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Radiation Frost Detector

Attention: The wiring colors for connecting our sensors to dataloggers have changed as of March 2018. Please consult the appropriate manual, VIEW our new wiring guide, or CLICK HERE for a downloadable version.

Provides on-site, real-time warning of radiation frost events
Apogee Instruments' radiation frost detector is an innovative temperature sensor designed to mimic leaves and flower/fruit buds, which can sometimes drop well below the ambient air temperature due to long-wave radiation loss on clear, calm nights. Knowing exactly when a radiation frost event is occurring allows you to activate frost protection equipment in time to protect your crops and eliminates starting frost protection too early, which wastes money.
Monitor Radiation Frost Events
On calm, clear nights surface temperature, including leaf and bud temperatures, can drop well below air temperature due to a net loss of longwave radiation to the clear sky. A radiation frost occurs when frost forms at the surface before the air temperature reaches freezing (0 C). Under cloudy and/or windy conditions, radiation frost events do not occur. The Apogee radiation frost detector is a combination of two high accuracy thermistors mounted in a single housing. One sensor is designed to mimic a leaf and sensor is designed to mimic a bud, providing estimates of leaf and bud temperatures and a direct means of monitoring radiation frost events.
Figure1: Leaf and bud temperature approximations measured with an Apogee SF-110 compared to air temperature (top panel) and wind speed (bottom panel) on the evening of April 28, 2012. Leaf and bud temperatures were both below air temperature after 8 P.M. and reached freezing 6 (leaf) and 4 (bud) hours before the air temperature.
Wide Range, Accurate Measurements
Thermistor accuracy is ± 0.1 C across a range of 0 to 70 C, providing accurate measurements at temperatures near zero where frost damage is likely to occur.
Typical Applications
Applications include leaf and bud temperature estimates in cropped fields, orchards, and vineyards. Leaf and bud temperatures returned by the detector can then be used to alert growers to the potential of frost damage to crops.
Output Options
Analog and digital output options are available. Analog version is an un-amplified voltage output. Digital version is SDI-12 communication protocol.
Mounting
The AM-220 mounting bracket is designed to orient sensors at varying angles to satisfy all applications. The bracket can be mounted to a mast or pipe, while the sensor bracket will accommodate the sensor.
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All Apogee products are backed by an industry-leading four year warranty and outstanding customer support.

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 SF-110SF-421
Measurement Range -50 to 70 C -50 to 70 C
Measurement Uncertainty 0.1 C (from 0 to 70 C), 0.2 C (from -25 to 0 C), 0.4 (from -50 to -25 C) 0.1 C (from 0 to 70 C), 0.2 C (from -25 to 0 C), 0.4 (from -50 to -25 C)
Measurement Repeatability Less than 0.05 C Less than 0.05 C
Long-term Drift (Non-stability) Less than 0.02 C per year (when used in non-condensing environments where the annual average temperature is less than 30 C, continuously high temperatures or continuously humid environments increase drift rate) Less than 0.02 C per year (when used in non-condensing environments where the annual average temperature is less than 30 C, continuously high temperatures or continuously humid environments increase drift rate)
Equilibration Time 10 s 10 s
Self-heating Less than 0.01 C (typical, assuming pulsed excitation of 2.5 V DC), 0.08 C at 5 C (maximum, assuming continuous input excitation of 2.5 V DC) Less than 0.01 C
Operating Environment -50 to 70 C, 0 to 100 % relative humidity -50 to 70 C, 0 to 100 % relative humidity
Input Voltage Requirement 2.5 V DC excitation 5.5 to 24 V DC
Output Voltage Range 0 to 2.5 V DC (assuming input excitation of 2.5 V DC -
Current Drain 0.1 mA DC (per thermistor) at 70 C (maximum, assuming continuous input excitation of 2.5 V DC 0.6 mA (quiescent), 1.3 mA (active)
Dimensions 570 mm length, 21 mm pipe diameter, 70 mm disk diameter 570 mm length, 21 mm pipe diameter, 70 mm disk diameter
Mass 400 g 400 g

Lecture 6-Radiation Frost

Lecture 7-Energy Balance Principles at Night

Making a Durable Wire Splice

We are currently looking for case studies for this product. If you would like to share your application of this product, please click here.

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SF-110 Radiation Frost Detector
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SF-110: Radiation Frost Detector

$197.00
SF-421: SDI-12 Radiation Frost Detector
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SF-421: SDI-12 Radiation Frost Detector

$293.00
AM-220 Angle Infrared Radiometer/Frost Detector Mounting Bracket
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AM-220: Angle Infrared Radiometer/Frost Detector Mounting Bracket

$36.00

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About Apogee Instruments, Inc.

Address:
721 West 1800 North
Logan, UT 84321
United States of America

Hours: Monday-Friday 8 AM- 5 PM MST
Main: (435) 792-4700
Tech Support: (435) 245-8012

Fax: (435) 787-8268

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    • Pyranometers
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    • Radiation Frost Detector
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