Apogee SN-500 User manual

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction..............................................................................................2
2. Installation................................................................................................ 2
2.1 Set Up Mounting Assembly........................................................................4
2.2 Connect to METER ZENTRA Series Logger .................................................5
3. Data Interpretation .............................................................................. 6
4. Troubleshooting .....................................................................................6
5. Customer Support ................................................................................ 7
Index ...................................................................................................................8
18445-00
8.31.2021

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USING APOGEE NET RADIOMETERS WITH ZENTRA SYSTEM
1. INTRODUCTION
The Apogee Instruments SN-500 Net Radiometer is a four-component net radiometer
designed for continuous measurement of net radiation in outdoor environments. The
net radiometer uses four filtered blackbody thermopile sensors to measure the four
components of net radiation independently. An upward-facing pyranometer and pyrgeometer
pair measures the downwelling shortwave and longwave radiation, respectively, while a
downward-facing pyranometer and pyrgeometer pair measures upwelling shortwave and
longwave radiation. The four radiation components can be used individually or combined
to yield several important parameters including net radiation, which is a key variable in the
surface energy balance, shortwave irradiance, net short- and longwave radiation, albedo, and
many others.
The information in this document explains how to install the required hardware to mount the
Apogee Net Radiometer that has been preconfigured by METER Group to work seamlessly
with METER ZENTRA series data loggers. Details of how the ZENTRA system handles the
data are also included. Please read this document carefully in its entirety before going out to
the field.
For more information on the Apogee net radiometers, please review the Net Radiometer
User Manual or visit the Apogee Net Radiometer product page (apogeeinstruments.com/
net-radiometer).
2. INSTALLATION
Follow the steps listed in Table 1 to install the Apogee Net Radiometer in the field. The
mounting rod as well as mounting brackets and fastening hardware are included with the
sensor. Other tools will need to be provided.
Table 1 Installation
Tools Needed
Wrench 13 mm (0.5 in)
Philips screwdriver
Mounting post 33.0 to 53.3 mm (1.3 to 2.1 in) diameter post, pole, tripod,
tower, or other similar infrastructure that extends above the canopy
Mounting rod (included)
Mounting bracket Model AM-500 (included)
METER ZENTRA series data logger ZL6 or EM60
METER ZSC Bluetooth®Sensor Interface (optional)
METER ZENTRA software ZENTRA Utility, ZENTRA Utility Mobile, or
ZENTRACloud

3
INSTALLATION
Table 1 Installation (continued)
Preparation
Conduct System Check
METER strongly recommends setting up and testing the system (sensors and
data loggers) in the lab or office.
Inspect and verify all components are intact.
Visit the data logger product page for the most up-to-date software and
firmware.
Verify all sensors are functional and read within expected ranges.
Consider the Surroundings
Choose a location that allows the up-facing sensors to be above the plant
canopy or in a position where the view of the sky is unobstructed (such as a
large canopy gap or forest clearing).
Ensure the sensor is not shaded from nearby objects (weather stations,
mounting posts, etc.).
Mounting
Install on Mounting Post
Use the U-bolts to mount the mounting bracket and sensor (Section2.1). The
U-bolts are compatible with most meterological stands, poles, tripods, and
other mounts.
Secure the System
Tighten the U-bolt nuts by hand until hand-tight, and then tighten with a
wrench. Ensure the net radiometer remains level.
CAUTION: Do not overtighten U-bolts.
Secure and Protect Cables
NOTE: Improperly protected cables can lead to severed cables or disconnected sensors.
Cabling issues can be caused by many factors such as rodent damage, driving over sensor
cables, tripping over cables,not leaving enough cable slack during installation, or poor
sensor wiring connections.
Install cables in conduit or plastic cladding when near the ground to avoid
rodent damage.
Gather and secure cables between the sensors and the data logger to the
mounting post in one or more places to ensure cable weight does not pull the
plug free from its port.
Connect to Data Logger
Plug the sensor into a data logger.
Use the data logger to make sure the sensor is reading properly.
Verify these readings are within expected ranges.
For more instructions on connecting to data loggers, refer to Section2.2.
INDEX
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INDEX
C
cables 3, 5, 6
connecting 5
customer support 7
D
data 6
data logger.
See ZENTRA series data loggers
I
installation 2–3
mounting 3
preparation 3
tools needed 2
M
mounting 2
mounting bracket 2
N
net radiometer 2, 4
R
recalibration 6
S
stereo plug connector 5
T
troubleshooting 6
U
U-bolt 3, 4
user manual 2
Z
ZENTRA series data loggers 2, 3, 5
ZENTRA software
Cloud 2, 6
Utility 2, 5, 6
ZSC 2

