HR: 1330h
AN: AE22A-1114    [PDF]
TI: On The Design and Implementation of a New Electric-Field Meter with Reciprocating Shutter and Field-Change-Antenna Option
AU: * Swenson, J
EM: jswenson@campbellsci.com
AF: Campbell Scientific, Inc., 815 West 1800 North, Logan, UT 84321 United States
AU: Byerley, L G
EM: byerley@theriver.com
AF: Lightning Protection Technology, 2744 E 5th St, Tucson, AZ 85716 United States
AU: Bogoev, I
EM: ivan@campbellsci.com
AF: Campbell Scientific, Inc., 815 West 1800 North, Logan, UT 84321 United States
AU: Hinckley, A
EM: ahinckley@campbellsci.com
AF: Campbell Scientific, Inc., 815 West 1800 North, Logan, UT 84321 United States
AU: Beasley, W H
EM: whb@ou.edu
AF: School of Meteorology, University of Oklahoam, Norman, OK 73019 United States
AB: The atmospheric electric field is a unique indicator of locally disturbed weather, local thunderstorms and local atmospheric electrical hazards. Yet, surprisingly, routine observations of ambient electric field have never been included in the canonical suite of measured meteorological variables. This notable omission may be a result of the historically high costs to acquire, install, and maintain conventional electric-field mills. To reduce costs and overcome limitations of traditional field meters, Campbell Scientific, Inc. has developed an electric-field meter (patent pending) with a reciprocating shutter that eliminates the problem of making electrical contact with a rotating shaft. The reciprocating action is under microprocessor control, so the sample rate can be varied in response to measured conditions. Between samples of electric field, the shutter can even be left open indefinitely, allowing the instrument to function as a field-change antenna. Since the shutter is closed before and after each measurement in field-meter mode, it is relatively easy to account for drift and offsets automatically, so that measurements can be made even if the electrode insulator becomes degraded by conductive deposits of the types likely to be encountered in severe outdoor environments. Because the motor is energized for only a small fraction of each measurement cycle, average power consumption is exceptionally low, making the new field meter especially suitable for solar-powered applications such as automated remote meteorological stations. Some preliminary observations demonstrate the capabilities of the instrument.
DE: 3304 Atmospheric electricity
DE: 3324 Lightning
DE: 3360 Remote sensing
DE: 3394 Instruments and techniques
SC: Atmospheric and Space Electricity [AE]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting