The new generation of
high quality and reliable precipitation identification sensors
The state-of-the-art Laser Precipitation Monitor (LPM) measures the amount,
intensity and type of precipitation with great accuracy. The LPM is capable of measuring
particles down to 0.16 mm diameter and can provide a drop size distribution with 400
classes. The data output is available in SYNOP, METAR, NWS, and in 4678 and
4680 WMO code. The system calculates intensity, volume (as water equivalent) and the
spectrum of precipitation (diameter and velocity), the reduction to visibility in
precipitation (MOR) and the radar reflectivity (Z).
FEATURES:
- measures precipitation amount, intensity, type
- measures particles down to 0.16 mm diameter
- maintenance-free
- mains or battery power
- best cost / performance ratio
- for all year round use
- ability to add additional weather sensors
OUTPUTS:
- total precipitation quantity
- particles speed / diameter
- intensity mm/h
- precipitation class (SYNOP/METAR)
- radar reflectivity (Z/R ration)
- MOR (Meteorological Optical Range) in rain
*optional sensors
- wind speed*
- wind direction*
- temperature*
- relative humidity*
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For more information on these optional sensors please see
the links at the top right of this page.
The LPM uses reliable laser-optics to detect and discriminate different kinds of
precipitation including:
- drizzle (DZ)
- freezing drizzle (FZDZ
- rain (RA)
- freezing rain (FZRA)
- hail (GR)
- snow (SN)
- snow grains (SG)
- ice needles (IC)
- soft hail (GS)
- ice grains (PL)
With an integrated temperature regulated heater the LPM is
suitable for all year round use. The sensor automatically compensates fluctuations of
temperature or soiling of the optics. For use in harsh environmental conditions, for
example in the mountains, a special model with extended heating is available.
We distribute the Thies Laser Precipitation Monitor (LPM)
in several countries for Adolf Thies GmbH & Co Kg (Thies Clima) based in Germany. The
LPM has been on the market since mid 2003 and was introduced at the WMO CIMO meeting in
Geneva.
The LPM is very cost effective and because of this it
really does represent excellent value. Several national weather services are now deploying
them in large numbers and several other agencies and individual customers have also
bought the sensor for radar calibration or present weather detection network
stations.
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Data Output
With the following configurable digital outputs the LPM can be used as a precipitation
monitor or as a tipping bucket type precipitation sensor:
- an electrically isolated serial interface (RS-485).
- 2 digital outputs (opto-coupler) which provide an easy
connection to standard data logger systems with pulse/frequency inputs.
The function of the digital opto-coupler outputs is
programmable for example:
Output 1 - could be configured for 0.1 mm or 0.01 resp or
0.005 mm precipitation per pulse corresponding to the cumulatively measured precipitation
quantity.
Output 2 - could be configured as a precipitation event
monitor or as an additional event output, solid precipitation (snow, snow-grains, soft
hail, hail) in conjunction with output 1.
For a table of commands please click Digital output commands for Outputs 1 / 2
In addition the following optional sensors can be connected
to the optional measuring channels:
- temperature (Pt100, not available for models with extended
heating)
- relative humidity (0-1 V / 0-100% relative humidity)
- wind speed (frequency 0-630 Hz)
- wind direction (serial synchronous)
Software
The data can be viewed on a PC via an RS-485 to RS232 connector (not included) using any
HyperTerminal emulation, alternatively you can use the optional LNM-view software for easy
data acquisition, storage and analysis. With this progressive Client Server architecture
it is possible for several users to access the data simultaneously (multi-user ability).
The software supports several instruments in parallel, the maximum number being limited
only by the PC hardware.
Available models
The sensor can be provided in mains (100-260 VAC) or battery voltages (12-24 VDC)
and includes models which can be used to accept additional sensors for wind speed and
direction, temperature and humidity as well as models that allow the sensor to act as a
tipping bucket rain gauge with pulse output for intensity and a relay for start and stop
of rainfall.
The most important decision you need to make when ordering
an LPM is to decide whether you need an LPM that has the weather station capability OR you
need the additional relay / monitoring / Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge capability. The
units cannot be updated to allow a change to the other style later on.
| Model |
Description |
| 5.4110.00 000 |
A disdrometer featuring two digital outputs in addition to the
normal output of the drop size distribution information. Both outputs are independent of
each other. The two digital outputs that can be used
to either act as relay contacts (rain / no rain) type of switching or to indicate
accumulation (similar to a tipping bucket rain gauge pulse output) for connection to an
appropriate device to log this....or to indicate a condition (full scale output voltage
when condition exists such as a type of precipitation (snow for example) or if a fault
exists (no laser output for example...)
Voltages available:
24 VAC /DC or 22..30 VDC
115 VAC
230 VAC
12-24 VDC |
| 5.4110.01.x00 |
As above but with extended heating (not for VDC
model) |
| 5.4110.10.x00 |
A disdrometer with the ability to add additional weather
sensors such as wind speed, wind direction, temperature, humidity sensor to the
LPM. The data from the additional sensors is modulated and output as a single weather data
string for ease of data collection to a data logger or PC (optional PC software can be
used to display and archive the data). This model can
be useful if you wish to mainly record precipitation information but also wish to have the
wind speed and direction and temp/RH info as well but do not wish to have a separate
logger for this...or wish to understand the precipitation better from the additional
weather parameters.
The drop size distribution is still supplied in its
entirety but the additional weather info is also included.
Voltages available:
24 VAC /DC or 22..30 VDC
115 VAC
230 VAC
12-24 VDC |
| 5.4110.11.x00 |
As above but with extended heating (not for DC
model) |
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