LSH-10 non-contact snowpack measurement installation

Laser snow depth sensor installed at an alpine weather station

Sommer LSH-10 Laser Snow Depth Sensor

$0.00

Manufacturer: Sommer Messtechnik

SKU: 21267

Country of Origin: Austria

Continuous, non-contact snow depth measurement with a 10 m range and millimeter-level accuracy.

The LSH-10 laser snow depth sensor provides continuous, non-contact snow depth measurement for demanding weather and environmental monitoring applications. Designed for extreme outdoor conditions, it delivers precise snow-depth data for hydrology, avalanche monitoring, alpine weather stations, and research applications.

SDI-12, RS-485, ASCII, Modbus RTU, and 4–20 mA connectivity support integration with data loggers, telemetry equipment, and remote monitoring systems.

Key Features and Benefits

High-precision snow-depth measurement: Measures snow depth over a 0–10 m range with better than ±3 mm accuracy and 0.1 mm resolution.
Continuous, non-contact operation: Monitors changing snow depth without contacting or disturbing the snowpack.
Reliable measurements on difficult snow surfaces: High-energy laser pulses support accurate measurement during snowfall and over fresh or powder snow with challenging reflection characteristics.
Performance in extreme environments: Built for remote alpine, polar, and high-mountain installations with an operating range from −40 to 50°C.
Intelligent, energy-efficient heating: Smart control heats the laser module and front window only when needed, reducing power consumption in cold-weather installations.
Low-power field operation: The laser can operate without heating down to −10°C, making the sensor suitable for appropriately designed solar-powered stations.
Flexible system integration: SDI-12, RS-485, Modbus RTU, ASCII, and 4–20 mA options support integration with data loggers, weather stations, telemetry, and monitoring systems.
Built-in measurement diagnostics: Provides snow depth, surface distance, echo strength, signal quality, and sensor status for improved data validation.
Integrated lightning protection: Adds protection for exposed weather and mountain monitoring installations.
Low-maintenance design: Non-contact measurement and weather-resistant construction reduce routine servicing requirements.

Download LSH-10 Datasheet

Manufacturer: Sommer Messtechnik

SKU: 21267

Country of Origin: Austria

Continuous, non-contact snow depth measurement with a 10 m range and millimeter-level accuracy.

SDI-12, RS-485, ASCII, Modbus RTU, and 4–20 mA connectivity support integration with data loggers, telemetry equipment, and remote monitoring systems.

Key Features and Benefits

High-precision snow-depth measurement: Measures snow depth over a 0–10 m range with better than ±3 mm accuracy and 0.1 mm resolution.
Continuous, non-contact operation: Monitors changing snow depth without contacting or disturbing the snowpack.
Reliable measurements on difficult snow surfaces: High-energy laser pulses support accurate measurement during snowfall and over fresh or powder snow with challenging reflection characteristics.
Performance in extreme environments: Built for remote alpine, polar, and high-mountain installations with an operating range from −40 to 50°C.
Intelligent, energy-efficient heating: Smart control heats the laser module and front window only when needed, reducing power consumption in cold-weather installations.
Low-power field operation: The laser can operate without heating down to −10°C, making the sensor suitable for appropriately designed solar-powered stations.
Flexible system integration: SDI-12, RS-485, Modbus RTU, ASCII, and 4–20 mA options support integration with data loggers, weather stations, telemetry, and monitoring systems.
Built-in measurement diagnostics: Provides snow depth, surface distance, echo strength, signal quality, and sensor status for improved data validation.
Integrated lightning protection: Adds protection for exposed weather and mountain monitoring installations.
Low-maintenance design: Non-contact measurement and weather-resistant construction reduce routine servicing requirements.

Download LSH-10 Datasheet

A remote site where a snow depth sensor will be installed — **Typical Applications**

The Sommer LSH-10 is designed for continuous snow-depth monitoring in demanding outdoor environments where accurate, non-contact measurement and reliable unattended operation are required.
Snowpack and seasonal snow-depth monitoring
Hydrological and watershed studies
Avalanche forecasting and research
Alpine and high-mountain weather stations
Ski-area and resort snow monitoring
Snowmelt and water-supply forecasting
Climate and meteorological research
Remote environmental monitoring stations
Polar and Antarctic research installations
Mountain-pass and transportation weather monitoring

Measurement Range 0–10 m 0–32.8 ft

Accuracy Better than ±3 mm High-precision measurement

Resolution 0.1 mm Fine snow-depth detection

Protection Rating IP66 Designed for outdoor monitoring

Snow-Depth Measurement
Measured parameters	Snow depth, distance to surface, echo strength, signal quality and sensor status
Measurement range	0–10 m (0–32.8 ft)
Resolution	0.1 mm
Accuracy	Better than ±3 mm
Measurement principle	Non-contact laser distance measurement
Laser Specifications
Laser diode	635 nm, visible red
Laser classification	Class II
Laser power	Less than 1 mW
Measurement-point diameter	Less than 10 mm at a distance of 10 m
Communication and Integration
Digital interfaces	SDI-12 and RS-485
Communication protocols	Various ASCII formats and Modbus RTU
Analog output	4–20 mA
Configuration	Sommer Commander software
Power Requirements
Supply voltage	9–27 VDC
Current during measurement	Typically 40 mA without heating; measurement approximately 1 second
Sleep current at 12 VDC	Less than 0.4 mA
Current with heating	Typically 1.2 A
Laser-module heater	1.0 A; typically activated between −7°C and −5°C
Front-window heater	1.2 A with intelligent heating control
Typical energy consumption	10 mAh per day at a 15-minute measurement interval
Environmental and Mechanical
Operating temperature	−40 to 50°C (−40 to 122°F)
Operation without heating	−10 to 50°C (14 to 122°F)
Environmental protection	IP66
Lightning protection	Integrated; 0.6 kV peak discharge capacity

Specifications are subject to manufacturer updates. Contact AWM Instruments to confirm system compatibility, power requirements and output configuration.

Pricing & Availability

Configure the LSH-10 for Your Monitoring Application

Contact AWM Instruments for current pricing, availability and assistance confirming the required output, power supply, mounting arrangement and data-logger compatibility.

Current pricing and lead time
Output and communication selection
Data logger and telemetry compatibility
Application and installation guidance

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Sommer LSH-10 Laser Snow Depth Sensor

Continuous, non-contact snow depth measurement with a 10 m range and millimeter-level accuracy.

Key Features and Benefits

Download LSH-10 Datasheet

Continuous, non-contact snow depth measurement with a 10 m range and millimeter-level accuracy.

Key Features and Benefits

Download LSH-10 Datasheet

Typical Applications