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CTD (Sonde) Profiling Instruments --
SBE 911plus (9plus & 11plus) or 917plus (9plus & 17plus), 25plus, 19plus V2, 49, 52-MP, 41/41CP, & Glider Payload CTD

A CTD measures Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth. Despite the name, all CTDs actually measure pressure, which is not quite the same thing as depth. The relationship between pressure and depth is a complex one involving water density and compressibility as well as the strength of the local gravity field. The CTD data can be used to calculate salinity, density, sound velocity, and other parameters of interest. The term CTD is often used today to describe a package that includes the actual CTD as well as auxiliary sensors to measure other parameters (such as dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, fluorometer, altimeter, etc.) and a water sampler to collect water samples for later analysis in the lab. The term Sonde is sometimes used as an alternative to CTD.

A Profiling CTD measures water parameters as it travels through the water, whether lowered over the side of a ship with a winch to take measurements of a vertical column of water or integrated with an autonomous vehicle or glider.

Sea-Bird Profiling CTDs:

See Application Note 82: Guide to Specifying a CTD.

 

SBE 911plus  or 917plus CTD

Brochure/specifications - html or pdf     9plus Manual -- Current or All     11plus V2 Manual - Current or All      17plus V2 Manual - Current or All    Configuration options & accessories -- 9plus, 11plus V2, 17plus V2

The 911plus, consisting of the 9plus underwater CTD and 11plus V2 Deck Unit, is a premium real-time CTD accurate to the highest international standards. It features high resolution sampling (24 Hz), pump-controlled T-C ducted flow, up to 10500 meter (15,000 psia) depth capability, maximum auxiliary sensor flexibility, and modem channel for Water Sampler control. The 911plus has eight 12-bit A/D channels, and supports redundant C&T sensors or custom auxiliary digital inputs.

Sampling Rate Channels for Auxiliary Sensors Memory Power Real-Time Data Water Sampler Control
Internal External
24 Hz

8 A/D

 16 Mb with optional SBE 17plus V2 √
(with optional SBE 17plus V2)		 √ √ √
(controls SBE 32 Carousel Water Sampler, G.O. 1016, or [with optional interface in Deck Unit] G.O. 1015)
             

SBE 11 V1 Deck Unit (not in production since 1997)     Manual

 

SBE 25plus Sealogger CTD

Brochure/specifications - html or pdf     Manual - Current or All      Reference Sheet     Configuration options & accessories

The Sealogger offers excellent dynamic performance, and is easily configured in the field for a wide range of auxiliary sensors. The Sealogger is self-powered, requires no conductive cable, and is designed for use up to 6800 meters (10,000 psia). It uses the same C&T sensors as the 911plus and an integral strain gauge pressure sensor. It provides pump-controlled T-C ducted flow, samples at 16 Hz, records internally, provides simultaneous real-time data via its built-in RS-232 interface, and is less expensive than the 911plus.

Sampling Rate Channels for Auxiliary Sensors Memory Power Real-Time Data Water Sampler Control
Internal External
16 Hz

8 A/D plus
2 RS-232

 2 Gb √ √ √
(may require SBE 36 Deck Unit & PDIM)		 SBE 33 Deck Unit controls
SBE 32 Carousel Water Sampler (with optional serial interface)
or
SBE 55 ECO Water Sampler
             

SBE 25 Sealogger (not in production since 2012)     Manual     Reference Sheet

 

 
SBE 19plus V2 SeaCAT Profiler CTD

Brochure/specifications - html or pdf     Manual - Current or All       Reference Sheet     Configuration options & accessories

The SBE 19plus V2 SeaCAT is the next generation Personal CTD: an economical, self-powered mini-CTD that measures conductivity, temperature, and pressure up to 7000 meters (10,000 psia). It provides pump-controlled T-C ducted flow and records data (4 Hz) in FLASH RAM memory. The SeaCAT profiler has real-time data capability, and dual mode programmability for profiling or moored time series recording. Auxiliary sensors can be added.

