What type of field check can be done on a temperature sensor or a temperature and relative humidity sensor to determine if it is within the range of specified accuracy or if it requires calibration?
Note the difference between calibration and a field check. Calibration cannot be done in the field, as it requires an experienced technician and specialized equipment.
Field checks of measurements can be done to determine if the data make sense with the real-world conditions. Follow these steps to field check a sensor:
- Find a second sensor of the same type as the installed sensor whose data is in question. The second sensor will be used as a benchmark sensor and should be known to be accurate or recently calibrated.
- At the site, take readings using both sensors under the same conditions. The best practice is to measure both sensors side-by-side at the same time. Note that the sensors will never have the exact same measurement.
- Depending on the sensor model, if the difference in the readings of the installed and benchmark sensors is greater than the sum of the accuracies for both sensors, either return the installed sensor to Campbell Scientific for calibration or replace the appropriate chip.
- The 107, 108, 109, 110PV-L, and BlackGlobe-L temperature sensors can be calibrated.
- The HC2S3-L and HMP155A-L temperature and relative humidity sensors can be calibrated.
- The CS215-L has a replaceable chip for temperature and relative humidity. For more information, refer to the “Maintenance and Calibration” section of the CS215 instruction manual.
- The HMP60-L has a replaceable chip for relative humidity only. For more information, refer to the “Maintenance” section of the HMP60 instruction manual.
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