CAREL PM10 Indoor Air Quality Sensors Instruction Manual
- June 4, 2024
- Carel
Table of Contents
Indoor air quality sensors
temperature, humidity, CO2, VOC,
PM2.5, PM10
Indoor air quality and personal health
Maintaining adequate levels of indoor air quality in buildings is essential to ensure comfort and above all human health.
Keeping the main parameters that determine indoor air quality under control indeed guarantees:
- health;
- comfort;
- productivity of building occupants.
Finally, measuring pollutants allows occupants to recognize the quality of the air they breathe, helping them implement the technical measures needed to improve air quality and consequently the quality of life.
Studies have shown that people today spend on average 90% of their time inside buildings, mainly in the home and office. These buildings, especially newer ones, are extremely well-insulated so as avoid wasting energy when the heating and cooling systems are operating. However, this also leads to a worsening in indoor air quality. When air changes with fresh outside air are kept to the minimum, the air becomes stagnant and the concentration of pollutants increases, jeopardizing the comfort, productivity, and health of occupants. This is why indoor air quality monitoring and control is becoming increasingly important in commercial and residential applications. Keeping indoor air in buildings healthy is the next big challenge in the air conditioning market!
Serial connectivity
Simpler installation with two separate serial terminals, fewer inputs/outputs
to be managed.| Multi-sensor unit
Five parameters on just one sensor, lower purchase and installation costs.|
Flexibility
Available in duct or wall-mounted versions, with and without display.
Parameters for measuring IAQ
How is indoor air quality measured in practice? How do we know whether or not
the air we are breathing is “good”? A series of parameters need to be
considered when determining air quality.
Some of these are better known than others, with a clearly understandable
effect on people, however, all of them need to be kept within a certain
optimal range for human occupancy. Indeed the key is an optimal range and not
precise values, as different people experience different sensations even when
in the same environment, depending on their clothing, activity level, and
other factors.
Temperature: this is a physical parameter that relates to sensations of
heat and cold, and expresses the thermal energy of objects. For personal
comfort, the indoor temperature should be between 67 and 82°F or 20 and 27°C
throughout the year.
CO 2 concentration: carbon dioxide is a colorless and odorless gas
resulting from combustion and human respiration. It is naturally present in
the air (0.03%) and is absorbed by plants through photosynthesis. It is often
measured indoors as a marker of human occupancy, with high levels of CO 2
requiring an increase in ventilation. The recommended values for indoor
environments are below 1000 ppm.
Relative humidity: this is the ratio of the water vapor present in the
air to the maximum amount that the same air can hold before it precipitates.
The human body responds best in a relative humidity range between 40 and 60%.
VOC concentration: volatile organic compounds (VOC) are the organic
chemical components responsible for the presence of odors and certain
pollutants. Indoor levels are usually much higher than outdoor levels, due to
the overuse of chemicals and detergents for cleaning. Prolonged exposure to
these chemicals can cause irritation, headache and some may even be
carcinogenic. The recommended values for indoor environments are below 300
ppb.
PM concentration: particulate matter includes a set of solid and/or
liquid particles suspended in the air, and generated by activities such as
cooking, cigarette smoke and other sources of combustion, as well as printers.
The finest particles are able to penetrate deep into the lungs. The
recommended values for indoor environments are below 10 μg/m3 for PM2.5 and
below 20 μg/m3 for PM10.
Monitoring and control of indoor air quality
There are two main architectures used for the installation of air quality sensors: the monitoring system and the monitoring and control system.
Monitoring system
The sensors installed in different positions in the building measure the
parameters that define the indoor air quality (mainly T, RH, CO2, VOC, PM, but
also others).
The data acquired is sent to the HVAC system’s local and/or remote supervisor
or to a BMS, where they are displayed and processed, yet not immediately used
as inputs for control of the ventilation system.
This type of installation provides information on the trend in building air
quality over time, so as to evaluate the behavior of the ventilation system
and plan any subsequent
changes or additions to the system.
Control and monitoring system
A monitoring and control system, in addition to the features described above,
also includes ventilation or air conditioning units, such as:
- actual air handling units;
- ventilation units with heat recovery;
- rooftop units.
These units receive the signal from the sensors that measure the air quality
parameters and operate based on these signals to restore the correct levels of
each parameter.
In turn, these can be controlled and monitored by a supervisory system.
CAREL’s solutions for room installation include:
- sensors for temperature, relative humidity, CO2, VOC, PM2.5, PM10;
- zone control terminals.
Range of sensors for controlling indoor air quality
|
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existing IAQ part numbers
New IAQ sensor part numbers, with Modbus RS485 serial communication
Note: optional RS485-WiFi conversion module available, for installations
in areas that are difficult to reach with the RS485 serial line
Headquarters
CAREL INDUSTRIES HQs
Via dell Industria, 11
35020 Brugine – Padova (Italy)
[email protected]
HygroMatik GmbH
Lise-Meitner-Straße 3
24558 Henstedt-Ulzburg – Germany
[email protected]| RECUPERATOR
Via Valfurva 13
20027 Rescaldina (MI), Italy
[email protected]| ENGINE
S.r.l.
Viale Lombardia, 78
20056 Trezzo Sull’Adda (MI), Italy
[email protected]
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To the best of CAREL INDUSTRIES S.p.A.’s knowledge and belief, the information contained herein is accurate and reliable as of the date of publication. However, CAREL INDUSTRIES S.p.A. does not assume any liability whatsoever for the accuracy and completeness of the information presented without guarantee or responsibility of any kind and makes no representation or warranty, either expressed or implied. A number of factors may affect the performance of any products used in conjunction with the user’s materials all of which must be taken into account by the user in producing or using the products. The user should not assume that all necessary data for the proper evaluation of these products are contained herein and is responsible for the appropriate, safe, and legal use, processing, and handling of CAREL’s products. The information provided herein does not relieve the user from the responsibility of carrying out its own tests, and the user assumes all risks and liabilities related to the use of the products and/or information contained herein. © 2021 CAREL INDUSTRIES S.p.A. All rights reserved.
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