Posifa Technologies Introduces New MEMS Thermal Conductivity Sensors

Posifa Technologies released a new sensor solution for detecting A2L refrigerant leaks in residential and commercial air conditioning systems, heat pumps and refrigeration equipment. The new PGS6000 sensors accurately detect A2L refrigerant concentration in the air by measuring the change in thermal conductivity of the gas mixture inside the cabinet. This technology increases safety and efficiency by enabling early detection of leaks while providing long-term reliability of 15 years or more in harsh environments.

The series uses the company’s second-generation MEMS thermal conductivity sensing element. It features a patented heat transfer cavity that achieves highly sensitive and repeatable thermal conductivity measurement by eliminating possible occurrences of natural convection inside the cavity. As thermal conductivity measurement is accomplished completely inside the sensor chip, maximum miniaturization can be realized at the device level — a critical capability for HVAC equipment manufacturers who must retrofit the sensors into existing designs.

The detectors are designed with a relative humidity sensor and a barometric pressure sensor. This strategic incorporation enables the detectors to compensate for thermal conductivity changes influenced by variations in humidity and barometric pressure, enhancing the accuracy of A2L refrigerant concentration measurement. The PGS6000 series detects R32 and R454B refrigerants, and supports RS485 MODBUS RTU output.