echoflex RCT Wireless CO₂ Sensor Installation Guide

echoflex RCT Wireless CO₂ Sensor

Product Information:
Wireless CO Sensor (RCT)

The Wireless CO Sensor (RCT) uses wireless technology to communicate accurate indoor CO2, temperature, and relative humidity readings to compatible controllers. It features a solar panel that harvests and stores sufficient energy for normal operation. A CR2032 battery is used for calibrations and backup assistance if required.

Key Features:

• Wireless communication of CO2, temperature, and relative humidity readings
• Solar panel for energy harvesting
• CR2032 battery for calibrations and backup

Installation Guidelines:

To ensure optimal function, consider the installation environment and follow these guidelines:

• Use hand tools when installing to avoid damaging the sensor
• Removable back plate can be mounted on most surfaces
• Consider linking the sensor while you have access and before replacing the cover

Mounting Options:

1. Insert a precision flatblade screwdriver into the slot on the key tab to separate the back plate from the sensor
2. Mount the back plate with the plastic key on the bottom
3. Align the sensor over the back plate and press the lower edge until it clicks in place

Light Level Requirement:
The sensor can operate with low light exposure, but for best results, it should be mounted in a location with four hours of natural or artificial light daily, minimum 400 lux (40 footcandles).

Product Usage Instructions

Sending a Teach Message:
To connect the sensor with target receiving devices:

1. Remove the sensor from the back plate
2. Activate the target device to receive a wireless message to connect
3. Press the [Teach] button on the sensor

Battery Power:
A battery is not required for normal operation if the sensor receives adequate natural or artificial light. However, a CR2032 battery is required to run the Outdoor CO Calibration process.
Follow these steps to replace the battery:

1. Remove the sensor from the back plate
2. Use a precision flatblade screwdriver to remove the old battery from the holder
3. Insert a new battery with the positive side (+) facing up and press it in place
4. Replace the back plate and snap it in place

Tests and Settings:
Use the [Function] button and color LEDs to navigate the Tests and Settings menu. The [Function] button is located on the side of the sensor, and the LEDs display through the right side of the solar panel. The menu times out after two minutes of inactivity.

Echoflex Installation Guide Wireless CO₂ Sensor

Overview

The Wireless CO₂ Sensor (RCT) uses wireless technology to communicate accurate indoor CO2, temperature, and relative humidity readings to compatible controllers.
The solar panel harvests and stores sufficient energy for normal operation. A CR2032 battery is used for calibrations and backup assistance if required.
This document covers installation, testing, and basic setup of the RCT. The product package includes the sensor and a battery.

Prepare for Installation
To ensure optimal function, consider the installation environment and the following guidelines:

• For indoor, commercial controls use only. Operating temperature -25°C to 50°C (-13°F to 122°F) and relative humidity 5%–95%.

• High density construction materials and large metal ap pliances or fixtures in the space may disrupt wireless transmissions.• Install the sensor within range of the gateway or interface to the monitoring system, 24 m (80 ft) unobstructed view. Consider adding a repeater to extend the wireless signal, if required.

• CR2032 coin cell battery is provided with the sensor. Install the battery or activate it if factory-installed by removing the protective plastic tab in the battery housing. See Battery Power on page 3.

• Find a suitable location that has good light exposure. Use the Light Level Test on page 3 to confirm adequate light exposure.

• Plan for at least 20 minutes outdoors for the sensor to calibrate an ambient air baseline. See Outdoor CO₂ Calibration on page 4.
  Supplies required to install (not provided):

• Two #6 screws, double-sided tape, or Velcro®

Installation

Use hand tools when installing. Over-torquing with a power tool can damage the sensor. The sensor’s removable back plate can be mounted on most surfaces.

Note: Consider linking the sensor while you have access and before replacing the cover, see Send a Teach Message below.

