Vaisala WAV151 User manual

M210294EN-C
User Guide
Vaisala Wind Vane
WAV151

PUBLISHED BY
Vaisala Oyj
Vanha Nurmijärventie 21, FI-01670 Vantaa, Finland
P.O. Box 26, FI-00421 Helsinki, Finland
[phone]
Visit our Internet pages at www.vaisala.com.
© Vaisala Oyj 2018
No part of this document may be
reproduced, published or publicly
displayed in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical
(including photocopying), nor
may its contents be modified,
translated, adapted, sold or
disclosed to a third party without
prior written permission of the
copyright holder. Translated
documents and translated
portions of multilingual
documents are based on the
original English versions. In
ambiguous cases, the English
versions are applicable, not the
translations.
The contents of this document are
subject to change without prior
notice.
Local rules and regulations may
vary and they shall take
precedence over the information
contained in this document.
Vaisala makes no representations
on this document’s compliance
with the local rules and
regulations applicable at any
given time, and hereby disclaims
any and all responsibilities related
thereto.
This document does not create
any legally binding obligations for
Vaisala towards customers or end
users. All legally binding
obligations and agreements are
included exclusively in the
applicable supply contract or the
General Conditions of Sale and
General Conditions of Service of
Vaisala.

Table of Contents
1. About This Document................................................................................... 3
1.1 Version Information.......................................................................................... 3
1.2 Related Manuals................................................................................................ 3
1.3 Documentation Conventions...........................................................................3
1.4 Trademarks........................................................................................................ 4
2. Product Overview........................................................................................... 5
2.1 Vaisala Wind Vane WAV151.............................................................................. 5
2.2 Safety..................................................................................................................5
2.2.1 ESD Protection...........................................................................................6
2.3 Regulatory Compliances..................................................................................6
3. Installation..........................................................................................................7
3.1 Selecting Location............................................................................................ 7
3.2 Mounting Wind Sensors on Cross Arm.........................................................10
3.3 Connecting the Wind Vane..............................................................................11
3.4 Verifying Installation........................................................................................ 11
4. Maintenance.....................................................................................................12
4.1 Cleaning the Wind Vane................................................................................. 12
4.2 Testing Wind Vane Operation........................................................................ 12
4.3 Replacing Consumables................................................................................. 12
4.4 Reassembling the Wind Vane........................................................................ 15
5. Troubleshooting............................................................................................. 16
6. Technical Data.................................................................................................17
6.1 WAV151 Specifications.....................................................................................17
6.2 WAV151 Spare Parts and Accessories............................................................18
6.3 MTBF................................................................................................................. 19
6.4 MTTR................................................................................................................20
Appendix A: .....................................................................................................21
A.1 Output from Connector Pins C to H.............................................................. 21
Technical Support............................................................................................23
Warranty and Product Returns.................................................................... 23
Recycling........................................................................................................... 23
Table of Contents
1

WAV151 User Guide M210294EN-C
2

1. About This Document
1.1 Version Information
Table 1 Document Versions
Document Code Date Description
M210294EN-C November 2018 Updated spare part descriptions of ZZ45037 and
ZZ45037SPEC.
M210294EN-B August 2018 Figures updated. Connector type and item code changed.
M210294EN-A April 2002 First version.
1.2 Related Manuals
Table 2 Related Manuals
Document Code Name
M210293EN Vaisala Anemometer WAA151 User Guide
M210349EN Vaisala Cross Arm WAC151 User Guide
M210822EN Vaisala Serial Wind Transmitter WAC155 User Guide
1.3 Documentation Conventions
Warning alerts you to a serious hazard. If you do not read and
follow instructions carefully at this point, there is a risk of injury or even death.
WARNING!
Caution warns you of a potential hazard. If you do not read and
follow instructions carefully at this point, the product could be damaged or
important data could be lost.
CAUTION!
Note highlights important information on using the product.
Chapter 1 – About This Document
3

