012-08402A

Instruction Sheet
for the PASCO
Model CI-6561

Carbon Dioxide Sensor

probe
bottle

stopper

Carbon Dioxide Sensor

Introduction Equipment included:

The Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Gas Sensor measures • Carbon Dioxide Sensor (CI-6561)
carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere or an • Bottle (721-003)
enclosed space, such as a terrarium. The sensing
element uses NDIR (non-dispersive infrared) Additional equipment required:
technology . • ScienceWorkshop® interface
• DataStudio software (version 1.8.0 or later)
The sensor consists of an infrared (IR) source and an
IR thermopile element. The thermopile element is
Suggested Applications
covered with a narrow band filter that only passes IR
energy at 4.27 microns; a wavelength that is absorbed • Plant respiration vs. photosynthesis
by the CO2 gas. As CO2 concentration increases, the • Cellular respiration
IR energy ‘seen’ by the thermopile decreases. The • Animal respiration
relationship between the CO2 gas concentration and • Air quality evaluations
the absorption of IR energy is similar to that of Beer’s • Sublimation of solid CO2
Law. • Rate of CO2 generation in reactions
• Decomposition of organic materials in soils
Although calibration of the Carbon Dioxide Sensor is
• Measurement of carbon dioxide concentration from
generally not required, a calibration button allows various sources, such as from a greenhouse, expired
users the option of calibrating. A selectable switch on air before and after exercise, automobile exhaust
top of the sensor allows the user to select between two emissions, or various locations in a city.
ranges: 0 to 10,000 and 0 to 100,000 ppm.
Carbon Dioxide Sensor 012-08402A

Equipment Setup Calibration Procedure for the Carbon

1. Use the supplied bottle to collect a sample of Dioxide Sensor
carbon dioxide gas. Insert the sensor probe with
stopper into the bottle. Calibration of the CI-6561 Carbon Dioxide Sensor is
not required, as the sensor contains a factory
2. Connect the Carbon Dioxide Sensor to an analog
calibration. If you wish better accuracy, you may
channel (A, B, or C) on a ScienceWorkshop
calibrate the sensor in typical atmospheric conditions
interface.
(around 400 ppm).
3. Open DataStudio. In the Welcome to DataStudio
window, double click “Create Experiment.” Note: Unlike most ScienceWorkshop sensors, the
Carbon Dioxide Sensor has a sensor-based calibration
4. In the Sensors list of the Experiment Setup
routine.
window, click and drag the
Carbon Dioxide Sensor icon Perform a single point calibration:
to the same analog channel
(A, B, or C) on the picture 1. Go outside and collect a sample of fresh air
of the interface. (approximately 400 ppm CO2).

5. Use the switch on the top of 2. Insert the sensor assembly and probe into the
the sensor to select a upright sampling bottle. Be sure the stopper fits
measurement range: snugly into the neck of the bottle (See Figure 2).
Figure 1: Range
10K: 0 to 10,000 ppm or Switch
100K: 0 to 100,000 ppm. 3. Bring the sensor/bottle assembly inside and connect
it to a ScienceWorkshop interface. Ensure the
6. In the Setup window, double click on the CO2
interface is turned on and connected to a computer.
Sensor icon, click on the Measurement tab, and
select the concentration range (10K or 100K). The 4. On the top of the Carbon Dioxide Sensor, move the
range is 10K by default. Click OK. range switch button to the 10K range position.
7. (Optional): To calibrate the sensor, follow the (Note: This is the default position.)
calibration instructions on this page.
5. In the DataStudio Setup window, double click on
Note: To change the sampling rate (rate of data the CO2 Sensor icon (to open the Sensor Properties
collection), use the Plus and Minus buttons in the dialog); then click on the Measurement tab, and
General tab of the Sensor Properties dialog. The select the 10K concentration range. Click OK.
sampling rate depends on the interface used. The
default rate is 1 sample/second. One sampling cycle 6. In DataStudio, open a display and click the Start
occurs every time the green light flashes. Although button to observe the carbon dioxide reading. Wait
the sample rate of the interface can be set much at least 90 seconds for the reading to stabilize.
higher, the sensor only updates once per second.
7. Press the Calibrate button on the sensor and hold
8. To collect data, open a display and click the Start for 3 seconds. The green light will stay on to
button on the main toolbar. indicate calibration has begun.
8. Wait approximately one minute. When the green
light flashes again, calibration is finished.

