General Information

Serial #

CM5-784866

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

metal base & sensor housing, parts/ glass bubbles covering sensor/ synthetic wire covering/ liquid spirit in glass & metal level housing

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

N/A

Width

N/A

Height

10.4 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

18.3 cm

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Meteorology

Category

Sunshine intensity & duration measurement

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

KIPP

Country

Netherlands

State/Province

Unknown

City

Delft

Context

Country

Canada

State/Province

Unknown

Period

1990's; this instrument was apparently in use for 25 years (Ref. 6)

Canada

An example of a solar radiation measuring instrument of a type used in the Canadian Solar Radiation Network of the Canadian Meteorological Service. In 1994 the instruments of the SRN included the Kipp and Zonen CM5 pyranometer (2004.0336), the Eppley Precision Spectral Pyranometer (PSP), the Eppley Precision Infrared Pyrgeometer (PIR), the Middleton net pyradiometer and the Leeds and Northrup illuminator (2004.0348). The Kipp and Zonen instrument was not listed in the 1989 manual. The purpose of the equipment was to measure and record radiation fluxes to and from the earth's surface. The K&Z CM5 was used to measure radiation south of 60 degrees latitude. The instruments' calibrated sensors converted incident radiation into voltages which were measured and then stored on tape by a data recorder for study (Ref. 2). This example is hand marked ‘UBC 64-7812' which could indicate that it was used at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Part of a large collection of meteorological instruments acquired from the Meteorological Service of Canada (previously Atmospheric Environment Service) by the CSTM since 1967. MSC is the government agency responsible for collecting and disseminating meteorological data and forecasts in Canada. It was founded in 1871 in Toronto where it is still headquartered. The MSC was originally on the University of Toronto downtown campus but moved to Downsview in 1971 on land owned by UofT. The headquarters houses laboratories, research facilities and calibration and instrument maintenance facilities (now largely contracted out).

Function

An instrument designed to measure global solar radiation (RF1), the total incoming short-wave radiation from the whole dome of the sky, as received on a flat, horizontally mounted thermopile sensor (Ref. 2).

Technical

Virtually all the energy available on the earth is dependant upon the energy received from the sun. The sun's output has varied by only 0.1% in recent times. Hence it is a source of very constant energy. This radiation arrives mostly in the form of visible radiation which peaks at the green 0.6 mm wavelength. Some of this radiation is lost by reflection from clouds or dust, and some by reradiation from the atmosphere. There is a delicate balance between gains and losses. A slight imbalance can shift the earth into an ice age or into runaway climate warming. For this reason alone it is necessary to monitor radiation. Solar radiation is the visible radiation from the sun with wavelengths from 0.3 mm (micrometres) (violet) to 0.9 mm (red). Global solar radiation (Radiation Field 1 or RF1) measurements are made using the Kipp & Zonen pyranometers at sites in the radiation network. This is a measurement of all the incoming solar radiation and comprises the bulk of radiation measurements in the radiation network of 43 stations as of 2002. Double glass or quartz domes are employed. These instruments are accurate to better than ±5% and can achieve ±2% with frequent calibrations and maintenance. The Kipp & Zonen CM21 is qualified for use in the networks since it is very accurate and does not require temperature corrections. But the older CM5 or CM6 are still the most widely used. There are also some CM11, CM3, and Eppley PS2 radiometers being used. The RF-1 instruments use a shrouded AES designed ventilator which prevents precipitation from landing on the sensor and reduces the collection of dirt on the domes (Ref. 1). Kipp & Zonen CM6B First Class Pyranometer is an updated version of the CM5 Accuracy ±5% for -40 to +80°C

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

incised lettering on underside reads 'MADE IN HOLLAND' & 'CM5-784866' / blue and white label on underside of base reads 'SALES SERVICE CALIBRATION/ Metermaster/ Division of R.H. NICHOLS CO. LTD./ 214 DOLOMITE DR. DOWNSVIEW, ONT.'/ Phone (416) 661-3190 Telex 065-24439/ handwritten lettering on underside of base reads 'UBC 64-7812'/ label reads '784866'

Missing

optional upper shield plate, usually removed for readings during snow accumulation.

Finish

black sensor in plated metal housing with colourless transparent glass bubble/ glossy white painted base/ metallic parts/ spirit level in metal and glass housing

Decoration

N/A