SENSIRION SFA30 Formaldehyde Sensor Module Instruction Manual

: June 6, 2024
: SENSIRION

Table of Contents

SENSATION SFA30 Formaldehyde Sensor Module Instruction
Mechanical Handling
ESD Precautions
Storage
Exposure to Chemicals
Assembly
- 5.1 Soldering Instructions
- 5.2 Conformal Coating
Important Notices
Headquarters and Subsidiaries
Revision History
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

SENSATION SFA30 Formaldehyde Sensor Module Instruction

Mechanical Handling

The SFA30 formaldehyde sensor module is a mechanically sensitive device. Handle with care at all times. Avoid exerting pressure or force on the brown top side of the sensor or the black bottom side of the sensor: SENSIRION
SFA30 Formaldehyde Sensor Module Instruction fig 1

For handling or assembly, hold the sensor module at the edges of the PCB: SENSIRION SFA30 Formaldehyde Sensor Module Instruction fig
2

ESD Precautions

WARNING: The SFA30 formaldehyde sensor module is susceptible to damage by electrostatic discharge (ESD). During handling and testing, suitable ESD precautions must be taken. Operators must always use proper ESD handling equipment.

Parameter Rating
Electrostatic discharge voltage (human body model) Class 1C (1000 V)
Electrostatic discharge voltage (charge device model) Class C2a (500 V)

Table 1 : ESD rating of SFA30. Reproduced from the SFA30 datasheet.
In particular, avoid touching the exposed electronics or the connector pins without suitable ESD protection. SENSIRION SFA30 Formaldehyde Sensor Module
Instruction fig 3

Storage

Refer to the SFA30 datasheet for recommended storage conditions. Store the sensor in its closed original package in a clean and dry place.

Parameter	Rating	Unit
Recommended storage temperature	10 … 30	°C
Recommended storage humidity	30 … 70	% RH

Table 2: Recommended storage conditions for SFA30. Reproduced from the SFA30 datasheet.

Exposure to Chemicals

The SFA30 formaldehyde sensor module and its on-board Sensirion SHT humidity and temperature sensor should be protected from volatile chemicals, in particular at high concentrations.
The “Handling Instructions for SHTxx Humidity and Temperature Sensors” apply. The latest version of these handling instructions is available on the Sensirion webpage: http://www.sensirion.com/file/handling_instructions_rht.
Pay special attention to the relevant sections on “Exposure to Chemicals” as well as “Packaging and Storage”.

Assembly

5.1 Soldering Instructions

The SFA30 formaldehyde sensor module offers two interface connection options, a Molex Micro-Lock Plus connector and 0.1’’ pitch contact pads. Only either of the two connection options must be used at any time. For the pin assignment of the Molex connector please refer to the SFA30 datasheet. The pin assignment of the 0.1” pitch pads is identical, with the left-most (square) pad being pad 1. Sensirion generally recommends using the Molex Micro-Lock Plus connector for SFA30 design-in. For prototyping or when the available space is tight, the contact pads may be used.
To connect the SFA30 sensor module over the contact pads to external electronics, a pin stripe with 0.1 inch / 2.54 mm pitch should be used. It is recommended to solder the SFA30 by hand only. Special care should be taken to ensure good ventilation throughout the soldering process and to keep the heat- up of the SFA30 PCB as low as possible. Especially the SFA30 sensor cell should not be heated up above the short-term temperature storage limit specified in the SFA30 datasheet. Sensirion further recommends not to use any board wash or cleaning agents for the SFA30 sensor module PCB after soldering.
Independent of the interface connection, the SFA30 sensor cell should face the device opening in the final assembly. Please refer to the SFA design-in guide for further recommendations on the SFA30 integration.

