Table of Contents
Related Manuals for Apogee SQ-420
Summary of Contents for Apogee SQ-420
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Page 1: Owner's Manual
OWNER’S MANUAL USB QUANTUM SENSOR Model SQ-420 APOGEE INSTRUMENTS, INC. | 721 WEST 1800 NORTH, LOGAN, UTAH 84321, USA TEL: (435) 792-4700 | FAX: (435) 787-8268 | WEB: APOGEEINSTRUMENTS.COM Copyright © 2019 Apogee Instrument, Inc. -
Page 2: Table Of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS Owner’s Manual ....................................1 Certificate of Compliance ................................3 Introduction....................................4 Sensor Models ....................................5 Specifications....................................6 Deployment and Installation ................................ 9 Software Installation .................................. 10 Operation and Measurement ..............................11 Windows Software ..................................13 Mac Software ..................................... 18 Maintenance and Recalibration .............................. -
Page 3: Certificate Of Compliance
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. -
Page 4: Introduction
So one photon is a single quantum of radiation. Apogee Instruments Quantum Sensor consists 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. -
Page 5: Sensor Models
SENSOR MODELS This manual covers the USB quantum sensor model SQ-420. Additional models are covered in their respective manuals. Model Signal Calibration Sunlight and Electric SQ-420 light SQ-110 Self-powered Sunlight SQ-120 Self-powered Electric light SQ-212 0-2.5 V Sunlight SQ-222 0-2.5 V... -
Page 6: Specifications
Logging) Calibration Traceability Apogee SQ series quantum sensors are calibrated through side-by-side comparison to the mean of transfer standard quantum sensors under a reference lamp. The reference quantum sensors are recalibrated with a 200 W quartz halogen lamp traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). - Page 7 Spectral Response Mean spectral response of six sensors (error bars represent two standard deviations above and below mean) compared to PAR (PPFD) weighting function. Spectral response measurements were made at 10 nm increments across a wavelength range of 300 to 800 nm in a monochromator with an attached electric light source.
- Page 8 Directional, or cosine, response is defined as the measurement error at a specific angle of radiation incidence. Error for Apogee SQ series quantum sensors is approximately ± 2 % and ± 5 % at solar zenith angles of 45° and 75°, respectively.
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Page 9: 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. -
Page 10: Software Installation
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION The most recent version of ApogeeConnect software can be downloaded at http://www.apogeeinstruments.com/downloads/. Installing the software on a PC (Windows compatible, XP and later) 1. Double click on the installer package 2. On the ‘Welcome’ screen, please click ‘Next’ to continue. 3. -
Page 11: Operation And Measurement
12 % low in sunlight. In addition to PPFD measurements, Apogee SQ series quantum sensors can also be used to measure yield photon flux density (YPFD): photon flux weighted according to the plant photosynthetic action spectrum (McCree, 1972) and summed. - Page 12 The SQ-420 sensor has an immersion effect correction factor of 1.08. The immersion effect correction factor can be automatically applied to SQ-520 measurements by turning on the immersion setting in the settings option of the ApogeeConnect software, as pictured.
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Page 13: Windows Software
WINDOWS SOFTWARE When the SQ-420 sensor is not plugged into the USB port, the software will display a message in the lower left corner, “Device Not Connected,” indicating it cannot establish communication with the sensor. Plug the sensor into a USB port and allow some time for the sensor to automatically establish communication with the software. - Page 14 Click the ‘Settings’ icon to display the software options. Clicking ‘Immersion Setting’ will automatically apply the sensor’s immersion effect correction factor of 1.08 to the sensor measurements. This setting should be used when the sensor is being used to take measurements underwater.
- Page 15 Uncover the sensor and wait for the PAR reading to settle before entering the reference value. Click OK. The multiplier and offset values will automatically calculate and update in the appropriate field. Be sure to click ‘Save’ to retain the new multiplier and offset. Clicking ‘Data Logging’...
- Page 16 These can be used to help troubleshoot if problems arise. ‘Manage Field Logging’ is used to setup the SQ-420 for use in the field. When the SQ-420 is supplied power from a USB power source it will log data which you can retrieve.
- Page 17 To use additional SQ-420 devices, open additional ApogeeConnect software windows. The device serial number will display in the lower left hand corner of the corresponding software window. Devices may be...
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Page 18: Mac Software
MAC SOFTWARE When the SQ-420 sensor is not plugged into the USB port, the software will display a message in the lower left corner, “Device Not Connected,” indicating it cannot establish communication with the sensor. Plug the sensor into a USB port and allow some time for the sensor to automatically establish communication with the software. - Page 19 Click the ‘Settings’ icon to display the software options. Clicking ‘Light Source’ will allow the user to change the sensor’s default calibration reference from Electric to Sunlight. Electric should be selected when measuring most indoor artificial light sources, while Sunlight should be selected when measuring sunlight (such as when evaluating the need for recalibration).
- Page 20 After clicking the ‘Recalibrate’ button the user will be prompted to cover the sensor. Place a dark cap over the sensor and wait for the real-time PAR reading to settle at zero. Click OK. Uncover the sensor and wait for the PAR reading to settle before entering the reference value.
- Page 21 These can be used to help troubleshoot if problems arise. ‘Manage Field Logging’ is used to setup the SQ-420 for the use in the field. When the SQ-420 is supplied power from a USB power source it will log data which you can retrieve.
- Page 22 To use additional SQ-420 devices, open additional ApogeeConnect software windows. The device serial number will display in the lower left hand corner of the corresponding software window. Devices may be...
- Page 23 Spectral Errors for PAR Measurements with Apogee SQ Quantum Sensors The SQ-420 quantum sensors are calibrated to measure PAR for either sunlight (natural setting) or electric light. The difference between the calibrations is 12 %. A sensor calibrated for electric lights (calibration source is T5 cool white fluorescent lamps) will read approximately 12 % low in sunlight (natural setting).
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Page 24: Maintenance And Recalibration
Although Apogee sensors are very stable, nominal accuracy drift is normal for all research-grade sensors. To ensure maximum accuracy, we generally recommend sensors are sent in for recalibration every two years, although you can often wait longer according to your particular tolerances. - Page 25 Homepage of the Clear Sky Calculator. Two calculators are available: one for quantum sensors (PPFD) and one for pyranometers (total shortwave radiation). Clear Sky Calculator for quantum sensors. Site data are input in blue cells in middle of page and an estimate of PPFD is returned on right-hand side of page.
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Page 26: Troubleshooting And Customer Support
Unit Conversion Charts Apogee SQ series quantum sensors are calibrated to measure PPFD in units of µmol m . Units other than photon flux density (e.g., energy flux density, illuminance) may be required for certain applications. It is possible to convert the PPFD value from a quantum sensor to other units, but it requires spectral output of the radiation source of interest. -
Page 27: Return And Warranty Policy
RETURN AND WARRANTY POLICY RETURN POLICY Apogee Instruments will accept returns within 30 days of purchase as long as the product is in new condition (to be determined by Apogee). Returns are subject to a 10 % restocking fee. WARRANTY POLICY... - Page 28 5. Upon receipt, Apogee Instruments will determine the cause of failure. If the product is found to be defective in terms of operation to the published specifications due to a failure of product materials or craftsmanship, Apogee Instruments will repair or replace the items free of charge.
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