Measure air volumes directly with flow sensors

Measure air quantities directly with flow sensors

Significantly improve energy efficiency in ventilation and air conditioning systems.

By controlling fan performance, airflow rates in ventilation and air conditioning systems can be adjusted to actual demand, significantly reducing energy consumption. The basis for this is precise volumetric flow measurement. The new flow sensors SS 20.250 from SCHMIDT Technology are specifically designed for this purpose.

Ventilation and air conditioning systems are among the largest energy consumers in residential buildings, especially in office and manufacturing buildings, as well as in public structures. The core components of such systems are fans, whose electrical energy consumption is directly related to the amount of air transported. Using frequency-controlled fans and appropriate control technology, these can be reduced to the minimum necessary to maintain air quality and thermal environment. However, this requires exact measurement of volumetric flows over a wide measurement range. This ranges from nearly zero, as when fans start up, to a maximum that can reach 20 m/s in such systems.

Volumetric flows are ideally measured directly with thermal flow sensors. This technology offers a measurement range that fully covers the airflow relevant to HVAC technology. This includes the smallest air velocities, such as during idle times, up to maximum flows under full load. The particular advantage lies in the simple and accurate measurement, and ultimately in the ease of evaluation.

The perfect flow measurement

A device based on thermal flow measurement, specifically developed for applications such as ventilation and air conditioning systems, is the new flow sensor SS 20.250 from SCHMIDT Technology. Encased in a robust metal sensor tube with a diameter of only nine millimeters, all electronics are housed inside. This offers the smallest all-rounders of their kind notable advantages: they are easy to install with minimal space, using flanges, weld fittings, or through-hole connectors from the accessories, and they present minimal resistance in the airflow. Sensor lengths of 300 and 500 millimeters are available for installation in different pipe diameters. The patented handle head with a large flow angle of radial 360° and axial ±45° can be positioned securely and quickly in the gas stream, eliminating the need for precise alignment of the sensor in the duct. Additionally, the design without undercuts and completely seamless connection prevents dirt particles from adhering and allows easy cleaning. Thus, the new SCHMIDT® flow sensors SS 20.250 are also suitable for use in dusty gases.

The measurement of standard flow velocity is carried out in a range from 0.06 to 20 m/s. The measurement accuracy of the SS 20.250 is ±5%, and with high-precision calibration and ISO calibration certificate, it is ±3%. In addition to flow velocity, the medium temperature is also quickly measured. A cleverly integrated two-color LED indicator (red, green) at the rear end of the sensor tube clearly shows the operational status.

With a list price of €340, the sensors provide an adequate solution for use with frequency-controlled fans for energy savings in ventilation and air conditioning systems.

Image: The SCHMIDT® flow sensor SS 20.250 is designed for use in ventilation and air conditioning systems.