Apogee Instruments SIF-131 User manual

APOGEE INSTRUMENTS, INC. | 721 WEST 1800 NORTH, LOGAN, UTAH 84321, USA
TEL: [phone] | FAX: [phone] | WEB: APOGEEINSTRUMENTS.COM
Copyright © 2018 Apogee Instruments, Inc.
OWNER’S MANUAL
INFRARED RADIOMETER
Models SIF-111, SIF-121, SIF-131, and SIF-1H1
(including SS models)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Owner’s Manual ............................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Certificate of Compliance......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Sensor Models ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Specifications ........................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Deployment and Installation.................................................................................................................................................... 8
Cable Connectors ................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Operation and Measurement ................................................................................................................................................ 11
Maintenance and Recalibration ............................................................................................................................................. 16
Troubleshooting and Customer Support................................................................................................................................ 17

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
EU Declaration of Conformity
This declaration of conformity is issued under the sole responsibility of the manufacturer:
Apogee Instruments, Inc.
721 W 1800 N
Logan, Utah 84321
USA
for the following product(s):
Models: SIF-111, SIF-121, SIF-131, SIF-1H1
Type: Infrared Radiometer
The object of the declaration described above is in conformity with the relevant Union harmonization legislation:
2014/30/EU Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive
2011/65/EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS 2) Directive
Standards referenced during compliance assessment:
EN 61326-1:2013 Electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use –EMC requirements
EN 50581:2012 Technical documentation for the assessment of electrical and electronic products with respect to
the restriction of hazardous substances
Please be advised that based on the information available to us from our raw material suppliers, the products
manufactured by us do not contain, as intentional additives, any of the restricted materials including cadmium,
hexavalent chromium, lead, mercury, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), polybrominated diphenyls (PBDE).
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.
Signed for and on behalf of:
Apogee Instruments, May 2016
Bruce Bugbee
President
Apogee Instruments, Inc.

INTRODUCTION
All objects with a temperature above absolute zero emit electromagnetic radiation. The wavelengths and intensity
of radiation emitted are related to the temperature of the object. Terrestrial surfaces (e.g., soil, plant canopies,
water, snow) emit radiation in the mid infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum (approximately 4 to 50
µm).
Infrared radiometers are sensors that measure infrared radiation, which is used to determine surface temperature
without touching the surface (when using sensors that must be in contact with the surface, it can be difficult to
maintain thermal equilibrium without altering surface temperature). Infrared radiometers are often called infrared
thermometers because temperature is the desired quantity, even though the sensors detect radiation.
Typical applications of infrared radiometers include plant canopy temperature measurement for use in plant water
status estimation, road surface temperature measurement for determination of icing conditions, and terrestrial
surface (soil, vegetation, water, snow) temperature measurement in energy balance studies.
Apogee Instruments SIF series infrared radiometers consist of a thermopile detector, germanium filter, precision
thermistor (for detector reference temperature measurement), and signal processing circuitry mounted in an
anodized aluminum housing, and a cable to connect the sensor to a measurement device. All radiometers also
come with a radiation shield designed to minimize absorbed solar radiation, but still allowing natural ventilation.
The radiation shield insulates the radiometer from rapid temperature changes and keeps the temperature of the
radiometer closer to the target temperature. Sensors are potted solid with no internal air space and are designed
for continuous temperature measurement of terrestrial surfaces in indoor and outdoor environments. SIF-100
series sensors output an analog voltage that is directly proportional to the infrared radiation balance of the target
(surface or object the sensor is pointed at) and detector, where the radiation balance between target and detector
is related to the temperature difference between the two.

