HFP01SC Self-Calibrating Heat Flux Sensor

The HFP01SC self-calibrating heat flux sensor™ is a heat flux sensor for use in the soil. It offers the best available accuracy and quality assurance of the measurement. The on-line self-test verifies the stable performance and good thermal contact of sensors that are buried and cannot be visually inspected and taken to the laboratory for recalibration. The self-test also includes self-calibration which compensates for measurement errors caused by the thermal conductivity of the surrounding soil (which varies with soil moisture content), for sensor non-stability and for temperature dependence.

HFP01SC measures soil heat flux in W/m²

HFP01SC measures soil heat flux in W/m². It is used when the highest level of quality assurance and a high measurement accuracy are required. In essence, HFP01SC is a combination of a heat flux sensor and a film heater. The heat flux sensor output is a voltage signal that is proportional heat flux through the sensor. At a regular interval the film heater is activated to perform a self-test. The self-test results in a verification of sensor contact to the soil and in a new sensitivity that is valid for the circumstances at that moment. The latter is called self-calibration. Implicitly also cable connection, data acquisition and data processing are tested. The result is a much improved accuracy & quality assurance of the measurement relative to measurements with conventional sensors such as model HFP01.

Unique features and benefits

• low thermal resistance
• large guard area (required by the ISO 9869 standard)
• low electrical resistance (low pickup of electrical noise)
• high sensitivity (good signal to noise ratio in low-flux environments)
• robustness, including a strong cable (essential for permanently installed sensors)
• IP protection class: IP67 (essential for outdoor application)
• incorporated film heater for self-testing

Case studies

Downloads and Technical Info

Scripts And Calculations