Extensive Range of Hydrological Sensors from Campbell Scientific

For a number of years now, Campbell Scientific has been the dominant data logger supplier in Australia’s hydrological industry. In recent years, our US parent company (CSI), has made a significant effort to source, design and manufacture high quality sensors for the same market. While brochures for all of these sensors can be obtained from our website, this article highlights our expanding range and introduces some new offerings.

Submersible Pressure Sensors

Campbell Scientific now designs and manufactures its own submersible pressure transducers. The CS450 (Stainless steel body) and CS455 (Titanium body) pressure transducers can be ordered to measure between depths of 2m to 100m. Accuracy of these units is 0.1% FSR. The CS450 can also be ordered with a high-accuracy option of 0.05% FSR.

Both SDI-12 and RS232 are standard for these sensors. The CS460 submersible pressure sensor uses a strain gauge bonded to a pressure sensitive diaphragm to measure ranges from 0-1.3psi to 0-390psi and finally the CS430 uses a piezoresistive strain gauge to measure pressure ranges up to 5,15,30,50 or 100 psi.

Radar Water Level Sensors

Campbell Scientific supplies a range of radar water-level sensors including

 the CS475 (0-20m), the CS476 (0-30m) and the CS477 (0-70m). Mounted above the water to be measured, these sensors use radar to detect the distance from the sensor to the surface of the water. The fact that the sensors do not come into contact with the liquid avoids problems of corrosion, contamination or debris damage.

Turbidity Sensors

In 2006, Campbell Scientific purchased and took over manufacturing of the OBS range of back-scatter turbidity sensors. By utilizing the same strict manufacturing principles and quality control they have used for many years, the OBS range has gone from strength to strength since that time. The OBS range of sensors includes the OBS-3+ which uses a side-looking sensor and the OBS300 with downward looking sensor for turbidity up to 4000NTU. With a stainless steel body these sensors can be submerged up to 500m and with the titanium body option, up to 1500m. With its own inbuilt data logger, the OBS-5+ uses an infrared laser and a proprietary dual photo-detection system to measure turbidity to better facilitate measurement in applications where there are suspended solids. Finally the OBS3-3A is a multi-parameter probe with an inbuilt data logger capable of measuring turbidity, pressure, temperature and conductivity.

pH and Redox Potential Sensors

Campbell Scientific’s new CS525 pH probe provides reliable, accurate pH measurements and can be submersed or inserted into tanks, pipelines and open channels or streams. The CS525 uses a high-tech, ion-specific FET semiconductor at its core which allows the CS525 to monitor pH in liquids containing high solids, aggressive chemicals or biological materials that would clog or contaminate the junction of traditional glass-bulb pH probes. The CSIM11 pH probe is still available for those customers who require a traditional glass –bulb sensor. The CSIM11-ORP is a versatile sensor that measures oxidation reduction potential (ORP).

Conductivity Sensors

The CS547 conductivity sensor is a product that Campbell Scientific has manufactured and sold for several years. It is easy to clean, resistant to corrosion, and has earned a reputation for reliability and robustness that is second to none.

Dissolved Oxygen Sensor

The CS511 is a rugged, low maintenance oxygen sensor designed to be submerged in a medium (typically water) and measure dissolved oxygen from 0% to 100% saturation with an accuracy of +/- 2%.

Rainfall Sensor

Besides the traditional range of tipping bucket rain gauges from Hydrological Services, Campbell Scientific Australia now carries and supports the Rimco range of tipping bucket rain gauges. The RIM7499 is designed to Australian Bureau of Meteorology standards and accurate to +/- 1% at rainfall intensities up to 250mm/hr and +/- 3% up to 500mm/hr. The RIM8000 uses the same tipping bucket and siphon as the RIM 7499 but with a spun aluminium base and a spun copper collector funnel and rim. The RIM8000 is accurate to +/-3% at intensities up to 380mm/hr and +/- 5% at rates up to 500mm/hr.