SENSOR MODELS
The four FOV options and associated model numbers are shown below:
Model
Output
SIF-100 Series
Voltage
SI-100 Series
Voltage
SI-400 Series
SDI-12
SIF-131
SIF-121
SIF-111
Sensor model number and serial number are located
on a label near the pigtail leads on the sensor cable. If
you need the manufacturing date of your sensor,
please contact Apogee Instruments with the serial
number of your sensor.
SIF-1H1

SPECIFICATIONS
Calibration Traceability
Apogee SIF series infrared radiometers are calibrated to the temperature of a custom blackbody cone held at
multiple fixed temperatures over a range of radiometer (detector/sensor body) temperatures. The temperature of
the blackbody cone is measured with replicate precision thermistors thermally bonded to the cone surface. The
precision thermistors are calibrated for absolute temperature measurement against a platinum resistance
thermometer (PRT) in a constant temperature bath. The PRT calibration is directly traceable to the NIST.
Approximate Sensitivity
(difference between target and detector temperature)
15 µV per C
10 µV per C
10 µV per C
Output from Thermopile
Approximately -0.825
to 0.825 mV for at
temperature difference
from -55 to 55 C
Approximately -0.55 mV to 0.55 mV for a
temperature difference from -55 to 55 C
Analog Output from Thermistor
0 to 2500 mV (typical, depends on input voltage)
Input Voltage Requirement
2500 mV excitation (typical, other voltages can be used)
Calibration Uncertainty (-20 to 65 C), when target and
detector temperature are within 20 C
0.2 C
Calibration Uncertainty (-40 to 80 C), when target and
detector temperate are different by more than 20 C
(see Calibration Traceability below)
0.5 C
Measurement Repeatability
Less than 0.05 C
Stability (Long-term Drift)
Less than 2 % change in slope per year when germanium filter is
maintained in a clean condition (see Maintenance and Recalibration
section below)
Response Time
0.2 s, time for detector signal to reach 95% following a step change
Field of View
22º half-angle
18º half-angle
32º horizontal half-
angle; 13º vertical
half-angle
Spectral Range
8 to 14 µm; atmospheric window (see Spectral Response below)
Operating Environment
-55 to 80 C; 0 to 100 % relative humidity (non-condensing)
Dimensions
23 mm diameter; 60 mm length
Mass
190 g (with 5m of lead wire)
Cable
5 m of four conductor, shielded, twisted-pair wire; additional cable
available in multiples of 5 m; santoprene rubber jacket (high water
resistance, high UV stability, flexibility in cold conditions); pigtail lead wires
Warranty
4 years against defects in materials and workmanship

Spectral Response
Spectral response of SIF series
infrared radiometers. Spectral
response (green line) is determined
by the germanium filter and
corresponds closely to the
atmospheric window of 8 to 14 µm,
minimizing interference from
atmospheric absorption/emission
bands (blue line) below 8 µm and
above 14 µm. Typical terrestrial
surfaces have temperatures that
yield maximum radiation emission
within the atmospheric window, as
shown by the blackbody curve for a
radiator at 28 C (red line).

DEPLOYMENT AND INSTALLATION
The mounting geometry (distance from target surface, angle of orientation relative to target surface) is
determined by the desired area of surface to be measured. The field of view extends unbroken from the sensor to
the target surface. Sensors must be carefully mounted in order to view the desired target and avoid including
unwanted surfaces/objects in the field of view, thereby averaging unwanted temperatures with the target
temperature (see Field of View below). Once mounted, the green cap must be removed. The green cap can be
used as a protective covering for the sensor, when it is not in use.
An Apogee Instruments model AM-210 mounting bracket is recommended for mounting the sensor to a cross arm
or pole. The AM-210 allows adjustment of the angle of the sensor with respect to the target and accommodates
the radiation shield designed for all SIF series infrared radiometers.
Model: AM-210

Field of View
The field of view (FOV) is reported as the half-angle of the apex of the cone formed by the target surface (cone
base) and the detector (cone apex), as shown below, where the target is defined as a circle from which 98 % of the
radiation detected by the radiometer is emitted.
Sensor FOV, distance to target, and sensor mounting angle in relation to the target will determine target area.
Different mounting geometries (distance and angle combinations) produce different target shapes and areas, as
shown below.
A simple FOV calculator for determining target dimensions based on infrared radiometer model, mounting height,
and mounting angle, is available on the Apogee website: http://www.apogeeinstruments.com/using-your-apogee-
instruments-infrared-radiometer/.

