• Go Direct Static Charge
• Low-leakage BNC/Alligator Clip Cable
• Micro USB Cable

Choose a platform below to see its compatibility requirements.

LabQuest

Interface	LabQuest App
LabQuest 3	Full support
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)	Full support 1
LabQuest (discontinued)	Incompatible

Compatibility Notes

1. Wireless connection of this sensor to a LabQuest 2 requires a Go Direct Bluetooth Adapter when used with some older LabQuest 2 models.

Computers

	Software
Interface	Graphical Analysis
No interface required	Full support 1
LabQuest 3	Full support 2
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)	Full support 2 3

Compatibility Notes

1. For Bluetooth^® connectivity, only computers running Windows 10 or Mac OS X 10.10 or newer are supported. The computer must also have a compatible Bluetooth 4.0⁺ radio.
2. Connect this sensor directly to a computer or Chromebook via a USB or wireless Bluetooth^® connection for best results. Alternatively, this sensor is fully supported when used with LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 when the LabQuest is connected to a computer or Chromebook via Wireless Data Sharing.
3. Wireless connection of this sensor to a LabQuest 2 requires a Go Direct Bluetooth Adapter when used with some older LabQuest 2 models.

Chromebook

	Software
Interface	Graphical Analysis
No interface required	Full support
LabQuest 3	Full support 1
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)	Full support 1 2

Compatibility Notes

1. Connect this sensor directly to a computer or Chromebook via a USB or wireless Bluetooth^® connection for best results. Alternatively, this sensor is fully supported when used with LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 when the LabQuest is connected to a computer or Chromebook via Wireless Data Sharing.
2. Wireless connection of this sensor to a LabQuest 2 requires a Go Direct Bluetooth Adapter when used with some older LabQuest 2 models.

iOS

	Software
Interface	Graphical Analysis	Graphical Analysis GW
No interface required	Full support	Incompatible
LabQuest 3	Full support 1 2	Full support 2
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)	Full support 1 2 3	Full support 3

Compatibility Notes

1. Connect this sensor directly to a supported mobile device via a wireless Bluetooth^® connection for best results.
2. iOS and Android^™ devices can only connect to LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 via Wireless Data Sharing.
3. Wireless connection of this sensor to a LabQuest 2 requires a Go Direct Bluetooth Adapter when used with some older LabQuest 2 models.

Android

	Software
Interface	Graphical Analysis	Graphical Analysis GW
No interface required	Full support	Incompatible
LabQuest 3	Full support 1 2	Full support 2
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)	Full support 1 2 3	Full support 2 3

Compatibility Notes

1. Connect this sensor directly to a supported mobile device via a wireless Bluetooth^® connection for best results.
2. iOS and Android^™ devices can only connect to LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 via Wireless Data Sharing.
3. Wireless connection of this sensor to a LabQuest 2 requires a Go Direct Bluetooth Adapter when used with some older LabQuest 2 models.

Python

	Software
Interface	Python
No interface required	Full support

Javascript

	Software
Interface	Javascript
No interface required	Full support

LabVIEW

	Software
Interface	NI LabVIEW
No interface required	Full support 1

Compatibility Notes

1. For Bluetooth^® connectivity, only computers running Windows 10 or Mac OS X 10.10 or newer are supported. The computer must also have a compatible Bluetooth 4.0⁺ radio.

1. Charge your sensor for at least 2 hours before first use.
2. Turn on your sensor. The LED will blink red.
3. Launch Graphical Analysis, then click Sensor Data Collection.
4. Select your sensor from the list. The sensor ID is located on the sensor label near the bar code. Note: If you don’t see a list of available sensors, click WIRELESS. After selecting your sensor, click Pair.
5. This is a multi-channel sensor. Click SENSOR CHANNELS and select the channel(s) you want to use.
6. Click DONE. You are now ready to collect data.

Using other Vernier data-collection apps or want to connect via USB?

Visit www.vernier.com/start-go-direct

Note: This sensor also works with LabQuest 2 and LabQuest 3; it does not work with the original LabQuest.

Connect Go Direct Static Charge to the included USB Charging Cable and any USB device for two hours.

You can also charge up to eight Go Direct Static Charge Sensors using our Go Direct Charge Station, sold separately (order code: GDX-CRG). An LED on each Go Direct Static Charge indicates charging status.

Charging	Orange LED next to the battery icon is solid while the sensor is charging.
Fully charged	Green LED next to the battery icon is solid when the sensor is fully charged.

Turning on the sensor	Press button once. Red LED indicator flashes when unit is on.
Putting the sensor in sleep mode	Press and hold button for more than three seconds to put into sleep mode. Red LED indicator stops flashing when sleeping.

