What's the difference between fog sensor and visibility sensor?

"Fog sensor" and "Visibility sensor" are sensors used to measure atmospheric conditions, but they measure different parameters, so there are some differences:

1. Fog Sensor.

Fog sensors are usually those sensors that are specifically designed to detect fog in the atmosphere. They may determine the presence or absence of fog, as well as its concentration, by detecting water droplets, aerosol particles, or other parameters characteristic of fog. Such sensors may use optical principles, capacitive principles, or the electrical conductivity of tiny water droplets to detect fog. The advantage of fog sensors is that they can be very sensitive in detecting early signs of fog, which is particularly important for preventing or warning of possible traffic accidents.

2. Visibility Sensor.

 - Visibility sensors, on the other hand, are used to measure visibility in the atmosphere, i.e. the extent to which objects can be clearly seen from a certain distance. These sensors typically determine visibility by sending a beam of light and measuring how much of the beam is scattered or absorbed by atmospheric particles (e.g., fog, smoke, dust, etc.). In general, the lower the visibility, the higher the density of particles in the atmosphere, so visibility sensors can also be used to indirectly detect the presence of fog. Visibility sensors, on the other hand, are more concerned with measuring the degree of blurring or light scattering encountered by the eye as it travels through the atmosphere. They are typically used to assess visibility conditions on roads, airport runways, or other open areas.

Overall, fog sensors are more focused on detecting the presence and concentration of fog, while visibility sensors focus on measuring the clarity of light beams as they penetrate the atmosphere. Both types of sensors play a very important role in modern weather monitoring and traffic safety systems.

Visibility sensors Technical Parameters

Both fog sensors and visibility sensors have a wide range of applications in many fields, and the following are some typical examples:

Fog sensor application cases:

1. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS): On highways or city roads, fog sensors can be used to detect the presence of fog and trigger a warning system that alerts drivers to reduce speed or pay attention to safety through roadside displays or navigation apps.

2. Aviation: At airports, fog sensors are used to monitor runway visibility to ensure safe take-off and landing of aircraft. They are also used in aircraft navigation systems to help pilots navigate in low visibility conditions.

3. Agriculture: Fog sensors are used in agriculture to monitor the effects of fog on crops so that appropriate measures can be taken, such as irrigation or the spraying of anti-fog agents.

4. Environmental monitoring: Fog sensors are also used in environmental monitoring to track water vapour content and particulate matter in the atmosphere, which is important for understanding air quality and managing pollution control strategies.

 Examples of visibility sensor applications:

1. Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS): Visibility sensors are vital in ITS, where they can monitor road visibility in real time and adjust traffic signals accordingly to alert drivers to changes in visibility.

2. Weather forecasting: Meteorological departments use visibility sensors to predict and monitor the impact of weather conditions such as fog, rain, snow and other weather conditions on visibility in order to issue timely warnings.

3. Marine: In maritime navigation, visibility sensors are used for ship navigation to ensure safe navigation even in bad weather conditions.

4. Industrial safety: In certain industrial environments, such as chemical plants or mines, visibility sensors are used to monitor the visibility of the work area to ensure the safety of workers.

These examples show that both fog sensors and visibility sensors play an important role in our daily lives and industrial activities, helping us to cope with various weather and environmental conditions more safely and effectively.

visibility sensors data sheet 

NBL-W-VS-Visibility-Sensor-Instruction-Manual.pdf