CABLE CONNECTORS
Apogee started offering in-line cable connectors on
some bare-lead sensors in March 2018 to simplify the
process of removing sensors from weather stations for
calibration by not requiring the full cable to be
uninstalled back to the data logger.
The ruggedized M8 connectors are rated IP67, made of
corrosion-resistant marine-grade stainless-steel, and
designed for extended use in harsh environmental
conditions.
Inline cable connectors are installed 30 cm from the
head
(pyranometer pictured)
Instructions
Pins and Wiring Colors: All Apogee connectors have six
pins, but not all pins are used for every sensor. There
may also be unused wire colors inside the cable. To
simplify data logger connection, we remove the unused
pigtail lead colors at the data logger end of the cable.
If you ever need a replacement cable, please contact us
directly to ensure ordering the proper pigtail
configuration.
Alignment: When reconnecting your sensor, arrows on
the connector jacket and an aligning notch ensure
proper orientation.
Disconnection for extended periods: When
disconnecting the sensor for an extended period of time
from a station, protect the remaining half of the
connector still on the station from water and dirt with
electrical tape or other method.
A reference notch inside the connector ensures
proper alignment before tightening.
When sending sensors in for calibration, only send the
short end of the cable and half the connector.
Tightening: Connectors are designed to be firmly
finger-tightened only. There is an o-ring inside the
connector that can be overly compressed if a wrench is
used. Pay attention to thread alignment to avoid cross-
threading. When fully tightened, 1-2 threads may still
be visible.
Finger-tighten firmly

Red: High side of differential channel (positive
thermopile lead)
Black: Low side of differential channel (negative
thermopile lead)
Clear: Analog ground (thermopile ground)
Green: Single-ended channel (positive thermistor
lead)
Blue: Analog ground (negative thermistor lead)
White: Excitation channel (excitation for
thermistor)
Red: Excitation channel (excitation for
thermistor)
Black: Low side of differential channel (negative
thermopile lead)
Clear: Shield/Ground
Green: Single-ended channel (positive
thermistor lead)
Blue: Analog ground (negative thermistor lead)
White: High side of differential channel (positive
thermopile lead)
OPERATION AND MEASUREMENT
All SIF-100 series radiometers output two signals: a voltage from the thermopile radiation detector (proportional
to the radiation balance between target and detector) and a voltage from the thermistor (proportional to the
magnitude of the excitation voltage and resistance of thermistor). The voltage output from the thermopile is an
electrically-isolated bipolar (polarity is dependent on temperature difference between sensor and target) signal in
the microvolt range and requires a high resolution differential measurement. The voltage output from the
thermistor can be measured with a single-ended measurement. In order to maximize measurement resolution and
signal-to-noise ratio, the input range of the measurement device should closely match the output range of the
infrared radiometer. DO NOT connect the thermopile (white and black wires) to a power source. The detector is
self-powered and applying voltage will damage it. Only the red wire should be connected to a power source.
VERY IMPORTANT: Apogee changed all wiring colors of our bare-lead sensors in March 2018 in conjunction
with the release of inline cable connectors on some sensors. To ensure proper connection to your data device,
please note your serial number or if your sensor has a stainless-steel connector 30 cm from the sensor head then
use the appropriate wiring configuration below.
Wiring for SIF-100 Series with Serial Numbers range 0-1056
Wiring for SIF-100 Series with Serial Numbers 1057 and above or with a cable connector

Calibration overview data are listed in the box in the upper left-hand corner, sensor specific coefficients are
listed in the box in the upper right-hand corner, temperature errors are shown in graph, and calibration date is
listed below descriptions of calibration procedure and traceability.
Sensor Calibration
Apogee SIF series infrared radiometers are calibrated in a temperature controlled chamber that houses a custom-
built blackbody cone (target) for the radiation source. During calibration, infrared radiometers (detectors) are held
in a fixture at the opening of the blackbody cone, but are thermally insulated from the cone. Detector and target
temperature are controlled independently. At each calibration set point, detectors are held at a constant
temperature while the blackbody cone is controlled at temperatures below (12 C), above (18 C), and equal to the
detector temperature. The range of detector temperatures is -15 C to 45 C (set points at 10 C increments). Data
are collected at each detector temperature set point, after detectors and target reach constant temperatures.
All Apogee analog infrared radiometer models (SIF-100 series) have sensor-specific calibration coefficients
determined during the custom calibration process. Unique coefficients for each sensor are provided on a
coefficient certificate (example shown below).

Temperature Measurement with Internal Thermistor
Measurement devices (e.g., datalogger, controller) do not measure resistance directly, but determine resistance
from a half-bridge measurement, where an excitation voltage is input across the thermistor and an output voltage
is measured across the bridge resistor.
An excitation voltage of 2.5 V DC is recommended to minimize self-heating and current drain, while still
maintaining adequate measurement sensitivity (mV output from thermistor per C). However, other excitation
voltages can be used. Decreasing the excitation voltage will decrease self-heating and current drain, but will also
decrease thermistor measurement sensitivity. Increasing the excitation voltage will increase thermistor
measurement sensitivity, but will also increase self-heating and current drain.
The internal thermistor provides a temperature reference for calculation of target temperature. Resistance of the
thermistor changes with temperature. Thermistor resistance (RT, in Ω) is measured with a half-bridge
measurement, requiring an excitation voltage input (VEX) and a measurement of output voltage (VOUT):







 1
V
V
24900R
OUT
EX
T
(1)
where 24900 is the resistance of the bridge resistor in Ω. From resistance, temperature (TK, in Kelvin) is calculated
with the Steinhart-Hart equation and thermistor specific coefficients:
3
TT
K))R(ln(C)Rln(BA
1
T 
where A = 1.129241 x 10-3, B = 2.341077 x 10-4, and C = 8.775468 x 10-8 (Steinhart-Hart coefficients).
If desired, measured temperature in Kelvin can be converted to Celsius (TC):
15.273TT KC 
. (3)

Target Temperature Measurement
The detector output from SIF-100 series radiometers follows the fundamental physics of the Stefan-Boltzmann
Law, where radiation transfer is proportional to the fourth power of absolute temperature. A modified form of the
Stefan-Boltzmann equation is used to calibrate sensors, and subsequently, calculate target temperature:
bSmTT D
4
D
4
T
where TTis target temperature [K], TDis detector temperature [K], SDis the millivolt signal from the detector, m is
slope, and b is intercept. The mV signal from the detector is linearly proportional to the energy balance between
the target and detector, analogous to energy emission being linearly proportional to the fourth power of
temperature in the Stefan-Boltzmann Law.
During the calibration process, m and b are determined at each detector temperature set point (10 C increments
across a -15 C to 45 C range) by plotting measurements of TT4–TD4versus mV. The derived m and b coefficients are
then plotted as function of TDand second order polynomials are fitted to the results to produce equations that
determine m and b at any TD:
0CT1CT2Cm D
2
D
0CT1CT2Cb D
2
D
Where C2, C1, and C0 are the custom calibration coefficients listed on the calibration certificate (shown above)
that comes with each SIF-100 series radiometer (there are two sets of polynomial coefficients, one set for m and
one set for b). Note that TDis converted from Kelvin to Celsius (temperature in C equals temperature in K minus
273.15) before m and b are plotted versus TD.
To make measurements of target temperatures, Eq. (1) is rearranged to solve for TT[C], measured values of SDand
TDare input, and predicted values of m and b are input:
 
