RS485 Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) Sensor (400-700nm)

The RS485 Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) Sensor measures usable light for plant photosynthesis across the 400 to 700 nm spectral band. Featuring an IP67-rated aluminium enclosure and Modbus-RTU communication, it is ideal for smart agriculture projects, horticultural researchers, and outdoor environmental monitoring setups.

Accurate photosynthetic light measurement

Equipped with high-precision photoelectric elements, the sensor monitors radiation across the 400 to 700 nm band with a 0 to 2500 µmol/m²·s measurement range. A built-in cosine corrector guarantees precise readings across changing incident light angles with a rapid 10 µs response time.

Modbus-RTU interface and wide supply voltage

The sensor transmits data over RS485 using the standard Modbus-RTU protocol for seamless integration with Arduino, microcontrollers, and data loggers. It operates on a wide 5 to 30V DC power supply while drawing under 10mA of working current.

Rugged IP67 weatherproof enclosure

Constructed with an aluminium metal shell and sealed to IP67 standards, this unit withstands outdoor exposure across temperatures from -25°C to +60°C. A specially treated dust cover shields the optical sensor surface to maintain long-term measurement stability.

Agriculture and solar applications

This sensor provides critical light intensity data to evaluate crop health and optimise greenhouse lighting conditions. It is also well suited for solar photovoltaic efficiency monitoring and ecological field studies.

Supplied cables and mounting hardware

The sensor unit features an attached 20 cm cable and comes complete with a 70 cm adapter cable alongside a mounting screw set for straightforward installation.

Downloads & documentation

• Product wiki (DFRobot)