Help with Weather Instruments specifications:
Device Classification
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| Device Classification | |||
| Your choices are... | |||
| Sensor Only | By our definition, a sensor is a transducer, its output is meant for processor, controller or data acquisition system. No display or user interface is present. If you desire a switch, choose this option. | ||
| Sensor System | By our definition, a sensor system has more capability than a transducer. The unit may have a display and/or a user interface. If you desire a simple gauge, a locally programmable unit (stand-alone) or a controller/totalizer, choose this option | ||
| Search Logic: | All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches. | ||
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Weather Component Sensed
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| Senses Wind Speed? | Wind Speed and Direction are usually difficult to measure due to their variance over short distances. Wind Speed is typically measured via a rotating propeller or cup (anemometer) device. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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| Senses Wind Direction? | Wind Speed and Direction are usually difficult to measure due to their variance over short distances. Wind direction is typically measured with a wind vane or aerovane and is reported as the direction winds are coming from. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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| Measures Rain/Snow Fall? | Actual rain or snowfall is usually derived from a smaller measurement to allow for precise measurements. Instruments used include a common rain gauge or a tipping bucket rain gauge. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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| Measures Solar Radiation? | A measurement of the spectral range of radiation, including global solar radiation (sun + sky), net radiation (incoming solar - reflected solar) and photosynthetic light spectrum. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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| Measures Temperature? | A measurement of the average kinetic energy of air molecules surrounding sensing instrument. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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| Measures Barometric Pressure? | Atmospheric pressure at the Earth's surface is one of the keys to weather. Air in a high pressure area compresses and warms as it descends. The warming inhibits the formation of clouds, meaning the sky is normally sunny in high-pressure areas. Just the opposite occurs within an area of low atmospheric pressure. Barometric pressure is typically measured with a mercury or aneroid barometer. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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| Measures Relative Humidity? | Relative Humidity is a measure of the amount of water in the air compared with the amount of water the air can hold at the measured temperature. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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| Measures Specific/Absolute Humidity? | Absolute Humidity is the mass of water vapor in a given volume of air, while Specific Humidity is Absolute Humidity divided by the total mass of the given volume of air. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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| Measures Water or Moisture Content? | % Water Content is a ratio of water mass to total mass of air. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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| Measures Dew Point? | Dew Point is a measurement of the temperature air would have to be cooled to in order for saturation to occur. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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| Measures Total Cloud Cover? | Measures the total cloud cover over a set period of time. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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Dimensions & Mounting Options
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| Height: | Height (Measured from mounting base to top of device) | ||
| Search Logic: | All matching products will have a value greater than or equal to the specified value. | ||
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| Weight: | Weight provides a rough estimate as to the size of the instrument being specified. | ||
| Search Logic: | All matching products will have a value greater than or equal to the specified value. | ||
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| Mounting Options: | |||
| Your choices are... | |||
| Base Mounted | Device is meant to be situated on a flat surface, such as a roof or designed stand. | ||
| Pole-mounted (Typically via clamps) | Device is designed to be secured via clamps to an elevated pole. Typical for weather stations where multiple components are monitored. | ||
| Search Logic: | All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches. | ||
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| Output Options: | Listed are the various options for transmission of weather information. | ||
| Your choices are... | |||
| Analog Voltage | Voltage output is in proportion to weather component being sensed. | ||
| Analog Current | Output is a connected transmitter, and current output is proportional to weather component being sensed. | ||
| Pulse Signal | Frequency or modulated frequency output (Ex. sine wave, pulse train, AM, FM). | ||
| Switch or Relay | Output is a Boolean "ON" or "OFF" or toggles an alarm indicator. | ||
| Search Logic: | All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches. | ||
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| Interface Options: | Listed are various interface options to facilitate the communication of flowrate information. | ||
| Your choices are... | |||
| Serial Interface | (i.e., RS232, RS422) | ||
| Parallel Interface | (i.e., PC parallel printer port, GPIB etc.) | ||
| Other Computer Interface | (i.e., discrete signals, special TTL) | ||
| Phone/Modem Type Interface | Instruments communicate remotely via modem interface. | ||
| Search Logic: | All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches. | ||
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Instrument Display Options
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| Analog Display? | Has an analog meter or simple visual indicator. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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| Digital Display? | Has a digital display for numerical values. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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| Video Display (CRT etc.)? | CRT, LCD or other multi-line display. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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Instrument User Interface Options
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| Analog Front Panel? | Has analog user inputs such as potentiometers, dials, switches etc. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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| Digital Front Panel? | Setup or program through the front panel using digital keypad & displays, menus etc. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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| Computer Controllable? | Can be controlled remotely with a computer via interface. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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Features
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| Built in alarm indicator? | Built in audible, visual, etc., alarm. Not just a switch or relay closure. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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| Chart Recorder? | Instrument has chart recording capabilities in order to track weather changes over extended periods of time. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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| Programmable? | Device can be programmed to operate only during certain times of day or to send signal at certain intervals. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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| Integral Datalogger / Memory? | Device has internal memory for either presettings or extended time period weather tracking. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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| Battery Powered? | Device needs no external power source. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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| Antifreeze reservoir (To work in snowfall)? | Device sits within an antifreeze reservoir which prevents ice or snow build up. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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| Electrical Heater (For winter environments)? | Device is heated via an electrical heater, which prevents ice or snow build up. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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| Leveling fixture? | Device has built in leveling fixture to ensure optimum performance. Critical in solar radiation, wind and rain instruments. | ||
| Search Logic: | "Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice. | ||
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Environment
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| Operating Temperature: | The temperature range over which the device must operate. | ||
| Search Logic: | User may specify either, both, or neither of the limits in a "From - To" range; when both are specified, matching products will cover entire range. Products returned as matches will meet all specified criteria. | ||
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