Getting accurate weather data is essential until your temperature sensors start showing errors. With constant exposure to the sun, the sensors face a lot of damage, resulting in inaccurate readings.
For this reason, a temperature sensor radiation shield is a must-have for your HVAC system. This technology main
tains the performance of temperature sensors by reducing measurement errors.
Additionally, the sensor shield offers protection against the sun, rain, snow, dirt, sand, and dust. As a result, your sensors remain safe even in the harshest of environments.
Here’s why you should integrate protective radiation shields in temperature sensing models.
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Does Solar Radiation Affect Temperature Sensors?
It’s a well-known fact that air temperature sensors are susceptible to radiative errors. In fact, this is most evident in meteorological and metrological applications.
Studies suggest that closeness to warm surfaces affects temperature sensors, especially during summer. This dependency on surface characteristics leads to inaccuracy.
To counter this problem, there are specific radiation shielding solutions. Engineered to ensure accuracy, a temperature sensor radiation shield helps reduce the rate of heat transfer.
Do You Need a Shield for Temperature Sensor?
Weather stations use a variety of monitoring systems and sensor-based instruments. When instruments like temperature sensors don’t have protection, they become unreliable. Without an outdoor temperature sensor sun shield, problems like the following could arise:
Dirt and dust causing measurement errors
It’s easy for sensors to collect dust and dirt after prolonged exposure. By shielding the central sensor against contaminants, you reduce maintenance costs. An effective radiation shield can force the dirt to the outside, using a spiral vortex flow.
Extreme thermal conditions causing high readings
On sunny days, especially when the wind is low, chances are your temperature sensors will show a high reading. For this reason, it’s important to choose a temperature sensor radiation shield with a helical design. This eliminates the effects of solar heat in low wind conditions.
Hot air bubbles affecting the airflow during summers
One of the biggest issues of solar radiation is the formation of hot air bubbles. A helically designed radiation shield prevents this from happening during summer. It keeps all sources of radiation at bay, including snow, water, or sand.
High humidity and low temperature after rain
It’s common for water to accumulate after heavy rainfall, especially on sloping surfaces. The helical surface of a temperature sensor radiation shield minimizes water build-up. It maximizes water shedding using a strong internal vortex flow.
Integrating Radiation Shields for Temperature Sensors
A solar radiation shield offers superior accuracy and stability in all weather conditions. Innovations, such as a fan-aspirated design, ensure more flexibility.
A temperature sensor radiation shield combines the resistance properties of specific materials. This creates an obstruction in the path of radiation heat flow.
Such shielding technology significantly reduces air temperature and humidity measurement errors. Some radiation shields may even offer full protection for your temperature sensors.
Besides maintaining proper airflow, temperature sensor shields also prevent any bugs from affecting calibration. Some other benefits of a temperature sensor radiation shield include the following:
- Protecting the temperature sensor against both direct and indirect heat radiation and other sources
- Shielding the pressure and humidity sensors during heavy rains and fog, especially during misty conditions
- Providing natural ventilation or airflow without obstructing the temperature sensors completely
Factors to Consider with a Solar Radiation Shield
Before settling on a solar radiation shield, it’s important to schedule an inspection with an expert. Only when you’re satisfied after an evaluation should you go ahead and pick a suitable radiation shield.
Here are some major factors to consider.
Integrate suitable plate spacing
Plate spacing in the radiation shield should have a thermal boundary layer four times the thickness. This ensures that 50% of the air entering the system stays unaffected by the thermal exchange. As a result, the shield ensures adequate protection from radiation.
Ensure adequate, unobstructed airflow
A high-quality solar radiation shield should prevent contamination at all levels. This means clean, clear airflow that features a large air gap between plates or louvers. The design must also shield the sensor against solar radiation, regardless of the sun’s positioning.
Create an ergonomic design
A solar shield’s or solar screen’s plates are only effective when they are aerodynamically shaped. This minimizes any obstruction to the airflow, reducing heavy turbulence. This is very challenging to achieve at low wind speeds. With a helically-shaped radiation shield, you can maintain proper airflow.
Control the level of exposure
Your temperature sensors should not face any direct exposure to the sun. This also means shielding the surface against heat transfer from the ground or wall reflections. With the right radiation shield, you can direct the radiation away and keep your temperature sensors safe and in good shape.
Tired of Inaccurate Readings? Install a Solar Radiation Shield
An outdoor temperature sensor sun shield allows natural air convection around the sensor. This innovative design ensures the air temperature remains stable.
If you’re not sure how to shield the temperature or humidity sensors at your facility, we can help you find a solution. With us, you’ll get a shield that facilitates airflow around the sensors.
We offer quality weather and radiation protection shields, including other weather monitoring instruments. With our solar radiation shield, you can collect accurate measurements. Our temperature sensor radiation shield also prevents overheating and exposure to moisture.
Made from quality materials, our solar radiation shields help stabilize sensor performance. To start your evaluation, contact us today.
