WINDSONIC4-L 2-D Sonic Wind Sensor with SDI-12 Output
No Moving Parts
Minimizes routine maintenance costs
weather applications water applications energy applications gas flux and turbulence applications infrastructure applications soil applications

Overview

The WindSonic4 is a two-dimensional ultrasonic anemometer for measuring wind direction and speed. It provides an alternative to traditional mechanical cup and vane or propeller and vane anemometers. This sonic wind sensor outputs an SDI-12 signal that can be read a a compatible Campbell Scientific data logger. (See the Compatibility section.)

The WindSonic4 is not recommended for conditions where rime, ice, or horizontal snow will occur. This sensor is not heated. Please contact Campbell Scientific for information on a heated 2-D sonic anemometer that will work in these conditions.

Note: The mounting equipment supplied with this sensor may vary depending on which Campbell Scientific regional office the sensor is ordered from.

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Benefits and Features

  • Low maintenance—no moving parts significantly reduces maintenance cost and time
  • Provides a minimum detectable wind speed of 0.01 meters per second
  • Compatible with most Campbell Scientific data loggers

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Detailed Description

The WindSonic4 uses two pairs of orthogonally oriented transducers to sense the horizontal wind. The transducers bounce the ultrasonic signal from a hood, thus minimizing the effects of transducer shadowing and flow distortion.

Unlike mechanical anemometers, the WindSonic4 has no moving parts to be periodically replaced—minimizing routine maintenance costs.

Specifications

Applications
  • General (Rain with light snow. Little or no riming or blowing sand. No salt spray.)
  • Extreme (Blowing sand. Very little maintenance required. Will handle salt spray.)
Sensor 2-dimensional ultrasonic anemometer
Measurement Description Wind speed and direction
Operating Humidity Range < 5% to 100% RH
Operating Temperature Range -35° to +70°C
Storage Temperature Range -40° to +80°C (typical)
Input Voltage 9 to 30 Vdc
Typical Current Drain < 10 mA (@12 V)
Measurement Frequency 40 Hz block averaged to a 1 Hz output frequency
Outputs Parameters Polar (direction and speed) or orthogonal (Ux and Uy wind)
Output Signal SDI-12 version 1.3
Diameter 14.2 cm (5.6 in.)
Length 16.0 cm (6.3 in.)
Weight 0.5 kg (1.1 lb)

Maximum Cable Length

-NOTE- For longer cable lengths, contact Campbell Scientific.
1 Sensor Connected to 1 Port 91.44 m (300 ft)
2 to 10 Sensors Connected to 1 Port 60.91 m (200 ft)

Wind Direction

Range 0º to 359° (no dead band)
Accuracy ±3°
Resolution

Wind Speed

Range 0 to 60 m/s
Accuracy ±2% (@ 12 m/s)
Resolution 0.01 m/s

Compatibility

Note: The following shows notable compatibility information. It is not a comprehensive list of all compatible or incompatible products.

Dataloggers

Product Compatible Note
CR1000 (retired)
CR1000X
CR300
CR3000 (retired)
CR310
CR350
CR6
CR800 (retired)
CR850 (retired)

Additional Compatibility Information

Mounting

The WindSonic4 is shipped with the 17387 mounting kit. This mounting kit is used to attach the sensor to a CM202, CM204, or CM206 crossarm. The crossarm is then mounted to a tripod or tower.

Data Logger Considerations

The WindSonic4 is connected to one control port, +12 Vdc, and ground. Up to ten WindSonic4s (each with a unique address) can be connected to one data logger control port.

Programming

The SDI12 instruction is used to collect data from the WindSonic4.


Frequently Asked Questions

Number of FAQs related to WINDSONIC4-L: 9

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  1. The fastest output frequency is 4 Hz for the WindSonic1 and 1 Hz for the WindSonic4. 

  2. There are no user-serviceable parts on the WindSonic1 and WindSonic4. Should the WindSonic require service, it will start setting diagnostic flags. Campbell Scientific recommends that all data logger programs record the total number of times the flags are set in an output period. For details, see the WindSonic Instruction Manual.

  3. All WindSonics (option 1 or option 4) are shipped from Campbell Scientific with an interface cable. If the cable has been lost, order a replacement. Order model WINDSONIC1CBL-Lxx for an option 1 or WINDSONIC4CBL-Lxx for an option 4, where xx is the cable length. The maximum cable length is 50 feet for option 1. The maximum cable on the SDI-1 bus is 200 feet.

  4. The WindSonic is not suitable for measuring the vertical wind component. The WindSonic measures the wind that passes through its measurement volume. It does not care what the orientation is. If the WindSonic is turned on its side, the reflecting top and body of the sensor will cause massive flow distortion of the wind vector, specifically for the horizontal component that is perpendicular to the reflective top. This flow distortion will most likely result in erroneous vertical wind measurements.

  5. The fundamental measurement frequency of the WindSonic is 40 Hz (40 measurements per second). These measurements are then averaged to give an output at some slower output frequency. For a WindSonic programmed to produce 1 Hz data, all 40 measurements are averaged. (This is called a block average.) For a WindSonic that is programmed to produce 4 Hz data, each output is the block average of 10 fundamental measurements.

  6. Yes, as long as these two conditions are met:

    1. There are no obstructions in the measurement volume.
    2. The temperature is between -35 to +70 degrees Celsius.
  7. 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. 

  8. 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.
  9. 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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