WXT520

Weather Sensor
WXT520

WXT520

Retired

Weather Sensor

No longer available to order

This product is retained for service, documentation, and compatibility information.

Replaced by

Model:
WXT520
Item Number:
25297
Warranty:
1 year

Overview

The WXT520, manufactured by Vaisala, is a solid-state, all-in-one weather instrument that measures wind speed and direction, precipitation, barometric pressure, temperature, and relative humidity. Its small size makes it ideal for quick, short-term deployments. However, the WXT520 is not intended for weather stations that require research-grade performance.

Technical Description

The WXT520's wind sensor consists of three equally spaced transducers that produce ultrasonic signals. Wind speed and direction are determined by measuring the time it takes for the ultrasonic signal of one transducer to travel to the other transducers.

Precipitation is measured one raindrop at a time. Whenever a raindrop hits the precipitation sensor, an electrical signal is produced that is proportional to the volume of the drop.

The WXT520 has a PTU module that contains a capacitive silicon BAROCAP sensor for barometric pressure measurements, a capacitive ceramic THERMOCAP sensor for air temperature measurements, and a capacitive thin film polymer HUMICAP sensor for relative humidity measurements. The PTU is housed in a naturally-aspirated radiation shield that protects it and reflects solar radiation.

Benefits

  • Low maintenance—no moving parts significantly reduces maintenance cost and time
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Low power consumption
  • Fast and simple to install
  • Outputs an SDI-12 signal that can be measured by many of our dataloggers
  • Combines the six most essential weather parameters in one instrument

Specifications

Electromagnetic Compatibility
Complies with EMC standard EN61326-1
IEC Standards
IEC 60945/61000-4-4, IEC 60945/61000-4-2
Input Voltage
5 to 30 Vdc



Below 5.3 V, the measurement performance for high wind speeds may be degraded.

Typical Current Drain @ 12 Vdc
0.1 mA

(SDI-12 standby)

3 mA

(Default Measuring Intervals)

Output
SDI-12
Operating Temperature Range
-52° to +60°C
Storage Temperature Range
-60° to +70°C
Operating Relative Humidity
0 to 100% RH
Diameter
11.5 cm

(4.52 in.)

Height
23.8 cm

(9.38 in.)

Weight
650 g

(1.43 lb)

Air Temperature

Measurement Range
-52° to +60°C
Accuracy
±0.3°C

(@ +20°C)

Output Resolution
0.1°C

Barometric Pressure

Measurement Range
600 to 1100 hPa
Accuracy
±0.5 hPa

(@ 0° to 30°C)

±1 hPa

(@ -52° to +60°C)

Output Resolution
0.1 hPa

Relative Humidity

Measurement Range
0 to 100% RH
Accuracy
±3% RH

(@ 0 to 90% RH)

±5% RH

(@ 90 to 100% RH)

Output Resolution
0.1% RH

Wind Speed

Measurement Range
0 to 60 m s-1
Response Time
0.25 s
Accuracy
±0.3 m s-1 or ±3% whichever is greater

(0 to 35 m s-1)

±5%

(36 to 60 m s-1)

Wind Direction

Measurement Range
0° to 360°
Response Time
0.25 s
Accuracy
±3°
Output Resolution
1°

Precipitation

Rainfall Measurement
Cumulative accumulation after latest automatic or manual reset
Collecting Area
60 cm2

(9.3 in.2)

Output Resolution
0.01 mm

(0.001 in.)

Field Accuracy for Daily Accumulation
Better than 5%

(weather dependent; does not include possible wind induced error)

Rain Duration
Counting each 10-s increment whenever droplet detected
Rain Intensity
1-min. running average in 10-s steps
Rain Intensity Range
0 to 200 mm h-1

(broader range possible with reduced accuracy)

Compatibility

Mounting

The WXT520 is shipped with a mounting tube. The mounting tube fastens to a CM202, CM204, or CM206 crossarm via the CM220 Right Angle Mounting Bracket or 17953 1-in x 1-in NU-RAIL Fitting.

The 25299 is an optional mounting kit for the WXT520. It provides better water protection. When using the 25299, the WXT520’s IP classification is IP66; otherwise its classification is IP65. The 25299 fastens to a crossarm via the CM220 bracket or 17953 NU-RAIL fitting.

Bird Spike Kit

The 25300 Bird Spike Kit is used to discourage birds from roosting on the WXT520. This kit is fastened on top of the WXT520. It consists of a metallic band with spikes pointing upward. The spike’s shape and location ensure minimal interference of wind and rain measurements. The spikes are designed not to hurt the birds. Please note that when the kit is attached to the WXT520, more snow can accumulate on the WXT520, and the snow may melt slower.

Compatible Products

(1)

Related Resources

Case Studies

Documents

Services Available

Repair
No
Calibration
No
Free Support
Yes