Daviteq Indoor G4 Electro-chemical Gas Sensor
G4F
New replacement products
Replaced SKU
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1. Introduction
Overview
Daviteq G4 Gas sensor module is a gas measuring module that utilizes the Seri-4 electrochemical sensor with a high sensitivity to low concentrations of detected gas, high selectivity, and a stable baseline. It has an ultra-low noise amplifier to amplify the nano-ampere current signal from the sensor and delivers the stable and high-resolution output to the reading devices such as Sub-GHz transmitter, Sigfox transmitter, LoRaWAN transmitter, RS485 output transmitter, etc.
The module can support various types of gas sensors such as CO, NO, NO₂, H₂S, NH₃, O₂, O₃, SO₂, Cl₂, HCHO...
Typical Applications: Gas, toxic gas detecting, air quality monitoring for facility, building, pump station, HVAC...
* For some applications with high humidity ambient all the time, the sensor can come with a heater to control the humidity within the working range of the sensor.
Specification
Sensor technology: Seri-4 electrochemical gas sensor. Please check this link for the specifications of each gas type.
Cross Sensitivity Data
What is cross-sensitivity?
The electrochemical sensor is normally affected by other gas. It meant the sensor not only measure the target gas but also the other gases. If there is a concentration of other gas, it would also cause the change in sensor output with a factor listed in the below table.
Please check the cross-sensitivity data of each gas type in this link.C-G
2. Principle of Operation
The very low current from the gas sensor is amplified by a special amplifier circuit to deliver stable and high resolution.
The special mechanism provides noise filtering so that it can deliver a very stable output. The ADC chip can provide a resolution from 16-bit to 24-bit.
The circuit will deliver the digital output to the reading device.
The G4 sensor module will deliver 02 values:
Gas concentration, in ppm or ppb.
And optional temperature of the circuit board, in ℃.
3. Calibration
The Daviteq G4 Gas Sensor must be connected to a reading device, normally it is a wireless transmitter like Sub-GHz, Sigfox, or LoRaWAN, or wired transmitter with Modbus output, 4∼20mA output, 0∼10V output.
In the reading device, the following parameter is configured in advanced:
Sensor + amplifier sensitivity (mV/ ppm): it is the voltage output of the amplifier circuit = Sensor current output (nA/ ppm) x R_gain
For example, with an NH₃ gas sensor, the default value of the Sensor current output is 110nA/ ppm and R_gain = 100 kΩ.
Therefore, the default NH₃ Sensor+amplifier sensitivity = 11 mV/ ppm
Depending on the sensor type and R_gain value, the sensor sensitivity must be calculated and pre-configured into the reading device.
Why do we need to calibrate the gas sensor? There are some reasons:
The sensor current output of a sensor is different from the other sensor. It is not the same value for all sensors after manufacturing.
The sensor current output of a sensor will be changed over time. For example, the NH₃ sensor current output will be reduced by about 5% of the signal per six months in clean air at 25℃ temperature. For the air with high concentration of target gases, the sensor's sensitivity will be reduced quickly.
The R_gain of the circuit also has a 0.1% or 0.05% tolerance;
Therefore, users need to calibrate the sensor before use or in a pre-defined interval time (6 or 12 months for example).
How to calibrate the G4 Gas sensor?
Instructions to attach the calibration cap onto the sensor module to get Zero or Span values.
NOTE: THE CALIBRATION CAN ONLY BE DONE IN THE SAFE ZONE!!!
Please follow steps for Instruction to attach the calibration cap onto the sensor module to get Zero or Span values:
Step 1. Remove the Filter and prepare the calibration cap
Step 2. Attach the calibration cap to the sensor head
Step 3. Installed the Regulator to the Gas cylinder
Step 4. Attach the tube to the regulator
Please select the flow regulator with a flow rate of 2.5 LPM or 5.0 LPM.
With the 2-point calibration method, the user can define the A and B factors. Please find below the steps of calibration.
Step 1. Get the Zero value.
- Power ON the device;
- Place the device in a clean-air environment (the target value is nearly zero) at a temperature from 20∼30℃, in at least 60 minutes.
- After 60 minutes, force the device to send data, read and record the Raw_value, so now you got the Zero_value = Raw value.
Recommendation: Record many Raw values at least 10 minutes apart (10 values). Zero value is the average of the recorded Raw values.
Note: The Raw values can be positive or negative;
Step 2. Get the Span value
Note: Keep the sensor Power ON all the time
- Use the standard gas cylinder with a known concentration (for example NH3 25 ppm ) to supply the gas to the sensor;
- Use the calibration cap as above pictures to attach to the sensor and connect the tubing to the gas cylinder;
- Open the valve on the Cylinder slowly and make sure the gas has reached the sensor. The flow regulator should be 2.5 LPM or 5.0 LPM.