See the following link for up-to-date connection information:

www.vernier.com/start/gdx-q

Connecting via Bluetooth

Ready to connect	Red LED next to the Bluetooth icon flashes when sensor is awake and ready to connect.
Connected	Green LED next to the Bluetooth icon flashes when sensor is connected via Bluetooth.

Connecting via USB

Connected and charging	Orange LED next to the battery icon is solid when the sensor is connected to Graphical Analysis via USB and the unit is charging. LED next to Bluetooth icon is off.
Connected, fully charged	Green LED next to the battery icon is solid when the sensor is connected to Graphical Analysis via USB and fully charged. LED next to Bluetooth icon is off.
Charging via USB, connected via Bluetooth	Orange LED next to the battery icon is solid when the sensor is charging. Green LED next to the Bluetooth icon flashes.

When two or more sensors are connected, the sensors can be identified by tapping or clicking Identify in Sensor Information.

Connect the low leakage BNC/alligator clip cable to the BNC connector on the sensor body. Prepare the sensor for data collection following the steps in the Quick Start section of this user manual.

General Tips

• When the sensor is stored, it is a good idea to clip together the wires in order to protect the sensor from high static potential that could damage the unit. Press the Reset button (Q = 0) with the red and black wires connected to a common conductor for a few seconds to zero the sensor.
• Pressing and releasing the Reset button with the clips connected to a voltage source, such as a power supply or battery, will cause an error in the reading and is not recommended, because it will short the power supply as well.
• Since the sensor is capable of measuring very small amounts of charge, it is essential to begin experiments by zeroing the sensor.
• You must be careful when handling the leads or you may alter the readings with stray charge. The insulator on the clip lead quickly becomes oily from handling, and fingers often carry small amounts of charge at high potential that can easily leak through the insulator and affect your reading. The best way to minimize this is by grounding your fingers, or wearing a grounding strap on your wrist, to remove any charge before releasing the positive (red) wire from its ground connection. Start recording data before removing the lead from ground so you will be aware if any stray charge accumulates before making your connection. When connecting to static sources (not a fixed voltage like a battery), the Reset button can be used while connected to a passive charge receptor. Make sure the output reads zero after reset. If it does not, re-connect the clips to a common conductor and re-zero the sensor.
• The sensor is not differential; therefore the negative (black) side is always at ground potential. The supplied cable is shielded and has a low leakage dielectric. When using other cables, the unit should be tested to make sure the cable does not allow excessive leakage currents.
• The negative (black) wire is the ground connection. The effects of stray static charges will be minimized by connecting the black lead to a metal ground plane below your experiment, such as a sheet of aluminum foil or a baking pan.
• Synthetic clothing can carry significant charge, as can the experimenter’s body. Grounding the experimenter by using a ground strap on one wrist will help. Wearing all cotton clothing can also help.
• When not using a Faraday Pail and ground plane, it helps to connect a metal cup to the positive (red) wire. This cup adds negligible capacitance to the system, but makes it easy to see induced or deposited charges. Insulate the cup from the ground plane using a glass jar or beaker. Plastic does not work well because it will accumulate stray charge quickly.
• Complete all experiments quickly. Due to leakage currents in the cable and apparatus, the reading will rarely be reliable after 15 seconds.

Tips for Use with a Faraday Pail and Ground Plane

• Use of this sensor is simplified with the aid of a Faraday pail and ground plane such as found in the Vernier Electrostatics Kit (ESK-CRG).
• Since the sensor is capable of measuring very small amounts of charge, it is important to begin experiments by zeroing (resetting) the sensor. Simply press the Reset (Q=0) button on the sensor for a few seconds to zero the equipment. (Pressing the Reset button internally shorts the wires, shorts the internal input capacitor, and the internal integrator capacitor.)
• The sensor should be zeroed after initial power up and before collecting data.
• During data collection, monitor the sensor reading. If an excess charge develops on the sensor, zero the sensor prior to a new data-collection run.