Tip gives information for using the product more eciently.
Lists tools needed to perform the task.
Indicates that you need to take some notes during the task.
1.4 Trademarks
Vaisalaâis a registered trademark of Vaisala Oyj.
All other product or company names that may be mentioned in this publication are trade
names, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
WAV151 User Guide M210294EN-C
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2. Product Overview
2.1 Vaisala Wind Vane WAV151
1Vane assembly
2Sensor shaft
3Lower body
WAV151 is a counter-balanced, low-threshold, optoelectronic wind vane that measures wind
direction. Infrared LEDs and phototransistors are mounted on 6 orbits on each side of a 6‑bit
GRAY-coded disc. When the vane turns the disc, the disc creates changes in the code received
by the phototransistors. The output code resolution is ±2.8°.
A heating element in the shaft tunnel keeps the temperature of the bearings above the
freezing level in cold climates. The nominal heating power is 10 W. Vaisala recommends that
you use a thermostat switch in the cross arm for switching the heating power on below +4 °C
(+39 °F).
2.2 Safety
This product has been tested for safety. Note the following precautions:
Ground the product and verify outdoor installation grounding
periodically. Failure to provide proper grounding can result in injury or death
from electrical shock and can severely damage the equipment.
WARNING!
Improper modification can damage the product or lead to
malfunction. Any modification voids your warranty.
CAUTION!
Chapter 2 – Product Overview
5

2.2.1 ESD Protection
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) can damage 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 in the
equipment housing.
To avoid delivering high static voltages to the product:
• Handle ESD-sensitive components on a properly grounded and protected ESD workbench
or by grounding yourself to the equipment chassis with a wrist strap and a resistive
connection cord.
• If you are unable to take either precaution, touch a conductive part of the equipment
chassis with your other hand before touching ESD-sensitive components.
• Hold component boards by the edges and avoid touching component contacts.
2.3 Regulatory Compliances
This product complies with the following performance and environmental test standards:
WAV151 User Guide M210294EN-C
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3. Installation
3.1 Selecting Location
Finding a suitable site for the product is important for getting representative ambient
measurements. Make sure that the site represents the general area of interest.
Allow sucient clearance for the wind sensors. Do not install wind sensors next to
a building or any other object that can aect the flow of air.
Installations on top of high buildings or masts and in sites on open
grounds are vulnerable to lightning strikes. A nearby lightning strike may induce
a high-voltage surge not tolerable by the internal surge suppressors of the
instrument. Additional protection is needed in regions with frequent, severe
thunderstorms, especially when long line cables (>30 m (98 ft)) are used.
Vaisala recommends using a surge protector, such as WSP150, in all sites with an
elevated risk of a lightning strike.
CAUTION!
Chapter 3 – Installation
7

Figure 1 Recommended Mast Location in Open Area
Any object of height (h) does not remarkably disturb wind measurement at a minimum
distance of 10 × h. There must be at least 150 m (500 ft) open area in all directions from the
mast. Minimum distance between the mast and obstacles is ten times the height of an
obstacle.
WAV151 User Guide M210294EN-C
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Figure 2 Recommended Mast Length on Top of Building
The recommended minimum length (h) for the mast that is installed on the top of a building is
1.5 times the height of the building (H). When the diagonal (W) is less than the height (H) the
minimum length of the mast is 1.5 × W.
Chapter 3 – Installation
9

3.2 Mounting Wind Sensors on Cross Arm
• 2-mm Allen key
• Compass
1. Fit the cable plug through the mounting flange at the end of the cross arm, and connect
the cable to the sensor.
1Plastic washer
2Hex screw
2. Insert the plastic washers between the flange and the sensor.
3. Face the sensor product label South, if possible, and mount the sensor to the flange by
twisting.
4. Tighten the screws.
5. Mount the assembly and tighten the fixing screw.
WAV151 User Guide M210294EN-C
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3.3 Connecting the Wind Vane
Figure 3 WAV151 Connector Sensor Side
AD+, power input from 9.5 to 15.5 VDC
BGND, common ground
CG5, signal output
DG4, signal output
EG3, signal output
FG2, signal output
GG1, signal output
HG0, signal output
JHTNG, 20 VDC or VAC
KHTNG, 20 VDC or VAC
Vaisala recommends using the SOURIAU UTS6JC12E10P cable connector for the
sensor.
Figure 4 WAV151 Connector Cable Side
1. Connect the heating element in the shaft tunnel between pins J and K.
2. Supply the heating element with 20 VDC or VAC.
3.4 Verifying Installation
1. Make sure that the sensor is powered up and connected to the data collection system.
2. Rotate the cup wheel manually and make sure the speed readings change.
Chapter 3 – Installation
11