Three different mounting options are available:

• Flush-mounted to a firm surface with screws and wall anchors (not provided).
• Using double-sided tape or Velcro (not provided).
• Over a standard, Class 2 low-voltage electrical box. Keyholes in the back plate mate with standard screw patterns.
  1. Insert a precision flatblade screwdriver into the slot on the key tab to separate the back plate from the sensor.
  2. Mount the back plate with the plastic key on the bottom.
  3. Align the sensor over the back plate and press the lower edge until it clicks in place.
  4. Test for adequate light levels. See Light Level Test on the facing page.

Note: The sensor can operate with low light exposure, but for best results, it should be mounted in a location with four hours of natural or artificial light daily, minimum 400 lux (40 footcandles).

Send a Teach Message
The target receiving devices must be installed, powered, and within range of the sensor.

1. Remove the sensor from the back plate.
2. Activate the target device to receive a wireless message to connect. If necessary, refer to the related product documentation.
3. Press the [Teach] button on the sensor. (See image on facing page.)

Battery Power

A battery is not required for normal operation if the sensor receives adequate natural or artificial light. See the table in the Light Level Test below. A CR2032 battery is required to run the Outdoor CO₂ Calibration process on page 4.
The battery may be factory installed or packed separately according to shipping regulations. Insert the battery if required or remove the protective plastic tab before installing the RCT.

To replace the battery:

1. Remove the sensor from the back plate by pressing the key on the lower edge of the sensor body.
2. Use a precision flatblade screwdriver to remove the old battery from the holder.
3. Insert a new battery with the positive side (+) facing up and press in place.
4. Replace the back plate and snap it in place.

Tests and Settings
Use the [Function] button and color LEDs to navigate the Tests and Settings menu. The [Function] button is on the side of the sensor and the LEDs display through the right side of solar panel.

• Light Level Test (green LED)
• Outdoor CO₂ Calibration (red LED)
• CO₂ Calibration Setting (green and red LEDs)
  The menu times out after two minutes of inactivity.

Light Level Test
The Light Level Test quantifies the amount of energy produced by the solar cells and confirms a good installation location.

1. Press and hold the [Function] button until the green LED is displayed.
   Release the button to enter the menu and display the first item, the blinking green LED.

2. Press and hold the [Function] button again until the green LED stops blinking. The green LED then repeats a number of blinks according to the detected light level. The sensor reevaluates the light level every two seconds.

Blinks| Ambient Light Lux (Footcandles)| Time to Fully Charge| Discharge Time
---|---|---|---
0| < 50 (< 5)| Non-operational| N/A
1| 50–100 (5–9)| Operational| N/A
2| 100–200 (9–19)| 32 hours| 72 hours
3| 200–400 (19–37)| 16 hours| 72 hours
4| 400–800 (37–74)| 8 hours| 72 hours
5| > 1000 (> 93)| 4 hours| 72 hours

About Calibration
The sensor must be calibrated to establish an ambient air baseline measurement in order to provide optimal performance and accurate readings. It can be calibrated using an outdoor environment or by enabling Automatic Background Calibration (ABC). The default calibration setting is enabled ABC.

Note: If ABC is enabled, you do not need to run the Outdoor CO₂ Calibration. If you calibrate the sensor outdoors, the ABC option should be disabled, see CO₂ Calibration Setting.

Outdoor CO₂ Calibration
The sensor can be calibrated outdoors to establish a baseline measurement.

To use the outdoor calibration method:

1. Place the sensor outdoors, out of direct sunlight in air above 0ºC (32ºF) for at least 20 minutes. Avoid areas where people linger so readings are not affected.
2. Press and hold the [Function] button until the green LED starts blinking.
3. Press the [Function] button to cycle through the menu of color LEDs and stop when the red LED blinks.
4. Press and hold the [Function] button until the LED stops blinking to select Outdoor CO2 Calibration.
   The sensor assigns the value of 420 ppm (outdoor air) to the lowest CO2 value recorded since its last calibration cycle. The green LED blinks for five seconds and stops when calibration is complete.

CO₂ Calibration Setting
The sensor provides an Automatic Background Calibration (ABC) option that can be set indoors. ABC is enabled by default.

