15.10.2020, Press release

Sensirion Inside: CO₂ traffic lights rely on Sensirion CO₂ sensor

We are pleased to announce that ISIS IC GmbH has chosen our SCD30 CO₂ sensor for its CO₂ signal lights for classrooms, thus enabling reliable and accurate measurements in schools.

Scientists have proven that SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses are mainly spread by aerosols exhaled by infected people. In enclosed indoor spaces (classrooms, offices, gyms, theaters, etc.), the main source of aerosols and CO₂ is the human body itself. High CO₂ concentrations in rooms are therefore accompanied by high aerosol levels, which in turn indicate inadequate ventilation and also increase the risk of infection. Measuring CO₂ is therefore a useful method for assessing air quality with respect to CO₂ and aerosol concentration, and enables simple, clear, and feasible ventilation recommendations to be made. In the cold season in particular, it is possible to achieve a balance between preventing the building becoming too cold through ventilation, and reducing the risk of viral infection. “As the expert in environmental sensor technology, Sensirion is the ideal partner for our CO₂ traffic lights. Thanks to its high accuracy, compact size, and excellent performance, Sensirion’s SCD30 CO₂ sensor met all our requirements”, says Dirk Unsenos of ISIS IC GmbH. “In the meantime, we have already been able to gain important insights during our pilot projects in schools, which are significant with regard to safety and acceptance in daily classroom use.” “While larger respiratory droplets sink quickly to the ground, aerosols can float in the air for a long time. It is therefore especially important to monitor and optimize air quality in classrooms. We are convinced that the CO₂ signal light with its reliable measurement and instructive traffic light colors can help to monitor air quality and thus minimize the risk of infection and improve students’ concentration”, says Pascal Gerner, Director Product Management at Sensirion. Sensirion’s SCD30 sensors, based on CMOSens® Technology, enable high-accuracy carbon dioxide measurements at an attractive price-performance ratio. In addition to the CO₂ sensor, a first-class humidity and temperature sensor is used on the same sensor module.It is the ideal solution for determining air quality and for applications in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) sector.

Featured series and products

SCD30

State-of-the-art NDIR CO₂ sensing

The SCD30 is a highly accurate CO₂ sensor module based on our patented CMOSens® Technology for IR detection that includes a best-in-class humidity and temperature sensor. This allows ambient humidity and temperature to be outputted through modeling and compensating of external heat sources without the requirement for any additional components. The module’s dual-channel principle enables excellent long-term stability by design, and its ultra-thin package size allows easy integration into even the most demanding applications.

Applications requiring compliance with IAQ standards – such as BS EN50543, RESET^®, WELL Building Standard™ and California Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards – are well served by the SCD30.

SCD4x

Breaking the size barrier in CO₂ sensing

The SCD4x is Sensirion’s next generation miniature CO₂ sensor that offers an unmatched price-to-performance ratio. Tape and reel packaging combined with its SMD assembly processing make the SCD4x ideal for high-volume applications. This sensor builds on the photoacoustic sensing principle and Sensirion’s patented PASens® and CMOSens® Technology to enable unmatched small sensor size combined with high performance. SMD compatibility and the small footprint allow cost- and space-effective integration to boost freedom of design for customers. The integrated best-in class humidity and temperature sensor enables superior on-chip signal compensation and addition RH and T outputs. Finally, the large supply voltage (2.4 V – 5.5 V), the robustness towards external stresses and the adjustable power consumption make the SCD4x the perfect fit for varying customer needs.

SCD4x Gadget

SHT4x Humidity and Temperature Sensor Demonstrator

The SHT4x Smart Gadget is a compact circuit board showcasing the exceptional performance and user-friendliness of our SHT4x humidity and temperature sensors.

Featuring an LCD display presenting humidity and temperature data, this device also includes a Bluetooth Low Energy module for communication with smartphones and other compatible devices.

Compatible with our MyAmbience mobile app, the SHT4x Smart Gadget allows users to visualize and understand their surroundings by displaying live data, tracking historical trends, identifying patterns, and exporting data from multiple devices. Find more information and MyAmbience download links in the section below.