SEM228A Photoelectric Solar

Radiation Sensor

User Manual

V22.07.02
1. Product introduction
The SEM228 total solar radiation sensor adopts the photoelectric principle and can be used to measure
the total radiation value under sunlight. The radiation sensor adopts a high-precision photosensitive
element, with wide spectral absorption, high absorption in the full spectral range, and good stability; at the
same time, a dust cover with a light transmittance of up to 95% is installed outside the sensing element,
and the dust cover is specially treated to reduce dust. Adsorption can effectively prevent the interference
of environmental factors on internal components, and can measure the amount of solar radiation more
accurately.
The product supports standard analog output or Modbus-RTU 485 communication protocol, which can
directly read the current solar radiation value, and the wiring method is simple. The appearance is small
and beautiful, and takes up little installation space. Products are widely used in solar energy utilization,
meteorology, agriculture, building material aging and air pollution and other departments to do the
measurement of total solar radiation.
1.1 Features
■ Using high-precision photosensitive elements, high absorption in the spectral range
■ Comes with level and adjustment hand wheel, easy to adjust on site
■ Adopt standard Modbus-RTU protocol
■ Highly transparent dust cover, good sensitivity, special surface treatment to prevent dust adsorption
■ Using all-aluminum shell, high protection level
■ Wide voltage power supply DC 7~30V
1.2 Technical parameter
Power supply range 7V~30V DC (0-10V output power supply voltage can only be DC 24V)
Output method 485 (standard Modbus-RTU protocol)
Current output 4-20mA
Voltage output 0-5V、0-10V
Power consumption 0.06W (RS485), 0.6W (analog output)
Operating temperature -25℃~60℃
Measurement object sunshine
Measuring range 0~1800W/㎡
Resolution 1W/㎡
Response time ≤10S
Nonlinear ＜±3%
Annual stability ≤±3%
Load capacity Current output: ≤600Ω, voltage output: output resistance ≤250Ω
Line length 60cm can be customized

2. Product installation and wiring

2.1 Check before installation
■ One sensor device
■ Black waterproof plug-in male 70cm
■ Qualification certificate, warranty card
■ Installation screw pack
2.2 Installation method
1. Use screws through the mounting holes on the sensor to fix the sensor on the installation position.
2. Make sure the device is parallel to the ground (adjust the hand screw and check the level of the bubble
to determine whether it is parallel).
3. After installation, remove the protective cover

2.3 Equipment size

3. Output interface wiring

Analog signal type wiring method and calculation formula
Thread color Illustrate
Brown Positive power supply (10~30V DC)
Power supply
Black Negative power supply
Blue Positive signal
Communication
Green Signal negative
3.1 Wiring example

Four-wire connection diagram

 Three-wire connection diagram
3.2 Calculation formula
3.2.1 Calculation method of current type signal output
For example, the range is 0~1800W/㎡, and the output signal is 4~20mA. When the output signal is 12mA,
the current solar radiation value is calculated. The span of the solar radiation range is 1800W/㎡, which is
expressed by a 16mA current signal, 1800W/ ㎡ /16mA=112.5W/ ㎡ /mA, that is, the current 1mA
represents a solar radiation change of 112.5W/ ㎡ , and the measured value is 12mA-4mA=8mA.
8mA*112.5W/㎡/mA=900W/㎡, the current solar radiation value is 900W/㎡.
3.2.2 Voltage type signal output conversion calculation
For example, the range is 0~1800W/ ㎡ , 0-10V output, when the output signal is 5V, the current solar
radiation value is calculated. The span of the solar radiation range is 1800W/㎡, which is expressed by a
10V voltage signal, 1800W/ ㎡ /10V=180W/ ㎡ /V, that is, a voltage of 1V represents a solar radiation
change of 180W/㎡, and the measured value is 5V-0V=5V, 5V* 180W/㎡/V=900W/㎡, the current solar
radiation value is 900W/㎡.
4. RS485 Type wiring
Thread color Illustrate
Power supply Brown Positive power supply (7~30V DC)
Black Negative power supply
Green 485-A
Communication
Blue 485-B
5. Configuration software installation and use
5.1 Software selection
Open the data package, select "Debugging Software"---"485 Parameter Configuration Software", find
“RS485 parameter configuration tool 2.1” just open.
5.2 Parameter settings
①Select the correct COM port (check the COM port in "My Computer - Properties - Device Manager -
Port"), the following figure lists the driver names of several different 485 converters.

② Connect only one device and power it on, click the test baud rate of the software, the software will test
the baud rate and address of the current device, the default baud rate is 4800bit/s, and the default
address is 0x01.
③ Modify the address and baud rate according to the needs of use, and at the same time, you can query
the current functional status of the device.
④ If the test is unsuccessful, please re-check the equipment wiring and 485 driver installation.

