Columbia Weather Systems Orion 420 User manual

Orion 420 Weather Station 1
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Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
Orion 420 Weather Station™
User Manual
Version 2.03
Serial Number: ___________________
Date Purchased: __________________
All specifications subject to change without notice.
Printed in U. S. A.

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Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
© Copyright 2005 - 2015 Columbia Weather Systems, Inc. All Rights
Reserved.
Proprietary Notice: Orion, Orion 420, Capricorn 2000, Capricorn 2000EX,
Capricorn FLX, Magellan, Vela and Pulsar Weather Stations are
trademarks of Columbia Weather Systems, Inc. The information and
drawings contained herein are the sole property of Columbia Weather
Systems, Inc. Use of this publication is reserved exclusively for
customers of Columbia Weather Systems, Inc. and their personnel.
Reproduction of this material is forbidden without the express written
consent of Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
Parts of the Orion Weather Station™ user manual were adapted from the
Weather Transmitter WXT520 User’s Guide with permission from Vaisala
Oyj.
WINDCAP®, RAINCAP®, HUMICAP®, BAROCAP® and
THERMOCAP® are registered trademarks of Vaisala.

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Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
Welcome!
Congratulations on your purchase of an Orion 420 Weather Station.
Please read this manual completely prior to installation.

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Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.

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Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
Important Notice: Shipping
Damage
BEFORE YOU READ ANY FURTHER, please inspect all system
components for obvious shipping damage. The Orion is a high
precision instrument and can be damaged by rough handling. Your unit
was packaged to minimize the possibility of damage in transit. Please
save the shipping container for any future shipment of your Orion sensor.
In the event your order arrives in damaged condition, it is important that
the following steps be taken immediately. The title transfers automatically
to you, the customer, once the material is entrusted to the transport
company.
NOTE: DO NOT RETURN THE INSTRUMENT TO COLUMBIA
WEATHER SYSTEMS until the following steps are completed. Failure to
follow this request will jeopardize your claim.
1. Open the container and inspect the contents. Do not throw away
the container or any damaged parts. Try to keep items in the
same condition as originally received.
2. Notify the transport company immediately.
3. Request the transport company’s representative inspect the
shipment personally.
4. After inspection, request a Return Materials Authorization (RMA)
from Columbia Weather Systems by calling [phone].
5. Return approved items to us at the following address:
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
5285 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite C100
Hillsboro, OR 97124
6. After a repair evaluation, an estimate of the cost of repair will be
sent to you.

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Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
ESD Protection
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) can cause immediate or latent damage to
electronic circuits. Vaisala products are adequately protected against
ESD for their intended use. However, it is possible to damage the
product by delivering electrostatic discharges when touching, removing,
or inserting any objects inside the equipment housing.
To avoid delivering high static voltages yourself:
1. Handle ESD sensitive components on a properly grounded and
protected ESD workbench. When this is not possible, ground
yourself with a wrist strap and a resistive connection cord to the
equipment chassis before touching the boards. When neither of
the above is possible, at least touch a conductive part of the
equipment chassis with your other hand before touching the
boards.
2. Always hold the boards by the edges and avoid touching the
component contacts.

