Mastech MS2115B clamp meter with USB port - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: paulb
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 11, 2021, 12:41:22 am
content: I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with SmuView or PulseView. I have a Mastech MS2115B clamp meter which came with a utility called PCLink which when connected to a PC running the utility can display voltage and current waveforms over time. I was hoping that I could produce more detailed waveforms that would clearly show inrush current and started looking around to see if any other software was compatible with the MS2115B.I found PulseViewhttps://sigrok.org/wiki/Downloadsand SmuViewhttps://knarfs.github.io/doc/smuview/0.0.4/manual.html#installation. I have downloaded and installed them both on Windows 7 and 10 and also tried the appimage file on a Linux PC.In each instance I am unable to get the PC's to detect the clamp meter. The MS2115B is compatible with the version of PulseView I have been trying which can be displayed via the Settings tab. But when the application opens it displays a window asking what interface is being used e.g. USB, TCP/IP etc and also requesting that a driver be selected, but I believe that as the MS2115B is incorporated in the software this window shouldn’t appear when the application is opened. When SmuView is opened it prompts with a similar window but the driver dropdown list shows the MS2115B but selecting it does not enable a connection to the clamp meter.Am I missing something?

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2021, 07:30:59 am
content: Yes: Sigrok (Pulseview) needs libusb compatible USB access for all devices it controls. On Linux or OSX that's the normal state of affairs, so stuff 'just works', but Widows drivers don't (normally) support libusb. You can use theZadigdriver installer that came with Windows Sigrok to install a libusb compatible driver, but depending on the driver chosen, that may prevent the native windows software from seeing the device. N.B. make a note of which USB port your device is on as moving it will almost invariably create another instance, which is likely to default to its native Windows driver, stopping Sigrok seeing it again.

author: paulb
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 12, 2021, 06:06:16 am
content: Thanks for your reply. I'm obviously not understanding something here. You mention that with Linux it should just work and I must confess I am not strong on Linux but enjoy experimenting with it. I have installed Kubuntu 18.04 64 bit on another PC and downloaded the PulseView nightly 64 bit AppImage file. The Kubuntu InfoCenter details a CP2102 USB to UART Bridge Controller when the clamp meter is connected. With the clamp meter connected and powered on opening PulseView the application displays the "Demo Device". Selecting "Connect to Device" produces the "Choose the driver" window. I gather this isn't supposed to happen.

author: paulb
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 17, 2021, 10:38:01 pm
content: Just an update. I managed to get SmuView working under Windows 10 with the Mastech MS2115B but I haven't had any luck geting it to work with Linux. I will start a new post with the detail regarding the setup with Windows just in case it is of help to others.

author: knarfS
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2021, 10:59:28 am
content: Hi Paul,PulseView is used for scopes and logic analyzers, SmuView on the other hand is used for all sorts of analog measurement devices, like your clamp meter.I'd strongly recommend to use the always up-to-date Continuous Build of SmuView:https://github.com/knarfS/smuview/releases/tag/continuousThe MS2115B has probably a serial interface, so you have to select "Serial Port" in the connection dialog of SmuView. For Linux the port should be something like/dev/ttyUSB0and for WindowsCOM0.As Ian already mentioned, when using Windows, you have to install the supplied Zadig driver (libusb). Have a look at the manual, where this is explained in detail:https://knarfs.github.io/doc/smuview/continuous/manual.htmlHope that helps,Frank