Apogee Instruments SP-214 User manual

APOGEE INSTRUMENTS, INC. | 721 WEST 1800 NORTH, LOGAN, UTAH 84321, USA

TEL: (435) 792-4700 | FAX: (435) 787-8268 | WEB: APOGEEINSTRUMENTS.COM

OWNER’S MANUAL

PYRANOMETER

Model SP-214

Rev: 28-Oct-2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Owner’s Manual ............................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Certificate of Compliance......................................................................................................................................................... 3

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................. 4

Sensor Models ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Specifications ........................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Deployment and Installation.................................................................................................................................................... 9

Cable Connectors................................................................................................................................................................... 10

Operation and Measurement ................................................................................................................................................ 11

Maintenance and Recalibration............................................................................................................................................. 15

Troubleshooting and Customer Support................................................................................................................................ 17

Return and Warranty Policy................................................................................................................................................... 18

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE

EU Declaration of Conformity

This declaration of conformity is issued under the sole responsibility of the manufacturer:

Apogee Instruments, Inc.

721 W 1800 N

Logan, Utah 84321

USA

for the following product(s):

Models: SP-214

Type: Pyranometer

The object of the declaration described above is in conformity with the relevant Union harmonization legislation:

2014/30/EU Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive

2011/65/EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS 2) Directive

2015/863/EU Amending Annex II to Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 3)

Standards referenced during compliance assessment:

EN 61326-1:2013 Electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use –EMC requirements

EN 50581:2012 Technical documentation for the assessment of electrical and electronic products with respect to

the restriction of hazardous substances

Please be advised that based on the information available to us from our raw material suppliers, the products

manufactured by us do not contain, as intentional additives, any of the restricted materials including lead (see

note below), mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), polybrominated

diphenyls (PBDE), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and

diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP). However, please note that articles containing greater than 0.1% lead concentration are

RoHS 3 compliant using exemption 6c.

Further note that Apogee Instruments does not specifically run any analysis on our raw materials or end products

for the presence of these substances, but rely on the information provided to us by our material suppliers.

Signed for and on behalf of:

Apogee Instruments, October 2020

Bruce Bugbee

President

Apogee Instruments, Inc.

INTRODUCTION

Solar radiation at Earth’s surface is typically defined as total radiation across a wavelength range of 280 to 4000

nm (shortwave radiation). Total solar radiation, direct beam and diffuse, incident on a horizontal surface is defined

as global shortwave radiation, or shortwave irradiance (incident radiant flux), and is expressed in Watts per square

meter (W m-2, equal to Joules per second per square meter).

Pyranometers are sensors that measure global shortwave radiation. Apogee SP series pyranometers are silicon-cell

pyranometers, and are only sensitive to a portion of the solar spectrum, approximately 350-1100 nm

(approximately 80 % of total shortwave radiation is within this range). However, silicon-cell pyranometers are

calibrated to estimate total shortwave radiation across the entire solar spectrum. Silicon-cell pyranometer

specifications compare favorably to specifications for World Meteorological Organization (WMO) moderate and

good quality classifications and specifications for International Organization of Standardization (ISO) Class C

classifications, but because of limited spectral sensitivity, they do not meet the spectral specification necessary for

WMO certification.

Typical applications of silicon-cell pyranometers include incoming shortwave radiation measurement in

agricultural, ecological, and hydrological weather networks, and solar panel arrays.

Apogee Instruments SP series pyranometers consist of a cast acrylic diffuser (filter), photodiode, and signal

processing circuitry mounted in an anodized aluminum housing, and a cable to connect the sensor to a

measurement device. Sensors are potted solid with no internal air space and are designed for continuous total

shortwave radiation measurement on a planar surface in outdoor environments. SP series sensors output an

analog voltage that is directly proportional to total shortwave radiation from the sun. The voltage signal from the

sensor is directly proportional to radiation incident on a planar surface (does not have to be horizontal), where the

radiation emanates from all angles of a hemisphere.

SENSOR MODELS

This manual covers model SP-214 pyranometer sensors that provide a current output. Additional models are

covered in their respective manuals.

Located approximately 50 cm from the sensor head is a casing that houses the 4-20 mA transmitter. Separating the

case from the sensor head will disconnect the pyranometer.

Model

Signal

SP-214

4-20 mA

SP-110

Self-powered

SP-212

0-2.5 V

SP-215

0-5 V

SP-230

Self-powered

SP-420

USB

SP-421

SDI-12

SP-422

Modbus

Serial Number 0-11768: Sensor model number

and serial number are located near the pigtail

leads on the sensor cable. If you need the

manufacturing date of your sensor, please

contact Apogee Instruments with the serial

number of your sensor.

