Reading data via USB serial - avoid?

[amadeuspzs]

Hello,

I'm going to ask the stupid question in here before I spend some $$$ on the CurrentRanger.

From what I understand the current ranger is capable of serial logging via USB, which is what I am currently doing using a basic INA260 and a big draw for me to improve my power usage experiments.

However, in https://lowpowerlab.com/guide/currentranger/battery-power-charging/ it states:

The uUSB port is used for programming and/or charging only. It should generally be avoided to use the instrument while uUSB is plugged in.

Which indicates this is not recommended?

I see the bluetooth option but that will not be as performant as USB?

Cheers,

Amadeus

[Felix]

I made an update to that page right now.
The USB can be used for logging but there is a caveat - you should avoid ground loops by having USB earth grounded (ie connected to an earth grounded PC), while also powering your DUT from an earth grounded PSU. There is a potential problem because the GRD of the inputs and the GND of the USB are not the same on the CR board. So it's best to have either USB isolated, or the PSU to be a floating battery or isolated PSU to avoid common GNDs externally.
This also applies when you try to measure the raw output with an oscilloscope (earth grounded), while having an earth grounded PSU at the input, or non isolated USB.