Visibility Sensor Installation Guide

A visibility sensor is a device used to measure visibility in the atmosphere. It measures the transparency of the atmosphere by emitting a beam of infrared or other types of light and then receiving the scattered light in such a way as to derive the current visibility. A light source in the sensor emits a beam of light that is scattered to create a beam of scattered light caused by fog, smoke, dust, and other factors. The receiver receives these rays and then measures their intensity, which in turn calculates the current visibility.

The installation of a visibility sensor is a process that requires careful handling, and the following is a detailed installation guide:

1. Visibility Sensor Site and location selection:

Avoiding obstacles: When choosing the installation location, tall buildings, trees or other obstacles should be avoided to ensure that the space where the sensor is located is open enough to be unobstructed.

Distance from intersections: For visibility sensors in traffic monitoring, it is recommended that the installation location be away from intersections to avoid the influence of traffic signals, vehicle emissions and other factors at intersections on the measurement results.

Away from pollution sources: Try to avoid installing the sensor in large emission sources or other areas that may affect the atmospheric quality to ensure the accuracy of the measurement results.

2. Visibility Sensor Installation height and direction:

Installation height: The installation height of the visibility sensor has a direct impact on the measurement results. Generally speaking, the installation height of the sensor should be in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, usually between 1.5 metres and 10 metres, and the specific height should be determined according to the specific application scenarios and sensor models.

Orientation selection: The installation direction of the sensor also needs to be carefully considered. In most cases, the sensor should be pointing in the main measurement direction to ensure that it can adequately receive and emit light signals.

3. Secure the instrument:

Use a suitable bracket or mounting base to hold the sensor securely in place to prevent it from being displaced or damaged by wind, vibration, or other factors.

Use the clamp to install the visibility instrument on the column, require the clamp to have a large installation margin to hold up the instrument, the V-shaped clamp at the back end of the control box is close to the column, use another V-shaped clamp and 2 screws to install the instrument as a whole on the cross arm and the column.

Make sure the sensor is mounted securely to avoid measurement errors caused by shaking or vibration.

4. Visibility Sensor Equipment connection:

Connect the power supply and communication cable to the terminal block, and the communication cable to the upper computer.

The line connection should be firm and reliable to avoid loose or poor contact leading to data transmission errors.

Pay attention to waterproof and dustproof measures to ensure that the line connections are not easily affected by the external environment.

5. Check the orientation:

Check the instrument after installation to ensure that it is in a horizontal position, with the open slopes of both its transmitter and scatter receiver facing downwards.

It is recommended that there are no obstacles in the line of sight of the transmitter and receiver. If the transmitter beam is reflected off an obstacle and onto the receiver, the sensor will indicate a very low visibility value because it will not be able to distinguish between the reflected signal and the true scattered signal.

Care should also be taken to avoid direct sunlight into the receiver during installation as the receiver wiring may become saturated in bright light and the inbuilt diagnostics will display a warning, as well as increasing the noise level within the receiver.

6. Start the test:

Once the equipment is secured and the wiring is connected start up testing of the system, taking measurements that are representative of the surrounding weather conditions.

7.Protective measures:

1. Install a cover or rain shield for the sensor to protect it from adverse weather conditions (e.g., heavy rain, snowstorms, etc.).

2. Clean the sensor regularly to remove accumulated dust or other contaminants and keep the sensor clean and transparent.

8. Safe operation:

1. Safety operation procedures should be followed during installation, such as wearing helmets, gloves and other protective equipment to ensure the safety of the installer.

2. When installing at a high altitude, you should use suitable climbing tools to ensure safe and stable operation.

Finally, after installation, be sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for calibration and configuration to ensure that the sensor can accurately measure and report visibility data.

Please note that specific installation procedures may vary for different visibility sensor models and manufacturers, so it is recommended to refer to the detailed installation manual or guide provided by the manufacturer for the actual installation process.

visibility sensors data sheet 

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