{"id":1422,"date":"2018-12-18T21:10:53","date_gmt":"2018-12-19T05:10:53","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-05-23T15:21:31","modified_gmt":"2025-05-23T22:21:31","slug":"1422","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/1422","title":{"rendered":"Vernier Photogate (VPG-BTD) Troubleshooting and FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"\/product\/photogate\/\">Photogate<\/a> (<nobr>VPG-BTD<\/nobr>)<\/h3>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"\/manuals\/VPG-BTD\">Specifications and User Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/18343\/\">Which photogates can I use with Graphical Analysis and Graphical Analysis Pro?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/product.vpg-btd._hero.001.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Troubleshooting<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Primary Test:<\/strong> Is the shutter positioned properly? A mechanical shutter is used to block the internal gate, switching the device to laser gate mode.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Secondary Test:<\/strong> Connect the Photogate to an interface and start the data-collection program. Confirm that the Photogate has been identified by the program, and then use your hand to block and unblock the gate to confirm that the Photogate is working.<\/li>\n<li>If the Photogate is not working with your Picket Fence, make sure that the protective plastic covering the picket fence has been removed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Getting Started Documents<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are new to Photogates, we have three informative guides to help you get started. Choose the guide that matches the software you are using:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For Logger <i>Pro<\/i>\u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/d1zt81d93mquk0.cloudfront.net\/manuals\/Logger_Pro_Introduction_to_the_Vernier_Photogate.pdf\">Introduction to the Vernier Photogate<\/a><\/li>\n<li>For LabQuest App\u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/d1zt81d93mquk0.cloudfront.net\/manuals\/LabQuest_Introduction_to_the_Vernier_Photogate.pdf\">LabQuest &#8211; Introduction to the Vernier Photogate<\/a><\/li>\n<li>For Graphical Analysis\u2014<a href=\"\/til\/4313\/\">How do I set up wired Vernier Photogates (VPG-BTD) for data collection using Graphical Analysis and Graphical Analysis Pro?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Additional Troubleshooting<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/3328\/\">How do I set up wired Vernier Photogates (VPG-BTD) for data collection with Logger <i>Pro<\/i> 3?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/3329\/\">How do I set up wired Vernier Photogates (VPG-BTD) for data collection using LabQuest App?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/1360\/\">Why does my Vernier Photogate (VPG-BTD) not respond to block\/unblock events?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/14849\/\">Why is it that my photogate (VPG-BTD) seems to respond (LED works), but I get no response in the program?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/3364\/\">How do I set up Vernier Photogates (VPG-BTD) for data collection in a projectile motion experiment?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2667\/\">Can I use Vernier Photogates (VPG-BTD) with TI calculators?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2175\/\">How do you measure acceleration using Vernier Photogates (VPG-BTD)?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/1141\/\">How does Logger <i>Pro<\/i> calculate velocity and acceleration from photogate data?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/1279\/\">Why doesn't my Vernier Photogate (VPG-BTD) auto-ID?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2120\/\">How can I collect data from a photogate and a motion detector data at the same time in Logger <i>Pro<\/i>?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/1467\/\">What is the timing precision of photogate measurements?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2195\/\">Can I use a photogate to record animal movements?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2507\/\">How can I use a photogate to count events?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/1596\/\">Why do I get no photogate data when also using an analog sensor?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2620\/\">What nut size will work with the accessory rod that comes with photogates and force sensors?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2698\/\">Why does my data table have holes (empty cells) in it?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2968\/\">Why won't my Motion Detector (or other digital sensor) plug into the channels of my LabQuest 2?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/3212\/\">Can I use a photogate to measure the muzzle velocity from a gun or air cannon?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/3862\/\">How do I collect data using a Motion Encoder and a photogate simultaneously?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/4135\/\">Can you trigger a photogate with a green laser?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/3435\/\">Can I measure g with a photogate and Time of Flight Pad?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/12422\/\">Can I collect data from a photogate and other digital sensor simultaneously in Logger <i>Pro<\/i>?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/18204\/\">Graphical Analysis photogate settings revert to Vernier Picket Fence settings, causing incorrect distance and velocity data.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Vernier Photogate with Picket Fence<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2311\/\">How can I use a Vernier Photogate to measure g?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2275\/\">How can I compare my g measurements to a local value and improve their accuracy?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2312\/\">Why does my photogate record a really high velocity at the beginning of a trial with a picket fence?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2074\/\">Why is my picket fence blue and black instead of clear and black?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2313\/\">How do I measure motion with a photogate using the Vernier Cart Picket Fence?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2210\/\">Does the Pasco picket fence work the same as the Vernier picket fence?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2170\/\">What are the dimensions of the cart picket fence? <\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2936\/\">Why does the Cart Picket Fence edge get detected by a photogate?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Connecting photogates to lab equipment<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/17104\/\">How do I attach a photogate to a track?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/2076\/\">How do I attach a Photogate and Ultra Pulley to the end of a Vernier Track?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/til\/15443\/\">How do I attach an Ultra Pulley to the end of a Vernier Track?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Specifications<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Power requirements: 5 VDC at 40 mA<\/li>\n<li>Infrared source: Peak at 880 nm<\/li>\n<li>Output is high and LED off for unblocked gate<\/li>\n<li>Output is low and LED on for blocked gate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Calibration<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is not necessary to calibrate this sensor.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Products<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/bt-photogate-cable\/\">BT Photogate Cable<\/a> (<nobr>PG-BTD<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/digital-extension-cable\/\">Digital Extension Cable<\/a> (<nobr>EXT-BTD<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/ultra-pulley-attachment\/\">Ultra Pulley Attachment<\/a> (<nobr>SPA<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/pulley-bracket\/\">Pulley Bracket<\/a> (<nobr>B-SPA<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/picket-fence\/\">Picket Fence<\/a> (<nobr>PF<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/cart-picket-fence\/\">Cart Picket Fence<\/a> (<nobr>PF-CART<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/photogate-bar-tape-kit\/\">Photogate Bar Tape Kit<\/a> (<nobr>TAPE-VPG<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/laser-pointer\/\">Laser Pointer<\/a> (<nobr>LASER<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/laser-pointer-stand\/\">Laser Pointer Stand<\/a> (<nobr>STAND<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/photogate-bracket\/\">Photogate Bracket<\/a> (<nobr>PGB-VDS<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/time-of-flight-pad\/\">Time of Flight Pad<\/a> (<nobr>TOF-VPL<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/product\/go-direct-photogate\/\">Go Direct<sup>&reg;<\/sup> Photogate<\/a> (<nobr>GDX-VPG<\/nobr>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">See also, <a href=\"\/til\/4197\/\">Go Direct Photogate Troubleshooting and FAQs<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Troubleshooting Getting Started Documents If you are new to Photogates, we have three informative guides to help you get started. Choose the guide that matches&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1698,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[720,275,1855,1853,1205,1281,99,1854],"class_list":["post-1422","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","tag-maintil","tag-pf","tag-pf-cart","tag-photogatemain","tag-picket-fence","tag-vpg-btd","tag-vpg-dg","tag-vpgmain"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1422","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1698"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1422"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1422\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1422"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1422"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernier.com\/til\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1422"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}