240-CSD3 Sunshine Duration Sensor
The 240-CSD3 Sunshine Duration Sensor measures the number of hours of sunshine per day. The 240-CSD3 has no moving parts and uses three photo-diodes with specially designed diffusers to make an analog calculation of when it is sunny (direct solar irradiance greater than 120 W/m²). An output is switched high or low to indicate ‘sunny’ or ‘not sunny’ conditions.
The 240-CSD3 Sunshine Duration Sensor measures the number of hours of sunshine per day. It has no moving parts and uses three photodiodes with specially designed diffusers to calculate when it is sunny (direct solar irradiance greater than 120 W/m²). The output switches high or low to indicate "sunny" or "not sunny" conditions. The calculated direct irradiance value is also available as an analog output.
The 240-CSD3 operates using 12 VDC power and has built-in heaters that dissipate rain, snow, and frost. These heaters are typically switched externally, but an optional internal thermostat control is available. Sunshine duration sensors are widely used in weather networks to provide the number of hours of sunshine per day for tourist information. In agriculture, the 240-CSD3 monitors the amount of sunshine crops receive.
Features
- Waterproof plug-and-socket cable connection for easy installation and servicing
- Humidity indicator to show when a change of drying cartridge is necessary
- Larger capacity drying cartridge that is easier to change at reduced intervals
- Glass tube, instead of plastic, for improved resistance to scratching by storm-blown sand and ice
- Operating temperature range -40 °C to +70 °C
Specifications
- Spectral range: 400 to 1100 nm
- Operating temperature: -40 °C to 70 °C
- Sunshine Yes signal: 1 ± 0.1 V if direct irradiance signal > 120 W/m²
- Sunshine No signal: 0 ± 0.1 V if direct irradiance signal < 120 W/m²
- Accuracy of sunshine hours: > 90% in monthly total
- Analog output signal: 1 mV per W/m² of direct irradiance
- Accuracy of direct signal: > 90% for clear sky
- Non-stability: < 2% change per year
- Temperature dependence: < 0.1% per degree Kelvin
- Response time: < 1 ms
- Power requirement: 12 Vdc
