Sensors / Solar Radiation Sensors
Solar Radiation Sensors

Product Line

ISO Classification ISO Classification Spectral Range Spectral Range Sensitivity Sensitivity Operating Temperature Range Operating Temperature Range

CS320

Class C (second class) Class C (second class) 385 to 2105 nm (50% points) 385 to 2105 nm (50% points) 0.057 mV/W/m2 0.057 mV/W/m2 -50° to +60°C -50° to +60°C

CS310

— — 389 to 692 nm ±5 nm (wavelengths where response is greater than 50% of maximum) 389 to 692 nm ±5 nm (wavelengths where response is greater than 50% of maximum) 0.01 mV per µmol m-2 s-1 0.01 mV per µmol m-2 s-1 -40° to +70°C -40° to +70°C

SR20-T2-L

Spectrally flat Class A (secondary standard) pyranometer (ISO 9060:2018 ) 285 to 3000 x 10-9 m (20% transmission points) 7 to 25 x 10-6 V/(W/m2) -40° to +80°C

SR30-L

Hemispherical Solar Radiation: Spectrally flat Class A (secondary standard) ISO 9060:2018 Hemispherical Solar Radiation: Spectrally flat Class A (secondary standard) ISO 9060:2018 Hemispherical Solar Radiation: 285 to 3000 x 10-9 m Hemispherical Solar Radiation: 285 to 3000 x 10-9 m Hemispherical Solar Radiation: Digital output Hemispherical Solar Radiation: Digital output Hemispherical Solar Radiation: -40 to +80°C (rated) Hemispherical Solar Radiation: -40 to +80°C (rated)

CMP3-L

Class C (second class) 300 to 2800 nm 5 to 20 µV/W/m2 -40° to +80°C

CMP10-L

Class A (secondary standard) 285 to 2800 nm 7 to 14 µV/W/m2 -40° to +80°C

CMP11

Class A (secondary standard) 285 to 2800 nm 7 to 14 µV/W/m2 -40° to +80°C

SMP10-L

Class A (secondary standard) 285 to 2800 nm (50% points) 2-wire RS-485 Modbus -40° to +80°C

CMP21

Class A (secondary standard) 285 to 2800 nm 7 to 14 µV/W/m2 -40° to +80°C

NR-LITE2-L

— — 0.2 to 100 µm 0.2 to 100 µm 10 µV W-1 m2 (nominal) 10 µV W-1 m2 (nominal) -40° to +80°C -40° to +80°C

NR01

— —
  • Pyranometer: 305 to 2800 nm
  • Pyrgeometer: 4500 to 50,000 nm
  • Pyranometer: 305 to 2800 nm
  • Pyrgeometer: 4500 to 50,000 nm
10 to 40 μV W-1 m2 10 to 40 μV W-1 m2 -40° to +80°C -40° to +80°C

CNR4

— —
  • Pyranometer : 305 to 2800 nm
  • Pyrgeometer: 4500 to 42,000 nm
  • Pyranometer : 305 to 2800 nm
  • Pyrgeometer: 4500 to 42,000 nm
5 to 20 μV W-1 m2 5 to 20 μV W-1 m2 -40° to +80°C -40° to +80°C

Other Considerations

ISO Classification Spectral Range Sensitivity Operating Temperature Range

SR05-L

Spectrally flat Class C (second class) ISO 9060:2018 285 to 3000 x 10-9 m — -40° to +80°C

MS-80-L

  • ISO 9060 Class A spectrally flat and fast-response pyranometer (secondary standard)
  • ISO 17025 Class A pyranometer
285 to 3000 nm ~10 µV/W/m2 -40° to +80°C

CS301

Class C (second class) Class C (second class) 360 to 1120 nm 360 to 1120 nm 0.2 mV/W/m2 0.2 mV/W/m2 -40° to +70°C -40° to +70°C

SP230SS

Class C (second class) 360 to 1120 nm (wavelengths where response is 10% of maximum) 0.2 mV/W/m2 -40° to +70°C

