Carbon Dioxide (CO²) Sensor for iSensor & iAccess Controllers
Carbon Dioxide Sensor: Monitor and Alert CO² Levels
The Advanced DataCentre Systems iSensor Carbon Dioxide sensor works directly with iSensor and iAccess Controllers. The sensing element gathers three essential metrics: CO², temperature, and humidity. It also assess the air quality for infection risk protection.
You connect the sensor using standard CAT5/6 Ethernet cable via an available sensor port. This simple setup provides a proactive solution to monitor the environment in data centres and server rooms.
Product Overview
How the CO² Sensor Works in a Data Centre
In a data centre, managing air quality and environmental conditions is critical. A carbon dioxide (CO²) sensor constantly monitors air quality. Rising CO² levels warn operators: air is stale, or ventilation is failing.
Here is the process:
- The sensor uses Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) light to count CO² molecules.
- It converts these counts into an electrical signal.
- The building control system instantly reads this signal.
- The system acts fast. It boosts ventilation or alerts staff immediately.
- Operators use this historical data to optimise airflow. This step reduces energy waste and stabilises the entire environment.
By knowing the exact CO² concentration, your data centre avoids overheating, manages humidity, and efficiently controls fresh-air intake. The sensor also uses the Wells-Riley model to assess infection risk.
Practical Uses of a CO² Sensor in Your Data Centre
A CO² sensor does more than just track air quality. It actively improves your environment and operations in several keyways:
- Smart Ventilation: Use Carbon Dioxide readings to adjust airflow dynamically, reducing waste and improving efficiency.
- Cut Energy Costs: Don’t waste power on constant full ventilation. Adjust your systems based on real CO² needs, only when necessary.
- Prevent Hotspots: High CO² often signals poor airflow. Detecting it helps you spot and fix airflow issues early.
- Meet Safety Standards: Ensure healthy air for everyone. Carbon Dioxide monitoring helps you meet safety regulations and health guidelines.
- Predictive Maintenance: Watch CO² trends over time. This helps you anticipate when ventilation or filters need attention, preventing breakdowns.
- Make Informed Choices: Use sensor data to guide improvements. Back your decisions for upgrades or system changes with solid facts.
- Infection Risk Protection: The sensor uses the Wells-Riley model to measure the risk of airborne infections.
Temperature & Humidity Monitoring
The iSensor CO² sensor tracks Carbon Dioxide levels. It also accurately monitors temperature and humidity. Tracking these key metrics helps detect early problems. It spots signs of overheating, moisture build-up, and other environmental shifts. These issues can impact your IT equipment’s performance, reliability, and lifespan.
You install the Carbon Dioxide iSensor using a CAT5/6 Ethernet cable. This setup is similar to the standard Temperature/Humidity sensor. You can place the iSensor up to 500 meters from an iAccess or iSensor Controller.
Monitoring all environmental conditions gives you a complete picture of your data centre. This includes tracking air particles. A full view lets you react quickly when conditions change.
Smart CO2 Monitoring: Beyond Air Quality
Our advanced CO² sensor does more than just measure gas levels; it actively evaluates air quality to estimate the real-time risk of airborne infection. By transforming raw data into actionable safety insights, you can protect personnel in even the most confined spaces.
How We Calculate Infection Risk: The Wells-Riley Model
To provide accurate safety data, the system utilises the Wells-Riley model. This proven mathematical framework assesses the probability of airborne disease transmission in shared indoor environments.The model calculates infection probability using several critical factors:
- Pathogen Exposure: The presence of airborne pathogens in a confined space.
- Ventilation Rates: How efficiently fresh air replaces contaminated air.
- CO² Levels: Used as a proxy to track air staleness and breath accumulation.
Our sensor integrates CO² data with ventilation rates and a disease-specific “dose-response constant.” This constant represents the likelihood of infection per unit of exposure. This can be tailored to address specific threats, such as COVID-19, Influenza or other airborne pathogens.
This is particularly critical in small communications rooms, where air conditioning and ventilation systems are often less robust than those found in full-scale data centres.
Installing and Maintaining Your Carbon Dioxide Sensor
Installation Steps
- Choose the right location — ideally where air circulates but away from direct airflow (vents) to get accurate readings.
- Mount securely: use the internal magnet to secure to the rack or metal object. Alternatively use other mounting methods as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Connect to a sensor port on the iAccess or iSensor Controller. The data can be managed via the on-board webserver or connected to your DCIM (Data Centre Infrastructure Management) or BMS (Building Management System.
- Once connected configure desired thresholds. If these are breached alerts will be issued.
Maintenance Tips
- Clean the Sensor: Dust and debris can affect readings — clean gently with a soft, dry cloth.
- Check Connections: Ensure power and data links remain stable, especially after physical work in the space.
- Review Data Trends: Regularly review Carbon Dioxide data to spot shifts or anomalies — this can also highlight sensor drift or faults.
