Long‐term stability of meteorological temperature sensors

Abstract

AbstractThis study presents the results of successive calibrations of sensors for meteorological applications consecutively exposed to particular environmental conditions. The determined sensor characteristics and measurement uncertainties were used to analyze how the environmental factors and the ageing of the sensor (impact of the time) results in the variation of characteristics in terms of the sensors’ stability and the reproducibility of the calibration curves obtained. The study consists of the regular calibrations of two temperature sensors: HMP 155 and Vaisala's HMP 45AC, after having been exposed to thermal shocks and exposure to extreme ranges of humidity. The selected measuring devices represent sensors commonly used in Stevenson Screens, compact solar shields and other meteorological applications. The investigation verifies the following impacts on characteristics’ change and reproducibility: time, high humidity, high and low temperatures, and rapid temperature changes (10 series) from −30 to −10°C typical for anticyclonal conditions. The result of the measurements is presented and discussed. The analysis is completed by fully understanding, evaluating and reporting uncertainties in the results.