Duct temperature and humidity sensors
Temperature, Relative Humidity and Dew Point
Indoor environments are influenced by various factors, including temperature, humidity, and dew point. All of these factors play essential roles in creating comfortable and healthy living or working spaces. Temperature refers to the degree of how hot or cold it is within a room, which impacts human comfort, productivity and energy efficiency. Humidity represents the amount of moisture present in the air, which influences indoor air quality, respiratory health and the growth of mould. Having this in mind, ventilation systems are essential components of buildings that ensure the circulation of fresh air while removing stale air, pollutants and excess moisture. These systems play a key role in maintaining indoor air quality, regulating temperature and humidity levels and ensuring occupant health and comfort. Additionally, duct sensors contain a probe opening which measures the temperature and the relative humidity in air ducts. However, it’s essential that the probe opening is installed in a straight position in the air duct for accurate measurements. Moreover, the probe opening should be facing the airflow and there should be a straight section of duct with no obstructions. Nowadays, energy efficiency is a major worldwide priority. Modern technologies aim to help preserve more energy while keeping the same levels of effectiveness. The usage of duct sensors can contribute to that cause. Therefore, another useful element of the duct sensor is the flange. Poorly sealed ducts can enable the heated air to leak into unheated rooms and result in higher energy bills. The shape of the flange is designed to seal the opening in the duct, where the sensor is installed, to prevent air leakage. It is especially useful for installation on round ducts for efficient sealing.
Temperature and Relative Humidity
Temperature and humidity are factors which affect our everyday lives in various ways. For example, weather is in a constant change, therefore, temperature fluctuates and can be measured with different scales but the most commonly used is Celsius (°C). The typical temperature range that is considered comfortable for human occupancy is around 20-25 °C. There are also two different types of humidity: absolute and relative. Absolute humidity refers to the actual amount of water vapour present in a given volume of air, typically expressed in grams of water vapour per cubic meter of air (g/m³). It represents the total moisture content of the air regardless of temperature. Relative humidity is a measure of the amount of water vapour present in the air relative to the maximum amount of water vapour that the air can possess at a given temperature, expressed as a percentage. Relative humidity is influenced by absolute humidity and the air temperature. Therefore, warmer air can possess more water moisture than cooler air. Duct sensors enable users to ensure the temperature and humidity in the air in an indoor area are suitable for its occupants. Temperature and humidity influence the processes in the human body and can be either stimulating for the concentration of the individual or they can cause discomfort. For instance, extremely high temperatures can result in dehydration, fatigue and heat-related illnesses, while cold temperatures can lead to stiffness and even hypothermia. On the one hand, high levels of humidity can disturb sleep quality by causing difficulty to breath. But on the other hand, low levels of humidity especially during dry seasons and in heated indoor areas can lead to skin dryness, irritation and itching. Temperature and humidity levels are also essential for equipment and product protection. For instance, warehouses require specific levels of temperature and humidity to preserve the quality of products and equipment. Ventilation systems may be equipped with heating or cooling components to maintain temperatures within specific ranges suitable for product preservation. For example, food storage facilities require specific temperatures to prevent the food from spoiling. Additionally, in manufacturing or industrial settings, ventilation systems remove the heat generated by machinery to prevent overheating and damage to sensitive elements. High humidity can lead to increased moisture in the air, which can cause corrosion on metal surfaces of machinery and equipment. Corrosion can degrade machinery components which can lead to reduced performance, mechanical failures and increased maintenance costs. Moreover, high levels of humidity can present risks to electrical components of machinery resulting in short circuits. In food storage facilities high levels of humidity can create an environment suitable for growth of mould, yeast and bacteria. In order for food safety requirements to be met, certain levels of humidity need to be maintained. Excessive humidity levels can also lead to loss of texture, flavour and appearance in some food products. For instance, some fruit and vegetables can become mushy and mouldy. Additionally, the high levels of humidity can result in damaging the integrity of the food packaging. Consequently, the food products can be exposed to contamination. On the other hand, low levels of humidity can lead to moisture loss in certain foods, such as dried fruit or grains, which results in reduced quality and value. For that matter, it is advisable that the temperature, humidity and dew point in ventilation systems are constantly monitored.
Dew Point
The dew point refers to the temperature to which the air is cooled to be entirely saturated with water. If the air continues to cool, the saturated water in it condenses and forms dew. The dew point is calculated based on the temperature and humidity levels measured by the duct sensors. If the temperature of the air is below the dew point, dew is formed, and it can occur as condensation on windows, doors, and skylights. The occurrence of condensation indoors is inconvenient and can result in damp spots on walls and ceilings which later turn into mould. Mould in itself is both damaging to the walls and detrimental to human health causing symptoms such as a runny nose, skin rashes or inflammation, increased sneezing, and eye inflammation. This can be prevented by an efficient ventilation system that involves duct sensors which measure temperature and humidity and calculate dew point.