Bringing accurate detection to A2L refrigerant sensors
23rd January 2024
DENMARK: Danfoss Sensing Solutions has employed thermal conductivity technology to offer rapid and accurate detection in its new range of A2L refrigerant sensors.
According to Danfoss, thermal conductivity provides the best solution for A2L gas sensing as it allows the sensor to accurately re-calibrate itself under a wide range of operating conditions.
The Danfoss team is said to have tested the DST Gxxx sensors in high humidity environments and under varying temperatures, and they showed little or no signs of damage.
The DST Gxxx sensors also provide a series of self-test diagnostics to monitor sensor health and to warn if they’re outside the operation range.
The sensors’ Automated Self Calibration (ASC) adjusts the measurement over time to remove minor drifts and delivers ~0% LFL level in clean air signal. To detect drifts greater than the ASC can correct, the sensors include a built-in limit supervision self-test diagnostic that continuously monitors the measurements.
Danfoss argues that since the sensors self-calibrate, the error margin is smaller than if it needed to be calibrated by a third party.
Another key feature of the new refrigerant sensors is the inverted design. This design protects the sensors in harsh environments, shielding them from dust, oil and water spray, and during pressurised cleaning and maintenance in commercial refrigeration units.
All exposed materials are also UV-protected, meaning coils can be cleaned with UV light without damaging the sensor, and resulting in better indoor air quality for HVAC units.
The sensors support five different A2L refrigerants and are designed for both HVAC applications (the DST G54B for R454B and DST GR32 for R32 refrigerants), and commercial refrigeration applications (the DST G54A for R454A, the DST G54C for R454C and the DST G55A for R455A refrigerant). Additional refrigerants are also available upon request.
