Sensors

Sensors are an essential component of every process control system. Hoogendoorn has a broad
range of sensors: from simple sensors to measure the temperature of water and air to advanced
sensors to determine the microclimate and activity of your crop. Sensors give you complete insight
into all growth factors in your greenhouse. For example, based on measured values, you know
what the best time is to adjust the opening of the windows, to open or close the shades and when
lighting must be turned on or off. The sensors can be completely integrated into the iSii process
computer. The values that are measured by the sensors are used by the iSii software to optimize
process controls.

The Hoogendoorn sensor assortment is below.

The Measurement Box

The proper combination of temperature, humidity, CO2
and growth light in your greenhouse determines the
health and vigorousness of your crop. A proper balance
also helps you to prevent diseases and plagues.

The Measurement Box contains sensors that measure the

temperature and humidity in the air. The plastic housing
protects the sensors from water and dust and against
the sun’s direct rays. The Measurement Box is equipped
with an integrated fan and air filter. The fan sucks in the
greenhouse air, filters it and runs it along the sensors.
As options, an electronic relative humidity sensor
and a CO2 sensor can be installed in the Measurement
Box. The values that are measured provide a good and
reliable indication of the temperature and humidity in the
greenhouse.

A Batenburg Techniek company

Dry - wet bulb relative humidity sensor
The relative humidity (RH) of the greenhouse air is an
important climate factor for the crop. The dry-wet bulb
principle works with two temperature sensors and is
relatively simple and reliable. Humidity can be measured
from both measurements. For purposes of the wet bulb
principle, the Measurement Box is equipped with a water
reservoir.

Electronic RH sensor
The electronic RH sensor is an alternative for the dry-
wet bulb principle and requires less maintenance, such
as topping up the water reservoir. The electronic version
is suitable for both inside and outside the greenhouse,
making it applicable in places that are difficult to reach.
This allows you to regulate the greenhouse climate even
better.

Electronic CO2 sensor

Next to light for growing, CO2 is the most important
growth factor for the crop. The right concentration of CO2
is important because too high a value can damage the
crop. Good measurement of the CO2 concentration is thus
essential. Depending on the measured CO2 concentration,
the proper dosage of CO2 can be determined, in
combination with the sun’s rays or artificial lighting.

A Batenburg Techniek company

 Weather sensors
The outside conditions such as the outside temperature,
sunshine and wind have a strong influence on the
greenhouse climate. For this reason, weather sensors
that can record varying weather conditions precisely
are necessary for proper process control. Hoogendoorn
weather sensors are delivered in combination with a
special weather mast. This mast can be mounted quickly
and easily outside the greenhouse.

In addition, optional sensors can be installed on the

weather mast for more specific measurements of the
outside conditions such as outside relative humidity,
Pyrgeo sensor and a precipitation intensity meter.

A standard weather mast is equipped with the following sensors:

• Outside temperature
• Sunshine / Pyrano sensor
• Wind speed
• Wind direction
• Precipitation

Various sorts of sensors are explained briefly below.

Outside temperature sensor

The outside temperature is an important factor for the
greenhouse climate. This is true when the windows
are shut, but certainly when the greenhouse is being
ventilated. The outside temperature sensor allows the iSii
process regulation to control the heating, ventilation and
energy screen controls properly. By preventing a back-
and-forth between ventilation and heating, an even and
energy-efficient greenhouse climate is achieved.

The sensor is set up in a special housing that ensures

sufficient ventilation of the sensor. Precipitation,
direct sunlight and reflection have no influence on the
measurement.

Sun’s rays / Pyrano sensor

The sun is by far the greatest heat source for the
greenhouse. In addition, the sun is determinant for crop
evaporation and irrigation. So the measurement of the
overall sun’s rays is of great importance for the regulation
of the climate. Solar radiation is measured with a Pyrano
sensor, also called a Solarimeter.

Hoogendoorn supplies a Pyrano sensor that satisfies the

international norms for meteorological observations. With
this, you are not only certain of a reliable measurement,
but you can also compare the measurement with the
sunshine information of the official weather forecasts.

A Batenburg Techniek company

Wind speed sensor
Wind speed is also a factor in determining the greenhouse
climate in the operation of the air vents. The air vents
deliver more effect, for example, when the wind blows
hard. Data from a wind speed sensor is used in the iSii
process control to optimize the regulation of the heating
and the energy screens, among other things. Moreover,
the measurement is important for limiting some controls
at times when the wind is blowing too hard. Air vents
can be closed at wind speeds at or above a certain limit,
for example, to prevent storm damage to the greenhouse
and the crop.

Wind direction sensor

For greenhouses with air vents on both sides of the
peak, a distinction is made between the lee side and
the windward side. Depending on the wind direction,
ventilation can be opened on the lee side, the windward
side or on both sides for the best effect on the greenhouse
climate. In addition to ventilation controls, many other
controls can be linked in the iSii process computer, such
as shades and irrigation. For example, with dry winds
from the east, watering can be increased as a preventive
measure.

