Heat pumps have emerged as a popular technology for efficient heating and cooling of air and liquids. When deployed for heating purposes, heat pumps extract heat from the surrounding air, ground, or water and transfer it to a refrigerant coolant.
This coolant is compressed, which significantly increases its temperature, and is then moved to the designated heat location, where the heat is extracted by either passing air or water over the hot coolant.
In the past, heat pumps had been used primarily in air conditioners and freezers, but they are now being increasingly used for residential and commercial heating and to heat domestic hot water.
Heat pumps are more efficient than traditional electric heating because they use electricity to operate the compressor, pump, and fans in comparison to a resistive heat source.
Image Credit: Sensata Technologies, Inc.
Contributing to CO2 emission reduction, heat pumps are more environmentally friendly compared with other sources of heat, such as furnaces or boilers.
To ensure that heat pumps operate efficiently, their program logic controller (PLC) requires temperature inputs from various locations throughout the system.
Depending on the purpose of the heat pump, temperature readings from multiple locations may be required, including outdoor and indoor air, as well as refrigerant temperatures at various points.
Solution
Accurate, reliable temperature sensors with environmental sealing are crucial in controlling heat pump systems.
Sensata Technologies, a leading global supplier of sensors, has introduced the 4000 series specifically designed for use in HVAC/R and heat pump applications.
This series boasts a highly precise Class AA PT1000 RTD, an IP69K-rated seal for protection against harsh environments, and a 100 nF capacitor that reduces electrical noise.
Recommended Products
Table 1. Source: Sensata Technologies, Inc.
| Reference on Diagram |
Product |
Features |
Function |
Brand |
| 1 |
 |
3000 Series |
- Stainless steel probe housing
- Thermistor or RTD sensing technologies
- Optional threads available
|
Monitor refrigerant and ambient temperatures |
Sensata Technologies |
| 2 |
 |
4000 Series |
- Highly accurate PT1000 RTD (Class AA)
- 5.9 mm diameter brass probe
- IP69K
- -40 to 85 °C operating temperature range
- 100 nF Capacitor for electrical noise reduction
|
Monitor refrigerant and ambient temperatures |
Sensata Technologies |
Refrigeration Cycle for Residential and Commercial Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Systems
Image Credit: Sensata Technologies, Inc.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Sensata Technologies, Inc.
For more information on this source, please visit Sensata Technologies, Inc.