Wireless gets cheaper than hard wiring

Trend has taken steps to increase the use of radio-based temperature sensors with the introduction of the TW/S wireless-space-temperature sensor and receiver. On most applications, this technology is said to represent a lower-cost solution than traditional hard-wired sensors. The savings depend on the size of the system. With four sensors and one receiver, a saving of 30% is claimed compared with fitting four conventional sensors and wiring them back to a controller. For 12 sensors, the cost is roughly halved. For the maximum of 32 sensors served by one receiver, the saving is over 60% — or about £2400. Wireless sensors have been most used in museums and historic buildings, where it is often a requirement that cables are not visible. They are also well suited to buildings subject to frequent churn. The falling cost of this technology now requires no special reason for its use. These sensors can also be supplied in a form that allows temperature measurement in and on HVAC pipes and ductwork. Here, the basic unit comprises the transmitter and connection for linking to a Trend insertion or clamp-on sensing element. It can also be connected to an outside temperature sensor.

Related links:

• www.trend-controls.com