The 550 is fast, powerful, and incredibly affordable. It offers half the ports and many of the same features as our 850 Interface in a smaller package.
See the Buying Guide for this item's required, recommended, and additional accessories.
Product Summary
The 550 Universal Interface is fast, powerful, and incredibly affordable. The cost-effective 550 offers half the ports and many of the same features as our 850 Universal Interface, including both Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The 550 Universal Interface includes two PASPORT sensor ports, two digital sensor ports, two analog sensor ports, and a built-in signal generator.
The 550’s two digital inputs are compatible with all ScienceWorkshop digital sensors, as well as timing devices, and photogates. The two analog ports connect with our analog ScienceWorkshop sensors and can support a 2.0 MHz max sampling rate and 1.22 mV resolution for voltage sensing.
The 550’s built-in signal generator powers motors, speakers, circuits, and many other devices. With PASCO Capstone software and the 550, you can control various DC and AC waveforms, without requiring any other technology. The 550 provides 8V at 400 mA, selectable voltage limits, built-in voltage and current measurements, and DC offset. Capstone software turns the 550 into a live oscilloscope that can display simultaneous traces.
Beyond having USB 2.0 connectivity, the 550 can also send data wirelessly to any Bluetooth enabled computer, iPad, or Android tablet using PASCO Capstone or SPARKvue software.
Features
- USB or Bluetooth Connection
- 3.2 W power amplifier
- 2.0 MHz max sampling rate
- 100 kHz signal generator with built-in Voltage and Current sensors
- Compatible with PASPORT, ScienceWorkshop, and Wireless Sensors
- 2 high-speed analog inputs
- 2 digital inputs for photogates and other timing sensors
- 2 PASPORT sensor inputs
- Can be used simultaneously with other PASPORT interfaces
- Uses Capstone Software or SPARKvue Software
Typical Experiments
- Newton’s Laws
- Conservation of Momentum
- Brewster’s Angle
- DC and AC Circuit Analysis
- Simple Harmonic Motion Oscillator/Driver
Product Specifications
| 2 High-Speed Analog Inputs |
|
| 2 Digital Inputs |
|
| 2 PASPORT Inputs |
|
| Signal Generator |
|
Data Collection Software
This product requires PASCO software for data collection and analysis. We recommend the following option(s). For more information on which is right for your classroom, see our Software Comparison: SPARKvue vs. Capstone »
Connectivity Options
This product can connect directly to your computer or device with the following technologies. No Interface required.
- Bluetooth Classic
- Universal Serial Bus (USB)
Buying Guide
| Requires One Of These | P/N | Price |
|---|---|---|
| PASCO Capstone Software | -- | -- |
| Recommended Accessories | P/N | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Universal 550 Physics Experiment Bundle | UI-5830 | -- |
| Universal 550 Physics Experiment Manual | UI-5831 | -- |
| Voltage Sensor (shrouded) | UI-5110 | -- |
Product Guides & Articles
PASCO Interfaces Comparison
We offer a variety of interfaces with diverse applications. Some of our products, such as the PASPORT and ScienceWorkshop sensors, require an interface, while others do not. This helpful page compares interface features, applications, and connectivity to help you decide which interface will serve you best.
Temperature Sensors
Our highly affordable temperature sensors provide unparalleled convenience during any experiment by eliminating the need for manually recorded temperature data. This page contains a comparison chart for PASCO temperature sensors to help you discover what’s possible when you use a modern thermometer.
Experiment Library
Perform the following experiments and more with the 550 Universal Interface.
Visit PASCO's Experiment Library to view more activities.
Interference of Sound Waves
The purpose of this activity is to measure and analyze the behavior of two sounds that combine to produce beats. This activity also examines the relationship between the beat frequency and the frequencies of the two interfering...
Interference and Diffraction of Light
The distances between the central maximum and the diffraction minima for a single slit are measured by scanning the laser pattern with a light sensor and plotting light intensity versus distance. Also, the distance between interference...
Rotational Inertia
The purpose of this experiment is to find the rotational inertia of a ring and a disk experimentally and to verify that these values correspond to the calculated theoretical values.
General Properties of Diodes
The purpose of this experiment is to investigate the characteristic curves (I vs. V) of various types of diodes and to determine their “turn-on” voltages.
Conservation of Energy of a Simple Pendulum
The purpose of this experiment is to use measurements of the motion of a simple pendulum to calculate and compare the different types of energy present in the system.
Specific Heat
A temperature sensor is used to measure the temperature change of a volume of warm water when a cold piece of metal is placed in it. The data will be used to determine the total amount of heat transferred from the warmer water...
Introduction to Measurement
The purpose of this experiment is to measure the period of a simple pendulum and to use scientific methods to determine the relationships between the period of a pendulum and its length, its mass, and the amplitude of its motion.
Conservation of Angular Momentum
A non-rotating ring is dropped onto a rotating disk. The angular speed is measured immediately before the drop and after the ring stops sliding on the disk. The measurements are repeated with a non-rotating disk being dropped...
Ohm's Law
The purpose of this experiment is to verify Ohm’s Law for commercially manufactured resistors and to examine the limits of validity for Ohm’s Law. The behavior of resistors, a diode, and a light bulb are examined.
Light Intensity versus Distance
The relative light intensity versus distance from a point light source is plotted. As the Light Sensor is moved by hand, the string attached to the Light Sensor that passes over the Rotary Motion Sensor pulley to a hanging mass...
Speed of Sound in Air
The purpose of this activity is to measure the speed of sound in air using a tube that is closed at one end. Use a Sound Sensor to record the initial pulse of sound and its echo. Calculate the speed of sound based on the overall...
Rotational Kinetic Energy
This lab investigates the potential energies for a modified Atwood's Machine, where a disk has been added to the Rotary Motion Sensor pulley.
Support Documents
| Manuals | ||
|---|---|---|
| 550 Universal Interface Reference Guide | English - 934.44 KB | |
| Knowledge Base | ||
| Connection between Bluetooth 2.0 devices and Mac OS Monterey or Ventura | Aug 29th, 2023 | |
| How do I connect a PASCO Bluetooth 2.0 wireless interface to a Windows computer? | Apr 14th, 2022 | |
| Square Wave & Positive Square Wave not working on 850 or 550 interface in Capstone 2.0 | Apr 14th, 2022 | |