15.273
4
1
4 bSmTT DDT
Emissivity Correction
Appropriate correction for surface emissivity is required for accurate surface temperature measurements. The
simple (and commonly made) emissivity correction, dividing measured temperature by surface emissivity, is
incorrect because it does not account for reflected infrared radiation.
The radiation detected by an infrared radiometer includes two components: 1. radiation directly emitted by the
target surface, and 2. reflected radiation from the background. The second component is often neglected. The
magnitude of the two components in the total radiation detected by the radiometer is estimated using the
emissivity (ε) and reflectivity (1 - ε) of the target surface:
 
BackgroundetargTSensor E1EE 

where ESensor is radiance [W m-2 sr-1] detected by the radiometer, ETarget is radiance [W m-2 sr-1] emitted by the
target surface, EBackground is radiance [W m-2 sr-1] emitted by the background (when the target surface is outdoors
the background is generally the sky), and εis the ratio of non-blackbody radiation emission (actual radiation
emission) to blackbody radiation emission at the same temperature (theoretical maximum for radiation emission).
Unless the target surface is a blackbody (ε= 1; emits and absorbs the theoretical maximum amount of energy
based on temperature), Esensor will include a fraction (1 –ε) of reflected radiation from the background.
Since temperature, rather than energy, is the desired quantity, Eq. (1) can be written in terms of temperature
using the Stefan-Boltzmann Law, E = σT4(relates energy being emitted by an object to the fourth power of its
absolute temperature):
 
4
Background
4
etargT
4
Sensor T1TT 
where TSensor [K] is temperature measured by the infrared radiometer (brightness temperature), TTarget [K] is actual
temperature of the target surface, TBackground [K] is brightness temperature of the background (usually the sky), and
σis the Stefan-Boltzmann constant (5.67 x 10-8 W m-2 K-4). The power of 4 on the temperatures in Eq. (2) is valid for
the entire blackbody spectrum.
Rearrangement of Eq. (2) to solve for TTarget yields the equation used to calculate the actual target surface
temperature (i.e., measured brightness temperature corrected for emissivity effects):
 
4
4
Back grou nd
4
Senso r
etargT
T1T
T


Equations (1)-(3) assume an infinite waveband for radiation emission and constant εat all wavelengths. These
assumptions are not valid because infrared radiometers do not have infinite wavebands, as most correspond to
the atmospheric window of 8 to 14 µm, and εvaries with wavelength. Despite the violated assumptions, the errors
for emissivity correction with Eq. (3) in environmental applications are typically negligible because a large
proportion of the radiation emitted by terrestrial objects is in the 8 to 14 µm waveband (the power of 4 in Eqs. (2)
and (3) is a reasonable approximation), εfor most terrestrial objects does not vary significantly in the 8 to 14 µm
waveband, and the background radiation is a small fraction (1 –ε) of the measured radiation because most
terrestrial surfaces have high emissivity (often between 0.9 and 1.0). To apply Eq. (3), the brightness temperature
of the background (TBackground) must be measured or estimated with reasonable accuracy. If a radiometer is used to
measure background temperature, the waveband it measures should be the same as the radiometer used to
measure surface brightness temperature. Although the εof a fully closed plant canopy can be 0.98-0.99, the lower
εof soils and other surfaces can result in substantial errors if εeffects are not accounted for.

MAINTENANCE AND RECALIBRATION
Blocking of the optical path between the target and detector, often due to moisture or debris on the filter, is a
common cause of inaccurate measurements. The filter in SIF series radiometers is inset in an aperture but can
become partially blocked in four ways:
1. Dew or frost formation on the filter.
2. Salt deposit accumulation on the filter, due to evaporating irrigation water or sea spray. This leaves a thin
white film on the filter surface. Salt deposits can be removed with a dilute acid (e.g., vinegar). Salt
deposits cannot be removed with solvents such as alcohol or acetone.
3. Dust and dirt deposition in the aperture and on the filter (usually a larger problem in windy
environments). Dust and dirt are best removed with deionized water, rubbing alcohol, or in extreme
cases, acetone.
4. Spiders/insects and/or nests in the aperture leading to the filter. If spiders/insects are a problem,
repellent should be applied around the aperture entrance (not on the filter).
Clean inner threads of the aperture and the filter with a cotton swab dipped in the appropriate solvent. Never use
an abrasive material on the filter. Use only gentle pressure when cleaning the filter with a cotton swab, to avoid
scratching the outer surface. The solvent should be allowed to do the cleaning, not mechanical force.
It is recommended that infrared radiometers be recalibrated every two years. See the Apogee webpage for details
regarding return of sensors for recalibration (http://www.apogeeinstruments.com/tech-support-recalibration-
repairs/).