6. Communication protocol
6.1 Basic communication parameters
Code 8-bit binary
Data bit 8-bit
Parity bit Without
Stop bit 1 bit
Error checking CRC (Redundant Cyclic Code)
Baud rate 2400bit/s, 4800bit/s, 9600 bit/s can be set, the factory default is 4800bit/s

6.2 Data frame format definition

Using Modbus-RTU communication protocol, the format is as follows:
Initial structure ≥4 bytes of time
Address code = 1 byte
Function code = 1 byte
Data area = N bytes
Error check = 16-bit CRC code
Time to end structure ≥ 4 bytes
Address code: the address of the transmitter, which is unique in the communication network (factory
default 0x01).
Function code: the function instruction of the command sent by the host, the transmitter can use the
function code 0x03 (read register data) 0x06 (write register).
Data area: The data area is the specific communication data, pay attention to the high byte of the 16bits
data first!
CRC code: two-byte check code.
Host query frame structure:
Address code Function code Register start address Register length CRC low CRC high
1 byte 1 byte 2 bytes 2 bytes 1 byte 1 byte
Slave machine response frame structure:
Address Function Number of Second data Nth data
Data area Check code
code code valid bytes area area
1 byte 1 byte 1 byte 2 bytes 2 bytes 2 bytes 2 bytes
6.3 Register address
Register address Content Operate Scope and Definitions
0000 H Solar radiation value Read only Actual value
0052H Deviation Read and write Solar radiation deviation value (0~1800)
07D0 H Device address Read and write 1~254 (factory default 1)
0 means 2400
07D1H Device baud rate Read and write 1 for 4800
2 for 9600
6.4 Communication protocol example and explanation
6.4.1 Read the current solar radiation value
Inquiry frame: read value function code 03/04
Address code Function code Initial address Data length CRC low CRC high
0x01 0x03 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x01 0x84 0x0A
acknowledgment frame
Address code Function code Number of valid bytes Solar radiation value CRC low CRC high
0x01 0x03 0x02 0x00 0x64 0x9B 0xAF
solar radiation value:
0064 (hexadecimal) =100=> solar radiation value=100W/㎡ Air pressure calculation:
6.4.2 Write offset value
Inquiry frame: write numerical function code 06/10

Address code Function code Initial address Modify the value CRC low CRC high
0x01 0x06 0x00 0x52 0x00 0x0A 0xA8 0x1C
Acknowledgment frame
Address code Function code Initial address Modify the value CRC low CRC high
0x01 0x06 0x00 0x52 0x00 0x0A 0xA8 0x1C
Write the current solar radiation deviation value
000A (hexadecimal) =10=> Solar radiation deviation value=10W/㎡ Deviation value is 10W/㎡
6.4.3 Modify current address
Query frame (modify the current address to 0x02)
CRC
Address code Function code Initial address Modify the value CRC low
high
0x01 0x06 0x07 0xD0 0x00 0x02 0x08 0x86
Acknowledgment frame
Address code Function code Initial address Modify the value CRC low CRC high
0x01 0x06 0x07 0xD0 0x00 0x02 0x08 0x86
6.4.4 Modify the current baud rate
Query frame (modify the current address to 0x02)
Address code Function code Initial address Modify the value CRC low CRC high
0x01 0x06 0x07 0xD1 0x00 0x02 0x59 0x46
Acknowledgment frame
Address code Function code Initial address Modify the value CRC low CRC high
0x01 0x06 0x07 0xD1 0x00 0x02 0x59 0x46
6.4.5 Query current address
Query frame:
Address code Function code Initial address Data length CRC low CRC high
0xFF 0x03 0x07 0xD0 0x00 0x02 0xD1 0x58
Acknowledgment frame
Address Function Returns the number
Address Baud rate CRC low CRC high
code code of valid bytes
0x01 0x03 0x04 0x00 0x01 0x00 0x01 0x6A 0x33
The real address read to the device is 01, and the baud rate is 0x01, which is 4800.

7.Cautions and Troubleshooting

Precautions:
1. When the customer receives the product, please confirm the product model, etc.
2. Do not connect with electricity, and only after the wiring is checked correctly can it be powered on
3. The sensor is a precision device, please do not disassemble the protective transparent cover at will
7.1 Troubleshooting:
① If the read value shows 0, check whether there is a light source, and check whether the product
protective cover is removed
② The 485 bus is disconnected, or the A and B lines are reversed
③ Check whether the power supply conforms to the label
④ Equipment damage
⑤ Output or output error Reply frame
Possible reason:
a. The wiring method is incorrect or the wiring sequence is wrong.
b. The power supply voltage is wrong (for the 0-10V type, the power supply is 24V).
c. The distance between the transmitter and the collector is too long, causing signal disorder.
d. The data acquisition port is damaged.
e. Equipment damage.

8. Product Maintenance
1. The dust cover needs to be kept clean and wiped with a soft cloth regularly
2. There should be no water in the dust cover. If it encounters heavy rain, snow, ice and other weather for
a long time, it is recommended to cover it.