DQRID : D031211.3
Start DateStart TimeEnd DateEnd Time Data Quality Metric
10/13/2003000009/29/20041845Incorrect
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Subject:
SGP/EBBR/E26 - Spark Gap Bad, Pressure Incorrect
DataStreams:sgp5ebbrE26.b1, sgp15ebbrE26.b1, sgp30ebbrE26.b1
Description:
In a trip to E26, I found that a bad spark gap through which the barometer was powered was 
causing pressure measurements to be incorrect.  The pressure readings oscillated with 
the voltage of the EBBR battery.  During daytime the voltage and thus the pressure would 
increase and vice versa during dark hours.

Apparently only the positive side of the power supply was properly connected through the 
spark gap and thus the voltage received by the pressure sensor was lower than required to 
power it properly.  Under this condition the perssure measurement varies with voltage 
level.  The pressure measurements therefore had a diurnal signature and usually were 
incorrect.  

The decreased pressure during most times would cause latent heat flux to be slightly 
overestimated and sensible heat flux to be slightly underestimated.
Suggestions: 
Measurements:sgp5ebbrE26.b1:
  • atmos_pressure
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sgp15ebbrE26.b1:
  • atmos_pressure_mv
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sgp30ebbrE26.b1:
  • bowen_ratio
  • atmos_pressure
  • sensible_heat_flux
  • latent_heat_flux
more

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