Using an optimized forward-scatter geometry, the VPF-710 reports Extinction Coefficient (EXCO) (standard) or Meteorological Optical Range (MOR) (special configuration) across a 10 m to 99.99 km measuring range, with performance shown to be comparable to transmissometer systems up to 75 km. Calibration follows ICAO 9328 and is traceable to a national weather service transmissometer—supporting use in ICAO/WMO-aligned visibility and RVR applications.

Built for long service life in corrosive locations, it features a hard-coat anodised aluminium housing plus window contamination monitoring with automatic compensation and two-stage cleaning warnings to reduce site visits. Power can be mains or DC, and an optional interface enables easy integration of the ALS-2 Ambient Light Sensor for streamlined RVR processing.

Key features

• Visibility output: EXCO (standard) / MOR (special configuration)

• Measuring range: 10 m to 99.99 km (proven up to 75 km)

• Open-head design for well-ventilated sampling in challenging weather

• Contamination monitoring + compensation with staged cleaning warnings

• Optional ALS-2 interface for appending ambient light data (RVR workflows)

• AC or DC powered; corrosion-resistant construction; 5-year warrant

Typical applications

Offshore platforms and coastal sites, airports and RVR-related systems, wind farms (including obstacle warning light control), industrial environments with dust/smoke.

Click here for full details on the VPF-710 on Senseca UK website. 

VPF710

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Modern RWIS and tunnel safety infrastructures rely on sensitive visibility measurements to identify fog, pollution from slow or stationary vehicles, and smoke from fires. The RWS-30 supports these requirements and aligns with international tunnel guidelines. Fast, simple installation helps minimise lane closure times, while window contamination monitoring with automatic adjustment ensures maintenance is performed only when necessary.

The RWS-30 provides MOR and EXCO with an extended measurement range up to 99.99 km, and includes interfaces commonly used in tunnel environments: serial data plus 0–10 V and 4–20 mA outputs. Optional relay outputs enable direct control of alarms, tunnel entrance signs and ventilation systems when visibility drops due to pollution or smoke.

Key features

• Designed for road and tunnel environments; outputs aligned to tunnel guidelines
• Extended measurement range up to 99.99 km
• High sensitivity for detecting visibility reductions from pollution build-up and fire smoke
• Serial + analogue interfaces: RS232/422/485, 0–10 V, 4–20 mA
• Optional relays for alarms, signage and ventilation control
• Smart contamination monitoring with auto-correction and two-stage cleaning warnings
• Easy, fast installation to reduce lane closure time

Typical applications

• Road and tunnel visibility monitoring
• Tunnel safety systems for pollution and smoke detection
• Automated control of tunnel ventilation and entrance signage
• RWIS/ITS integration where analogue outputs are preferred

Click here for full details on the RWS-30 on Senseca UK website. 

RWS30

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With a measurement range from 10 m to 7.5 km, the RWS-20 is optimised for the conditions that most commonly affect driving safety—fog, heavy rain, surface spray and snow. Heated optical windows and optional hood heating support operation in harsh winter environments, while continuous contamination monitoring with automatic compensation helps minimise maintenance effort.

For integration into roadside systems, the sensor provides serial communications (RS232/422/485) and can be configured with analogue outputs and relays for direct connection to RWIS/ITS infrastructure, data loggers, control systems and roadside signage. Calibration is performed in accordance with ICAO 9328 and is traceable to an independent national weather service transmissometer.

Key features

• Forward scatter visibility measurement in a compact, cost-effective design
• Visibility range: 10 m to 7,500 m (user-selectable upper limit)
• Resistant to local lights (headlights, street lighting, warning beacons)
• Heated optics for reliable winter operation; optional hood heating
• Automatic contamination management with two-stage cleaning warnings
• Flexible outputs: RS232/422/485, optional 4–20 mA, voltage and relays

Typical applications

• Road-side visibility monitoring and RWIS installations
• Fog and spray detection for safety management
• Integration with variable message signs and roadside control systems
• Winter operations where snow and ice can affect visibility

Click here for full details on the RWS-20 on Senseca UK website. 

RWS20

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A proven forward-scatter architecture is combined with a backscatter receiver to enhance discrimination between liquid precipitation and multiple frozen precipitation types. When temperature information is available, the VPF-750 supports more detailed classification, including freezing precipitation, making it a strong choice for critical aviation operations and high-demand met networks.

The VPF-750 reports visibility as MOR and EXCO from 10 m to 99.99 km and is designed for smooth integration into automated systems. It also provides an extended present weather code set, supporting a broad range of WMO and METAR outputs (including significant past weather) and allowing thresholds to be aligned with national standards or adapted to local reporting practices.

Key features

• Flagship sensor for AWOS and major airport deployments
• Forward-scatter visibility with MOR and EXCO output
• Wide visibility range: 10 m to 99.99 km
• Integrated precipitation sensor plus backscatter receiver for advanced precipitation-type discrimination
• Integrated temperature and humidity sensors for improved reporting context
• Extended WMO/METAR present weather outputs, including significant past weather
• Self-monitoring and contamination checks for reduced maintenance

Typical applications

• Major airports and CAT III environments
• AWOS installations and runway visibility systems
• National meteorological networks and synoptic stations
• Sites requiring extended present weather reporting, including frozen/freezing precipitation

Click here for full details on the VPF-750 on Senseca UK website. 

VPF750

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Visibility is measured using a forward-scatter method and reported as MOR and EXCO across 10 m to 99.99 km. The VPF-730 also includes a dedicated backscatter receiver, improving the instrument’s ability to distinguish liquid and frozen precipitation—a key advantage for marine and exposed sites.