Precipitation sensor
Precipitation in the form of rain, hail or snow has a strong
influence on the greenhouse climate. On the one hand
due to greater heat loss, on the other hand because
the ventilation windows must be closed immediately
to prevent the crop getting rained on and wet. The
precipitation sensor detects precipitation because the
sensor surface gets wet.

The signal of precipitation/no precipitation is passed on

to the iSii process computer, which then reacts to this
quickly and accurately by adjusting the controls for
heating and closing air vents, among other things. The
sensor’s sensitivity is adjustable so that you can choose
the precipitation intensity at which the controls must be
turned on. The precipitation sensor has a built-in heating
element that ensures that the sensor dries quickly after
a rainstorm so that normal regulation of the greenhouse
climate is resumed.

A Batenburg Techniek company

Outside RH sensor
Outside humidity has a strong influence on the greenhouse
climate. If the air vents are opened, warm, damp
greenhouse air is exchanged for cooler, drier outside air.
To the extent that the outside air is drier, relatively more
moisture is carried off at the same ventilation speed.
For plants, low RH is often a more serious stress factor
than a high greenhouse temperature. For this reason, low
outside RH can be a reason to ventilate less, despite the
fact that the greenhouse temperature increases.

An electronic type of outside RH sensor is used as a

standard. This special version is suitable for all outside
conditions such as precipitation. For more information,
see Electronic RH sensor.

Reflected radiation / Pyrgeo sensor

The Pyrgeo sensor measures long-wavelength heat
radiation. This is an important factor in the energy
balance of plants and in the greenhouse as a whole.
Under clear skies, cooling from “reflected radiation” is
much greater than under cloudy conditions. Thanks to
the Pyrgeo sensor, the control of the energy screen can
be adjusted in the iSii process control - for example, to
accommodate less or more reflected radiation. The result
is that you save precious energy and, above all, prevent
undesired cooling of the crop.

Precipitation intensity sensor/snow detection

As a supplement to the precipitation sensor that detects
the presence of precipitation, it may be useful or even
necessary in some cases to measure the exact amount
of precipitation per unit of time. This is done to take
better account of the cooling effect of the precipitation.
Beyond this, lots of precipitation in a short time can
cause flooding. The precipitation intensity sensor works
according to an optical principle and for this reason can
also be used as a snow detector.

A Batenburg Techniek company

Plant temperature sensor
The range of the plant temperature with respect to
the greenhouse air temperature provides important
information about the condition of the crop and offers the
possibility of adjusting the climate control and irrigation
even better to accommodate the needs of the crop. With
this, you can prevent stress from drying out, among other
things.

The plant temperature sensor measures the plant

temperature using infrared radiation. This allows the
sensor to determine the average temperature of a given
surface on the crop so that the measurement from this
sensor is stable and reliable.

PAR sensor
PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) or growth
light is that portion of the light spectrum that the plant
requires for photosynthesis. This is the process in which
CO2 and water are turned into glucose. With this sensor,
the lighting, CO2 dosage and the shading screens can be
better controlled, among other things.

Scales (substrate cultivation)

To provide the plants with sufficient water, the irrigation
is usually coordinated with the sun’s rays and with the
lighting. Solar radiation and lighting determine crop
evaporation to a high degree.

The scales measure the weight of the water content of

the substrate and the crop. The use of the scales allows
the working method for irrigation to be improved and
refined.

A Batenburg Techniek company

 Aquabalance
Optimum irrigation in substrate cultivation is a complex
process. With strong plant evaporation due to high levels
of radiation from the sun, the plant must have sufficient
water. In addition, the substrate must be flushed to
prevent the accumulation of nutrient elements. At low
evaporation rates and at night, the roots must also get
enough air. Hoogendoorn developed the Aquabalance to
meet this challenge. This special sensor consists of three
main components: precise scales (a standard length of
3 m), a reliable drain meter and intelligent software in
the iSii process computer. Since Aquabalance tracks the
water uptake of the crop precisely and starts a new drip
at exactly the right moment, it is in fact the plant itself that
regulates the irrigation according to its own needs.

Option: The Aquabalance can be extended with sensors to measure and register the EC (nutrient
concentration) and pH (degree of acidity) of the drain water.

Every conceivable sensor can be linked to the

iSii process computer
In addition to the sensors supplied by Hoogendoorn,
virtually every conceivable sensor can be linked to the
iSii process computer. Thanks to the iSii’s advanced
software, the measurement values of these sensors can
be recorded not only for more insight into the process,
but can also be integrated into the process control so
that they contribute directly or indirectly to an optimum
result.

Want to know more?

Get in touch with our Hoogendoorn experts or
visit our website.

T: | +31 (0)10 460 80 80

E: | [email protected]

www.hoogendoorn.nl

A Batenburg Techniek company

 Worldwide innovator in
horticultural automation

Hoogendoorn Growth Management

Westlandseweg 190 | 3131 HX | Vlaardingen | the Nederlands
P.O. Box 108 | 3130 AC | Vlaardingen |the Nederlands

T: | +31 (0)10 460 80 80

F: | +31 (0)10 460 80 00
E: | [email protected]

www.hoogendoorn.nl

© 2012 by Hoogendoorn Growth Management. All rights reserved.