Experiment Ideas

• Use the sensor with a Faraday pail to investigate charging by induction. Bring a charged object near the pail. What charge is measured? Ground the pail and remove the charged object. What charge is measured?
• Use a Faraday pail to investigate charging by contact. Do this by dropping a charged object into the can. All of the charge on the object will be transferred to or induced in the can.
• Without a grounding strap, scuff your feet on carpet or pull off a sweater. Hold your hand near a Faraday pail. Do you induce a charge? What sign? Does a ground strap remove or reduce this effect?
• Charge various objects and determine the sign of the charge.
• Measure how quickly objects lose charge. Plot the charge as a function of time; this will take some minutes on a dry day.
• Use Go Direct Static Charge and Faraday pail to observe the separation of charge when two strips of invisible tape are pulled apart. On two 3-inch pieces of tape, make a tab by folding over the top of each. Stick the combination to the table top. Pull the combination off the table and run your thumb or finger along the smooth side of the tape to neutralize the combination. Then pull the top strip off the bottom strip. Individually insert each strip into the Faraday pail to measure the charge. Simultaneously insert them in the pail to measure the charge.
• Charge a Faraday pail by contact on the inside; add more charge. How much charge can you add from the inside of the can? Can you add as much from the outside? More? Less? Investigate.
• Use a second pail (not connected to the red lead as a detector) and charge it by induction. Do this by charging an insulating object, holding it inside the pail (inducing a charge on the outside of the can) and then briefly grounding the pail. Remove the charged insulator and you’ve got a charged pail. Measure the charge by testing it by induction or by touching it to the inside of the detector pail.

Many of these tips are based on suggestions from Robert Morse, PhD.

Channels

Go Direct Static Charge has two measurement channels:

• Charge—The default channel that is active when the sensor is connected is Charge. This channel is calibrated in nanocoulombs and has a range of ±100 nanocoulombs.
• Potential—An alternative to measuring charge is measuring the difference of potential between the red and black alligator clips. The sensor compares the potential of the red clip to the assumed ground potential of the black clip.

You do not need to calibrate Go Direct Static Charge. We have set the sensor to match our stored calibration before shipping it.

Range:	±100 nC (±10 V)
Maximum input:	±150 V
Typical bias input current:	±0.003 pA
Instrument time constant:	0.1 s
USB specification:	USB 2.0 full speed
Wireless specification:	Bluetooth v4.2
Maximum wireless range:	30 m (unobstructed)
Battery:	300 mAh Li-Poly Rechargeable
Battery life (single full charge):	About 24 hours continuous data collection
Battery life (long term):	About 300 full charge cycles (several years, depending on usage)

Clean the sensor with a soft, damp cloth.

Battery Information

Go Direct Static Charge contains a small lithium-ion battery. The system is designed to consume very little power and not put heavy demands on the battery. Although the battery is warranted for one year, the expected battery life should be several years. Replacement batteries are available from Vernier (order code: GDX‑BAT‑300).

Storage and Maintenance

To store Go Direct Static Charge for extended periods of time, put the device in sleep mode by holding the button down for at least three seconds. The red LED will stop flashing to show that the unit is in sleep mode. Over several months, the battery will discharge but will not be damaged. After such storage, charge the device for at least two hours, and the unit will be ready to go.

Exposing the battery to temperatures over 35°C (95°F) will reduce its lifespan. If possible, store the device in an area that is not exposed to temperature extremes.

Water Resistance

Go Direct Static Charge is not water resistant and should never be immersed in water.

If water gets into the device, immediately power the unit down (press and hold the power button for more than three seconds). Disconnect the sensor and charging cable, and remove the battery. Allow the device to dry thoroughly before attempting to use the device again. Do not attempt to dry using an external heat source.

Go Direct Static Charge is an extremely high impedance voltage sensor with a 0.01 μF capacitor in series with the input. The capacitor will accumulate charge until the source’s voltage is reached, i.e. equilibrium is achieved. Small amounts of charge can be measured even though their initial potential is higher than the input range of the sensor. The input circuit also includes a 1 MΩ resistor in series with the capacitor to protect the unit from large current surges. When connected by USB to a computer or to a data-collection interface connected to AC power, the negative polarity (black) input wire is grounded to Earth.

For additional troubleshooting and FAQs, see www.vernier.com/til/9652

If you have followed the troubleshooting steps and are still having trouble with your Go Direct Static Charge, contact Vernier Technical Support at support@vernier.com or call 888-837-6437. Support specialists will work with you to determine if the unit needs to be sent in for repair. At that time, a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number will be issued and instructions will be communicated on how to return the unit for repair.

Item	Order Code
Electrostatics Kit	ESK-CRG
High-Voltage Electrostatics Kit	HVEK-CRG
Electrostatic High-Voltage Genecon	HVEK-GEN
Micro USB Cable	CB-USB-MICRO
USB-C to Micro USB cable	CB-USB-C-MICRO
Go Direct 300 mAh Replacement Battery	GDX-BAT-300

Warranty information for this product can be found on the Support tab at www.vernier.com/gdx-q/#support

General warranty information can be found at www.vernier.com/warranty