4. Maintenance
4.1 Cleaning the Wind Vane
Heavy contamination or obstruction in the vane, such as bird droppings or ice, deteriorates the
accuracy of the wind vane. Clean the vane if it is contaminated or there is an obstruction.
4.2 Testing Wind Vane Operation
The sensor holds its accuracy in all conditions for 1 year. If the rains are mostly casual and
moderate, and the atmospheric corrosion is typical, the sensor accuracy remains for 2 years.
Check the ball bearings and rotate the sensor shaft once a year.
1. Remove the vane assembly.
2. Make sure that the shaft spins smoothly and that there is no noise.
4.3 Replacing Consumables
Only a trained technician may replace the bearings.
WAV151 User Guide M210294EN-C
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1Hex nut of the connector
2M6 x 16 DIN7991 (3 pcs)
3Lower body
4Spacer (3 pcs)
Chapter 4 – Maintenance
13

5Printed circuit board (PCB)
6O-rings, 2 pcs
7External retaining ring, body
8Spacer
9Internal retaining ring, shaft
10 Ball bearings
11 Vane assembly
12 Shaft and upper body assembly
13 Ball bearings
14 Code disc
1. Open the vane assembly fixing screw with a 2-mm Allen key. The correct screw is the
lower one in the previous figure. Remove the assembly.
Do not remove the fixing screw to ensure perfect sealing after
reassembling. The fixing screw has been treated with sealant.
CAUTION!
2. Loosen the hex nut of the connector with a 27-mm tool.
Be careful not to bend the connector pins.CAUTION!
3. Loosen the three pan head screws at the bottom of the sensor body with a 7-mm tool.
4. Remove the lower body assembly by pulling it straight outwards.
5. Loosen the spacer screws with a 7-mm tool and disconnect the heating element outlet.
6. Remove the printed circuit board.
Do not twist or bend the connector. This may break the pins.CAUTION!
7. Loosen the fixing screw of the code disc with a 2-mm Allen key and remove the disc.
8. Remove the external retaining ring with narrow-pointed pliers.
9. Remove the spacer ring.
10. Remove the internal retaining ring at the bottom of the shaft with narrow-pointed pliers.
11. Remove the lower bearing.
12. Push out the shaft downwards through the upper body.
13. Remove the top bearing.
WAV151 User Guide M210294EN-C
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4.4 Reassembling the Wind Vane
1. Attach the top bearing.
2. Attach the shaft through the upper body.
3. Attach the lower bearing.
4. Attach the internal retaining ring at the bottom of the shaft.
5. Attach the spacer ring.
6. Attach the external retaining ring.
Be careful when handling the new ball bearings. Do not drop them or force
them onto the shaft.
7. Attach the code disc back onto the shaft and tighten the fixing screw of the code disc.
Make sure that the code disc does not touch the opto-coupler
on the printed circuit board.
CAUTION!
8. Attach the heating element outlet to the printed circuit board. Put the printed circuit
board in place and fasten it with spacers.
9. Put the lower body assembly carefully into place.
Make sure that the bigger O-ring positioned between the upper and the lower sensor
bodies is in place and fasten the three screws at the bottom of the sensor.
Vaisala recommends replacing the O-rings with new ones before
reassembling.
10. Tighten the hexagon nut of the connector.
11. Connect the cable plug to the sensor body connector and fasten the sensor body on the
cross arm with three screws.
12. Mount the vane assembly onto the sensor body. Tighten the screw.
Replacing the heating resistance element requires special
tools. To avoid any damages, Vaisala recommends that the manufacturer
replaces the heating element.
CAUTION!
The wind vane is counter-balanced at the factory but you can readjust it, if necessary. To
do this, loosen the vane assembly and place it on its side on the table. A correctly
balanced vane stays in horizontal position.
Chapter 4 – Maintenance
15

