To get the most accurate readings from the Voltage Probe, when measuring the half cell potential in a chemistry experiment (such as Lab 28 from CwV) or from a standard dry cell battery, you should zero the probe. There is a specific process for zeroing a voltage probe; please follow these steps:
Logger Pro 3
1) Connect the Voltage Probe through an interface such as: LabPro, Go! Link, LabQuest Mini, or LabQuest and start the data-collection program.
NOTE: On the default screen of Logger Pro 3, you may see a meter reading of ~3 V. This reading is not valid and should be considered to be only confirmation that the probe is operating properly.
2) Clip the red and black leads of the Voltage Probe together. The meter reading will drop to a value below ~0.1 V, which is normal behavior.
3) Open the Experiment menu and choose Zero. After the sensor has been zeroed, the meter reading will be 0.00 V (or very, very close to 0.00 V). You are now ready to measure potential.
LabQuest App
1) Connect the Voltage Probe to LabQuest and start the data-collection program.
2) Clip the red and black leads of the Voltage Probe together. The meter reading will drop to a value below ~0.1 V, which is expected behavior.
3) Choose Zero from the Sensors menu. After the probe is zeroed, the meter reading will be approximately 0.00 V. You are now ready to measure potential.
Graphical Analysis and Graphical Analysis Pro
1) Connect the Voltage Probe according to the Getting Started section of the product’s user manual (See https://www.vernier.com/support/manuals/)
2) Clip the red and black leads of the Voltage Probe together. The meter reading will drop to a value below ~0.1 V, which is expected behavior.
3) Click the live readouts meter and choose Zero. After the probe is zeroed, the meter reading will be approximately 0.00 V. You are now ready to measure potential.
TWO IMPORTANT POINTS
A) If you exit and restart the program, you will need to zero the Voltage Probe again
B) Zero the probe only when the red and black leads are connected together.