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Table of Contents
WELCOME! -------------------------------------------------------------- 3
IMPORTANT NOTICE: SHIPPING DAMAGE ----------------- 5
ESD P ROTECTION ............................................................................................. 6
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION ----------------------------------- 11
T HE O RION 420 W EATHER S TATION ............................................................... 11
S PECIFICATIONS .............................................................................................. 12
Operating Conditions................................................................................. 12
Wind Speed ................................................................................................ 12
Wind Direction........................................................................................... 12
Relative Humidity....................................................................................... 12
Temperature............................................................................................... 13
Barometric Pressure .................................................................................. 13
Precipitation .............................................................................................. 13
Input Voltage.............................................................................................. 13
Sensor Housing .......................................................................................... 14
Heating Power Source ............................................................................... 14
Serial to Analog Converters....................................................................... 14
P RINCIPLES OF M EASUREMENTS ..................................................................... 15
Wind Measurement .................................................................................... 15
Pressure, Temperature, and Relative Humidity (PTU) Module................. 16
Rainfall Measurement................................................................................ 17
SECTION 2: PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION ---------------------- 19
O RION S ENSOR T RANSMITTER ........................................................................ 19
Sensor Transmitter Components................................................................ 19
Mounting Adapter ...................................................................................... 21
Internal Terminal Block............................................................................. 21
Heating (Optional)..................................................................................... 22
Orion 420 Enclosure.................................................................................. 23
S URGE /L IGHTNING P ROTECTORS .................................................................... 24
SECTION 3: INSTALLATION ------------------------------------ 25
W EATHER S TATION S YSTEM C ONFIGURATIONS ............................................. 25
I NSTALLATION O VERVIEW .............................................................................. 26
U NPACKING THE U NIT .................................................................................... 26
Installing the Mast ..................................................................................... 27
Location ..................................................................................................... 27
Mounting Method....................................................................................... 27
Routing Cable ............................................................................................ 27
Installing the Orion Sensor Transmitter .................................................... 29

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Site Selection.............................................................................................. 29
Installing the Mounting Adapter ................................................................ 29
North Alignment......................................................................................... 30
Installing the Surge Arrestor...................................................................... 31
Connecting the Sensor Transmitter to the Orion 420 Enclosure ............... 32
Connecting the 420 Enclosure to the PLC ................................................. 33
SECTION 4: OPTIONAL MOUNTING HARDWARE ------ 35
Sensor Mast................................................................................................ 35
Roof Mounting ........................................................................................... 35
Wall Mounting ........................................................................................... 36
Telescoping Tripod and Tiedown Kit......................................................... 38
Specifications ............................................................................................. 39
SECTION 5: OPERATION ----------------------------------------- 41
SECTION 6: MONITORING OPTIONS ------------------------ 43
W EATHER D ISPLAY C ONSOLE (O PTIONAL ) .................................................... 44
W EATHER M ICRO S ERVER (O PTIONAL )........................................................... 45
W EATHER M ASTER  S OFTWARE (O PTIONAL )................................................ 46
SECTION 7: MAINTENANCE ------------------------------------ 47
C LEANING ....................................................................................................... 47
R EPLACING THE PTU M ODULE ....................................................................... 47
F ACTORY C ALIBRATION AND R EPAIR S ERVICE .............................................. 48
SECTION 8: TROUBLESHOOTING ---------------------------- 49
Loss of communication with Orion sensor module:................................... 50
Wind measurement failure:........................................................................ 50
Pressure, humidity and temperature measurement failure: ....................... 50
SECTION 9: USER SUPPORT INFORMATION ------------- 51
L IMITED W ARRANTY ...................................................................................... 51
EXCLUSIONS ............................................................................................ 51
R ETURN FOR R EPAIR P ROCEDURE .................................................................. 52
REFERENCE----------------------------------------------------------- 54
G LOSSARY ...................................................................................................... 54
Aspirating Radiation Shield....................................................................... 54
Barometric Pressure .................................................................................. 54
Celsius Temperature Scale......................................................................... 54
Dew Point .................................................................................................. 54
Density Altitude.......................................................................................... 54
Fahrenheit Temperature Scale................................................................... 54
Global Radiation........................................................................................ 55

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Heat Index.................................................................................................. 55
Pyranometer............................................................................................... 55
Relative Humidity....................................................................................... 55
Sea Level Pressure..................................................................................... 55
Solar Radiation .......................................................................................... 55
Wind Chill .................................................................................................. 55
U NIT C ONVERSION ......................................................................................... 56
Speed.......................................................................................................... 56
Temperature............................................................................................... 56
Distance ..................................................................................................... 56
Pressure ..................................................................................................... 56
T ABLES AND F ORMULAS ................................................................................. 57
Wind Chill Chart........................................................................................ 57
Wind Chill Equation .................................................................................. 58
Heat Index.................................................................................................. 59
Dew Point .................................................................................................. 60

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SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
The Orion 420 Weather Station
The Orion 420 weather station provides ultrasonic wind direction and
speed measurements, a highly-accurate impact rain sensor, capacitive
relative humidity, temperature and barometric pressure readings – all in
a single sensor module.
The Orion 420 provides 4-20mA current output for the eight weather
parameters.
High accuracy and fine resolution make this system ideal for precision
weather monitoring.