5.2 Conformal Coating

For some applications it may be desired to protect the electronic assembly with a passivation. Such passivation may be achieved by conformal coating.
The SFA30 sensor module is not compatible with spray coating and dip coating. Manual coating with a brush, dispensing and jetting can be used to apply conformal coating on the PCB while ensuring that no coating is applied to the sensor cell and the top surface of the humidity sensor. Already a thin layer of coating on the top of the SFA sensor cell or the included humidity sensor can clog the gas openings, blocking air molecules from reaching the sensing elements and thereby destroying the sensor. A layout of the coating area is given in Figure 1.
When selecting a conformal coating, special focus should be given to not use a product that is outgassing large amounts of volatile organic compounds (e.g., aromatics) or organic nitrogen compounds (e.g., amines). The outgassing of this substances could potentially influence the sensor readings in the final application or contaminate the built-in humidity sensor. In any case, ensure good ventilation throughout the application, staging and curing to prevent any sensor pollution.
Sensirion generally recommends curing at room temperature SENSIRION SFA30
Formaldehyde Sensor Module Instruction fig 4

under good ventilation. If the selected coating process
includes a curing step at higher temperatures, the SFA30
storage conditions specified in the datasheet should be adhered to at all times.
Sensirion tested and recommends the conformal coating listed in the table below. This coating is known to be suitable if applied and fully cured at room temperature under good ventilation (fresh air supply) and according to the respective datasheet.

Manufacturer	Product
Chase	HumiSeal 1B51NSLU

Table 3: Recommended conformal coating

Important Notices

6.1 Warning, Personal Injury

Do not use this product as safety or emergency stop devices or in any other application where failure of the product could result in personal injury. Do not use this product for applications other than its intended and authorized use. Before installing, handling, using or servicing this product, please consult the data sheet and application notes. Failure to comply with these instructions could result in death or serious injury.
If the Buyer shall purchase or use SENSIRION products for any unintended or unauthorized application, Buyer shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless SENSIRION and its officers, employees, subsidiaries, affiliates and distributors against all claims, costs, damages and expenses, and reasonable attorney fees arising out of, directly or indirectly, any claim of personal injury or death associated with such unintended or unauthorized use, even if SENSIRION shall be allegedly negligent with respect to the design or the manufacture of the product.

6.2 ESD Precautions

The inherent design of this component causes it to be sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). To prevent ESD-induced damage and/or degradation, take customary and statutory ESD precautions when handling this product.

6.3 Warranty

SENSATION warrants solely to the original purchaser of this product for a period of 12 months (one year) from the date of delivery that this product shall be of the quality, material and workmanship defined in SENSIRION’s published specifications of the product. Within such period, if proven to be defective, SENSIRION shall repair and/or replace this product, in SENSIRION’s discretion, free of charge to the Buyer, provided that:

notice in writing describing the defects shall be given to SENSIRION within fourteen (14) days after their appearance;
such defects shall be found, to SENSIRION’s reasonable satisfaction, to have arisen from SENSIRION’s faulty design, material, or workmanship;
the defective product shall be returned to SENSIRION’s factory at the Buyer’s expense; and
the warranty period for any repaired or replaced product shall be limited to the unexpired portion of the original period.
This warranty does not apply to any equipment which has not been installed and used within the specifications recommended by SENSIRION for the intended and proper use of the equipment. EXCEPT FOR THE WARRANTIES EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN, SENSATION MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT. ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED AND DECLINED.
SENSATION is only liable for defects of this product arising under the conditions of operation provided for in the datasheet and proper use of the goods. SENSATION explicitly disclaims all warranties, express or implied, for any period during which the goods are operated or stored not in accordance with the technical specifications.
SENSATION does not assume any liability arising out of any application or use of any product or circuit and specifically disclaims any and all liability, including without limitation consequential or incidental damages. All operating parameters, including without limitation recommended parameters, must be validated for each customer’s applications by the customer’s technical experts. Recommended parameters can and do vary in different applications.
SENSATION reserves the right, without further notice, (i) to change the product specifications and/or the information in this document and (ii) to improve the reliability, functions and design of this product.

Headquarters and Subsidiaries

Sensirion AG Laubisruetistr. 50
CH-8712 Staefa ZH Switzerland
phone: +41 44 306 40 00 fax: +41 44 306 40 30 [email protected] www.sensirion.com
Sensirion Taiwan Co. Ltd phone: +886 3 5506701 [email protected] www.sensirion.com

Sensirion Inc., USA phone: +1 312 690 5858 [email protected] www.sensirion.com
Sensirion Japan Co. Ltd. phone: +81 3 3444 4940 [email protected] www.sensirion.co.jp

Sensirion Korea Co. Ltd. phone: +82 31 337 7700~3 [email protected] www.sensirion.co.kr
Sensirion China Co. Ltd. phone: +86 755 8252 1501 [email protected] www.sensirion.com.cn

To find your local representative, please visit www.sensirion.com/distributors