5. Troubleshooting
Table 3 Troubleshooting the Wind Vane
Problem Probable Cause Remedy
The data is not received from
the sensor.
The sensor is mechanically
damaged.
Check the cables and
connectors.
After removing the connector's
hexagon nut, the connector is
bent, which breaks the
connection wires.
Check the connector.
The sensor is not powered
properly.
Make sure that the supply
voltage is from 9.5 ... 15.5 VDC.
Some Vaisala products, for
example, WAT12, switch power
on to the sensor only for a very
short period (200 ... 500 s).
Make sure that the sensor
output rises above Uin - 1.5 V at
the end of the power pulse.
The sensor shaft is covered
with ice and snow.
The heating element does not
function.
Send the sensor to Vaisala for
repair. See Product Returns.
The heating element is not
properly connected.
Open the sensor and make sure
that the heating element outlet
is connected to the connector
on the printed circuit board.
See Replacing Consumables
(page 12).
The output from the connector
pins C to H do not have the
right code or are not at the
proper level.
The printed circuit board is
damaged.
Replace the printed circuit
board. See Replacing
Consumables (page 12).
Current consumption is either
less than 17 mA or more than
25 mA when the shaft is
rotated mechanically.
WAV151 User Guide M210294EN-C
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6. Technical Data
6.1 WAV151 Specifications
Table 4 Measurement Performance
Property Description/Value
Sensor/Transducer type Optical code disc
Observation range at wind speed 0.4 … 75 m/s
(0.9 … 168 mph)
0 … 360°
Starting threshold < 0.4 m/s (0.9 mph)
Resolution ±2.8°
Damping ratio 0.19
Overshoot ratio 0.55
Delay distance 0.4 m (1 ft 4 in)
Accuracy Better than ±3°
Output 6-bit parallel GRAY code
Transducer Output Level
(Iout < +5 mA) High state > Uin –1.5 V
(Iout > -5 mA) Low state < 1.5 V
Table 5 Inputs and Outputs
Property Description/Value
Electrical connections MIL-C-26482 type, 10-wire cable
Cabling 10-wire cable through cross arm
Recommended connector at cable end SOURIAU UTS6JC12E10P
Operating power supply Uin = 9.5 … 15.5 VDC, 20 mA typical
Heating power supply AC or DC 20 V, 500 mA nominal
Settling time after power turn-on < 100 µs
Table 6 Operating Environment
Property Description/Value
Operating temperature 1) −50 … +55 °C (−58 … +131 °F)
Chapter 6 – Technical Data
17

Property Description/Value
Storage temperature −60 … +70 °C (−76 … +158 °F)
Operating humidity 0 … 100 %RH
1) With shaft heating.
Table 7 Mechanical Specifications
Property Description/Value
IP rating IP65
Dimensions (H × Ø) 300 × 90 mm (11.81 × 3.54 in)
Swept radius of vane 172 mm (6.77 in)
Weight 660 g (1.46 lb)
Materials
Housing AlMgSi, gray anodized
Vane AISI 12, anodized
Table 8 Compliance
Property Description
Wind tunnel tests ASTM standard method D5366-96 (for starting
threshold, damping ratio, overshoot ratio, and
delay distance)
Exploratory vibration test MIL-STD-167-1
Humidity test MIL-STD-810E, Method 507.3
Salt fog test MIL-STD-810E, Method 509.3
EMC compliance EN/IEC 61326-1:1997 + Am1:1998, Am2:2001,
Generic environment
6.2 WAV151 Spare Parts and Accessories
Table 9 WAV151 Spare Parts and Accessories
Item Order Code
Crossarm and termination box WAC151
Crossarm and serial RS-485 transmitter WAC155
Crossarm and analog transmitter WAT12
WAV151 User Guide M210294EN-C
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