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Specifications
Operating Conditions
Temperature Operation: -52 to +60°C (-61 to +140°F)
Relative humidity: 0 to 100%
Pressure: 600 to 1100 hPa
Wind: 0 to 60 m/s
Wind Speed
Range: 0-135mph (0-60 m/s)
Accuracy: ±3% at 10 m/s
Resolution: 1 mph (1 m/s)
Units Available: knots, mph, km/hr, m/s
Wind Direction
Azimuth: 0-360°
Accuracy: ±3°
Resolution: 1°
Units Available: °Azimuth
Relative Humidity
Range: 0 - 100%
Accuracy: ±3% (0-90%), 5% (90-100%)
Resolution: 1%
Units Available: %RH

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Temperature
Range: -60 to 140°F (-52 to +60°C)
Accuracy: ±0.5°F (+/-0.3°C) at 68°F (+20°C)
Resolution: 0.1°F
Units Available: °F, °C
Barometric Pressure
Range: 17.50 to 32.50 InHg (600 to 1100 hPa)
Accuracy: ±0.015 InHg (0.5 hPa) at +32 to 86°F (0 to 30°C)
±0.03 InHg (1 hPa) at -60 to 140°F (-52 to 60°C)
Resolution: 0.01 InHg (0.1 hPa)
Units Available: Kpa, mbar, InHg
Precipitation
Range: cumulative
Collection Area: 602cm
Accuracy: ±5% (spatial variations may exist)
Resolution 0.01 in. (0.254mm)
Units Available: mm, inches
Input Voltage
The Orion 420 is powered with an internal switching power supply
Input: 120/240 VAC, 60 Hz

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Sensor Housing
Protection class: IP66 (with mounting adapter)
Materials: Polycarbonate + 20% glass fiber, stainless steel (AISI 316)
Weight: 650 g (1.43 lbs)
Heating Power Source
Input: 5 to 30 VDC (1.1 A at 12 VDC)
Serial to Analog Converters
Analog Range: 4-20 mA
Current sourcing
Accuracy at 25°C: 0.1% of range
Maximum load: 600 ohms
Output reaction time: 0 – 40 ms
DA Conversion: 12 bits (resolution 4096)
Current Consumption: 30 mA to 120 mA

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Principles of Measurements
Wind Measurement
Both wind speed and direction are measured using advanced ultrasonic
technology. The sensor utilizes ultrasound to determine horizontal wind
readings. The array of three equally-spaced ultrasonic transducers on a
horizontal plane is an ideal design that ensures accurate wind
measurement from all directions, without blind angles or corrupted
readings.
The wind sensor has no moving parts, which makes it virtually
maintenance free.
Wind speed and wind directions are determined by measuring the time it
takes the ultrasound to travel from each transducer to the other two.
The wind sensor measures the transit time (in both directions) along the
three paths established by the array of transducers. This transit time
depends on the wind speed along the ultrasonic path. For zero wind
speed, both the forward and reverse transit times are the same. With
wind along the sound path, the up-wind direction transit time increases
and the down-wind transit time decreases.
The wind speed is calculated from the measured transit times using the
following formula:
V
w
= 0.5 x L x (1/ t
f
– 1/tr)
where:
V
w
= Wind speed
L = Distance between the two transducers
t
f
= Transit time in forward direction
t
r
= Transit time in reverse direction
Measuring the six transit times allows V
w
to be computed for each of the
three ultrasonic paths. The computed wind speeds are independent of
altitude, temperature and humidity, which are cancelled out when the
transit times are measured in both directions, although the individual
transit times depend on these parameters.
Using V
w
values of two array paths is enough to compute wind speed
and wind direction. A signal processing technique is used so that wind
speed and wind direction are calculated from the two array paths of best
quality.
The wind speed is represented as a scalar speed in selected units (m/s,
kt, mph, km/h). The wind direction is expressed in degrees (°). The wind

