iSP String Pot Displacement Sensor
String Potentiometers are variable resistors with a spring loaded string that can be pulled out to measure displacements. The resistance of the device changes depending on how much displacement is applied to the string. These are used typically to measure large displacements for e.g. to measure the movement of Ailerons, Rudders, Flaps and other parts that are used to control and navigate aircraft.
How Does the String Potentiometer Work?
These string pots have a simple three wire output configuration: Power - DC Voltage, Ground, and Output Voltage.
In a typical application the user will supply 5V DC to the sensor and you will get an output voltage typically between 0 and 5 V from zero to full scale displacements. If you supply 10 V, the output voltage will be between 0 and 10 V. The output varies linearly with displacement and hence a simple linear equation can be used to compute the displacement measured by measuring the change in voltage output. The unit comes uncalibrated. Please add ACAL*Disp calibration service to get voltage as a function of displacement.
These string pots can be used in standalone analog mode (with a DC power supply) or can be combined with our DI-1000U-5V or DI-1000ZP-5V 24-bit Digital Interface to get either USB or Wireless output directly on your PC using our SensorVUE software. Please add DCAL*Disp calibration service to get calibrated values as a function of displacement.
Highlights
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Capacities
String pots are available in 12.5 inches, 25 inches, 50 inches and 80 inch ranges -
Calibration
iSP comes uncalibrated. Please add ACAL*Disp calibration service to get voltage as a function of displacement or add DCAL*Disp calibration service to get calibrated digital values as a function of displacement. -
Accuracy Class & Compensated Temperature Range
+/- 1% Full Scale -
USB & Wireless Output
USB output with DI-1000U-5V interfaces
Wireless output with DI-1000ZP-5V or DI-1000WiFi-5V or DI-1000BLE-5V interfaces, come with a rechargeable battery
iSP String Pot Displacement Sensor Quick Links
iSP to SensorVUE Configuration with USB Output
For USB output, the iSP sensor should be mated and calibrated with the DI-1000U-5V USB sensor interface. A data port on the unit allows one to get data via a USB (serial) connection into our SensorVUE program on a PC to display, log and plot the displacement values easily. You can also write your own code to access values from the interface using simple ASCII commands.
Kit Includes:
iSP Displacement Sensor
DI-1000U-5V Digital Interface
Cables for USB Data Acquisition
SensorVUE Software
iSP to SensorVUE Configuration with Wireless Output
You can combine any of the wireless load cell interfaces with the displacement measurement sensor as shown below to quickly put together a system that allows you to measure displacements on a PC wirelessly. Our SensorVUE solution allows you to display, log and plot data from string pots with user selectable time intervals. The DI-1000ZP wireless interface comes with a rechargeable battery for truly cordless operation up to 1000 feet away from a PC.
SensorVUE Software
Our SensorVUE software allows you to mix and match different kinds of sensors and display, log and plot all of them within a single interface. It can handle force and displacement sensors simultaneously as shown below. It can not only show multiple force sensors and one displacement sensors as a Value vs. Time plot, but in additional it can also plot Force vs. Displacement plots and allow a user to characterize material properties! This allows you to create a simple, inexpensive self made universal testing machine at a much lower cost than what one can purchase it for in the market.
Force and Displacement with USB Output
iSP can be used with a force sensor to receive displacement and force data simultaneously. The force sensor is connected to a digital USB interface (DI-1000U) that connects to the PC. The displacement sensor is connected to another USB interface (DI-1000U-5V) that also connects to the same PC.
Our SensorVUE software running on the PC receives data from both the force sensor and displacement sensor and displays, logs, and plots the data simultaneously.
Force and Displacement Configuration with Wireless Output
You can combine any of the wireless load cell solution we offer with a wireless displacement measurement solution as shown below to quickly put together a system that allows you to simultaneously measure both force and displacement on a PC wirelessly. Our SensorVUE solution allows you to display, log and plot data from both force and string pots within a single program and a single log file with user selectable time intervals. The DI-1000ZP wireless interface comes with a rechargeable battery for truly cordless operation up to 1000 feet away from a PC.
SensorVUE Software Force, Displacement, and Time
Our SensorVUE software allows you to mix and match different kinds of sensors and display, log and plot all of them within a single interface. It can handle force and displacement sensors simultaneously as shown below. It can not only show multiple force sensors and one displacement sensors as a Value vs. Time plot, but in additional it can also plot Force vs. Displacement plots and allow a user to characterize material properties! This allows you to create a simple, inexpensive self made universal testing machine at a much lower cost than what one can purchase it for in the market.
Force vs Displacement
Force and Displacement vs Time
Alternative Displacement Sensors
Apart from iSP, we offer two other kinds of displacement sensors - iDisp, digital gage and iLVDT, linear potentiometer.
iLVDT
Linear Potentiometer
Capacities: 10 mm to 100 mm
Accuracy Class: + 1% of full scale
USB or Wireless
Watch and Learn
FAQ
The iSP is a moderate accuracy displacement sensor that can be used to measure relative displacements with +/- 1% of full scale. Our offering provides a USB or wireless interface modules that make it easy to connect with a PC and display, log and plot data.
The iSP is based on the principle of variable resistance. When a voltage, 5V DC is applied to it, then the output varies between 0-5 V DC proportional to the displacement.
The iLVDT is a linear variable displacement transducer that operates on the principle of a variable resistance sensor. It comes in ranges up to a range of 0-100 mm maximum displacement with an accuracy of +/- 1% of full scale. The iSP is a string pot sensor with a range of as high as 80 inches with an accuracy of +/- 1% of full scale. The iDisp comes in a maximum of 0-60 mm range but with +/- 0.0015 mm accuracy and is best used in applications that needs high accuracy and repeatability of results with a spring loaded stylus.
The iSP is compatible with our DI-1000U-5V for USB output and DI-1000ZP/DI-BLE/DI-WiFi wireless interfaces. Use it with SensorVUE or ControlVUE software for displaying, logging, and plotting data.
The iSP sensor (only) comes uncalibrated. Please add ACAL*Disp calibration service to get voltage as a function of displacement or add DCAL*Disp calibration service to get calibrated values as a function of displacement.
You can register on our website, login and see all prices, download spec sheets and solid models. You can also send us an email with your contact information and shipping address and we will be happy to send you a formal quote with a lead time. Typically we need about 2-3 weeks to ship this product.
We give you a 30 day guiarantee for you purchase. You can exchange or return your purchased products for a refund of the purchase price of the product. Any calibration service fees, shipping and payment fees cannot be refunded. Feel free to try out our products risk free and see for yourself how easy we make it for you!
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