5 Things to Consider When Buying and Installing Your New Radiation Shield

5 Things to Consider When Buying and Installing your Radiation Shield

Today we’re starting a new section on our blog with comments about weather and climate, and some tips and advises on how to get the most out of your weather station. We hope you like it and participate with comments and requests for new subjects.

We’ll be starting with 5 things to have in mind when buying and installing a new radiation shield for your temperature and humidity sensor:

 

1. Size Matters

The main purpose of a radiation shield is to protect the sensors inside, primarily a temperature and humidity sensor, from the effects of solar radiation (and rain). In order to achieve that, there must be enough room inside the shield to allow air to flow around the sensor, thus avoiding heat retention. This is of critical importance when solar radiation is high and wind is calm. So, buy a radiation shield that fits properly the sensor you are going to use.

Size Matters

 

2. Choose the Right Material

In order to reflect the solar radiation, the shield must be constructed of a material that minimizes as much as possible the heat transfer to the interior. Needless to say that despite the material you choose, it must be white. Generally speaking, polycarbonate radiation shields are the most common in high performance weather stations, while metallic are not recommended at all. There are also radiation shields with black inner plates which help to absorb accumulated heat inside the shield, allowing more accurate measurements.

Choose the Right Material

 

3. Respect the Official Mounting Height

The WMO is very strict with this matter and states that the temperature and humidity sensors must be placed at a height from 1.25 to 2 meters from the ground. The reason being is large vertical temperature gradients may exist in lower atmosphere layers. Besides, it is also recommended a ground with short grass rather than concrete or other construction materials.

Respect the Official Mounting Height

 

4. Check your Surroundings

Beware that buildings, trees or any other obstacles surrounding the measurement area may affect temperature and humidity readings by blocking direct radiation or wind, increasing reflected heat, etc.

Check your Surroundings

 

5. Keep it Clean

A minimum maintenance of your radiation shield is required in order to obtain accurate measurements. Dust and dirt accumulated on the plates may reduce their efficiency and therefore produce overheat on the inside of the shield.

Keep it Clean

 

By taking into account these few advises, you ensure that the measurements you will get are as accurate as possible for your specific sensor.

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12 Responses

  1. Tihomir says:

    Very nice you describe everything correctly explained
    I use a Davis Vantage Pro2 Plus station with daily fan and every year it completely clean, and every now and then clean the shield on the outside of the dust.
    All you can also see on my website
    Tihomir

  2. David says:

    I totally agree with your points.. installation and cleanliness is very much important in maintaining a weather station if accurate results are expected in the long run.

  3. Aaron John says:

    Thanks for sharing such an informative article and you describe it very clear and simple. I have been using an Acurite 01036 Pro wireless weather station device. Every month I clean the shield. We should properly be maintaining our weather station for better weather prediction.

  4. Owen Parrot says:

    Very informative and well written article. I agree that weather station also require proper maintenance such as other devices to extended run of this weather instrument.

  5. jack dawson says:

    I was Googling around for content about weather station this morning, when I came across your excellent resource page
    I just wanted to say that your page helped me a ton.
    It’s funny: I recently published a guide on weather station guide last month.
    Here it is in case you’d like to check it out: http://www.weatherstation1.com.

  6. Juan says:

    installation and cleanliness is very much important in maintaining a weather station.Especially if you want to use it long term.

  7. I like the tip about keeping it clean, i personally find this difficult, i think we have acid rain here in Texas. Can you recommend any cleaning products that are suitable for weather stations?

  8. Excelente explicación !! , Muy profesional

  9. I found your tips on buying and installing a new radiation shield for a weather station very informative. It’s important to consider factors like size, material, mounting height, surroundings, and cleanliness to ensure accurate measurements. I appreciate the advice and will keep these points in mind when setting up my weather station. Thank you!

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