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Campbell Scientific CR7 Measurement and Control System User Manual

Page 131

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SECTION 13. CR7 MEASUREMENTS

13-7

EXAMPLE LEAD LENGTH CALCULATION
FOR CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC 107
TEMPERATURE SENSOR

Assume a limit of 0.05oC over a 0oC to +40oC
range is established for the transient settling
error. This limit is a reasonable choice since it
approximates the linearization error over that
range. The output signal from the thermistor
bridge varies non-linearly with temperature
(refer to 107 Operator's Manual), ranging from
about 200 µV/oC at 0oC to 100 µV/oC at 40oC.
Taking the most conservative figure yields an
error limit of Ve = 5 µV. The other values

needed to calculate the maximum lead length
are summarized in Table 13.3-5 and listed
below:

1) Veo ≈ 100mV, peak transient at 4V excitation
2) Ve ≈ 5µV, allowable measurement error
3) t = 500µs, CR7 input settling time

4) Ro = 1kohm, 107 probe source resistance
5) Cf = 0.01nfd, CR7 input capacitance
6) Cw = 42pfd/ft., lead wire capacitance

Solving Equation 13.3-15 gives a maximum
lead length of:

L

≈ 965 ft., error ≈ 0.05oC

Setting the allowable error at 0.1oC or
approximately 10µV, the maximum lead length
increases to:

L

≈ 1050 ft., error ≈ 0.1oC

13.3.4 SUMMARY OF SETTLING ERRORS FOR

CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC RESISTIVE
SENSORS.

Table 13.3-5 summarizes the data required to
estimate the effect of lead length on settling
errors for Campbell Scientific's resistive
sensors. Comparing the transient level, Veo, to

the input range, one suspects that transient
errors are the most likely limitation for the 107
sensor. The sensors in the WVU-7 are the
same as in the Model 107 (the lead wire is
different) but the signal leads for the WVU-7 wet
and dry bulbs are not subject to excitation
transients because they are shielded
independently from the excitation.

The comparatively small transient yet large
source resistance of the 024A sensor indicates
that signal rise time may be the most important
limitation. The analysis in Section 13.3.2
confirms this.

The Model 227 Soil Moisture Block has a
relatively short time constant and essentially no
transient. Lead lengths in excess of 2000 feet
produce less than a 0.1 bar (0-10 bar range)
input settling error. With this sensor, the drive
capability of the excitation channel limits the
lead length. If the capacitive load exceeds 0.1
ufd and the resistive load is negligible, Vx will

oscillate about it's control point. If the capacitive
load is 0.1 ufd or less, Vx will settle to within

0.1% of its correct value in 150µs. A lead
length of 2000 feet is permitted for the Model
227 before approaching the drive limitation.

TABLE 13.3-5. Summary of Input Settling Data for Campbell Scientific Resistive Sensors

Sensor

Belden

Ro

Cw

τ*

Input

Model #

Wire #

(kohms) (pfd/ft.) (us)

Range(mV)

Vx(mV)

Veo(mV)**

107

8641

1

42

52

15

4000

100

207(RH)

8771

1

41

51

150

3000

130

WVU-7

8723

1

62

72

15

4000

0

227

8641

0.1-1

42

5-52

500

500

0

237

8641

1

42

52

50

5000

125

024A

8771

0-5

41

1-255

500

1000

0-90

*

Estimated time constants are for 1000 foot lead lengths and include 0.01nfd CR7 input capacitance.

**

Measured peak transients for 1000 foot lead lengths at corresponding excitation, Vx.