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direction reported indicates the direction that the wind comes from. North
is represented as 0°, east as 90°, south as 180°, and west as 270°.
The wind direction is not calculated when the wind speed drops below
0.05 m/s. In this case, the last calculated direction output remains until
the wind speed increases again to the level of 0.05 m/s.
The average values of wind speed and direction are calculated as a
scalar average of all samples over the selected averaging time (1 ... 900
s). The sample count is based on a 4 Hz sampling rate. The minimum
and maximum values of wind speed and direction represent the
corresponding extremes during the averaging time.
Pressure, Temperature, and Relative Humidity (PTU)
Module
Barometric pressure, temperature, and humidity measurements are
combined in an advanced sensor module (PTU) utilizing a capacitive
measurement method for each parameter. The PTU module contains
separate sensors for pressure, temperature, and humidity measurement.
The measurement principle of the pressure, temperature, and humidity
sensors is based on an advanced RC oscillator and two reference
capacitors against which the capacitance of the sensors is continuously
measured. The microprocessor of the transmitter performs compensation
for the temperature dependency of the pressure and humidity sensors.
Barometric pressure is measured using a capacitive silicon
BAROCAP® sensor. The sensor has minimal hysteresis and excellent
repeatability, as well as outstanding temperature and long-term stability.
Temperature is measured with a capacitive ceramic THERMOCAP®
sensor.
Relative humidity measurement is based on a capacitive thin film
polymer HUMICAP®180 sensor. The sensor is highly accurate with
negligible hysteresis and excellent long-term stability in a wide range of
environments.
Radiation Shield: This module is mounted in a specially-designed
radiation shield which protects the sensors from both scattered and
direct sunlight and precipitation. The composite material in the plates
offers excellent thermal characteristics and UV stabilized construction.
The white outer surface reflects radiation, while the black inside absorbs
accumulated heat.
The internal sensor module is easily replaceable and readily available as
a spare component. To order a replacement module, please use catalog
no. 9581.

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Rainfall Measurement
Rainfall is measured with an impact sensor, which detects the size and
impact of individual rain drops. The signals resulting from the impacts are
proportional to the volume of the drops. Hence, the signal from each
drop can be converted directly to the accumulated rainfall.
This measurement method eliminates flooding and clogging, as well as
wetting and evaporation losses.
The sensor transmitter uses RAINCAP® sensor 2-technology in
precipitation measurement.
The precipitation sensor is comprised of a steel cover and a piezoelectric
sensor mounted on the bottom surface of the cover.
The precipitation sensor detects the impact of individual raindrops. The
signals from the impact are proportional to the volume of the drops.
Advanced noise filtering technique is used to filter out signals originating
from other sources than raindrops.
The measured parameter is accumulated rainfall. Detection of each
individual drop enables computing of rain amount with high resolution.

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SECTION 2: PHYSICAL
DESCRIPTION
Orion Sensor Transmitter
The Orion Sensor Transmitter is an all-in-one sensor unit containing
ultrasonic wind speed and direction sensor, temperature sensor, relative
humidity sensor, barometric pressure sensor and an impact rain sensor.
The temperature, relative humidity and barometric pressure sensors are
combined in a single module housed in a self-aspirating radiation shield.
Sensor Transmitter Components
1: Top of the transmitter
2: Radiation Shield
3: Bottom of the transmitter
4: Screw cover

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Cut Away View
1: Wind Transducers (3 pcs)
2: Precipitation Sensor
3: Pressure sensor inside the Sensor Module
4: Humidity and temperature sensor inside the Sensor Module
Bottom of the Transmitter
1: Alignment direction sign
2: Service port
3: Watertight cable gland
4: Unused cable gland, covered
5: Optional M12 connector