TECHNICAL NOTE: TN-23

Typical Ceilometer Installations

1.0 Field Installation

Installation of a ceilometer can be achieved in a number of ways, but the best results are achieved by
careful selection of the site having regard to the required sensor exposure and the availability of power
supply and communications services. Given that civil works, power supply and cabling can far exceed the
cost of the ceilometer equipment, the choice of sites can have a significant impact on the cost of the
project.

Some typical ceilometer installations are shown below.

Fig 1. Ceilometer co-located with Fig. 2 Ceilometer at Middle Marker

DVOR at Middle Marker site

Enclosure with

Fibre Media Converter Mains Power Isolator Mains Surge Protector.

In one case communications and power supply are combined in one enclosure, [ Fig 1. ] and in the other
The communications and power supplies are separated into different enclosures.

 MTECH Systems Pty Ltd 2010

TECHNICAL NOTE: TN-23
Communications Links.
The best communications links for ceilometers are without doubt optical fibre. In some cases these are
even duplicated fibre networks. The next preferred where there are existing copper pairs is SHDSL
modems followed by microwave or UHF links where there is no communications infrastructure and local
RF emissions policy allows it. The enclosure at the ceilometer site must be sized to hold the necessary
communications equipment

Power Supply
The power supply requirements of the AWOS are 250 VA fro tropical and warm temperate climates.Where
the snow blower is required this requires another 400 VA.

Siting Of Ceilometer
Ceilometers are very often installed as part of a precision approach runway project. In that event the
sensor locations are generally required to be at the Middle Marker site. Sometimes in ILS/DME systems
there is no Middle marker site, so the ceilometer is quite often located at the Runway Middle site. Cost of
cabling out to a site in line with the runway for a ceilometer alone may be prohibitive and the security and
protection costs of these sites are high.

There should be clear line of sight above the ceilometer. The beam is less than 1 meter in diameter up to
100 meters above ground

Earth Stake
A good ground is required for the lightning/surge protection. This must be connected to the metal parts of
the ceilometer and the metal equipment enclosures.

Lightning Protection
It is assumed the mains power is surge protected at the ceilometer. With fibre communications no
lightning protection is required on the communications lines.

 MTECH Systems Pty Ltd 2010

TECHNICAL NOTE: TN-23