Go Direct^® Energy Sensor (GDX-NRG)
Specifications and User Guide

TROUBLESHOOTING
Primary Test:

1. Make sure the load switch is in the “Internal 30 ” setting
2. Connect the sensor to a AA battery.
3. The Potential should be approximately 1.5 volts.

When connected to Graphical Analysis, Choose New from the File menu. A file should open with four graphs, potential, current, resistance and power. If this doesn’t happen, verify that you have a current version of the software.
What software do I need to use a Vernier Energy Sensor?

Secondary Test:
If the above steps are successful and the unit is still not behaving properly try the following:

1. Zero the Sensors on the Energy Sensor while shorting out the Source terminals. Remove the short.
2. Connect a known voltage source (e.g. a battery) in the 2-5V range to the Source terminals of the Energy Sensor.
3. Connect an appropriate resistor that would draw about 100 mA of current from the source, e.g. for a 3V source use a 30 Ohm resistor.
4. On LabQuest 2, the bar gauges should read the applied voltage and the appropriate current calculated from Ohm’s law. On Logger Pro the Auto ID file gauges should give these same readings.
5. If the step above is successful, the VES is operating correctly and the issue is somewhere in the components that are connected to the Energy Sensor. Double check your wiring, and make sure all connections are secure.

RELATED TIL ENTRIES
Readings from Vernier Energy Sensor are noisy.
Can I use the Vernier Energy Sensor in place of other voltage or current sensors?
Why doesn't the warning LED of my Energy Sensor come on?
Energy Sensor gives erratic readings with custom generator.

Software requirements
What software do I need to use a Vernier Energy Sensor?

BATTERY TROUBLESHOOTING
If the sensor can be turned on when connected by USB but not when disconnected from USB, it is likely that the battery just needs to be charged. In this case, charge the sensor for several hours and try again. If, however, the sensor won’t turn on regardless of whether the USB cable is connected or not, and you are confident that the USB cable is good by having tested it on another sensor, then the battery has likely reached its end of life and can no longer hold a charge. In this state, the sensor cannot be used even if connected by USB, so the battery will need to be replaced. The rechargeable battery in this sensor is covered by a one year warranty but should last two to five years in typical use. Note that if the battery is less than one year old and the sensor cannot be turned on even when connected by a working USB cable, another possibility is that the USB port is bad. In this case, contact Vernier technical support for assistance. 

SPECIFICATIONS
– Source input potential range ± 30 V
Source input current range ± 1000 mA
Linearity
Potential Sensor 0.01%
Current Sensor 0.01%
13-bit resolution (using SensorDAQ)
Potential Sensor 0.008 V
Current Sensor 0.26 mA
12-bit resolution (using LabPro, LabQuest interface – all models, TI-Nspire Lab Cradle)
Potential Sensor 0.016 V
Current Sensor 0.52 mA

Input impedance
Potential Sensor > 2 MΩ
Insertion resistance
Current Sensor 0.1 Ω

Frequency response
Potential Sensor –3 dB @ 160 Hz
Current Sensor –3 dB @ 160 Hz

RELATED VERNIER PRODUCTS
Vernier Variable Load (VES-VL)
Vernier Resistor Board (VES-RB)