echoflex Wireless CO2 Sensor RCT Installation Guide
- June 6, 2024
- echoflex
Table of Contents
Echoflex Installation Guide
Wireless CO2
Sensor (RCT)
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 the installation, testing, and basic setup of the CO2 Sensor. 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%.
- 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.
- High-density construction materials and large fixtures in the space may disrupt wireless transmissions.
- 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 4 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 5. Supplies required to install (not provided):
- Two #6 screws, double-sided tape, or Velcro®
Installation
Use hand tools when installing. Over-torquing with a screw gun can damage the sensor. The sensor’s removable backplate can be mounted on most surfaces. Three different mounting options are available:
- Flush-mounted to a firm surface with screws and wall anchors (not provided).
- Use double-sided tape or Velcro (not provided).
- Over a standard, Class 2 low-voltage electrical box. Keyholes in the backplate mate with standard screw patterns.
- Insert a flat blade screwdriver into the slot on the key tab to separate the backplate from the housing.
- Mount the backplate with the plastic key on the bottom.
- Align the sensor over the backplate and press the lower edge until it clicks in place.
- Test for adequate light levels. See Light Level Test on page 4.
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.
- Remove the sensor from the backplate.
- Activate the target device to receive a wireless message to connect. If necessary, refer to the related product documentation.
- Press the [Teach] button on the sensor. (See the image on the facing page.)
Battery Power
A CR2032 is included with the CO2 sensor. It is not required for normal operation if the sensor receives adequate natural or artificial light. It is required for the Outdoor CO2 Calibration process on page 5. 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 CO2 sensor.
To replace the battery:
- Remove the sensor from the backplate and slide off the battery cover.
- Press and hold the [Function] button for 10 seconds to discharge any stored energy.
- Insert the new battery with the positive side (+) faces up.
Tests and Settings
The [Function] button and color LEDs are used to navigate the Tests and Settings Menu. The three LEDs are visible through the solar panels: red on top, then blue, and green on the bottom.
- 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 panel and confirms a good installation location.
- Press and hold the [Function] button until the green LED starts blinking.
- 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 (see table below).
Blinks| Ambient Light Lux (Footcandles)| Time to Fully Charge|
Discharge Time
---|---|---|---
0| < 50 lux (< 5 fc)| Non-operational| N/A
1| 50-100 lux (5-9 fc)| Operational| N/A
2| 100-200 lux (9-19 fc)| 32 hours| 72 hours
3| 200-400 lux (19-37 fc)| 16 hours| 72 hours
4| 400-800 lux (37-74 fc)| 8 hours| 72 hours
5| > 1000 lux (> 93 fc)| 4 hours| 72 hours
The time to fully charge the sensor is measured from a non-operational condition. Discharge time indicates how long a fully charged sensor operates in the dark. The test repeats every two seconds and runs for 100 seconds. To exit before time-out, press and hold the [Function] button.
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:
- Place the sensor outdoors, out of direct sunlight in the air above 0ºC (32ºF) for at least 20 minutes. Avoid areas where people linger so readings are not affected.
- Press and hold the [Function] button until the green LED starts blinking.
- Press the [Function] button to cycle through the menu of color LEDs and stop when the red LED blinks.
- Press and hold the [Function] button until the LED stops blinking to select CO2 Background 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:
-
Press and hold the [Function] button until the green LED starts blinking.
-
Press the [Function] button to cycle through the menu of color LEDs and stop when the green and red LEDs blink.
-
Press and hold the [Function] button until the LEDs stop blinking to select Indoor CO2 Calibration Setting.
-
Press and release the [Function] button to cycle through the menu until your target setting displays.
– Green LED blinks: enable ABC
– Red LED blinks: disable ABC -
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:
- Press the [Function] button. The LEDs blink in sequence to indicate the current value.
- 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
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 previously transmitted value.
- For level 3, only the three readings taken during the current sample are averaged.
Level| Ambient Light Lux (Footcandle)| Temp/RH Rate| CO2
Sample Rate
---|---|---|---
1| > 200 lux (18.5 fc)| 16 sec| 300 sec (5 min)
2| < 200 lux (18.5 fc)| 32 sec| 600 sec (10 min)
3| < 50 lux (4.6 fc) for 24 hrs.| 64 sec| 1,200 sec (20 min)
Compliance
For current and complete compliance information, see the Echoflex Wireless CO2 Sensor datasheet at echoflexsolutions.com.
FCC Compliance
Echoplex 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 instruction manual, 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 his 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 RSS.
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 Middleton, WI, USA | Phone +1 608 831 4116
Web echoflexsolutions.com | Email
[email protected] | Support
[email protected]
© 2021 Echoflex Solutions, Inc. Trademark and patent info:
echoflexsolutions.com/ip
Echoplex intends this document to be provided in its entirety. Product
information and specifications subject to change.
8188M2100 Rev B Released 2021-09
References
- The future of intelligent spaces | Echoflex
- The future of intelligent spaces | IP | Echoflex
- 📧[email protected]
- 📧[email protected]
- The future of intelligent spaces | Echoflex
- The future of intelligent spaces | Echoflex
- The future of intelligent spaces | IP | Echoflex