CS325DM-L

— — — -35° to +80°C

SN500SS

—
  • Pyranometer: 385 to 2105 nm (upward-looking)
  • Pyranometer: 295 to 2685 nm (downward-looking)
  • Pyrgeometer : 5,000 to 30,000 nm
  • Pyranometer: 0.057 mV per W/m2 (upward-looking)
  • Pyranometer: 0.15 mV per W/m2 (downward-looking)
  • Pyrgeometer : 0.12 mV per W/m2
-50° to +80°C and 0 to 100% humidity

LI200R

— 400 to 1100 nm 0.13 kW m-2 mV-1 (typically) -40° to +65°C

LI190R-L

— 400 to 700 nm Typically 5 to 10 μA per 1000 μmoles s-1 m-2 -40° to +65°C

Resources and Links

FAQs for

Number of FAQs related to Solar Radiation Sensors: 8

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  1. What is the difference between a thermopile pyranometer and a silicon photocell pyranometer?

    For thermopile pyranometers, a thermopile is used within the instrument as the sensor, and the thermal gradients are measured across hot and cold areas (black and white). The radiation intensity is proportional to the temperature differences between the two sensing areas. Accuracy depends upon the sensitivity of the material used in the sensors, the response time, and the distortion characteristics of the material constituting the dome (if present) covering the sensors.

    For silicon photocell pyranometers, electric current is generated by a photo-sensitive diode in proportion to solar intensity. Ordinarily, silicon photocell pyranometers are not fully sensitive to the full spectrum of visible light, and they cannot “see” a certain portion of the electromagnetic spectrum such as under cloudy conditions or vegetative canopies. Silicon photocell pyranometers will introduce errors under these conditions. In full sunlight conditions, however, they are calibrated to properly output solar radiation measurements.

  2. Can a sensor cable be shortened?

    Sometimes, an old cable can be replaced with a new, shorter cable.

    Sometimes, an existing cable can be shortened by cutting the ends off. However, there are a few issues that could be encountered when doing this:

    • Some sensors have bridge completion resistors at the pigtail end.
    • Some sensors are calibrated to length.
    • Sometimes the color in the insulation may not be the same as that visible at the pigtail end.

    Because of the potential issues, do not cut the ends off any sensor cable without first contacting Campbell Scientific to discuss the sensor in detail.

  3. Does every sensor come with a calibration sheet?

    Not every sensor comes with a calibration sheet. If a calibration sheet is included, it is listed in the “Ships With” section of the sensor’s product web page or it is specified when ordered.

  4. If the cable attached to a sensor is too short, can more cable be spliced to the existing cable to make it longer?

    Whenever possible, purchase a sensor with the desired cable length. Some sensors have a user-specified cable length, whereas other sensors have a set cable length.

    Sometimes, an old cable can be replaced with a new, longer cable.

    Generally, additional cable cannot be spliced onto the existing cable because:  

    • Some sensor cables have bridge completion resistors at the pigtail end
    • Some sensors are calibrated based on cable length
    • Sometimes the color in the insulation is not the same as that visible at the pigtail end
    • It is possible to introduce errors or malfunctions depending on the integrity of the splice

    Splicing cable together increases the likelihood that water may enter the cable and cause shorting, corrosion, and some other potential issues, which in turn can cause measurement issues.

    Because of the potential issues, do not splice any sensor cable without first contacting Campbell Scientific to discuss the sensor in detail.

  5. Where are the available cable termination options listed for a particular sensor?

    Not every sensor has different cable termination options. The options available for a particular sensor can be checked by looking in two places in the Ordering information area of the sensor product page:

    • Model number
    • Cable Termination Options list

    If a sensor is offered in an –ET, –ETM, –LC, –LQ, or –QD version, that option’s availability is reflected in the sensor model number. For example, the 034B is offered as the 034B-ET, 034B-ETM, 034B-LC, 034B-LQ, and 034B-QD.

