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8.5.2 Preventive Maintenance

Wind Speed

The anemometer has just one mechanical system which will benefit from preventive maintenance. That is the bearing assembly. There are two strategies from which to choose. One is to change the bearings (or the entire instrument if a spare is kept for that purpose) on a scheduled basis and the other is to make the change when torque measurements suggest change is in order. The former is most conservative with respect to data quality assuming that any time a torque measurement indicates a bearing problem, the bearing will be changed as a corrective maintenance action.

As routine calibrations become less frequent (8.3.5), the probability increases that a starting torque measurement will be made which indicates the anemometer is outside its performance specification. This will effect both the threshold (by increasing it) and the transfer function (by moving the non-linear threshold toward high speeds). It is unlikely that corrections can be properly made to the data in this case. The consequence might be the loss of a half-year's data, if that is the period for routine calibration. If experience indicates that the anemometer bearing assembly shows serious wear at the end of one year or two years (based on torque measurements), a routine change of bearings at that frequency is recommended.

Wind Direction

The wind vane usually has two mechanical systems which will benefit from preventive maintenance. The bearing assembly is one and can be considered in the same way as the anemometer bearing assembly described above. The other is the potentiometer which will certainly "wear out" in time. The usual mode of failure for a potentiometer is to become noisy for certain directions and then inoperative. The noisy stage may not be apparent in the average direction data. If  is calculated, the noise will bias the value toward a higher value. It will probably not be possible to see early appearance of noise in the data. When it becomes obvious that the is too high, some biased data may already have been validated and archived. Systems with time constant circuits built into the direction output will both mask the noise from the potentiometer (adding to the apparent potentiometer life) and bias the toward a lower value. Such circuits should not be used if they influence the actual output capability of the sensor. Each manufacturer may be different in their selection of a source and specifications used in buying potentiometers. The operator needs to get an expected life for the potentiometer from the manufacturer and monitor the real life with a noise sensitive test. An oscilloscope is best and can be used without disrupting the measurement. When potentiometer life expectations have been established, a preventive maintenance replacement on a conservative time basis is recommended.

Temperature and Temperature Difference

Aspirated radiation shields use fans which will also fail in time. The period of this failure should be several years. The temperature error resulting from this failure will be easily detected by a QC meteorologist inspecting the data. Some aspirated radiation shields include an air flow monitoring device or a current check which will immediately signal a disruption in aspiration. Preventive maintenance is not required but spare fans should be on the shelf so that a change can be made quickly when failure does occur.

Dew Point Temperature

Field calibration checks of the dew point temperature measurement system can be made with a high-quality Assmann-type or portable, motor-aspirated psychrometer. Sling psychrometers should not be used. Several readings should be taken at the intake of the aspirator or shield at night or under cloudy conditions during the day. These field checks should be made at least monthly, or in accordance with manufacturer's suggestions, and should cover a range of relative humidity values.

Periodically (at least quarterly) the lithium chloride in dew cells should be removed and recharged with a fresh solution. The sensor should be field-checked as described above before and at least an hour after the lithium chloride solution replacement.

If cooled-mirror type dew point systems are used, follow the manufacturer's service suggestions initially. The quality of the data from this method of measurement is dependent upon the mirror being kept clean. The frequency of service required to keep the mirror clean is a function of the environment in which the sensor is installed. That environment may vary with seasons or external weather conditions. If changes in dew point temperature of a magnitude larger than can be tolerated are found after service scheduled according to the manufacturer's suggestion, increase the service frequency until the cleaning becomes preventive maintenance rather than corrective service. This period will vary and can be defined only by experience. Station log data must include the "as found" and the "as left" measurements. Dew point temperature does not change rapidly (in the absence of local sources of water) and the difference between the two measurements will usually be the instrument error due to a dirty mirror.

Precipitation

The gauge should be inspected at regular intervals using a bubble level to see  that the instrument base is mounted level. Also, the bubble level should be placed across the funnel orifice to see that it is level. The wind screen should also be checked to see that it is level, and that it is located l/2 inch above the level of the orifice, with the orifice centered within the screen.

Pressure

The output of the pressure sensor should be regularly checked against a collocated instrument. A precision aneroid barometer can be used for this check. The collocated barometer should be occasionally checked against a mercurial barometer reading at a nearby NWS station.

Radiation

The optical hemispheres on pyranometers and net radiometers should be cleaned frequently (preferably daily) with a soft, lint-free cloth. The surfaces of the hemispheres should be regularly inspected for scratches or cracks. The detectors should be regularly inspected for any discoloration or deformation. The instruments should be inspected during cool temperatures for any condensation which may form on the interior of the optical surfaces.

While calibrations must be done by the manufacturer, radiation can be field-checked using a recently-calibrated, collocated instrument. Since signal processing is particularly critical for these sensors, the collocated instrument should also use its own signal conditioner and data recording system for the check. This kind of field check should be done every six months. It is mandatory to log "as found" and "as left" information about the parts of the system which seem to require work. Without this information it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to assess what data are usable and what are not.

8. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL
8.1 Instrument Procurement 
     8.1.1 Wind Speed 
     8.1.2 Wind Direction  
     8.1.3 Temperature and Temperature Difference 
     8.1.4 Dew Point Temperature 
     8.1.5 Precipitation 
     8.1.6 Pressure 
     8.1.7 Radiation  
 8.2 Installation and Acceptance Testing
     8.2.1 Wind Speed 
     8.2.2 Wind Direction  
     8.2.3 Temperature and Temperature Difference 
     8.2.4 Dew Point Temperature 
     8.2.5 Precipitation 
     8.2.6 Pressure
     8.2.7 Radiation
  8.3 Routine Calibrations  
     
8.3.1 Sensor Check  
      8.3.2 Signal Conditioner and Recorder Check  
     8.3.3 Calibration Data Logs 
     8.3.4 Calibration Report  
     8.3.5 Calibration Schedule/Frequency 
     8.3.6 Data Correction Based on Calibration Results  
  8.4 Audits 
     8.4.1 Audit Schedule and Frequency  
     8.4.2 Audit Procedure 
     8.4.3 Corrective Action and Reporting 
  8.5 Routine and Preventive Maintenance 
     8.5.1 Standard Operating Procedures  
     8.5.2 Preventive Maintenance  
 8.6 Data Validation and Reporting  
     8.6.1 Preparatory Steps 
     8.6.2 Levels of Validation  
     8.6.3 Validation Procedures  
     8.6.4 Schedule and Reporting
  8.7 Recommendations


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