Air Velocity Sensors for Data Center Thermal Management

Posifa Technologies Introduces New Air Velocity Sensors for Data Center Thermal Management and HVAC Filter Monitoring

Users Can Combine Air Velocity Data With Existing Temperature Data for Unparalleled Insight Into Air Flow Cooling Effectiveness

SAN JOSE, Calif. — May 9, 2019 — Posifa Technologies today announced its new PAV1000 series of air velocity sensors for data center thermal management and HVAC applications such as filter monitoring. Measuring air velocity at 7 m/s (PAV1005V) and 15 m/s (PAV1015V), the devices offer extremely fast response times of 125 ms typical in a compact, robust package.
The PAV1000 series was designed as an economical, high-performance air velocity sensor for thermal management and filter monitoring in even the most space-constrained locations, such as rack enclosures with air cooling in data centers. Unlike thermistor-based solutions, the Posifa MEMS sensor core is minimally affected by ambient temperature changes and provides instant real-time feedback on proper air flow at critical locations.
Air velocity data perfectly complements temperature information to provide the best insight into thermal efficiency. By identifying areas that require unusually high air flow to maintain stable temperatures, layouts can be modified to reduce cooling demands for increased energy savings. In HVAC applications, air velocity measurements can be used to determine when filters need to be replaced. This ensures hardware is adequately protected during heavy use, while allowing customers with light usage requirements to benefit from extended change intervals.
The devices feature Posifa’s third-generation thermal flow die, which uses a pair of thermopiles to detect changes in temperature gradient caused by mass flow. The result is excellent repeatability of 1 % FS and accuracy of 5 % FS. The solid-state thermal isolation structure on the sensor die eliminates the need for a surface cavity or fragile membrane used in competing technologies, making the sensor resistant to clogging and pressure shock.
The PAV1000 series offers an output voltage range from 0 VDC to 4.5 VDC, supply voltage from 5 VDC to 5.5 VDC, and supply current of 20 mA. The devices operate over a -25 °C to +85 °C temperature range.
Samples and production quantities of the PAV1000 series air velocity sensors are available now. Further information is available at https://posifatech.com/air-velocity-sensors/.