Calibration and repair services for performance and accuracy

Repair Services

Kipp & Zonen products are designed for a long operating life and most components, other than consumables used in regular maintenance, do not have a specific life-time. However, components do degrade or require servicing to maintain optimal performance depending upon age, the operating conditions and maintenance.

It sometimes happens that products become damaged by accident or by extreme conditions (such as lightning strikes). In this case repairs and the replacement of parts will be necessary. Many service or repair activities can be carried out at our offices in France, Singapore and the USA. However, some operations require specialised equipment at the factory in the Netherlands. However, there is a limit to the repairs that can be carried out on very old instruments due to parts becoming unavailable. For more information contact us.

Dome and Window Damage

Scratches or chips on a dome or window might affect the radiometer readings; depending on the instrument and its application and the size, location, and number of scratches or chips.

For diffuse horizontal solar irradiance (DHI) measurements the pyranometer is shaded from the direct sun beam and most small scratches will not affect the readings significantly.
Reflected solar radiation is largely diffuse and small scratches will have little effect on the readings.
Global horizontal solar irradiance (GHI) and tilted global solar irradiance include the direct sun beam. Therefore, scratches or chips located on parts of the pyranometer dome over which direct sunlight passes during the day will affect the measurements. It may be possible to get around this by re-orienting the radiometer such that the damage is located in a position where it will only be exposed to diffuse radiation.

Note that radiometers measuring global ultraviolet radiation are more affected by scratches as the short wavelengths of light are more easily scattered. Far-infrared long-wave radiation from the atmosphere, or a surface, is less easily scattered and the radiation is largely diffuse and homogeneous, so pyrgeometers are less affected by scratches and chips. The silicon crystal pyrgeometer window, or dome, can only be replaced at the factory and recalibration is required. If the silicon has been cracked it is likely that the detector will also need replacement. For direct normal solar irradiance (DNI) measurements, damage to a pyrheliometer window will scatter the solar beam and the window must be replaced at the factory and the instrument must be recalibrated. If you send clear images of the dome or window damage to us we can advise whether replacement is necessary.

User Replacement of Domes

The outer dome of double-dome pyranometers and albedometers, and the dome of most UV radiometers, can be replaced by the user. The kits include new fixing screws and o-ring seals. Kipp & Zonen domes are made from specific materials to closely controlled dimensions, so changes in sensitivity will be small.
However, because of the level of measurement performance of which they are capable, it is advisable to recalibrate the CM22, CMP22 or SMP22 if the dome is changed.

Please note that the CM21 and 22, CMP21 and 22, SMP21 and 22 are supplied when new with the directional error test data. If the outer dome is replaced the directional response will change and, if you use the error data, a new factory test will be required.

Effects of Impacts and Damp

Accidental damage can also affect the sensitivity; a large impact, such as dropping the instrument, can permanently change the sensitivity or cause an open circuit connection internally. If desiccant is not changed when necessary, or parts of the housing are loosened, humidity will build up over time inside the instrument. When the ambient temperature drops to a minimum (usually just before dawn) the air inside the instrument may go through a dew point. In this case, water will first condense on the inside of the dome or window, this will cause large errors in the measurements. If condensation occurs on the optical filters, photodiodes, or the black absorber coating of thermopile detectors it can permanently change the sensitivity. Condensation on the electronics can cause corrosion and malfunctions. If damage or condensation has occurred, please contact us for advice.

To Ensure the Best Radiometer Performance

1. Keep the dome or window clean; free of dust and particles, dew, rain, frost,  snow and scratches.

2. Change desiccant as required.

3. Don’t drop it, and calibrate regularly.

SRA /RMA
Kipp & Zonen - Delft

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