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012-08402A Carbon Dioxide Sensor

9. To verify the calibration, observe the sensor’s Suggested Experiment: Cellular Respiration
reading in DataStudio. The reading should be stable of Peas
at approximately 400 ppm (±50 ppm).
Equipment required: 1/4 cup of pea seeds, piece of
Note: If the sensor’s reading drifts or seems too high dark cloth, CI-6561 CO2 Gas Sensor with bottle and
or low, recalibrate. stopper, ScienceWorkshop interface, DataStudio,
Temperature Sensor (optional)
Collecting Carbon Dioxide Samples
Use the supplied sampling bottle to collect air or other 1. Connect the Carbon Dioxide Gas Sensor to a
samples, such as an atmospheric sample or the CO2 ScienceWorkshop interface.
gas produced from germinating seeds. Small amounts 2. Put the dry pea seeds into the bottle supplied with
of solid samples, such as plants or other organisms, the sensor. Insert the probe with stopper and
can be placed in the bottom of the bottle. sensor into the bottle.
3. In your data collection software, click the Start
CAUTION: Do not try to remove the probe button to take a reading of the concentration of
from the sensor. The probe is not removable.
carbon dioxide gas in the bottle. Record data for
To collect an atmospheric sample: When collecting about 10 minutes; this is the baseline reading
air, keep the bottle upright and the neck open (without before germination.
the stopper). Wait long enough to allow atmospheric 4. Disconnect the sensor from the sensor/bottle
air to fill the bottle. Insert assembly.
the probe with stopper
5. Moisten the peas with a few teaspoons of water.
into the top neck of the
Place a dark cloth over the bottle, and allow the
bottle. Ensure the stopper
peas to germinate in the bottle overnight.
fits snugly into the neck
of the bottle before taking 6. Following germination, reconnect the sensor to the
a reading. interface and click the Start button. Monitor the
CO2 gas reading for about 10 minutes.
To collect expired air or
CAUTION: Do not allow the probe or sensor
other gas samples:
assembly to get wet at any time!
Collect the sample in a
plastic bag and clamp the 7. Compare the rate of carbon dioxide generation
Figure 2: Sensor
bag. To take a reading, placement in bottle before and after germination. Explain your results.
unclamp the bag and What is causing the change in carbon dioxide
immediately place the concentration?
plastic bag over the probe and stopper. In some cases, 8. (Optional): Repeat step 6 with the bottle placed in
a valve, tubing with stopcock, or chamber may be water baths of different temperatures.
necessary to prevent atmospheric gas from entering
Note: If you have a Temperature Sensor or
the bag and mixing with the collected sample.
thermometer available, you can monitor both the CO2
and temperature every 5 minutes for 20 minutes.

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Carbon Dioxide Sensor 012-08402A

Sample Data/Results Limited Warranty

PASCO scientific warrants the product to be free from
Germinating data
defects in materials and workmanship for a period of
one year from the date of shipment to the customer.
germinating peas at PASCO will repair or replace, at its option, any part of
room temperature
the product which is deemed to be defective in
material or workmanship. The warranty does not
chilled peas
(germinated)
cover damage to the product caused by abuse or
improper use. Determination of whether a product
failure is the result of a manufacturing defect or
improper use by the customer shall be made solely by
PASCO scientific. Responsibility for the return of
equipment for warranty repair belongs to the
customer. Equipment must be properly packed to
prevent damage and shipped postage or freight
Respiration data
prepaid. (Damage caused by improper packing of the
equipment for return shipment will not be covered by
the warranty.) Shipping costs for returning the
equipment after repair will be paid by PASCO
Sensor Specifications: scientific.
Sensor Range: 0 to 10K (0 to 10,000 ppm CO2)
Address: PASCO scientific
0 to 100K (0 to 100,000 ppm CO2)
10101 Foothills Blvd.
Resolution: 0 to 10K (5 ppm)
0 to 100K (50 ppm) Roseville, CA 95747-7100
Accuracy: 0 ppm to 10,000 ppm: 100 ppm or 10%
of value, whichever is greater Phone: (916) 786-3800
10,000 ppm to 50,000 ppm; 20% of FAX: (916) 786-8905
value e-mail: [email protected]
Over 50,000 ppm; qualitative only Web site: www.pasco.com
Repeatability: 50 ppm or 5% of value, whichever is
greater
Humidity range: 5 to 95% relative humidity; Copyright Notice
noncondensing
Temp. range: 20ºC to 30ºC The PASCO scientific 012-08402A Carbon Dioxide
Manual is copyrighted and all rights reserved.
Sensor Usage Tips: However, permission is granted to non-profit
Do not place the Carbon Dioxide Sensor in liquid educational institutions for reproduction of any part of
samples, such as water or beverages. Immersing the 012-08402A Carbon Dioxide Manual, providing
the Carbon Dioxide Sensor in liquids will the reproductions are used only for laboratories and
permanently damage the sensor. are not sold for profit. Reproduction under any other
circumstances, without the written permission of
Using the Carbon Dioxide Sensor in dusty or windy PASCO scientific, is prohibited.
environments, or in direct sunlight may cause
anomalous readings. Always store the sensor in the
plastic zip-lock bag to minimize sensor reading
distortion from the dust, dirt, etc.
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