Wave Staff
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OSSI-010-002F Wave Staff – Product Description
The Ocean Sensor Systems OSSI-010-002F Wave Staff is a high-resolution, contact-based instrument designed to provide direct measurement of liquid surface height at sampling rates up to 100 Hz. It is ideal for monitoring waves, wakes, tides, sinkage, and water levels in lakes, ponds, tanks, and pools.
Measurement & Performance
| Measurement Principle | Resistive measurement via direct contact with fluid surface |
|---|---|
| Sampling Rate | Up to 100 Hz for detailed wave characterization |
| Accuracy | Better than 1% of full scale (can be calibrated to 0.1% with advanced techniques) |
| Resolution | High-resolution surface height measurement in "count" units |
| Synchronization | SYNC mode available for phase information with multiple staff arrays |
Data Output & Communication
| Primary Interface | RS232 serial communication |
|---|---|
| Alternative Output | Analog voltage output (improved SNR when RS232 is disabled) |
| Data Format | ASCII output with configurable formats |
| Interface Software | Staff & Sonic Product Interface Program for configuration and data display |
| Connection | DB9 serial connector (Transmit, Receive, Ground) |
Power Requirements
| Voltage Range | 5.5 to 40 volts DC |
|---|---|
| Typical Power Source | 9-volt battery (provides several days of operation) |
| Safety Recommendation | Keep supply voltage below 16V to reduce electrical hazard around water |
| Wiring | Red wire: Positive, Black wire: Negative/Ground |
Construction & Deployment
| Housing | Waterproof electronics housing with solid-state components |
|---|---|
| Staff Material | Yellow PTFE (Teflon) with stainless steel components |
| Mounting | Vertical orientation with staff projecting downward into fluid |
| Clearance Requirements | Minimum 4" away from any metallic or grounded surfaces |
| Staff Lengths | Available in various interchangeable lengths |
| Grounding Requirement | Electrical connection from ground stud to fluid being measured is essential |
Control & Configuration
| Configuration Methods | Interface software or HyperTerminal (9600 baud, no flow control) |
|---|---|
| Programmable Features | Sample rate, output mode, alarms, data format, temperature output |
| Default Configuration | 20Hz, Free Run, RS232 & Analog output on, Alarms disabled |
| Alarms/Switches | Programmable for control applications |
Operation & Maintenance
| Maintenance | Wipe slime buildup from PTFE staff; check electrical connections for corrosion |
|---|---|
| Staff Replacement | Staff can be separated from electronics housing for replacement |
| Calibration | Factory calibrated; field calibration possible if staff is changed |
| Fluid Compatibility | Compatible with fluids that work with glass, PTFE, stainless steel, and ABS plastic |
| Environmental Protection | No special protection needed from spray, rain, or sun (not for underwater mounting) |
Data Analysis
| Unit Conversion | Counts to millimeters: counts × (staff length in mm) / 4095 |
|---|---|
| Wave Height Estimation | Significant wave height ≈ 4 × standard deviation |
| Temperature Output | Internal temperature in units of 16°C (divide by 16 for actual temperature) |
| Sampling Recommendations | Free run mode at 30Hz+ for negligible delay error in phase speed measurements |
Typical Applications
| Wave & Wake Monitoring | Ocean waves, ship wakes, and wave tank research |
|---|---|
| Water Level Measurement | Tides, lake levels, pond levels, tank levels, pool levels |
| Marine Applications | Vessel sinkage and trim measurement |
| Research & Laboratory | Directional wave studies using synchronized arrays, experimental fluid dynamics |
| Control Systems | Programmable alarms and switches for automated control applications |
Software and Manuals
User Manual
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User Guide
Guide
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Wave Staff Comparison Table
Comparison of Wave Staff III, Wave Staff XB, and Standard Wave Staff models
Product Overview
| Feature | Wave Staff III (OSSI-010-002) | Wave Staff XB (OSSI-010-025) | Wave Staff (OSSI-010-002F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Generation | Third Generation | Wireless XB Series | Standard Series |
Measurement & Performance
| Sampling Rate | Up to 30 Hz | Up to 32 Hz | Up to 100 Hz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | 0.25% of full scale (20-80% range) | Not specified | Better than 1% of full scale |
| Measurement Principle | Capacitance sensing | Capacitance sensing | Capacitance sensing |
Connectivity & Communication
| Primary Communication | Wired RS232 | Wireless XBee | Wired RS232 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Options | Not available | XBee USB/RS232 Adapters (up to 2-mile range) | Not available |
| Analog Output | 0-5V DC (when enabled) | Not specified | 0-5V DC (improved SNR when RS232 off) |
Power System
| Power Requirements | 5.5-40V DC external | 2 C-cell batteries (1.8-3.3V) | 5.5-40V DC external |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | Days with 9V battery | Months of operation with sleep modes | Days with 9V battery |
| Safety Voltage | Recommended below 16V | N/A (battery powered) | Recommended below 16V |
Physical Design & Staff
| Staff Color | Blue PTFE | Teflon insulation (color not specified) | Yellow PTFE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grounding System | Self-grounding options (Int Gnd) | Self-grounding coaxial - no ground wire needed | External ground wire required |
| Staff Types | Coaxial Rod & Cable Staffs | Rod & Cable Staffs (0.5-20m) | Rod & Cable Staffs |
| Clearance Requirements | 6" (min 4") from metallic surfaces | 5-6" from metallic surfaces | 4" from metallic surfaces |
Installation & Mounting
| Tension Requirements | 10 lbs max (100 lbs design limit) | 2-4 lbs recommended (5 lbs max, 50 lbs design) | 5-10 lbs recommended (15 lbs max, 150 lbs design) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mounting Options | U-bolts, clamps, optional hardware kits | Clamps, stanchions, optional hardware kits | Clamps, stanchions, optional hardware kits |
| Housing | Waterproof, 2" diameter black plastic | Waterproof black electronics housing | Waterproof black electronics housing |
Configuration & Software
| Interface Software | Water Level Sensor Interface Software | Staff & Sonic Product Interface Program | Staff and Sonic Products Interface Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default Sample Rate | 10 Hz | Not specified | 20 Hz |
| Software Issues | No known issues | Version 2.00 has calibration bug | No known issues |
Maintenance & Calibration
| Maintenance | Wipe slime off blue PTFE staff | Wipe slime off case and staff | Wipe slime off yellow PTFE staff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staff Replacement | Large blue hand nut (hand tight) | 4 screws, inline connector, cable grip | Cord grip cap and plastic insert |
| Calibration Required | After staff replacement | After staff replacement | After staff replacement |
Key Selection Guide:
- Wave Staff III: Highest accuracy (0.25%), self-grounding options, ideal for precision applications
- Wave Staff XB: Wireless operation, battery powered, perfect for remote or difficult-to-wire locations
- Wave Staff: Highest sampling rate (100Hz), proven reliability, best for high-frequency wave measurements
- All models feature: Interchangeable staffs, waterproof construction, capacitance-based measurement