Instruction Manual AMPBOX • Signal Amplifier
Important user information Dear customer, thank you for purchasing a Kipp & Zonen instrument. It is essential that you read this manual completely for a full understanding of the proper and safe installation, use, maintenance and operation of your new AMPBOX signal amplifier. We understand that no instruction manual is perfect, so should you have any comments regarding this manual we will be pleased to receive them at: Kipp & Zonen B.V. Delftechpark 36, 2628 XH Delft, - or P.O.
EC Declaration of Conformity Kipp & Zonen B.V. Delftechpark 36, 2628 XH Delft P.O.
Table of Contents Important user information ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 .....................................................................................................................................................
1. Introduction Throughout this manual the following symbols are used to indicate to the user important information. General warning about conditions, other than those caused by high voltage electricity, which may result in physical injury and/or damage to the equipment or cause the equipment to not operate correctly. Note Useful information for the user. 1.1 Product overview AMPBOX is a digital amplifier perfectly suited to combine with our instruments.
2. Gain Gain is another word for amplification. The gain of the AMPBOX is programmeable using special tools. Kipp & Zonen can supply three different settings of the AMPBOX.
2.2. Adjusted gain The adjusted gain can have various different settings. For pyranometers this gain is adjusted to 1 mA / 100 W/m² (except CM 4) For the CM 4 Pyranometer the gain is adjusted to 1 mA / 250 W/m² For pyrgeometers the gain is adjusted to 1 mA / 25 W/m² or 50 W/m² For CUV radiometers the gain is adjusted to 1 mA / 6.
3. Installing the AMPBOX Before installing the AMPBOX you should be aware that we do not supply the cable between the AMPBOX and the data acquisition system. In fact the AMPBOX is supplied without any cables. The cable from the radiometer to the AMPBOX can be ordered together with the radiometer. Note Install the AMPBOX as close as possible to the radiometer. The cable between the AMPBOX and data acquisition system can be over 100 meters.
Example when using standard gain setting of 2 mV / 1 mA and output is 12,04 mA and sensitivity is 13,15 µV E = (Iout - Ioffset) * gain setting / Sinstrument E = (12,04 mA - 4 mA) * 2 mV / 13,15 µV E = 1222,81 W/m² Example when using adjusted gain setting of 100 W/m² / 1 mA and output is 12,04 mA E = (Iout - Ioffset) * gain setting E = (12,04 mA - 4mA) * 100 W/m² E = 804 W/m² Example when using adjusted gain setting of 25 W/m² / 1 mA for the pyrgeometer starting at -300 W/m² and output is 16 mA E = (Iout - Ioff
3.3 Installing AMPBOX on voltage input Some data acquisition systems do not have a current input or a voltage input suitable for the low voltage levels of our radiometers. In such situations an external power supply unit and shunt resistor are required. This power supply will then supply the active current loop required for the AMPBOX, and the shunt resistor provides the ability to measure the voltage drop over it.
4. Calibration We advise to re-calibrate our solar instruments every two years. It is important to realize that an adjusted AMPBOX needs to be re-adjusted together with the solar radiation measuring instrument. The AMPBOX with a standard gain of 1 mA / 2 mV does not have to be re-adjusted. In this case the calculation of the radiation in the data logger or data acquisition system needs to be reconfigured to the new instrument sensitivity.
5. Specifications Specifications Current output range 4 to 20 mA Input voltage range -12 mV to +150 mV Gain standard 1 mA / 2 mV Gain adjusted To suit a specific radiometer Input impedance 10 MΩ Operating temperature range -40 °C to +85 °C Current loop power Needs to be supplied by DAQ or PSU Supply Voltage range 7.2 VDC to 35 VDC Voltage drop 7.2 VDC Ingress protection IP66 Temperature dependence of gain Within ± 0.01 % of span/K Zero drift < ±1 µV/K Non-linearity < 0.
6. Frequently asked questions Q: How can I adjust the gain of the AMPBOX. A: You cannot. It needs to be done with a programmer connected to a PC using specific programming software. Kipp & Zonen offices, the factory in Delft and some distributors have the necessary tools. Please send with the AMPBOX the model, serial number and sensitivity of the radiometer that you wish to use with the AMPBOX. Q: I have a solar simulator that starts at 500 W/m².
7. Troubleshooting Most common faults are: • Power supply unit connected the wrong way around (so no output is measurable) • Data acquisition system is recording strange values (by incorrect calculations) There is an easy way to check both issues by disconnecting the installation from the data acquisition system and short circuit the input side of the AMPBOX. Please use either a voltmeter or current meter depending on your measurement configuration. Ampbox Current Input + A + – – + – See Section 3.
8. Customer support If you require any support for your Kipp & Zonen product please contact your local representative in the first instance. The information can be found in the ‘Contact’ section (home tab) of our website at www.kippzonen.com Alternatively, you can contact us directly at www.kippzonen.
Our customer support remains at your disposal for any maintenance or repair, calibration, supplies and spares. Für Servicearbeiten und Kalibrierung, Verbrauchsmaterial und Ersatzteile steht Ihnen unsere Customer Support Abteilung zur Verfügung. Notre service 'Support Clientèle' reste à votre entière disposition pour tout problème de maintenance, réparation ou d'étalonnage ainsi que pour les accessoires et pièces de rechange.
