Measuring Instruments for Heating Systems
Whether in traditional units like boilers or in modern technologies like heat pumps, precise measurement of key variables is essential for safety, reliability, and energy efficiency. WIKA’s advanced sensor solutions enable continuous monitoring and optimized control across a wide range of HVAC applications, from residential to commercial and industrial systems.
In heat pumps, pressure sensors monitor both the refrigerant circuit and the primary water circuit, while temperature sensors support heat transfer monitoring. Industrial boilers depend on pressure, temperature, and level instrumentation to regulate burner cycles, maintain safety limits, and manage steam lines. In hydronic heating, where water rather than air is the medium for heat transfer, accurate measurement of flow, temperature, and pressure is necessary to ensure consistent heat distribution and system stability.
Measuring Instruments for Cooling and Ventilation Systems
To improve energy efficiency, buildings today are constructed or retrofitted to eliminate air leaks. However, tighter building envelopes can have an adverse effect on indoor air quality. This makes reliable ventilation and air handling even more vital. HVAC measuring instruments monitor airflow, temperature, humidity, and differential pressure (on either side of air filters) to create a safer, more comfortable environment.
WIKA has created the air2guideTM series of instruments and controllers specifically for industrial ventilation and air conditioning applications. The modular designs of these mechanical and electronic measuring instruments allow for customized solutions across an array of industries, from data centers and clean rooms to climate-controlled warehouses and medical facilities.
What to Monitor in HVAC Systems
Regardless of their size or capacity, HVAC units and systems are more efficient and reliable when operators measure the following parameters:
1. Temperature — The usual points for temperature measurements in industrial HVAC systems are air inlet, air outlet, ducts, heat exchangers, and water tanks. The choice of bullet probes, bimetal thermometer, averaging RTD, or temperature switch depends on the type of HVAC unit and the location of the measuring point.
2. Pressure — In HVAC systems, pressure measurement inside ducts, pipes, and circuit lines help monitor and manage the circulation of air, water, and steam. Bourdon tube pressure gauges, pressure transmitters, and pressure switches are excellent pressure solutions for industrial HVAC applications.
3. Differential pressure — Improve both air quality and energy efficiency with the A2G-500 series of differential pressure sensors and airflow controllers. These robust instruments offer analog and digital signal outputs (Modbus®) as well as wireless (LoRaWAN®) transmission.
4. Flow — By measuring airflow inside ventilation ducts, operators can see how evenly the air is being distributed – an indicator of an HVAC system’s efficiency. Air handling units routinely incorporate airflow sensors in the fans to optimize air velocity and distribution. And in hydronic systems, flow meters are used to verify proper water circulation, optimize heat transfer, and balance system loads.
5. Level — Measuring and controlling level with a float switch or optoelectronic switch is key to ensuring safety in HVAC systems, where too much or too little fluid can compromise personnel and equipment.
6. Humidity — Humidity is an important aspect of air quality for people and product quality in food storage environments. It is also necessary to monitor humidity in settings with sensitive electronic components, such as servers in data centers. The A2G-70 is a robust ventilation duct sensor that measures relative humidity and temperature, while Leap Sensors® wirelessly monitor dew point / humidity as well as temperature, pressure, differential pressure, and other parameters.
WIKA USA, Smart Sensors for HVAC Applications
The global leader in measuring technologies, WIKA has the measurement solutions your industrial HVAC systems need – all in one place and backed by knowledgeable customer service and support. Whether you seek mechanical HVAC gauges or IIoT-ready wireless sensors, the instrumentation experts at WIKA USA look forward to helping you solve your business’s HVAC measurement challenges.
