CS320

Digital Thermopile Pyranometer
CS320

CS320

Orderable

Digital Thermopile Pyranometer

Pricing

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Model:
CS320
Item Number:
33242
Warranty:
4 years

Overview

The CS320 is a digital thermopile pyranometer that measures broad-spectrum short-wave radiation and communicates over the simple SDI-12 protocol to the data logger. This sensor design eliminates measurement error and programming errors that can adversely affect data quality.

This pyranometer has been designed to improve the global solar radiation measurement significantly (even under cloudy conditions) without adding substantial cost. The CS320 is suitable for applications ranging from environmental research to agriculture to large mesoscale weather networks (mesonets).

The CS320 is manufactured using a high-grade anodized aluminum body and IP68-rated 316 stainless-steel M8 connector (marine grade). The CS320 sensor is heated (on/off switchable under user control) and allows continuous operation in changing environmental conditions. The pyranometer's calibration data is stored on the sensor.

Key Advantages

Thermopile Accuracy, Digital Simplicity, Affordable Price
For measurement of global solar radiation under changing weather conditions

Technical Description

The CS320 combines a blackbody thermopile detector with an acrylic diffuser. This design is a significant improvement when compared with the spectral response of silicon photocell pyranometers, while offering a comparable price. Thermopile pyranometers use a series of thermoelectric junctions (multiple junctions of two dissimilar metals following the thermocouple principle) to provide a signal of several µV/W/m2 proportional to the temperature difference between a black absorbing surface and a reference. The thermopile pyranometer’s black surface uniformly absorbs solar radiation across the solar spectrum.

The 0.2 W heater keeps water (liquid and frozen) off the sensor to minimize errors caused by dew, frost, rain, and snow blocking the radiation path. Dew and rain runoff is faciliated by the dome-shaped sensor head (diffuser and body). This keeps the sensor clean and minimizes errors caused by dust blocking the radiation path. The sensor is housed in a rugged anodize aluminum body, and the electronics are fully potted.

The CS320 pyranometer has sensor-specific calibration coefficients determined during the custom calibration process. Coefficients are programmed into the microcontrollers at the factory. The CS320 has an SDI-12 output (SDI-12 version 1.4), where short-wave radiation (W/m2) is returned in digital format. Measurement of the CS320 pyranometer requires a measurement device with SDI-12 functionality that includes the M or C command.

Benefits

  • Thermopile sensor eliminates spectral errors associated with silicon-cell pyranometers
  • Much lower price point than other thermopile sensors
  • On-board sensor automatically detects if the CS320 is level for installation, diagnostics, and remote troubleshooting
  • Designed for long-term stability and deployment
  • Dome-shape sensor head allows dew and rain runoff
  • Internal heater to reduce errors from dew, frost, rain, and snow
  • SDI-12 digital output
  • Detachable waterproof connector from sensor head for fast, easy servicing
  • Calibration data stored on sensor

Specifications

Sensor
Thermopile detector, acrylic diffuser, heater, and signal processing circuitry mounted in an aluminum housing
Measurement Description
Measures broad-spectrum short-wave radiation
ISO Classification
Class C (second class)
Calibration Uncertainty
± 2.6%
Measurement Range
0 to 2000 W/m2

(net short-wave irradiance)

Measurement Repeatability
< 1%
Long-Term Drift
< 2%

(per year)

Non-Linearity
< 1%
Sensitivity
0.057 mV/W/m2
Detector Type
Blackbody thermopile
SDI-12 Response Time
2 s
Field of View (FOV)
180°
Spectral Range
385 to 2105 nm

(50% points)

Directional (Cosine) Response
< ±20 W/m2

(at 80° solar zenith)

Temperature Response
< 5%

(from -15° to +45°C)

Output
SDI-12

(version 1.4) 1200 bps

Zero Offset A
8 W/m2
Zero Offset B
< 5 W/m2
Operating Temperature Range
-50° to +60°C
Operating Environment
0 to 100% relative humidity
Heater
0.2 W

(on-board)

Heater Power Requirements
25 mA current drain

(at 12 Vdc)

Input Voltage Requirements
6 to 24 Vdc
Current Drain
5 mA

(measurement)

3 mA

(standby)

Uncertainty in Daily Total
< 5%
Error Due to Clouds
±2 %
Mechanical Rating
IP66/68
Factory Calibrations
Traceable to secondary standard blackbody thermopile pyranometers traceable to the world radiation reference in Davos, Switzerland.
Compliance with Standards
2011/65/EU RoHS Directive
2015/863/EU RoHS Phthalates Amendment
Warranty
4 years against defects in materials and workmanship
Diameter
3.43 cm

(1.35 in.)

Height
3.96 cm

(1.56 in.)

Weight
~65 g

(2.3oz)
May vary due to potting.

Common Accessories

(7)

Ships With

(2)
  • Mounting screw from original mfg
  • NIST Traceable Calibration Sheet

Similar Products

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Compatibility

Measurement of the CS320 pyranometer requires a measurement device with SDI-12 functionality that includes the M or C command, as an analog version of the CS320 is not offered.

Mounting

Accurate measurements require the sensor to be leveled using a 18356 leveling fixture. This leveling fixture incorporates a bubble level and three leveling screws. The 18356 mounts to a crossarm using the CM225 mounting stand. The CS320 should be mounted away from all obstructions and reflective surfaces that might adversely effect the measurement.

Compatible Products

(2)

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