ADInstruments PowerLab/16SP, Owner'S Manual

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Chapter 1 — Overview 3
appropriate mains power voltage set, at either 100–120 volts or
220–240 volts. The setting is indicated at the right of the back
panel of the unit, beneath the power switch.
If anything is missing, or the PowerLab seems to be damaged in any
way, or if no voltage, or the wrong voltage, is shown on the back
panel of the unit, contact your authorised ADInstruments distributor
immediately, and describe the problem. Arrangements can be made
to replace or repair the PowerLab. (Up-to-date contact addresses are
available in the software — see Appendix B in one of the software
user’s guides for details.)
The PowerLab System
The PowerLab system is an integrated system of hardware and
software designed to record, display, and analyse experimental data.
The hardware consists of the PowerLab recording unit and possible
ancillary devices (front-ends); the software consists of the application
programs (such as Chart and Scope) that run on the computer to
which the PowerLab is connected.
Your
SP
series PowerLab has considerable computing power of its
own and performs many tasks that are necessary during data
recording. Once the PowerLab transfers the data to the computer, the
data are available for display, manipulation, printing, storage, and
retrieval. The PowerLab/4
SP
has four inputs for recording external
signals, the PowerLab/8
SP
has eight, and the PowerLab/16
SP
has 16.
Computer Requirements
Computer requirements for both Windows and Macintosh depend on
whether you connect your /4
SP
, /8
SP
or /16
SP
PowerLab unit to your
computer using a SCSI or a USB interface. SCSI allows faster transfer
rates, but is less straightforward to use.
Windows
• A computer with a Pentium processor or better
• 32 MB free RAM (48 MB for Windows NT or 2000)
Figure 1–1
The voltage rating on the back
panel of the PowerLab
Check the voltage rating
beneath the power switch