Serial Numbers 11769 and above: Sensor model

number and serial number are located on the bottom

of the sensor. If you need the manufacturing date of

your sensor, please contact Apogee Instruments with

the serial number of your sensor.

SPECIFICATIONS

Calibration Traceability

Apogee Instruments SP series pyranometers are calibrated through side-by-side comparison to the mean of four

Apogee model SP-110 transfer standard pyranometers (shortwave radiation reference) under high intensity

discharge metal halide lamps. The transfer standard pyranometers are calibrated through side-by-side comparison

to the mean of at least two ISO-classified reference pyranometers under sunlight (clear sky conditions) in Logan,

Utah. Each of four ISO-classified reference pyranometers are recalibrated on an alternating year schedule (two

instruments each year) at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado. NREL reference

standards are calibrated to the World Radiometric Reference (WRR) in Davos, Switzerland.

SP-214-SS

ISO 9060:2018

Class C (previously known as second class)

Power Supply

7 to 24 V DC

Current Draw

Maximum of 22 mA (2 mA quiescent)

Sensitivity

Serial # 9997 and above

0.008 mA per W m-2

Sensitivity

Serial # 0-9996

0.0128 mA per W m-2

Calibration Factor

Serial # 9997 and above

125 W m-2 per mA (reciprocal of sensitivity) with an offset of 4 mA

Calibration Factor

Serial # 0-9996

78 W m-2 per mA (reciprocal of sensitivity) with an offset of 4 mA

Calibration Uncertainty

± 5 % (see calibration Traceability below)

Calibrated Output Range

4 to 20 mA

Measurement Repeatability

Less than 1 %

Long-term Drift (Non-

stability)

Less than 2 % per year

Non-linearity

Serial # 9997 and above

Less than 1 % (up to 2000 W m-2; maximum radiation measurement is 2000 W m-2)

Non-linearity

Serial # 0-9996

Less than 1 % (up to 1250 W m-2; maximum radiation measurement is 1250 W m-2)

Response Time

Less than 1 ms

Field of View

180°

Spectral Range

360 to 1120 nm (wavelengths where response is 10 % of maximum; see Spectral Response

below)

Directional (Cosine)

Response

± 5 % at 75° zenith angle (see Cosine Response below)

Temperature Response

0.04 ± 0.04 % per C (see Temperature Response below)

Operating Environment

-40 to 70 C; 0 to 100 % relative humidity; can be submerged in water up to depths of 30 m

Dimensions

Serial # 11769 and above

30.5 mm diameter, 37 mm height

Dimensions

Serial # 0-11768

24 mm diameter, 33 mm height

Mass (with 5 m cable)

Serial # 11769 and above

140 g

Mass (with 5 m cable)

Serial # 0-11768

90 g

Cable

5 m of four conductor, shielded, twisted-pair wire; TPR jacket; pigtail lead wires; stainless steel

(316), M8 connector

Spectral Response

Temperature Response

Mean temperature response of four

Apogee silicon-cell pyranometers.

Temperature response measurements

were made at approximately 10 C

intervals across a temperature range of

approximately -10 to 50 C under

sunlight. Each pyranometer had an

internal thermistor to measure

temperature. At each temperature set

point, a reference blackbody

pyranometer was used to measure solar

intensity.

Spectral response estimate of Apogee

silicon-cell pyranometers. Spectral

response was estimated by multiplying

the spectral response of the

photodiode, diffuser, and adhesive.

Spectral response measurements of

diffuser and adhesive were made with a

spectrometer, and spectral response

data for the photodiode were obtained

from the manufacturer.

Cosine Response

Mean cosine response of eleven Apogee

silicon-cell pyranometers (error bars

represent two standard deviations

above and below mean). Cosine

response measurements were made

during broadband outdoor radiometer

calibrations (BORCAL) performed during

two different years at the National

Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in

Golden, Colorado. Cosine response was

calculated as the relative difference of

pyranometer sensitivity at each solar

zenith angle to sensitivity at 45° solar

zenith angle. The blue symbols are AM

measurements, the red symbols are PM

measurements.

Directional, or cosine, response is

defined as the measurement error at

a specific angle of radiation incidence.

Error for Apogee silicon-cell

pyranometers is approximately ± 2 %

and ± 5 % at solar zenith angles of 45°

and 75°, respectively.

Important: Only use the nylon screw provided

when mounting to insulate the non-anodized

threads of the aluminum sensor head from the

base to help prevent galvanic corrosion. For

extended submersion applications, more

insulation may be necessary. Contact Apogee

tech support for details.