    All of the other cable termination options, if available, are listed on the Ordering information area of the sensor product page under “Cable Termination Options.” For example, the 034B-L Wind Set is offered with the –CWS, –PT, and –PW options, as shown in the Ordering information area of the 034B-L product page.

    Note: As newer products are added to our inventory, typically, we will list multiple cable termination options under a single sensor model rather than creating multiple model numbers. For example, the HC2S3-L has a –C cable termination option for connecting it to a CS110 instead of offering an HC2S3-LC model. 

  6. What are the different cable length choices available for Campbell Scientific sensors?

    Most Campbell Scientific sensors are available as an –L, which indicates a user-specified cable length. If a sensor is listed as an –LX model (where “X” is some other character), that sensor’s cable has a user-specified length, but it terminates with a specific connector for a unique system:

    • An –LC model has a user-specified cable length for connection to an ET107, CS110, or retired Metdata1.
    • An –LQ model has a user-specified cable length for connection to a RAWS-P weather station.

    If a sensor does not have an –L or other –LX designation after the main model number, the sensor has a set cable length. The cable length is listed at the end of the Description field in the product’s Ordering information. For example, the 034B-ET model has a description of “Met One Wind Set for ET Station, 67 inch Cable.” Products with a set cable length terminate, as a default, with pigtails.

    If a cable terminates with a special connector for a unique system, the end of the model number designates which system. For example, the 034B-ET model designates the sensor as a 034B for an ET107 system.

    • –ET models terminate with the connector for an ET107 weather station.
    • –ETM models terminate with the connector for an ET107 weather station, but they also include a special system mounting, which is often convenient when purchasing a replacement part.
    • –QD models terminate with the connector for a RAWS-F Quick Deployment Station.
    • –PW models terminate with the connector for a PWENC or pre-wired system.
  7. Can a sensor cable be replaced?

    Many times, but not always, a sensor’s cable can be replaced with a new cable. This is helpful if the original cable was damaged or if its length needs to be changed.

    If the cable is attached to the sensor using a connector, Campbell Scientific will sell a replacement cable. For example, a 05106CBL-L is a replacement cable for a 05106-L. Replacement cables are listed in the “Replacement Parts” section of the Ordering information area of the product page.

    If the cable is attached to a sensor through a user-accessible terminal block, a raw cable can be purchased to replace it. For example, to replace the cable on a 05103-L Wind Monitor, order the desired length of pn 9721, 24 AWG 3 Twisted Pair Shielded Santoprene Cable. As another example, the raw cable for a TE525-L Rain Gage is pn 9661, 22 AWG 1 Twisted Pair Shielded Santoprene Cable.

    If the cable is an integral part of the sensor, the cable cannot be user replaced, and the sensor must be returned to Campbell Scientific. Some examples of sensors that fall into this category include the 107-L, 109SS-L, 229-L, CS547A-L, and CS650-L. For the process of returning equipment to Campbell Scientific, refer to the Repair and Calibration page.

  8. What are the different cable termination options available for Campbell Scientific sensors?

    Many Campbell Scientific sensors are available with different cable termination options. These options include the following:

    • The –PT (–PT w/Tinned Wires) option is the default option and does not display on the product line as the other options do. The cable terminates in pigtails that connect directly to a datalogger.
    • In the –C (–C w/ET/CS110 Connector) option, the cable terminates in a connector that attaches to a CS110 Electric Field Meter or an ET-series weather station.
    • In the –CWS (–CWS w/CWS900 Connector) option, the cable terminates in a connector that attaches to a CWS900-series interface. Connection to a CWS900-series interface allows the sensor to be used in a wireless sensor network.
    • In the –PW (–PW w/Pre-Wire Connector) option, the cable terminates in a connector that attaches to a prewired enclosure.
    • In the –RQ (–RQ w/RAWS Connector) option, the cable terminates in a connector that attaches to a RAWS-P Permanent Remote Automated Weather Station.

    Note: The availability of cable termination options varies by sensor. For example, sensors may have none, two, or several options to choose from. If a desired option is not listed for a specific sensor, contact Campbell Scientific for assistance.

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