Wind Speed Smart Sensor (S-WSB-M003) Manual

The wind speed smart sensor is designed to work with HOBO® stations. The smart sensor has a
plug-in modular connector that allows it to be added easily to a HOBO station. All sensor
parameters are stored inside the smart sensor, which automatically communicates
configuration information to the logger without the need for any programming or extensive
user setup.

Specifications
Measurement Range 0 to 76 m/sec (0 to 170 mph)
Accuracy ±1.1 m/sec (2.4 mph) or ±4% of reading, whichever is greater
Resolution 0.5 m/sec (1.1 mph)
Service Life >5 year life typical, factory replaceable mechanism
Distance Constant 3 m (9.8 ft)
Wind Speed Smart Sensor Starting Threshold ≤1 m/sec (2.2 mph)

S-WSB-M003 Maximum Wind Speed Survival 76 m/sec (170 mph)

Measurements Wind speed: Average wind speed over logging interval
Item included: Gust: Highest 3-second gust during the logging interval
• Mounting rod See Measurement Operation for more information
Operating Temperature Range -40° to 75°C (-40° to 167°F)
Accessories:
Environmental Rating Sensor and Cable Jacket: Weatherproof
• Full cross arm (M-CAA)
• Half cross arm (M-CAB) Housing Three cup polycarbonate anemometer: Modified Teflon® bearings and
hardened beryllium shaft with ice shedding design
Dimensions 41 x 16 cm (16 x 6.5 in.) including 1.27 cm (0.5 in) diameter mounting
rod; 5.5 cm (2.1 in.) drip overhang
Weight 300 g (10 oz)
Bits per Sample 8 for each channel, 16 total
Number of Data Channels* 2
Measurement Averaging Automatic averaging (see Measurement Operation)
Cable Length Available 3.5 m (11.5 ft)
Length of Smart Sensor 0.5 m (1.6 ft)
Network Cable*
The CE Marking identifies this product as complying with all relevant
directives in the European Union (EU).
* A single HOBO station can accommodate 15 data channels and up to 100 m (328 ft) of smart sensor cable (the digital
communications portion of the sensor cables).

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 Wind Speed Smart Sensor (S-WSB-M003) Manual

Mounting a. Loosen the tri-clamp bolts and raise or lower the entire
mast so that the wind sensor is close to the desired
height. Make sure there is at least 5 cm (2 inches) of
Placement and Mounting Considerations
mast extending below the lower tri-clamp.
• The wind speed smart sensor should be mounted
b. Make sure the upper mast dimple is still facing north (if
vertically in a location free of wind shadows.
in northern hemisphere) and then re-tighten the tri-
• For accurate wind speed measurements, mount the clamps. Once the tri-clamp bolts are tight, tighten the
sensor at a distance of at least five times the height of the lock nuts to lock the bolts in place. This requires two
nearest tree, building, or other obstruction. wrenches: one to hold the bolt and one to tighten the
lock nut against the tri-clamp.
• Be sure to secure the sensor cable with cable ties to
protect the cable from damage. c. Loosen the bolt holding the wind sensor mounting rod
and raise or lower it as necessary so the center of the
• To provide long-term protection from moisture entry, the wind sensor anemometer cups is at the desired height.
smart sensor adapter must be mounted horizontally and Re-tighten the bolt.
with the cable wires routed with drip loops so that water
drains away from the cable entry point as shown in the 6. Use cable ties to secure the sensor cables to the cross arm,
example below. When mounted properly, the housing is bracket, and mast. The sensor cables should run below the
weatherproof (but not waterproof). cross arm and brackets to minimize the chance of birds
pecking and damaging the cables. Cable ties should be
spaced no more than .3 m (1 foot) apart. Make sure there
Smart
sensor are drip loops on both sides of the smart sensor housing,
adapter which must also be mounted horizontally, as described
mounted under Placement and Mounting Considerations.
horizontally

Drip
loop Mounting rod

Drip loop
Cable ties

• The tripod or mounting mast must be properly grounded.

For field installations, you can use Onset’s grounding kit
(M-GKA).
• Secure the mast the wind sensor is mounted on so that it Sensor cable
does not vibrate. If you are using Onset masts or tripods,
secure them with guy wires.
Upper
• Although the wind sensor is designed to operate in 100+ mast
mph winds, it can be damaged with improper handling.
Store the sensor in its shipping box until you are ready to
install it.
• Refer to the Tripod Setup Guide for more information.

Mounting the Sensor to a Tripod Cross Arm

1. Insert a 1/4-20 x 1-3/4 inch hex head bolt with a flat washer
on it through the 1/4 inch hole on the end of the cross arm.
Tighten with a 7/16 inch wrench until snug. Mounting the Sensor to a Pole
1. Loosely secure the sensor mounting pole with two hose
2. Install another flat washer and nylock nut on the bolt,
clamps (not included) as shown below. Adjust the height of
allowing the black mounting rod to protrude 1/2 inch (1.3
the sensor as necessary, but make sure the hose clamps are
cm) from the bottom of the cross arm.
separated by at least 4 inches (10 cm).
3. Insert the sensor mounting rod into the cross arm. Secure
2. Secure the sensor cable with cable ties. See diagram on next
the ground wire to the lug nut on the cross arm.
page. Make sure there are drip loops on both sides of the
4. Tighten the nut and bolt until the rod is clamped in place. smart sensor housing, which must also be mounted
horizontally, as described under Placement and Mounting
5. Adjust the height of the sensor in the cross arm as Considerations.
necessary using one of the following methods and then
tighten the nut and bolt until the cross arm just starts to
deform.

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 Wind Speed Smart Sensor (S-WSB-M003) Manual

Verifying Sensor Accuracy

Onset recommends that you check the accuracy of the sensor
annually. The Wind Speed smart sensor cannot be calibrated.
Onset uses precision components to obtain accurate
measurements. If the smart sensor is not providing accurate
data, then it may be damaged or possibly worn out if it has
Mounting rod been in use for several years.
Hose clamps

Cable ties around

sensor cable

3. Tighten the hose clamps making sure the mounting rod

remains vertical.

Connecting the Sensor to a Station

To connect the sensor to a station, stop the station from
logging and insert the smart sensor’s modular jack into an
available smart sensor port on the station. See the station
manual for details on operating stations with smart sensors.

Measurement Operation
Wind speed measurements are averaged over the logging
interval or a 3-second timeframe (whichever is greater). If you
set up the sensor to log faster than every 3 seconds, the same
sensor reading will be recorded until a new 3-second average is
calculated. For example, if the sensor is logging at a 1-second
interval, the sensor will report the same wind speed (its
calculated average) for three samples before calculating and
reporting a new value for another three samples. Gust speed is
the highest three-second wind recorded during the logging
interval. Measurement averaging for this sensor is independent
of the logger’s measurement averaging. Therefore the
automatic measurement averaging for this sensor is not
affected by any sampling intervals entered for averaging on
other sensors.

Maintenance
The sensor does not require any maintenance other than an
occasional cleaning. If dust, cobwebs, salt or other
contaminants collect in the cups of the anemometer, rinse the
sensor with mild soap and fresh water.

© 2002–2017 Onset Computer Corporation. All rights reserved. Onset and HOBO are trademarks or registered
1-800-LOGGERS (564-4377) • 508-759-9500 trademarks of Onset Computer Corporation. Teflon is a registered trademark of DuPont. All other
www.onsetcomp.com/support/contact trademarks are the property of their respective companies.
18787-D MAN-S-WSB