TROUBLESHOOTING AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Independent Verification of Functionality
The radiation detector in Apogee SIF-100 series infrared radiometers is a self-powered device that outputs a
voltage signal proportional to the radiation balance between the detector and target surface. A quick and easy
check of detector functionality can be accomplished using a voltmeter with microvolt (µV) resolution. Connect the
positive lead of the voltmeter to the white wire from the sensor and the negative lead (or common) to the black
wire from the sensor. Direct the sensor toward a surface with a temperature significantly different than the
detector. The µV signal will be negative if the surface is colder than the detector and positive if the surface is
warmer than the detector. Placing a piece of tinfoil in front of the sensor should force the sensor µV signal to zero.
The thermistor inside Apogee SIF-100 series radiometers yields a resistance proportional to temperature. A quick
and easy check of thermistor functionality can be accomplished with an ohmmeter. Connect the lead wires of the
ohmmeter to the red and green wires from the sensor. The resistance should read 10 kΩat 25 C. If the sensor
temperature is less than 25 C, the resistance will be higher. If the sensor temperature is greater than 25 C, the
resistance will be lower. Connect the lead wires of the ohmmeter to the green and blue wires from the sensor. The
resistance should read 24.9 kΩ, and should not vary. Connect the lead wires of the ohmmeter to the red and blue
wires from the sensor. The resistance should be the sum of the resistances measured across the red and green
wires, and green and blue wires (e.g., 10 kΩplus 24.9 kΩat 25 C).
Compatible Measurement Devices (Dataloggers/Controllers/Meters)
SIF-100 series radiometers have sensitivities in the microvolt range, approximately 5 to 15 µV per C difference
between target and detector (depending on specific model). Thus, a compatible measurement device (e.g.,
datalogger or controller) should have resolution of at least 0.75 µV (0.00075 mV), in order to produce temperature
resolution of 0.05 C.
Measurement of detector temperature from the internal thermistor requires an input excitation voltage, where
2500 mV is recommended. A compatible measurement device should have the capability to supply the necessary
voltage. An example datalogger program for Campbell Scientific dataloggers can be found on the Apogee webpage
at http://www.apogeeinstruments.com/content/Infrared-Radiometer-Analog.CR1.
Modifying Cable Length
When the sensor is connected to a measurement device with high input impedance, sensor output signals are not
changed by shortening the cable or splicing on additional cable in the field. Tests have shown that if the input
impedance of the measurement device is 10 MΩor higher, there is negligible effect on the radiometer calibration,
even after adding up to 50 m of cable. Apogee model SIF series infrared radiometers use shielded, twisted pair
cable, which minimizes electromagnetic interference. This is particularly important for long lead lengths in
electromagnetically noisy environments. See Apogee webpage for details on how to extend sensor cable length
(http://www.apogeeinstruments.com/how-to-make-a-weatherproof-cable-splice/).
Signal Interference
Due to the small voltage signals from the detector, care should be taken to provide appropriate grounding for the
sensor and cable shield wire, in order to minimize the influence of electromagnetic interference (EMI). In instances
where SIF-100 series radiometers are being used in close proximity to communications (near an antenna or
antenna wiring), it may be necessary to alternate the data recording and data transmitting functions (i.e.,
measurements should not be made when data are being transmitted wirelessly). If EMI is suspected, place a tinfoil
cap over the front of the sensor and monitor the signal voltage from the detector. The signal voltage should
remain stable at (or very near) zero.