Sampling Rate Channels for Auxiliary Sensors Memory Power Real-Time Data Water Sampler Control
Internal External
4 Hz

6 A/D plus
1 RS-232

 64 Mb √ √ √
(may require SBE 36 Deck Unit & PDIM)		 SBE 33 Deck Unit controls
SBE 32 Carousel Water Sampler (with optional serial interface)
or
SBE 55 ECO Water Sampler
             

SBE 19plus SeaCAT Profiler (not in production since 2008)     Manual     Reference Sheet

SBE 19 SeaCAT Profiler (not in production since 2001)     Manual - English or Spanish

 
SBE 49 FastCAT CTD Sensor

Brochure/specifications - html or pdf     Manual - Current or All      Reference Sheet     Configuration options & accessories

The SBE 49 FastCAT is an integrated CTD sensor intended for use as a modular component in towed vehicles, ROVs, AUVs, or other autonomous platforms that can supply DC power and acquire serial data. FastCAT's pump-controlled, TC-ducted flow minimizes salinity spiking, and its 16 Hz sampling provides very high spatial resolution of oceanographic structures and gradients.

Sampling Rate Channels for Auxiliary Sensors Memory Power Real-Time Data Water Sampler Control
Internal External
16 Hz

 

     √ √
(may require SBE 36 Deck Unit & PDIM)		 SBE 33 Deck Unit controls
SBE 32 Carousel Water Sampler (with optional serial interface)
or
SBE 55 ECO Water Sampler
             

 
SBE 52-MP Moored Profiler CTD & Optional DO Sensor

Brochure/specifications - html or pdf     Manual - Current or All       Configuration options & accessories

The SBE 52-MP is a conductivity, temperature, pressure sensor, designed for moored profiling applications in which the instrument makes vertical profile measurements from a device that travels vertically beneath a buoy, or from a buoyant sub-surface sensor package that is winched up and down from a bottom-mounted platform. The 52-MP can optionally be configured with an SBE 43F dissolved oxygen sensor, a frequency output version of our SBE 43. The 52-MP's pump-controlled, TC-ducted flow minimizes salinity spiking.

Sampling Rate Channels for Auxiliary Sensors Memory Power Real-Time Data Water Sampler Control
Internal External
1 Hz Frequency channel for optional DO sensor √   √ √  
             

 
Argo CTD -- SBE 41/41CP CTD Module for Autonomous Profiling Floats (OEM instrument)

Brochure/specifications - html          Contact Sea-Bird for configuration details

Argo floats are neutrally buoyant at depth, where they are carried by currents until periodically increasing their displacement and slowing rising to the surface. The SBE 41/41CP CTD Module obtains the latest CTD profile each time the Argo float surfaces. At the surface, the float transmits in-situ measurements and drift track data to a satellite system.

Also see Sea-Bird's Navis Autonomous Profiling Float, Navis Autonomous Profiling Float with Biogeochemical Sensors, and Navis Autonomous Profiling Float with Integrated Biogeochemical Sensors.

 
Glider Payload CTD (GPCTD) and Slocum Glider Payload CTD (OEM instruments)

GPCTD brochure/specifications - html or pdf       Manual - Current or All        Configuration options & accessories
Slocum brochure/specifications - html or pdf       Contact Sea-Bird for configuration details

The generic Glider Payload CTD measures conductivity, temperature, and pressure, and optionally, dissolved oxygen (with the modular SBE 43F DO sensor). It is a modular, low-power profiling instrument for autonomous gliders with the high accuracy necessary for research, inter-comparison with moored observatory sensors, updating circulation models, and leveraging data collection opportunities from operational vehicle missions. The pressure-proof module allows glider users to exchange CTDs (and DO sensors) in the field without opening the glider pressure hull.

A defining mechanical design criteria of the Slocum Glider Payload CTD was to provide a retrofit/replacement for CTDs on the global fleet of existing Slocum gliders. Both designs share many features, but there are also differences in packaging, sampling abilities and power consumption, and in their installation as described in their individual data sheets.

 

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

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