A comparison of ultraviolet radiometers' long-term performance characteristics

Abstract

In this paper we present a comparison of the performance characteristics of two types of broad-band ultraviolet radiometers. The first type of instrument is manufactured by Eppley Laboratories of the USA and the second type is manufactured by Kipp and Zonen of Holland. The results presented in this paper are for a continuous study period of two years. A comparison of the characteristics of these instruments showed that the Kipp and Zonen instrument has a better long-term performance stability than the Eppley Labs instrument. An additional part of the study was to compare the u.v. radiation to the total radiation received on a horizontal surface for various conditions of the sky, from clear to completely overcast conditions. Observation resulting from this study showed that the ratio of ultraviolet radiation to the total solar radiation was higher for cloudy skies than for clear skies.


(Botswana Journal of Technology: 2002 11(2): 24-38)