SENSORS & DETECTORS
BlueDiamond® Solution for HVACR engineers
Optimising HVACR System Performance
Sensors and detectors are vital components in HVACR systems, ensuring optimal and efficient operation by monitoring and controlling condensate levels. Acting as the interface between the external environment and the HVACR system, these sensors are often located within a pump’s reservoir or near the presence of condensate. In many cases, they do far more than just activate the pump—they leverage advanced technology features to enhance energy efficiency, improve system safety, and support long-term reliability.
WHY Sensors & detectors are important
Improves efficiency of HVACR systems: Advanced sensor technologies can be programmed to monitor temperature and condensate levels, ensuring pumps operate only when needed. This precise control reduces energy consumption, boosts system reliability, and promotes more sustainable, environmentally friendly operation.
Accurate condensate management: Electronic sensors provide highly accurate detection of condensate build-up, signaling the pump to activate only when needed. This precision prevents unnecessary run cycles, reduces energy waste, lowers operational costs, and ensures reliable, consistent condensate removal.
Compliance: Modern HVAC systems must meet strict energy and environmental regulations. Condensate pump sensors help meet these standards by monitoring performance and logging data for compliance reporting.
Common challenges for engineers
Installation: Improper installation of sensors and detectors can lead to pumps constantly running, making them inefficient and costly.
Condensate overflow: Faulty sensors or stuck float switches can cause condensate to build-up in the reservoir, leading to leaks and costly damage to your air conditioning and installation area.
Debris build-up: Debris build-up can obstruct sensor accuracy and hinder movement—especially in float switches, potentially causing pumps to run continuously or reservoirs and drip trays to overflow. This makes regular maintenance essential to ensure reliable operation and prevent system damage.
Levelled installation: Reservoirs must be installed on a level surface to ensure accurate sensor readings. Even slight misalignment can cause float switches to misinterpret water levels, leading to delayed pump activation or premature cycling, which can compromise system performance.
options for SENSORS & DETECTORS
CONDENSENSE™ SENSORS
CondenSense™ Technology is a patented, electronic liquid-level sensing system that delivers unmatched accuracy and reliability for condensate management. Unlike float switches and thermistors, CondenSense uses a electronic sensor to detect water and other high-dielectric liquids, measuring the degree of immersion rather than just hitting a fixed threshold—ideal for the variable conditions condensate pumps face.
With no moving parts, CondenSense offers exceptional durability, mechanical robustness, and resistance to contamination and vibration. It provides precise, contact-based detection with minimal maintenance, making it a long-lasting, consistent solution for modern HVAC systems.
THERMISTOR TECHNOLOGY
Thermistor sensors are designed for reliability, monitoring the temperature within condensate reservoirs or detecting ambient temperature differences to activate the pump when cooling is occurring or condensate is present. Compared to traditional float switches, thermistors offer a more reliable, low-maintenance solution, as they are less prone to jamming or failure due to light debris build-up.
However, while they improve on some legacy methods, basic thermistor sensors lack the precision and intelligence seen with CondenSense™ Technology. Their indirect detection method can lead to unnecessary pump cycles, making them a less efficient option in demanding or variable environments.
ALTERNATIVE options
FLOAT SWITCHES
Float switches may offer a simple and cost-effective solution for condensate removal, but they are far from ideal. They rely on basic rise-and-fall technology, activating or deactivating the pump based on preset water levels. Additionally, float switches are prone to getting stuck, misaligned, or worn out over time, leading to mechanical failures or pumps constantly operating. This is both inefficient and environmentally harmful.
Debris build-up can also interfere with the float’s movement, preventing the pump from activating when needed. With a higher risk of damage, dislodgement, and the need for frequent maintenance, float switches are increasingly considered an outdated and unreliable option.
ELECTRO-OPTICAL SENSING
Optical sensors use infrared or visible light to detect condensate by sensing interruptions in the light beam when submerged. While capable of accurate readings under ‘ideal’ conditions, optical sensors are highly sensitive to dirt and debris, which can impair performance and cause false readings. Their reliance on clean optical paths limits reliability in real-world environments. Additionally, their complex design makes them a more expensive and maintenance-heavy option compared to simpler, more robust alternatives.
OUR MOST EFFECTIVE solutions
CONDENSENSE™ RESERVOIR
| Compatibility: | MicroBlue |
| Sensor type: | CondenSense™ Technology |
| Dimension: | 102 x 31 x 38mm (4.0 x 1.25 x 1.49″) |
| Cable Length: | 2m (6.5 Feet) |
| Tank Capacity: | 40ml (1.35 fl oz) |
Available in UK, EU & USA
MAXIBLUE RESERVOIR
| Compatibility: | MaxiBlue |
| Sensor type: | Thermistor Sensing |
| Dimension: | 90 x 40 x 30mm (3.5 x 1.5 x 1.2″) |
| Cable Length: | 2m (6.5 Feet) |
Available in UK, EU & USA
MEGABLUE RESERVOIR
| Compatibility: | MegaBlue |
| Sensor type: | Thermistor Sensing |
| Dimension: | 70 x 60 x 45mm (2.7 x 2.3 x 1.8″) |
| Cable Length: | 2m (6.5 Feet) |
Available in UK, EU & USA
TEMPERATURE SENSOR
| Compatibility: | MicroBlue, MaxiBlue |
| Sensor type: | Thermistor Sensing |
| Dimension: | 2m (6.5 Feet) |
| Connection: | DIN Plug |
Available in UK, EU & USA
DRAINSTIK
| Compatibility: | MiniBlue |
| Sensor type: | Thermistor Sensing |
| Dimension: | 2M (6.5 Feet) |
| Connection: | DIN Plug |
Available in UK, EU & USA
