Sensor Solutions to Detect Refrigerant Leak in Air Conditioner or Heat Pump

How do you know if Refrigerant Leak happens? Heating and air conditioning systems are supposed to be sealed but leaks do happen possibly at the accumulator, capillary tube, evaporator or condenser coils... The leaks are usually caused by rust of metal parts or moving damage in long time. If your air conditioner is blowing hot wind and cooling is insufficient while energy bill keeps rising, there might be leak or run-out of Freon.

Refrigerant gases which is usually talked Freon as are used to provide a means of cooling the evaporators in freezers, air conditioning, cooling system, HVAC and heat pumps for home, vehicles, storage, cold chain, commercial and industrial use. The refrigerant gases are toxic at low levels, and released to the air is hazardous to health and results in environmental damage. Some refrigerant gas are prone to explode which is potential risks for personnel and property safety.

Detection of the refrigerant gases at very low levels are very necessary. Stop using the old soap bubble way to test the leakage which is clumsy and time consuming. A refrigerant sensor is sensitive to low levels and able to monitor leaks in real time. The sensor can be fixed into the equipment system for constant monitoring or stalled in portable detectors also referred to as sniffers for on-site fast inspection.

Winsen has a range of refrigerant gas leak detection sensors based on NDIR infrared and Semiconductor-MOS principle specifically developed to prevent the gas leaks for A1， A2L and A3 refrigerant of R32, R454B, R290, R134a, R410a, etc.

ZRT510-R454B/R32/R290 refrigerant sensor

ZRT510 is an NDIR sensor module with excellent performance to detect A2L refrigerant R454B and R32 which is mild flammability, low toxicity, and low global warming potential (GWP). The module has high sensitivity in the range of 0~50% LFL and high resolution up to 0.1% LFL to R454B and 1% LFL to R32, fast response less than 10 seconds under 25% LFL environment. It’s able to work in the conditions of -40~85℃, 0~100% RH. It’s designed with R485 output signal(UART or PWM can be customized) and XHQ-4 interface. Its low average current and long work life of exceeding 15 years makes a great average cost. Besides, it has more features of temperate compensation, excellent linear output, good stability, anti-water vapor interference, anti-poisoning, IP54 protection etc.

ZRT510 sensor module can be expanded to detect R290 and customized according to customers' requirement.

Standard: ZRT510 has passed full tests compliant with CE and UL standard as: UL60335-1:2016; UL 60335-2-40 : 2022 ; IEC 60335-2-40 : 2022; EN60335-2-40+EN60335-1+EN62233

Product Link: https://www.winsen-sensor.com/product/zrt510.html

R32 refrigerant sensor

Winsen has NDIR and semiconductor sensor solutions for A2L refrigerant R32(CH2F2)

MH-Z1542B-R32 is a NDIR infrared sensor detection range 0 to 5.00% Vol (0 to 50% LFL) resolution 1% LFL, designed with UART output signal and long lifespan exceeding 15 years.

Product Link: https://www.winsen-sensor.com/product/mh-z1542b.html

ZP201 is a sensor module using MP510C Refrigerant Gas Sensor based on semiconductor-MOX principle able to detect R32 in the range of 100 to 10000ppm. The sensor and module has high sensitivity to 0.3~0.7 (R32) Rs. Small size 25*34 *14.1mm (MP510Cφ9.05×12.5mm), light weight 5g(MP510C-3g), fast response, long lifespan-10 years are the competing advantages compared with NDIR sensors.

Product Link: https://www.winsen-sensor.com/product/zp201.html

R290 refrigerant sensor

ZP211 is a sensor module using MP511D Refrigerant Gas Sensor based on semiconductor-MOX principle able to detect R290 in the range of 300 to 10000ppm. The sensor and module has high sensitivity to 0.4 to 0.7 (3000ppm/1000ppmR290). It has the same advantages with ZP201 LIKE small size 25*34 *14.1mm, light weight 5g, fast response, and long lifespan-10 years.

Product Link: https://www.winsen-sensor.com/product/zp211.html

Other Refrigerant Gases Detection

MP510C/MP511D is able to expanded to detect more refrigerant gases of R134a, R410a...The NDIR sensor is also able to be customized for other targets, detection range, output signal and interface.

Product Link: https://www.winsen-sensor.com/product/mp510c.html

Notes: Freon® is widely used to describe the refrigerant in your air conditioner and your vehicle air conditioner. Freon® is a registered trademark name of Chemours.