Nylon Screw: 10-32x3/8

DEPLOYMENT AND INSTALLATION

Mount the sensor to a solid surface with the nylon mounting screw provided. To accurately measure PPFD incident

on a horizontal surface, the sensor must be level. An Apogee Instruments model AL-100 Leveling Plate is

recommended to level the sensor when used on a flat surface or being mounted to surfaces such as wood. To

facilitate mounting on a mast or pipe, the Apogee Instruments model AL-120 Solar Mounting Bracket with Leveling

Plate is recommended.

To minimize azimuth error, the sensor should be mounted with the cable pointing toward true north in the

northern hemisphere or true south in the southern hemisphere. Azimuth error is typically less than 1 %, but it is

easy to minimize by proper cable orientation.

In addition to orienting the cable to point toward the nearest pole, the sensor should also be mounted such that

obstructions (e.g., weather station tripod/tower or other instrumentation) do not shade the sensor. Once

mounted, the green cap should be removed from the sensor. The green cap can be used as a protective covering

for the sensor when it is not in use.

Model AL-100

Nylon Screw: 10-32x3/8

Model AL-120

CABLE CONNECTORS

Apogee sensors offer cable connectors to simplify the

process of removing sensors from weather stations for

calibration (the entire cable does not have to be

removed from the station and shipped with the sensor).

The ruggedized M8 connectors are rated IP68, made of

corrosion-resistant marine-grade stainless-steel, and

designed for extended use in harsh environmental

conditions.

Cable connectors are attached directly to the head.

Instructions

Pins and Wiring Colors: All Apogee

connectors have six pins, but not all pins are

used for every sensor. There may also be

unused wire colors inside the cable. To

simplify datalogger connection, we remove

the unused pigtail lead colors at the

datalogger end of the cable.

If a replacement cable is required, please

contact Apogee directly to ensure ordering

the proper pigtail configuration.

Alignment: When reconnecting a sensor,

arrows on the connector jacket and an

aligning notch ensure proper orientation.

Disconnection for extended periods: When

disconnecting the sensor for an extended

period of time from a station, protect the

remaining half of the connector still on the

station from water and dirt with electrical

tape or other method.

A reference notch inside the connector ensures

proper alignment before tightening.

When sending sensors in for calibration, only send the sensor head.

Tightening: Connectors are designed to be

firmly finger-tightened only. There is an o-

ring inside the connector that can be overly

compressed if a wrench is used. Pay

attention to thread alignment to avoid

cross-threading. When fully tightened, 1-2

threads may still be visible.

WARNING: Do not tighten the connector by

twisting the black cable or sensor head, only

twist the metal connector (blue arrows).

Finger-tighten firmly

Table of contents

Other Apogee Instruments Measuring Instrument manuals

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments SI-4HR User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments SP-212 User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments PYRANOMETER SP-421 User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments QUANTUM MQ-301X User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments MQ-100 Series User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments SI-121-SS User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments APOGEE LINE QUANTUM User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments MQ-210 User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments MQ-210X User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments SP-420 User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments SP-110 User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments MU-250 User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments SP-110-SS User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments SIF-111 User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments MQ-500 User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments MS-100 User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments SP-722-SS User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments MQ-510 User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments SI-411 User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments MQ-610 User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments MQ-501 User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments SIL-111 User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments DLI-400 User manual

Apogee Instruments

Apogee Instruments MQ-650 User manual

Popular Measuring Instrument manuals by other brands

Suaoki

Suaoki D40 user manual

Elster

Elster BK-G1.6 operating instructions

Endress+Hauser

Endress+Hauser Deltabar FMD71 technical information

Duratool

Duratool D03128 manual

Vega

Vega VEGAPULS 65 Quick setup guide

Tonghui

Tonghui TH2618B Operation manual

Tenmars

Tenmars TM-801 user manual

MSR

MSR 145 user manual

TPS

TPS WP-82 manual

ELMETRON

ELMETRON CP-511 user manual

PCB Piezotronics

PCB Piezotronics 003C30 Installation and operating manual

Tenma

Tenma 72-10465 manual

Endress+Hauser

Endress+Hauser Proline Promag 50 Brief operating instructions

Siemens

Siemens SITRANS F Coriolis FCT030 Function manual

KLINGER

KLINGER CMF V Series instruction manual

EXFO

EXFO FTB-2 Notice

Keysight

Keysight M8290A Getting started guide

ADTEK

ADTEK MW-5 operating manual