Gas Pressure Sensor (GPS-BTA)

Specifications and User Guide

Troubleshooting

• Primary Test: Plug the sensor into a Vernier interface and run the data-collection program. The units for the default readings are kPa and they should be reasonable for the altitude at which the sensor is being used (around 101 kPa at sea-level).
• Secondary Test: Connect a 20 mL syringe, from the Accessories Kit, to the sensor. Move the plunger of the syringe inward and check that the pressure readings increase.

Additional Troubleshooting

• Can I Order Pressure Sensor Accessories Separately?
• What is the internal volume of the Gas Pressure Sensor?
• My Gas Pressure Sensor (GPS-BTA) readings are not what I expect them to be.
• I am using the Respiration Monitor Belt with Logger Pro. Why does the program always report the respiration rate as zero?
• Is there a list of chemicals that should not be used with the Gas Pressure Sensor?
• What plastic tubing is used for the Pressure Sensor Accessories Kit?
• What type of plastic is the Gas Pressure Sensor 2-Way Valve?
• Where can I find low-friction glass syringes for combined gas law experiments done with our Gas Pressure Sensor?
• What is the calibration information for the Gas Pressure Sensor?

Specifications

• Sensing Element: Honeywell SSCMRNN030PAAA5
• Pressure Range: 0 to 210 kPa (0 to 2.1 atm or 0 to 1600 mmHg)
• Maximum Pressure that the sensor can tolerate without permanent damage: 405 kPa (4 atm)
• Combined Linearity and Hystersis: typical ±0.25% at full scale
• Response Time: 10 ms
• Accuracy using factory calibration: ±4 kPa
• Accuracy using one-point custom calibration at atmosphere: ±3 kPa
• Resolution: 0.06 kPa
• Pressure Type: Absolute (Output is proportional to the difference between applied pressure and a built-in vacuum reference)
• Factory Calibrations
  ⚬ kPa: slope = 51.71; intercept = -25.86
  ⚬ atm: slope = 0.5103; intercept = -0.25
  ⚬ mm Hg: slope = 387.8; intercept = -190.4

For more on factory calibration, see What is the calibration information for the Gas Pressure Sensor?

Calibration

Caibrate? You do not have to perform a new calibration when using the Gas Pressure Sensor. The sensor is calibrated prior to shipping.

If you would like to perform your own calibration, follow the steps described here. A one-point calibration at atmosphere is adequate for most applications.

1. Connect the Gas Pressure Sensor to an interface and launch the software.
2. Initiate the calibration procedure and make sure the one-point calibration option is checked. This should be the default option.
3. Enter the actual pressure as the known value for Reading 1.
4. When the voltage reading stabilizes, click Keep.
5. If you want to save the calibration onto the sensor, click the storage tab and save to the sensor.
6. Click or tap Done to complete the calibration process.

For additional calibration information, see How do I calibrate my sensor?