Notes: The tube length is short as possible to reduce the gas loss.
- Press a timer to start counting the time;
- After 2 minutes, force the device to send data once every minute, and stop forcing at 5 minutes;
- The highest Raw_value is the Span value.
Note: Just get one value for Span.
- After that, immediately turn OFF the valve to save the gas;
- Remove the calibration cap from the sensor;
- Place the sensor in clean air again.
Note: Always keep the sensor Power ON all the time.
Step 3. Calculate the new A and B
The calculation of new A, B value based on basic linear formula:
y = A * x + B
Where:
A, B is calibration coefficients
x is the sensor process value (example gas level in ppm) read on reading device such as on application server/network server, on offline tool. The process value is the RAW_VALUE in the payload
y is the correct value. y is the value of standard gas/standard condition
Which condition of Zero value: y₀ = A * x₀ + B
Which condition of Span value: yₛ = A * xₛ+ B
From the two formulas, the calculation of A, B as below
A = (y₀ - yₛ) / (x₀ - xₛ)
B = (yₛ * x₀ - y₀ * xₛ) / (x₀ - xₛ)
Example of A, B calculation for LoraWAN Ammonia Gas sensor (item code WSLRW-G4-NH3-100-01):
* With condition of clean-air environment at a temperature from 20∼30℃, there is no ammonia gas (y₀ = 0); while the NH₃ level on reading device (RAW_VALUE in the payload) is -0.25 (x₀ = -0.25)
* When the sensor is connected to standard gas cylinder having ammonia level of 25 ppm (yₛ = 25); while the NH₃ level on reading device (RAW_VALUE in the payload) is 18.66 (xₛ = 18.66)
The calculation of A, B for the Ammonia gas sensor:
A = (0 - 25) / (-0.25 - 18.66) = 1.32205
B = (yₛ * x₀ - y₀ * xₛ) / (x₀ - xₛ) = (25 * (-0.25) - 0 * 18.66) / (-0.25 - 18.66) = 0.33051
The factory default A = 1 and default B = 0
The RAW_VALUE in the payload is used for calibration
Step 4. Configure the new A and B into the device
- User can use the off-line tool or downlink to write the values of A and B;
- Writing the new A and B successfully meant you had done the calibration process.
4. Application Notes
5. Installation Notes
Notes: Avoid the place with humidity higher than 90% RH all the time (a short time in 2-3 days is acceptable)
Place the sensor in the area to monitor the target gas concentration. Please always check the gas molecular weight vs. the air.
For example, NH₃ gas has a lighter weight than air, so the sensor must be placed at a height higher than the source of NH₃ leakage. Normally, the sensor will be mounted at a height of 1.6m from the ground.
For NH₃ odor detection in the toilet, users can place the sensor from 1.6m on the wall or on the ceiling with a height ≤ 2.6m
6. Troubleshooting
1. The measured value is not within the expected value
The sensor is drifted over time: Re-calibrate the sensor
The sensor was in a high humidity environment (> 90% RH) for more than 03 days continuously: Place the sensor in low humidity for its recovery. It may take up to 30 days to recover. If the sensor cannot recover after 30 days, please replace the new sensor module.
2. The measured value is always zero or near zero
The sensor module was removed: Please check the sensor;
The sensor is at the end of its life: Replace the sensor module.
3. HW_Error = 1
Loosed connection of sensor module and wireless transmitter: Check the internal wiring.
The measuring module got a problem: Please consult the manufacturer for a warranty or replacement.
7. Maintenance
Cleaning the Filter: Approx. 3-12 months
Check and clean the filter every few months, depending on the environment. Clean the filter with warm water and soap, then use compressed air to purge it from the inside out.
Re-calibration: Approx. 6-12 months
The gas sensor may be drifting over time. Please check the sensor specification to identify the interval time for the re-calibration sensor.
Sensor replacement: Approx. 1-2 years
Replace the new sensor module after 1-2 years of operation (please check the sensor specification of each gas type). The actual time for replacement depends on the sensitivity of the sensor. Please see below instructions of sensor replacement.
Sensor replacement instructions:
Please remove the batteries before doing the following steps.
Step 1. Remove the filter
Step 2. Unplug the sensor module
Step 3. Remove the spring clip on the new sensor module
Step 4. Plug the new sensor module into the PCB
Step 5. Remove rear housing, insert the batteries and start calibration of the new sensor
Step 6. Place the filter back by turing clockwser the filter to close
8. Default Configuration
This G4 gas sensor module has the default configuration, however, those parameters can be changed. The user can change the configuration on the wireless transmitter so that the complete sensor (transducer + wireless) delivers the proper output value. Please check the Payload document for more information