Mounting guidelines for sensors & general sensor installation recommendations

Accurate measurement requires also adequate sensor installations and this can be easily done by following our sensor mounting guidelines that Andivi has prepared for all installers and integrators.

Practitioners know that measuring accuracy of Andivi temperature, humidity, CO2 and Air quality is reliable. However, they also understand that in order for a building or system to work they need to assure that the sensors are mounted, installed and placed correctly.

For example, buildings need to meet two needs:

• Indoor climate must be adapted to the well-being of people that live and work in them.
• Buildings must save energy by reducing unnecessary energy (over-)use by to a minimum.

In the later, sensor accuracy is key in making that happen. In addition, that is why correct sensor installation, mounting and optimal placement of the sensor adds to the “equation” of energy efficiency.

Recommended Installation zones

Cable routing recommendations

Outdoor temperature sensors and outdoor humidity sensors mounting guidelines

Mounting guidelines for outdoor temperature sensors

Mounting guidelines for indoor motion sensors and presence detectors

Mounting guidelines for outdoor motion detectors on a building

Mounting guidelines for Brightness sensors

Mounting guidelines for indoor and room sensors for temperature, humidity, CO2 and air quality

Mounting guidelines for outdoor brightness sensors

Mounting guidelines for Wind sensors

Mounting guidelines for Weather stations & weather station sensors (brightness, precipitation, temperature)

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Recommended Installation zones

Standard switch and socket heights:

• Room thermostats: 150 cm
• Devices that require human interaction in standing position): 150 cm
• Switches and pushbuttons: 110 cm
• Power sockets, line sockets: 30 cm

Linking duct: 100 cm

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Cable routing recommendations

Before we focus on accurate sensor installation, mounting and placement, let’s take a look at some general cabling tips first.

Route cables so that:

• they are entirely out of people’s reach
• they are at an adequate distance from hot piping, lightning protection systems and telecommunication lines
• the positioning and sheathing prevent mechanical damage to the cables,
• that the cables are laid in a fixed position, instead of a flexible position. This increases safety.

Horizontal and vertical cable runs:

Cables in the walls should be routed either in a vertical or horizontal direction.

• Horizontal cable runs: lay the cable preferably at 30 cm below the ceiling level, and at either 30 or 100 cm above the floor level,
• Vertical cable runs: lay the cable preferably at 15 cm to the side of the building carcass (shell) edges or corners.

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Outdoor temperature sensors and outdoor humidity sensors mounting guidelines

What each symbol means?

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Mounting guidelines for outdoor temperature sensors

For correct placement of outdoor temperature sensors follow mounting guidelines and recommendations below:

• Avoid exposing to direct sunlight; sunlight radiation increases the temperature of the sensor and causes measurement inaccuracy,
• Avoid mounting on facades with a great deal of ascending heat,
• Avoid mounting over ventilation shafts,
• Avoid attaching to walls in front of a chimney,
• Avoid placing over windows,
• Avoid mounting on eaves (or e.g. a balcony),
• Avoid painting over sensors,
• it is recommended to mount outdoor sensors in an accessible location. This allows for easier inspection and maintenance.

Outdoor temperature sensors are usually installed with the purpose of:

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Mounting guidelines for indoor motion sensors and presence detectors

First, it is important to understand, that the detection of motion sensors depends on the temperature difference between the surrounding ambient zone and the object to be detected.

The detection zone of a presence detector should not be impeded or blocked by shelves, large plants, glass walls or similar objects that could block detection.

Recommended mounting guidelines for indoor motion sensors and presence detectors:

• Avoid exposing motion detectors to direct sunlight,
• Avoid mounting any lamps within the detection zone,
• Avoid placing any heating sources that can change temperature rapidly within the detection/measurement zone, e.g. air vents, fan heaters or incandescent and halogen lamps,
• Ensure that the direction of airflows moves laterally to the detection zone.
• The recommended minimum distance from cables and radiators is 50 cm.

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Mounting guidelines for outdoor motion detectors on a building

Recommended mounting guidelines for outdoor motion sensors and presence detectors:

• Avoid mounting motion detectors on moving supports,
• Mount presence detectors on stable walls and surfaces,
• Ensure that the detection range of a presence detector is free of interferences.

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Mounting guidelines for Brightness sensors

Recommended mounting guidelines for brightness sensors:

• Ensure that the brightness sensor measures only indirect light – we refer to this as light reflected from other surfaces. This will help you avoid the distortion of measurement results that are caused by direct sunlight.
• Avoid shiny surfaces that are highly reflective as this interferes with the measurement.
• Avoid surfaces that are too dark or surface with low light reflection properties, as this impedes the measurement of the current brightness level.
• Note: thermal protection glass can influence the daylight measurement; the tripping value will be lower.

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Mounting guidelines for indoor and room sensors for temperature, humidity, CO2 and air quality

Room sensors are often placed to ensure indoor wellbeing in the working and living environment. At the same time they help to reduce unnecessary energy water and decrease building energy efficiency. Their correct use is of crucial importance.

Mounting guidelines for sensors measuring room temperature, relative humidity and air quality:

• Mount sensors at a height of approx. 1.5 m
• Mount sensors at a distance of at least 50 cm from the nearest wall
• Avoid exposing to direct sunlight,
• Avoid mounting on external walls,
• Avoid replacing on shelves or in alcoves,
• Avoid locations near to air flows and heat sources
• Accuracy Note: Reliable detection of room temperature, humidity and air quality is only possible if the doors and rooms are closed
• Avoid covering with curtains or other objects that could impair measurement accuracy.

Tips & Recommndations:

• When mounting indoor sensors on massive walls (made of steel or concrete) we recommend placing thermal insulation between the room sensor and the wall.
• Clearances between the cable (or plastic hose) and the installation pipe need to be sealed. Otherwise, inefficient air circulation will occur, causing measuring errors.

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Mounting guidelines for outdoor brightness sensors

For correct placement of the outdoor brightness sensors follow the sensor installation suggestions below:

• Mount the sensors to the building wall facing away from the sun (e.g. North side of the building),
• Avoid exposure of out brightness sensors to direct sunlight,
• It is recommended to mount the outdoor brightness sensors in the middle of the building,
• It is recommended to mount the outdoor brightness sensors at a minimum height of 3 m above the ground, while maintaining at least 0.3 m distance from windows.
• Mount sensors in an accessible location to allow easy inspection and maintenance-
• Avoid interference from trees and buildings, etc.
• Avoid painting the sensors.

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Mounting guidelines for Wind sensors

For correct placement of wind speed sensors or wind direction sensors follow the sensor installation suggestions below:

• Mount on the facade along the main wind direction!
• Select a site on the building where the sensor can detect the wind unhindered
• Mount wind sensors in an accessible location to allow simple maintenance,
• Avoid mounting under eaves or balconies
• Avoid placing in alcoves,
• Consider possible interference factors such as trees, shrubs …)
• Consider possible weather interference (e.g. snow cover)
• Recommendation: mount on a pole at a minimum height of 60 cm.

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Mounting guidelines for Weather stations & weather station sensors (brightness, precipitation, temperature)

For correct placement of weather stations follow the recommendations below:

• Ensure mount in a location where wind, rain and sunlight can be measured unhindered,
• Mount the weather panels on a pole at a minimum height of 60 cm, or on a vertical, south-facing wall
• Mount the weather station in an accessible location to allow easy maintenance access,
• Avoid mounting under eaves or balconies,
• Consider interference factors such as buildings, trees, shrubs, snow, and ice.
• Ensure the sensors mounted outdoors are protected against lightning and overvoltage.