UVA Sensor Troubleshooting and FAQs

UVA Sensor, order code UVA-BTA, $106
Specifications and User Guide

TROUBLESHOOTING

-Primary Test: Are you using the UVA Sensor to check UVB light? Confirm that the sensor is appropriate for the experiment.
-Secondary Test: Take readings outdoors in the sunlight with and without a barrier, such as a sunglasses lens. Confirm that the readings are in the normal range for your area.

RELATED TIL ENTRIES

-TIL 1137: Do you have UV sensors? How do they work?
-TIL 1339: Where can I purchase a UV light source?
-TIL 1552: My UVA or UVB sensor is displaying incorrect units in Logger Pro
-TIL 392: Does Vernier sell a weather station?

SPECIFICATIONS

-new order code: UVA-BTA
-old order code: UVA-DIN
-UV peak sensitivity: one volt per 3940 mW/m2 at 340 nm
-Wavelength sensitivity region, approximate: 320 to 375 nm, half-sensitivity points.
-12-bit resolution (LabPro): 5 mW/m2
-10-bit resolution (CBL 2, CBL): 20 mW/m2
-Dimensions: 21 cm by 2 cm diameter
-Time response: approximately 2 seconds to reach 95% of final reading

CALIBRATION

-Calibrate? No. The sensor is set to the stored calibration before shipping.
-It is quite difficult to calibrate a UV sensor to read in absolute units, since you must have a source of known UV intensity and spectral distribution. More often you will simply want to calibrate the sensor in terms of a relative intensity. Refer to the detailed instructions for calibration on page 3 of the sensor booklet.

RELATED VERNIER PRODUCTS

UVB Sensor, order code UVB-BTA, $107