The diagram below shows the specific parts of the sensor. Read further to explore the functionality of each part of the sensor.




  1. On/Off Switch
  2. USB Port
  3. Connection socket to attach Light Gates together
  4. Unique ID Number
  5. Status Indicator
  6. Laser Gate
  7. Laser Gate Indicator
  8. A – Transmitter
  9. B – Transmitter
  10. A – Receiver and indicator
  11. B – Receiver and indicator
  12. Mounting Rod connection
  13. Spoked Pulley Wheel Connection

On/Off Switch  (1)

The sensor's on/off switch allows you to turn the sensor on, off or perform a hard reset.

USB Port (2)

Use to connect to a computer or a charging unit.


For specific USB or Bluetooth connectivity instructions, please see the 'Connectivity' section of this documentation. 


For instructions on charging your device, see the section on 'Charging the Sensor'. 

Connection socket to attach Light Gates together (3)

A Jack plug connection lead is supplied with each Light Gate, this is used to connect two Light Gates together when you want a physical separation using two Light Gates.

Unique ID Number (4)


All Smart Wireless Sensors are labelled with a unique ID number. This number is used in the EasySense app, so that you can identify each sensor when making a connection wirelessly.

The Status Indicators (5)


The sensor features a single status indicator that changes colour and flashes. See the table below for further information.


Status Light

Indicates

No light

The sensor is Off. Short press the On/Off switch

Blue flashing

The sensor is On and advertising Bluetooth

White flashing

Charging via USB mains charger or USB port,

Sensor is On and Bluetooth advertising

Red, Green, Blue Flashing

Charging via USB mains charger or USB port,

Sensor is Off

Green flashing

Communication with the EasySense app (via USB or Bluetooth) established

Solid Green

Fully charged

Orange flashing

Recording data, a fast pulse indicates awaiting trigger in Remote Mode 

Red flashing

Battery is low

Laser Guide (6)

This can be used with any laser, when using a larger object that will not fit between the Light Gate transmitter and receiver (a laser is not supplied with the light gate).

Laser Gate Indicator (7)

This will show a green light when the laser has been detected and will turn red when an object breaks the laser beam.

A – Transmitter (8)

This is where the infrared beam for A starts. A measurement should be taken if needed for distance.

B – Transmitter (9)

This is where the infrared beam for B starts. A measurement should be taken if needed for distance.

A – Receiver and Indicator (10)

This is where the infrared beam for A ends. A red light will appear when the beam has been broken.

B – Receiver and Indicator (11)

This is where the infrared beam for B ends. A red light will appear when the beam has been broken.

Mounting Rod Connection (12)

This is used to secure the metal mounting rod bar which can then be used in the boss on a retort stand.

Spoked Pulley Connection (13)

A spoked pulley can be purchased separately (product number 3177) and secured here. The spoked pulley will block the infrared beam of the Light Gate as it rotates and can therefore be used for continuous recording of time/distance, time/velocity and time/acceleration relationships. (A spoked pulley is not supplied with a Light Gate)

To switch the sensor off

  • Press and hold down the On/Off switch until the white light shows, then release.
  • If not communicating with the EasySense app, the sensor will turn off after a period of one hour of inactivity. 

Hard resetting the sensor

  • If necessary, attach the sensor to power.
  • Press and hold down the On/Off button for at least eight seconds until the status LED gives a flash of blue light, then release.
  • If the sensor fails to respond, contact Product Support at Data Harvest. Please provide details of:  
    • The computer platform it is being used with and the EasySense app’s version number.
    • A description of the problem being encountered. 


The Sensor and EasySense 

Please make sure that you use the latest release of the EasySense series of software. Both collection and analysis of data is available here, on a variety of operating systems.


Direct Data Logging 

The sensor is designed to work directly with EasySense (as an installed application or PWA). A full compliment of experiments can be run by using the sensor through BluetoothTM or USB. EasySense will support direct logging and data storage when connected as above.  


Remote Data Logging 

The ability to capture data independently (free of a capture station) is done through EasySense’s Remote Mode. 


This facility may be found in EasySense, under Setup. Once the conditions for data collection have been established, the sensor can be set to initiate collection for example, using a rapid press of the power button. Initiation of the experimental data collection by the software is followed by remote detachment; collection is then on the sensor. 


Data gathering is realised by using Setup once again. 


Details are given in the latest EasySense User Guide.