ABC is a feature that measures the lowest level of CO2 that occurs over a three-week period to establish an ambient air baseline and assign the value 420 ppm to this lowest value.
The ABC feature works best where the monitored space is periodically unoccupied for eight hours or more at least once in a typical three-week period. If the monitored space is occupied 24/7 or is an industrial or greenhouse operation where CO2 levels may be elevated over long periods of time, then the ABC feature should be disabled.

To set the calibration option:

1. Press and hold the [Function] button until the green LED starts blinking.
2. Press the [Function] button to cycle through the menu of color LEDs and stop when the green and red LEDs blink.
3. Press and hold the [Function] button until the LEDs stop blinking to select CO2 Calibration Setting.
4. Press and release the [Function] button to cycle through menu until your target setting displays.
   • Green LED blinks: enable ABC
   • Red LED blinks: disable ABC
5. Press and hold the [Function] button to save the setting.

Current CO₂ Value

The current CO2 value is shown as a sequence of blinking LEDs. To get a reading of the current value:

1. Press the [Function] button. The LEDs blink in sequence to indicate the current value.
2. Add the number of color blinks together for a total, where a single blink represents:
   • Green = 500 ppm/blink
   • Blue = 100 ppm/blink
   • Red = 25 ppm/blink
3. For example:
   • 2 green blinks = 1,000 ppm
   • 3 blue blinks = 300 ppm
   • 2 red blinks = 50 ppm, for a total CO2 = 1,350 ppm.

The chart illustrates CO2 concentration and how values correspond to ventilation rates (2,600=Red; 1,500=Yellow; 400=Green).
Note: The sensor automatically corrects for altitude. Pressure compensation is factored into CO2 readings using 3% for every 300 m (1000 ft).

Current General Range
The sensor blinks a color LED every 15 seconds to indicate the current general range of CO2.

• Green = less than 800 ppm (good ventilation and air quality)
• Blue = 800 to 1,400 ppm (marginal ventilation and air quality)
• Red = greater than 1,400 ppm (low ventilation and potentially poor air quality)

Transmission Intervals

Sufficient ambient light levels ensure a sustained power source for transmissions. Transmission intervals are determined by ambient light levels, rate of measurement change, and the amount of power stored in the sensor as follows:

• If the measured temperature change between the current sample and the last transmitted value is greater than 0.6°C (1.1°F), the sensor transmits immediately.
• If the relative humidity (RH) change between the current sample and the last transmitted value is greater than 3%, the sensor transmits immediately.
• For levels 1 and 2, the CO2 sample rate value is derived from three consecutive readings averaged with the previous transmitted value.
• For level 3, only the three readings taken during the current sample are averaged.

Compliance
For complete regulatory compliance information, see the Wireless CO₂ Sensor datasheet at echoflexsolutions.com.

FCC Compliance
Echoflex Wireless CO₂ Sensor
(For any FCC matters):
Echoflex Solutions, Inc.
3031 Pleasant View Road
Middleton, WI 53562
+1 608-831-4116
echoflexsolutions.com

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received; including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Any modifications or changes to this product not expressly approved by Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc. could void the user’s authority to operate the product.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at their own expense.

Contains FCC ID: SZV-STM300U

ISED Compliance
This device contains a license-exempt transmitter/receiver that complies with Innovation,Science, and Economic Development Canada’s license-exempt RSSs. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
   Contains IC ID: 5713A-STM300U

Corporate Headquarters n Middleton, WI, USA | +1 608 831 4116
Web echoflexsolutions.com
Email info@echoflexsolutions.com | Support service@echoflexsolutions.com
©2023 Echoflex Solutions, Inc. Trademark and patent info: echoflexsolutions.com/ip
Product information and specifications subject to change.
Echoflex intends this document to be provided in its entirety.
8188M2100 Rev C Released 2023-04

References

• The future of intelligent spaces | Echoflex
• The future of intelligent spaces | IP | Echoflex
• The future of intelligent spaces | Echoflex
• The future of intelligent spaces | IP | Echoflex

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