Introduction; Product Overview; The Pyranometer - Kipp & Zonen SMP series Instruction Manual

1. Introduction

.
Throughout this manual the following symbols are used to indicate to the user important information.
General warning about conditions, other than those caused by high voltage electricity, which may result in physical
injury and/or damage to the equipment or cause the equipment to not operate correctly.
Note Useful information for the user

1.1 Product overview

According to International Standard ISO 9060:1990 and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) a pyranometer is the
designated type of instrument for the measurement of hemispherical (global or di use) solar radiation integrated over the
wavelength range from 0.3 m to 3 m (300 nm to 3000 nm). All pyranometers within the SMP series are compliant with one
of the classes specified by the international standard.
This manual, together with the SmartExplorer manual and instruction sheet, provides information related to the installation,
maintenance, calibration, product specifications and applications of the SMP series pyranometers.
If any questions should remain, please contact your local Kipp & Zonen representative or e-mail the Kipp & Zonen customer and
product support department at: support@kippzonen.com
Please go to www.kippzonen.com for information about other Kipp & Zonen products, or to check for any updates to this manual
or software.

1.1.1 The pyranometer

The SMP series instruments are high quality radiometers designed for measuring short-wave irradiance on a plane surface
(radiant flux, W/m²), which results from the sum of the direct solar radiation and the di use sky radiation incident from the
hemisphere above the instrument.
SMP pyranometers feature internal digital signal processing and interfaces optimised for industrial data acquisition and control
systems. Kipp & Zonen has developed a smart interface that features RS-485 Modbus® data communication for connection to
programmable logic controllers (PLC's), inverters, digital control equipment and the latest generation of data loggers. Amplified
Voltage or Current outputs are also included for devices that have high-level analogue inputs or current loop interfaces.
All models are available in two versions. One has an analogue voltage output of 0 to 1 V, the other has an analogue current
output of 4 to 20 mA. They all have a 2-wire RS-485 interface with Modbus® (RTU) protocol.
Digital signal processing provides faster response times and, with an integrated temperature sensor, corrects for the temperature
dependence of the detector sensitivity.
To achieve the required spectral and directional characteristics SMP Series pyranometers use thermopile detectors and glass
domes. All SMP's have built-in bubble levels and adjustable levelling feet. Snap-on sun shields reduce solar heating of the
housings. The waterproof connectors have gold-plated contacts.
.
The pyranometers are normally delivered with a waterproof plug pre-wired to a high quality signal cable, typically this is 10 m
long but other lengths are available. The instruments can also be ordered without a cable or with a plug only, for the user to fit
their own cable.
9