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Basic Maintenance for Campbell Scientific CS125 Visibility Sensor

Routine inspection and cleaning tasks permitted for site personnel

Overview

This article describes basic maintenance tasks for the Campbell Scientific CS125 present weather and visibility sensor.

The purpose of these tasks is to keep the sensor clean, unobstructed, and operating reliably between scheduled services.

This article does not cover calibration, configuration, electrical work, firmware changes, or internal repairs.

Who this is for

This article is intended for:

  • Site personnel

  • Operators responsible for routine inspections

Only the tasks explicitly listed here are permitted.
Any work outside this scope must be escalated to WISE Group Support.

Prerequisites

Before starting:

  • The CS125 is installed and mechanically secure.

  • Safe physical access to the sensor is available.

  • Required materials are available:

    • Clean water

    • Lint-free cloths or wipes

    • Mild, non-abrasive detergent (if required)

Safety notes

The CS125 contains optical components, powered electronics, and automatic heaters.

  • Do not open the sensor housing.

  • Do not disconnect or reconnect power, heater, or signal cables.

  • Do not place hands or tools inside the optical paths.

  • Do not rely on the absence of alarms as confirmation that the sensor is safe to work on.

If the sensor is installed:

  • At height

  • Near live electrical systems

  • In roadside, offshore, or aviation environments

Follow all site-specific safety procedures.

If there is any uncertainty about safety, sensor condition, or data quality, stop and escalate to WISE Group Support.

Step-by-step

1. Visual inspection

  1. Confirm the sensor body, arms, and mounting hardware are secure.

  2. Check for visible damage to:

    • Optical hoods

    • Sensor arms

    • Cables and connectors

  3. Verify there are no obstructions near the measurement volume (for example debris, ice, or bird activity).

If damage or instability is observed, stop work and escalate.

2. Check for contamination

  1. Inspect the optical windows for:

    • Dust

    • Salt deposits

    • Insects

    • Bird droppings

    • Snow or ice

  2. If available, review system alarms or status indicators for contamination or blockage warnings.

The CS125 includes internal contamination monitoring, but visual inspection is still required.

3. Clean the optical windows (if required)

Only clean the sensor if contamination is visible.

  1. Rinse the optical windows with clean water to remove loose dirt.

  2. If necessary, use a mild detergent diluted in water.

  3. Gently wipe using a lint-free cloth.

  4. Rinse again with clean water.

  5. Allow the windows to air-dry naturally.

Do not:

  • Use solvents, alcohol, or abrasive cleaners

  • Scratch, polish, or coat the optical surfaces

  • Apply water under pressure

4. Confirm heater areas are unobstructed

  1. Check that optical hoods and heater areas are free from debris or buildup.

  2. Do not attempt to test, adjust, or disable heaters.

Heater operation is automatic and controlled internally by the sensor.

Validation / What “good” looks like

After completing basic maintenance:

  • Optical windows are clean and clear.

  • No physical damage or loose mounting is present.

  • No new contamination or blockage alarms are reported.

  • The sensor remains securely mounted and aligned.

Troubleshooting

Symptom: Repeated contamination or blockage alarms
Possible cause: Dirty optics or harsh environmental conditions
Fix: Clean optical windows once. If alarms persist, stop and escalate to WISE Group Support.

Symptom: Visible damage, misalignment, or loose mounting
Possible cause: Impact, vibration, or severe weather
Fix: Stop work immediately and escalate to WISE Group Support.

Symptom: Data appears unreliable after cleaning
Possible cause: Internal fault or calibration issue
Fix: Escalate to WISE Group Support. Calibration is not permitted at site level.

FAQ

Can site personnel perform calibration?
No. Calibration requires specialist equipment and authorised personnel.

Can heaters be disabled to reduce power consumption?
No. Heater configuration is outside the scope of site maintenance.

How often should basic maintenance be performed?
Inspect based on local environmental conditions. High dust, salt, snow, or bird activity may require more frequent checks.