- Calibration: Depending on your compliance or SLA requirements, periodic calibration may be necessary. Re-calibrate at intervals specified by the manufacturer to guarantee accuracy.
- Replace When Needed: Sensors have a lifespan. Replace them according to manufacturer guidance or when you notice persistent reading errors.
Features & Benefits
- Real-time CO² Monitoring — gives instant feedback on air quality.
- Proactive Monitoring — The sensor goes beyond monitoring carbon dioxide. It also constantly monitors temperature and humidity. This continuous tracking helps uncover early signs of overheating, moisture problems, or changing environmental conditions.
- Infection Risk Protection – Utilising the Wells-Riley model the sensor evaluates air quality and estimates infection risk for individuals in the space.
- Long Reach Cabling — Maximum Sensor cable length is 500 meters, using CAT5/6 Ethernet cable.
- Flexible Mounting — Each sensor comes with an internal magnet for easy mounting to the rack infrastructure.
- System Integration — Sensors connect directly to sensors ports on the iSensor and iAccess Controllers.
- High Accuracy IR Sensor — uses non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) technology to reliably detect Carbon Dioxide.
- Energy Efficiency — helps you fine-tune ventilation and reduce power waste.
- Safe Environment — ensures CO² stays within safe operational thresholds.
- Improved Airflow Management — detects poor airflow, temperature and humidity before it causes thermal issues or hotspots.
Specification
Carbon Dioxide (CO²)
- Range: 0~40000 ppm
- Accuracy: +/-50 ppm (400~2000 ppm)
- Repeatability: +/-10 ppm typ.
- Resolution: 16 bit.
Temperature
- Range: 0 to +123.8ºC (32 to +254.9°F)
- Response time: 5 to 30 seconds
- Accuracy: ±0.4 °C nominal
- Repeatability: ± 0.1 °C
- Resolution: 0.01 °C
Humidity
- Range: 0 to 100% Relative Humidity
- Response time: 8 Seconds in slow moving air @ 25 °C
- Stability: 0.5% RH per year
- Accuracy: ± 3.0% RH, 0-100% RH @ 25ºC
- Non-linearity: < 1% RH Typical
- Repeatability: ± 0.1% RH
- Resolution: 0.05 %RH
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a carbon dioxide (CO²) sensor?
A carbon dioxide (CO2) sensor is a device that measures the concentration of CO2 gas in the air. It is commonly used to monitor indoor air quality and assess whether a space is adequately ventilated. By providing real-time readings, CO2 sensors help building managers maintain safe, comfortable and compliant environments.
Why is monitoring CO² levels important indoors?
Indoor CO2 levels are a reliable indicator of ventilation effectiveness and occupancy levels. When CO2 concentrations rise, it usually means that fresh air supply is insufficient for the number of people in the space. Maintaining appropriate CO2 levels helps support occupant wellbeing, comfort, and productivity.
What are typical CO² level guidelines?
- 400–800 ppm – Excellent air quality
- 800–1,000 ppm – Good ventilation
- 1,000–1,500 ppm – Moderate air quality
- 1500+ ppm – Poor ventilation, action required
Levels above 1,000 ppm are generally considered a sign that ventilation should be improved.
How do CO² sensors improve energy efficiency?
CO2 sensors enable demand-controlled ventilation. This means ventilation systems only operate when needed, based on real occupancy levels. As a result, buildings can reduce unnecessary heating, cooling, and energy consumption while still maintaining healthy indoor air quality.
Can CO² sensors help reduce infection risk?
Yes—CO2 sensors can play an important role in managing infection risk in indoor environments.
CO2 levels reflect how much exhaled air is accumulating in a space. When levels are high, it indicates poor ventilation and a higher proportion of rebreathed air, which may increase the risk of airborne disease transmission if an infected person is present.
By using CO2 sensors to identify poorly ventilated areas, organisations can take action—such as increasing fresh air or reducing occupancy—to help lower the risk of airborne infections.
Important: CO2 sensors do not detect viruses directly, but they are a practical tool for identifying ventilation issues that contribute to transmission risk.
Where are CO² sensors typically used?
CO2 sensors are widely used across many sectors, including:
- Offices and commercial buildings
- Schools, universities and lecture theatres
- Hospitals and healthcare environments
- Data centres and technical facilities
- Hospitality and public venues
They are particularly valuable in spaces with variable occupancy or limited natural ventilation.
How do CO² sensors support workplace productivity?
Elevated CO2 levels have been linked to reduced concentration, fatigue and lower cognitive performance. By maintaining optimal air quality, CO2 sensors help create healthier environments where employees and occupants can perform at their best.
Are CO² sensors required for compliance or standards?
Many building standards and guidelines recommend monitoring CO2 levels as part of indoor air quality and ventilation management strategies. While requirements vary by region and application, CO2 monitoring is increasingly recognised as best practice for healthy buildings.
Get in touch today
To learn more about Volt Free Contact sensors or to discuss a requirement, please contact us.