At Sensors Expo 2019, Devin Brock, Manager of Product Knowledge and Training for Sensors Solutions at TE Connectivity, explains the numerous opportunities for a variety of sensors in an air conditioning (AC) system. The working table top heating ventilating and AC (HVAC) system from New Product Innovations has wired and wireless sensors from TE Connectivity installed in several locations.
The first group of sensors has three pressure sensors, one is Bluetooth low energy wireless sensor. The display also has a wireless vibration sensor.
Normal operating pressures in an AC system vary from less than 100 psi for the suction or low-pressure depending on the type of refrigerant side and the high side is generally above 200 psi.
Vibration measurements similar to those made in an industrial machinery can provide a fault indication or warning of imminent failure of either the compressor or the motor.
There are a number of temperature sensors: one on the discharge side, a clip-on temperature sensor on the suction line, an air temperature sensor, a humidity+temperature sensor and a clip sensor on the return bend. The whole idea is to have sensors so the data can be tracked. The wireless data is transmitted through a gateway and a cloud-based website. The wired data was displayed separately. The display shows the extent of TE Connectivity sensors that can be used in several different ways in a HVAC system.
Normal operating temperatures in an AC system are typically between 62°F and 76°F for the return side and 91°F and 108°F for the condenser.