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CUSTOMER SUPPORT
5. CUSTOMER SUPPORT
NORTH AMERICA
Customer support representatives are available for questions, problems, or feedback
Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific time.
Email: [e-mail]
[e-mail]
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Website: metergroup.com
EUROPE
Customer support representatives are available for questions, problems, or feedback
Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 17:00 Central European time.
Email: [e-mail]
[e-mail]
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Website: metergroup.de
If contacting METER by email, please include the following information:
Name
Address
Phone
Email address
Instrument serial number
Description of the problem
NOTE: For products purchased through a distributor, please contact the distributor directly for assistance.
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USING APOGEE NET RADIOMETERS WITH ZENTRA SYSTEM
2.1 SET UP MOUNTING ASSEMBLY
Apogee net radiometers must be level to accurately measure the four components of
net radiation. Each net radiometer purchased from METER comes with an AM-500 Net
Radiometer Mounting Bracket. The AM-500 can be mounted to either a horizontal or vertical
post depending on which set of U-bolt holes are used. However, mounting to a horizontal arm
that extends away from the main mounting mast is highly recommended.
1. Align the cable M8 connector pins with the sensor M8 connector holes and seat
connectors fully.
2. Tighten the cable screw until hand-tight.
M8 connectors are easy to overtighten. Do not use pliers or other tools to tighten
thisconnector.
3. Attach the mounting bracket either to a horizontal arm (Figure2) or vertical post using
the included U-bolts.
Mounting bracket
(model AM-500)
Bubble level
Figure1 Apogee Net Radiometer sensor installed on mast or pipe
4. If installation is in the Northern Hemisphere, ensure the sensor is oriented to the South
of the main mounting mast.
If installation is in the Southern Hemisphere, ensure the sensor is oriented to the North
of the main mounting mast.
5. Thread the mounting rod into the body of the net radiometer.
6. Clamp the mounting rod into the AM-500 mounting bracket using the integrated Philips
screws.
7. Use the Philips screws on the mounting bracket to level the sensor according to the
bubble level on the top of the sensor.

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INSTALLATION
2.2 CONNECT TO METER ZENTRA SERIES LOGGER
Apogee net radiometers are preconfigured by METER and work seamlessly with METER
ZENTRA series data loggers. The sensors come with a 3.5-mm stereo plug connector
(Figure2) to facilitate easy connection with the data loggers. Apogee sensors come standard
with a 5-m cable.
Ground
Digital communication
Power
Figure2 3.5-mm stereo plug connector wiring
Check the METER download webpage for the most recent data logger firmware. Logger
configuration may be done using either ZENTRA Utility (desktop and mobile application) or
ZENTRA Cloud (web-based application for cell-enabled ZENTRA data loggers).
1. Plug the stereo plug connector into one of the sensor ports on the logger (Figure3).
Port 1 Port2 Port3 Port4 Port 5 Port6
TEST
OK
ERROR
(-)
(-) (-) (-)
(-)(+) (-)(+) (+)
(+)(+)(+)
Figure3 Logger connection
2. Connect to the data logger via ZENTRA Utility with a laptop and USB cable or ZENTRA
Utility Mobile app with a mobile device supporting Bluetooth®communication.
3. Use ZENTRA Utility to scan the ports and make sure the sensors were properly identified
by the logger and are reading properly.
METER data loggers should automatically recognize the Apogee sensor.
4. Use ZENTRA Utility to set the measurement interval.
5. Use ZENTRA Utility to configure communication settings for data transfer to ZENTRA Cloud.
Sensor data can be downloaded from METER data loggers using either ZENTRA Utility or
ZENTRA Cloud. Refer to the logger user manual for more information.
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USING APOGEE NET RADIOMETERS WITH ZENTRA SYSTEM
3. DATA INTERPRETATION
Apogee net radiometers used with the ZENTRA system report the four individual components
and the combined net radiation in units of watts per square meter (W/m2). Various other
combinations of the individual components (net short- and longwave radiation, albedo, etc.)
can be calculated during postprocessing, and some are included as environmental model
options in the ZENTRA Cloud reports page. Additionally, the sensor orientation information is
provided in the metadata tab of ZENTRA Cloud and ZENTRA Utility file downloads (Microsoft®
Excel®spreadsheet) and on the measurement configuration page of ZENTRA Cloud. Sensor
orientation is reported as the sensor zenith angle in units of degrees, with a zenith angle of
0° indicating a sensor oriented straight up.
4. TROUBLESHOOTING
This troubleshooting section details possible major problems and their solutions. If the
problem is not listed or these solutions do not solve the issue, contact Customer Support.
Table 2 Troubleshooting
Problem Possible Solution
Sensor not responding Check power to the sensor and logger.
Check sensor cable and stereo plug connector integrity.
Check that the SDI-12 address of the sensor is 0(factory default).
Check this with ZENTRA Utility by going to Actions, select Digital
sensor terminal, choose the port that sensor is on, and send the
?I! command to the sensor from the dropdown menu.
Sensor values are not reasonable Verify the sensor is not shaded.
Verify the orientation angle of sensors.
Cable or stereo plug
connectorfailure
If the stereo plug connector is damaged or needs to be replaced,
contact Customer Support for a replacement connector or
splice kit.
If a cable is damaged refer to the METER wire-splicing guide for
cable repair.
It is recommended that Apogee net radiometers are returned for recalibration every 2 years.
Visit Apogee repairs (apogeeinstruments.com/recalibration-and-repairs) or contact Apogee
Technical Support ([e-mail]) for details.