To minimize service visits, the VPF-730 provides automatic window contamination monitoring with staged cleaning warnings and long recalibration intervals. For integration into station architectures, it offers serial communications and can optionally interface with an ambient light sensor to support aviation workflows, while remaining resilient to nearby obstacle warning lights.

Key features

• Forward-scatter visibility measurement with MOR and EXCO output
• Wide visibility range: 10 m to 99.99 km
• Backscatter receiver for improved liquid vs frozen precipitation discrimination
• Outputs aligned to WMO present weather coding and METAR reporting
• Automatic contamination monitoring and staged maintenance warnings
• Rugged build for harsh environments; optional hood heating
• Flexible integration via serial interfaces; optional ambient light sensor interface

Typical applications

• Offshore platforms and coastal installations
• Heli-decks and marine operations
• Exposed airport sites and aviation visibility monitoring
• Meteorological networks requiring robust present weather classification

Click here for full details on the VPF-730 on Senseca UK website. 

VPF730

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For visibility, the SWS-250 reports MOR (and EXCO) across a default 10 m–75 km range, with the maximum configurable up to ~99 km via a simple configuration command. With selectable 1 m or 10 m resolution, it supports both fine-grained detection in low-visibility events and consistent reporting in clear-air conditions.

Built for long-term outdoor deployment, the SWS-250 includes window heaters, heated hoods, and automatic contamination monitoring as standard—helping reduce cleaning frequency while protecting measurement quality. It also supports both WMO Table 4680 and METAR present and past weather codes, making it a strong fit for regulated aviation environments and high-spec national networks.

Key features

• Visibility reporting: MOR + EXCO (default 10 m–75 km, max configurable up to ~99 km)

• Enhanced present weather classification using forward-scatter plus a dedicated backscatter channel

• Output formats: WMO 4680 and METAR present & past weather codes

• Interfaces: RS232 / RS422 / RS485 (optional ALS-2 integration for RVR systems)

• Standard heating + contamination monitoring to maintain performance in harsh weather

• 3-year warranty

Typical applications

Aviation (AWOS/RVR) and METAR reporting, national/regional weather station networks, coastal and industrial monitoring, and road weather / transport safety systems.

Click here for full details on the SWS-250 on Senseca UK website. 

SWS250

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The sensor’s default visibility range is 10 m–20 km, while the maximum range can be user-configured up to 99.99 km via a simple configuration command. Visibility can be delivered at 1 m or 10 m resolution, making it suitable for both detailed near-field monitoring and stable network reporting.

Designed for continuous outdoor operation with minimal servicing, the SWS-200 includes hood heating, window contamination monitoring with automatic correction, and built-in status/self-test functions to help maintain data quality over time. Standard serial interfaces simplify integration, and an optional board slot expands connectivity for specific system needs (e.g., RVR or legacy I/O).

Key features

• Visibility reporting: MOR (default 10 m–20 km, max configurable up to 99.99 km)

• Forward + backscatter measurement for improved frozen vs. liquid precipitation separation

• Present weather codes according to WMO Table 4680

• Interfaces: RS232 / RS422 / RS485 (with optional expansion for specific integrations)

• Contamination monitoring, self-test/status reporting, and hood heating for low maintenance

• 3-year warranty

Typical applications

Airports & RVR systems, AWOS/AMeDAS networks, road and tunnel weather monitoring, wind farms, and national/regional observation networks.

Click here for full details on the SWS-200 on Senseca UK website. 

SWS200

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Unlike the SWS-050’s fixed range, the SWS-100 offers a configurable visibility measuring range from 10 m up to 99 km, enabling precise performance in both dense fog and clear-air conditions. Visibility can be output as instantaneous or averaged values for stable, consistent reporting across weather networks and safety-critical applications. Factory calibrated in line with WMO and ICAO recommendations, the SWS-100 is a strong choice for regulatory-compliant systems.

Built for continuous operation, the SWS-100 features a rugged aluminum housing with integrated heating to help prevent issues caused by snow, ice, and condensation. Integrated self-diagnostics continuously check sensor status and optical signal quality to support long-term reliability and high data availability. With flexible electrical interfaces, the sensor integrates easily into meteorological, environmental, and transportation monitoring systems.

Key features

• Configurable visibility range: 10 m–99 km (MOR)

• High-accuracy MOR measurement, WMO/ICAO aligned calibration

• Present weather detection according to WMO Table 4680

• Rugged outdoor design with integrated heating

• Continuous self-diagnostics for maximum uptime

Typical applications

Airports and RVR-related systems, road and tunnel weather monitoring, national/regional weather station networks, and environmental monitoring for industrial, coastal, and renewable energy sites.

Click here for full details on the SWS-100 on Senseca UK website. 

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Built for low maintenance, the SWS-050 features a rugged outdoor design with heated hood for harsh climates and an extensive self-test and status reporting system. Window contamination monitoring (with automatic correction and two-level warnings) helps you plan service before performance is affected. For Runway Visual Range (RVR) systems, the sensor can be paired with an ALS-2 ambient light sensor for complete airport visibility solutions.

Key features

• Visibility range: 10 m–40 km (MOR), plus EXCO

• ICAO/WMO compliant performance and calibration

• Interfaces: RS232 / RS422 / RS485 (ASCII messages)

• Heated hood, self-test, and contamination monitoring

• 3-year warranty

Typical applications

Airports & RVR, AWOS/AMeDAS, road & tunnel weather systems, coastal/industrial sites, and permanent met monitoring stations.

Click here for full details on the SWS-050 on Senseca UK website. 

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