Spectrum Technologies LightScout 3415F User manual

Quantum Light Meters
PRODUCT MANUAL
Item # 3415F, 3415FQF, 3415FSE, 3415FXSE,
3415S, 3415SQF,3415SSE,3415SXSE

2
CONTENTS
Meter Operation 3
Changing the Battery 3
PAR Light 4
Foot-Candles 5
Cosine Correction 6
Specifications 7
Warranty 7
Thank you for purchasing a LightScout® Light Meter. This
manual describes the features and operation of the following
meters:
3415F, 3415S Quantum Light Meter (Solar Calibration)
3415FQF, 3415SQF Quantum and Foot-Candle Meter
3415FSE, 3415SSE Dual Solar/Electric Quantum Meter
3415FXSE, 3415SXSE External Sensor Solar/Electric
Quantum Meter
Read it thoroughly to ensure proper and effective use. For
customer support, or to place an order, call
Spectrum Technologies, Inc.
[phone] or [phone]
between 7:30 am and 5:30 p.m. CST,
FAX [phone],
E-Mail: [e-mail]
www.specmeters.com

3
The LightScout Light meters use a standard 9V battery. To
change the battery:
1. Remove the two screws on the back of the meter.
2. Lift the back from the bottom of the meter.
3. Remove the old battery from the connector, and snap the
new battery in its place. Set the battery into the front half
of the case.
4. Connect the front and back of the case at the top (by the
sensor).
5. Close the case and tighten the two screws.
Meter Operation
1. Turn the dial clockwise to the “ON” position. Dual mode
meters (3415FQF, 3415FSE, 3415FXSE, 3415SQF,
3415SSE, 3415SSXE) have two “on” settings, one to ei-
ther side of “OFF”.
2. Hold the meter (or for the 3415FXSE & 3415SXSE, the
sensor) vertical for accurate readings.
3. Turn the meter off after use to conserve battery power.
4. The external sensor for the 3415FXSE & 3415SXSE me-
ters is designed to enable attachment to a rod (or yard-
stick) for ease of measurement in or above the canopy.
Changing the Battery

4
Photosynthesis is driven primarily by photos of light with wave-
lengths between 400 and 700 nanometers, which is referred to
as Photosynthetically Active Radiation, or PAR light. Because
a quantum is the amount of energy possessed by a photon,
PAR light is sometimes labeled quantum light. The intensity of
PAR light is referred to as Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density
(PPFD), which is measured in units of µmol m-2 s-1 (the num-
ber of photons, in units of micromoles, striking an area one
meter square each second). Quantum Light Meters are cali-
brated to display PPFD.
LightScout Quantum Light Meters are calibrated for sunlight.
Due to differences in the spectrum generated by artificial
lights, the following adjustments must be made in the value
shown on a sunlight-calibrated meter:
Fluorescent: reads 8% high, so multiply the display by 0.92.
Metal Halide: reads 6% high, so multiply the display by 0.94.
High Pressure Sodium: 0% error—no adjustment needed.
Sunlight: 0% error—no adjustment needed.
Note that the 3415FSE and 3415FXSE meters display accu-
rate readings for fluorescent lights when set to “Electric”.
The chart below displays the spectral response of the Quan-
tum Light Meters.
PAR Light

5
Foot-Candle meters measure light intensity as perceived by
the human eye. The eye perceives light of approximately
560 nm most strongly, with perception half that at 500 and
600 nm.
The meters display values in the range 0-1999. This must be
multiplied by 10 to obtain Foot-Candles, so the meter range
is 0-19,990 Foot-Candles. Since 1 Foot-Candle is equivalent
to approximately 10.8 lux, multiplying the meter reading by
108 will compute lux.
Foot-Candles

6
Because the detected light intensity is dependent on the an-
gle of the incoming rays, the sensor must be constructed to
minimize this error. This is called cosine correction because
the radiant intensity of the incident light is dependent on the
cosine of the angle between the sun and an imaginary verti-
cal line extending from the ground. The PAR light sensor is
designed to give accurate readings over a wide range of solar
position. This is accomplished by recessing the photodiode
and building a protective diffuser that scatters the light in
such a way that the sensor output is accurate. The following
chart shows the cosine response error as a function of the
solar angle. This error compares favorably with other com-
mercially available sensors.
Cosine Correction
-30.00
-25.00
-20.00
-15.00
-10.00
-5.00
0.00
5.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80
Error %
Zenith Angle
Cosine Error for Different Light Sensors
Spectrum Solar Radiation Sensor
Spectrum PAR Light Sensor
Competitive Sensor A
Competitive Sensor B

7
Warranty
This product is warranted to be free from defects in material or workman-
ship for one year from the date of purchase. During the warranty period
Spectrum will, at its option, either repair or replace products that prove to
be defective. This warranty does not cover damage due to improper instal-
lation or use, lightning, negligence, accident, or unauthorized modifications,
or to incidental or consequential damages beyond the Spectrum prod-
uct. Before returning a failed unit, you must obtain a Returned Materials
Authorization (RMA) from Spectrum. Spectrum is not responsible for any
package that is returned without a valid RMA number or for the loss of the
package by any shipping company.
Range 0-1999 µmol/m2s, ±5%
0-19,990 foot-candles, ±5%
Cosine Correction ±3% at 45°
±7% at 80°
Sensor Dimensions 2"x1"x1" (5cm x 2.5cm x 2.5cm)
Cable Length 66" (26 cm)
Specifications

8
3600 Thayer Court
Aurora IL 60504
[phone] or [phone]
Fax [phone]
E-Mail: [e-mail]
www.specmeters.com
R 04/23