BARTINGTON INSTRUMENTS
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21. Troubleshooting
21.1. No Push-Button Operation
If the meter continues to recycle, check the M-Z toggle switch is in the centre position.
Otherwise, suspect a cable or sensor fault: try alternative cables or sensor.
21.2. Large Variations in Measured Values
The main causes of a wide spread in the measured values are:
Cause
Solution
External interference from RF sources such
as fluorescent lighting, welding equipment,
radio transmitters, mobile phones,
transformers in nearby equipment, etc.
Try new location or shield the sensor.
The sensor is too close to a conducting
metal object or surface such as a metal
bench top or components.
Move away.
Low battery voltage.
Completely discharge the battery and
recharge for 48 hours whilst switched off.
Run with mains adaptor connected.
Replace battery.
21.3. Serial Communications Problems
If problems are experienced with serial RS-232 communications between the MS2 meter and a
PC running Multisus2 or GeoLab, check the following:
1. Power save.
If the PC is a laptop, turn off all power-saving features as they may cause the
interface to close while waiting for a reading from the MS2 meter. There may be power save
features in the PC and in Windows.
2. RS-232-USB converters.
If an RS-232 to USB converter is used, check that the USB
connection is recognised by the PC, and check the number of the com port allocated to the
converter by Windows. This may vary each time the PC is used depending on the number
of other devices connected. Details can be found in the Device Manager of your computer's
Windows Control Panel. Ensure latest drivers are installed.
3. Receive and Transmit Buffers.
The MS2 meter uses single characters to trigger the
measurements. Any buffers in the PC communications port may inhibit this operation.
