Instruments for a Variety of Meteorological Applications

Since its foundation in 1936 Vaisala (Finland) has developed measurement instruments and systems for a wide variety of meteorological and environmental applications. Continuous effort on
development has made Vaisala the industry leader in many areas of professional meteorological instrumentation.
Vaisala has just recently introduced a new generation barometric pressure, relative humidity and temperature measuring transmitter series, the Vaisala Combined Pressure, Humidity and Temperature Transmitter PTU300. The PTU300 features fully digital measuring electronics for all three parameters, several small relative humidity and temperature sensor heads for various applications, calculated humidity variables, and a new graphical display with backlighting.
The display shows three-hour graphical trends and a history for one year. The PTU300 has two pressure transducers for the measurement of barometric pressure. The silicon based Vaisala BAROCAP® sensor gives excellent accuracy and long-term stability. Another example of continuous improvement is the Vaisala Transmissometer LT31, for aviation applications, the ultimate instrument for the uninterrupted measurement of runway visual range (RVR). The special features of this transmissometer include Vaisala patented automatic calibration and fine alignment, which compensate and adjust for drift. Another is the Vaisala Ceilometer CL31; a cloud height sensor base on the 2nd generation of advanced single-lens technology that provides unprecedented performance even at low altitudes. In the environmental research community there is increased interest in using the CL31 for air pollution measurement.
For wind, Vaisala offers mechanical and ultrasonic wind sensors. Ultrasonic wind sensors do not have moving parts, so they do not
need periodic maintenance, the ultrasonic range includes the premium class ice-free Vaisala WINDCAP® Ultrasonic Wind Sensor WS425 F/G.
Vaisala introduced to the market the unique all-in-one multi-sensor weather transmitter, the Vaisala Weather Transmitter WXT510 that, in addition to ultrasonic wind speed and direction measurement, measures liquid precipitation, barometric pressure, temperature and relative humidity - all in a compact solid state package. The WXT510 was so well received by the market, that its design concept was translated to a new ultrasonic wind sensor, the Vaisala Vaisala WINDCAP® Ultrasonic Wind Sensor WMT50 Ultrasonic Wind Sensor WMT50.
Vaisala also caters for thunderstorm detection. Lightning and electrical storms pose a danger for many outdoor activities, telephonic and radio operations as well as power distribution. Vaisala thunderstorm products afford the users the opportunity to prepare for lightning threats, suspend at-risk activities, improve the safety of goods and workers, and protect equipment more effectively. The TSS928 Thunderstorm Detection System can be used to detect and report on lightning activity within a range of 30 nautical miles or 55km. Vaisala Thunderstorm Electric Field Mill EFM550 measures the local atmospheric electric field to monitor the development and dissipation of overhead lightning threats. The Vaisala ALARM Lightning Alert and Risk Management System is an automated, easy-to-use display of approaching and overhead lightning threat, as measured by the TSS928 and EFM550.