
8.1.2.4.1 Ac Excitation	334
8.1.2.4.2 Resistance Measurements — Accuracy	335
8.1.2.5 Strain Measurements — Details	336
8.1.3 Pulse Measurements — Details	337
8.1.3.1 Terminal Specific Application Notes	340
8.1.3.2 Low-Level Ac Measurements	340
8.1.3.3 High-Frequency Measurements	341
8.1.3.3.1 Frequency Resolution	341
8.1.3.3.2 Frequency Measurement Q & A	342
8.1.3.4 Switch-Closure and Open-Collector Measurements	343
8.1.3.5 Edge Timing	343
8.1.3.6 Edge Counting	344
8.1.3.7 Pulse Measurement Tips	344
8.1.3.7.1 Pay Attention to Specifications	345
8.1.3.7.2 Input Filters and Signal Attenuation	345
8.1.4 Period Averaging — Details	346
8.1.5 Vibrating-Wire Measurements — Details	347
8.1.5.1 Vspect Measurements	348
8.1.5.1.1 Quickstart	349
8.1.5.1.2 Static Vspect Measurement Theory	350
8.1.5.1.3 Vspect Connections	357
8.1.5.1.4 Vspect Programming	357
8.1.6 Reading Smart Sensors — Details	365
8.1.6.1 SDI-12 Recording	365
8.1.6.2 RS-232 and TTL	366
8.1.7 Field Calibration — Overview	366
8.1.8 Cabling Effects	367
8.1.8.1 Analog-Sensor Cables	367
8.1.8.2 Sensors Requiring Current Excitation	367
8.1.8.3 Pulse Sensors	367
8.1.8.4 RS-232 Sensors	367
8.1.8.5 SDI-12 Sensors	367
8.1.9 Synchronizing Measurements	368
8.2 Measurement and Control Peripherals — Details	369
8.2.1 Analog-Input Modules	369
8.2.2 Pulse-Input Modules	370
8.2.2.1 Low-Level Ac	370
8.2.3 Serial I/O Modules — Details	370
8.2.4 Terminal-Input Modules	370
8.2.5 Vibrating-Wire Modules	370
8.2.6 Analog-Output Modules	370
8.2.7 Control-Output Modules	371
8.2.7.1 Terminals Configured for Control	371
8.2.7.2 Relays and Relay Drivers	371
8.2.7.3 Component-Built Relays	372
8.3 Memory	373
8.3.1 Storage Media	373
8.3.1.1 Data Storage — On-board	376
8.3.1.1.1 Data Table SRAM	376
8.3.1.1.2 CPU: Drive	376
8.3.1.1.3 USR: Drive	376
8.3.1.1.4 USB: Drive	377
8.3.1.1.5 CRD: Drive	378
8.3.1.1.6 Data-File Formats	379
8.3.2 Memory Reset	383
8.3.2.1 Full Memory Reset	383
8.3.2.2 Program Send Reset	383
8.3.2.3 Manual Data-Table Reset	383
8.3.2.4 Formatting Drives	383
8.3.3 File Management	384
8.3.3.1 File Attributes	385
8.3.3.2 Files Manager	386
8.3.3.3 Data Preservation	387
8.3.3.4 External Memory Power-up	387
8.3.3.4.1 Creating and Editing Powerup.ini	388
8.3.3.5 File Management Q & A	391
8.3.4 File Names	391
8.3.5 File System Errors	391
8.3.6 Memory Q & A	392
8.4 Data Retrieval and Telecommunications — Details	393
8.4.1 Protocols	393
8.4.2 Conserving Bandwidth	393
8.4.3 Initiating Telecommunications (Callback)	394
8.5 PakBus — Details	395
8.5.1 PakBus Addresses	395
8.5.2 Nodes: Leaf Nodes and Routers	395
8.5.2.1 Router and Leaf-Node Configuration	396
8.5.3 Linking PakBus Nodes: Neighbor Discovery	397
8.5.3.1 Hello-Message	398
8.5.3.2 Beacon	398
8.5.3.3 Hello-Request	398
8.5.3.4 Neighbor Lists	398
8.5.3.5 Adjusting Links	398
8.5.3.6 Maintaining Links	398
8.5.4 PakBus Troubleshooting	399
8.5.4.1 Link Integrity	399
8.5.4.1.1 Automatic Packet-Size Adjustment	399
8.5.4.2 Ping (PakBus)	400
8.5.4.3 Traffic Flow	400
8.5.5 LoggerNet Network-Map Configuration	400
8.5.6 PakBus LAN Example	402
8.5.6.1 LAN Wiring	402
8.5.6.2 LAN Setup	402
8.5.6.3 LoggerNet Setup	405
8.5.7 Route Filters	406
8.5.8 PakBusRoutes	406
8.5.9 Neighbors	407
8.5.10 PakBus Encryption	408
8.6 Alternate Telecommunications — Details	409
8.6.1 iBus	409
8.6.2 DNP3 — Details	409
8.6.2.1 DNP3 Introduction	409
8.6.2.2 Programming for DNP3	410
8.6.2.2.1 Declarations (DNP3 Programming)	410
8.6.2.2.2 CRBasic Instructions (DNP3)	411
8.6.2.2.3 Programming for DNP3 Data Acquisition	411
8.6.3 Modbus — Details	413
8.6.3.1 Modbus Terminology	414
8.6.3.1.1 Glossary of Modbus Terms	414
8.6.3.2 Programming for Modbus	415
8.6.3.2.1 Declarations (Modbus Programming)	415
8.6.3.2.2 CRBasic Instructions (Modbus)	415
8.6.3.2.3 Addressing (ModbusAddr)	416
8.6.3.2.4 Supported Modbus Function Codes	416
8.6.3.2.5 Reading Inverse-Format Modbus Registers	416
8.6.3.3 Troubleshooting (Modbus)	417
8.6.3.4 Modbus over IP	417
8.6.3.5 Modbus Q and A	417
8.6.3.6 Converting Modbus 16-Bit to 32-Bit Longs	417
8.6.4 Web API — Details	418
8.6.4.1 Authentication	419
8.6.4.2 Command Syntax	419
8.6.4.3 Time Syntax	421
8.6.4.4 Data Management	422
8.6.4.4.1 BrowseSymbols Command	422
8.6.4.4.2 DataQuery Command	425
8.6.4.5 Control	431
8.6.4.5.1 SetValueEx Command	431
8.6.4.6 Clock Functions	433
8.6.4.6.1 ClockSet Command	433
8.6.4.6.2 ClockCheck Command	435
8.6.4.7 Files Management	437
8.6.4.7.1 Sending a File to a Datalogger	437
8.6.4.7.2 FileControl Command	438
8.6.4.7.3 ListFiles Command	440
8.6.4.7.4 NewestFile Command	444
8.7 Datalogger Support Software — Details	445
8.8 Keyboard Display — Details	446
8.8.1 Data Display	448
8.8.1.1 Real-Time Tables and Graphs	449
8.8.1.2 Real-Time Custom	449
8.8.1.3 Final-Memory Tables	451
8.8.2 Run/Stop Program	452
8.8.3 File Display	453
8.8.3.1 File: Edit	453
8.8.4 PCCard (Memory Card) Display	455
8.8.5 Ports and Status	455
8.8.6 Settings	456
8.8.6.1 Set Time / Date	456
8.8.6.2 PakBus Settings	456
8.8.7 Configure Display	457
8.9 Memory Cards and Record Numbers	457
8.10 CPI Bus and CDM Devices	458
8.11 Security — Details	458
8.11.1 Vulnerabilities	459
8.11.2 Pass-Code Lockout	460
8.11.2.1 Pass-Code Lockout By-Pass	461
8.11.3 Passwords	461
8.11.3.1 .csipasswd	462
8.11.3.2 PakBus Instructions	462
8.11.3.3 TCP/IP Instructions	462
8.11.3.4 Settings	462
8.11.4 File Encryption	462
8.11.5 Communication Encryption	463
8.11.6 Hiding Files	463
8.11.7 Signatures	463
9. Maintenance — Details	465
9.1 Moisture Protection	465
9.2 Replacing the Internal Battery	465
9.2.1 Replacing the Internal Battery	466

Match case Limit results 1 per page

Section 8.

Operation

The following topics discuss methods of generally improving voltage

measurements.

Related information for special case voltage measurements

(

thermocouples

(p. 328),

current loops,

resistance

(p. 329),

and

strain

(p. 336))

is located

in sections for those measurements.

Single-Ended or Differential?

Deciding whether a differential or single-ended measurement is appropriate is

usually, by far, the most important consideration when addressing voltage

measurement quality.

The decision requires trade-offs of accuracy and precision,

noise cancelation, measurement speed, available measurement hardware, and

fiscal constraints.

In broad terms, analog voltage is best measured differentially because these

measurements include noise reduction features, listed below, that are not included

in single-ended measurements.

•

Passive Noise Rejection

No voltage reference offset

Common-mode noise rejection

Rejects capacitively coupled noise

•

Active Noise Rejection

Input reversal

Review

Input and Excitation Reversal

(p. 325)

for details

Increases by twice the input reversal signal integration time

Reasons for using single-ended measurements, however, include:

•

Not enough differential terminals available.

Differential measurements use

twice as many

terminals as do single-ended measurements.

•

Rapid sampling is required.

Single-ended measurement time is about half

that of differential measurement time.

•

Sensor is not designed for differential measurements.

Many Campbell

Scientific sensors are not designed for differential measurement, but the draw

backs of a single-ended measurement are usually mitigated by large

programmed excitation and/or

sensor output voltages.

Sensors with a high signal-to-noise ratio, such as a relative-humidity sensor with a

full-scale output of 0 to 1000 mV, can normally be measured as single-ended

without a significant reduction in accuracy or precision.

Sensors with a low signal-to-noise ratio, such as thermocouples, should normally

be measured differentially.

However, if the measurement to be made does not

require high accuracy or precision, such as thermocouples measuring brush-fire

temperatures, which can exceed 2500 °C, a single-ended measurement may be

appropriate.

If sensors require differential measurement, but adequate input

terminals are not available, an analog multiplexer should be acquired to expand

differential input capacity.

Refer to the appendix

Analog Multiplexers

(p. 596)

for

information concerning available multiplexers.

Because a single-ended measurement is referenced to CR6 ground, any difference

in ground potential between the sensor and the CR6 will result in an error in the

measurement.

For example, if the measuring junction of a copper-constantan

thermocouple being used to measure soil temperature is not insulated, and the

313