Wind Vanes Use Reed Switches for Direction Sensing

A weather vane, a timeless instrument, serves the vital purpose of indicating wind direction. Its simple yet effective design typically features a pointer responsive to the wind’s movement, aligning itself with the prevailing airflow. While in antiquity, vigilance was required to monitor these vanes for any shifts in wind direction, modern advancements have rendered such tasks obsolete.

Innovatively engineered, contemporary weather vanes employ sophisticated mechanisms for precision. Adopting the foundational structure of traditional models, advanced variants integrate technology seamlessly.

Eight reed switches, meticulously positioned at 22.5-degree intervals to mimic cardinal points, form the core of this modern adaptation. Arranged either on a circular printed circuit board (PCB) or wired individually, these switches facilitate accurate wind tracking.

At the heart of this mechanism lies a single, elongated magnet, perfectly aligned with the vane’s pointer and positioned centrally amidst the array of reed switches. Dynamic and responsive, the vane’s movements activate the corresponding reed switches as wind direction shifts. These minute electrical impulses are swiftly conveyed to a microprocessor, the brain of the system. Here, they undergo meticulous analysis, enabling precise determination of wind direction. Moreover, the microprocessor meticulously archives these readings, forming a comprehensive historical database.

In essence, the evolution of the weather vane epitomizes the fusion of tradition and technology. From its humble origins as a rudimentary indicator of wind patterns to its contemporary incarnation as a sophisticated meteorological instrument, the weather vane continues to serve as an indispensable tool for understanding and predicting atmospheric dynamics.

Application Classification

Applications are classified as Position Sensing, Pulse Counting, Electromagnetic or Relay, Temperature Sensing or Magnet Biasing types. This application is classified as follows and the link gives more information on best practices to help select the most suitable AT band and matching magnet.

Position sensing Type

When an application requires the end position of a movement sensed, or the sensing of a part when it comes into a zone, or when the Continue reading ->

Mar 21, 2025

Recommended Products

The Reed Switches and Sensors used in such applications need to be robust, durable and efficient in meeting a high life expectancy. Our engineers work hard in life testing our products under various conditions, and our intention is to ensure end product durability and life. Although we wouldn’t want to restrict any of our products for use in only certain applications, the recommended products for use in this application are listed below.