Measure CO2 levels reliably with CO2 sensors

When lots of people share a room, the air can get stale. This is mostly caused by exhaled carbon dioxide (CO2). The results are: Reduction in well-being, concentration and performance.

Ventilate properly: CO2 sensors from Theben

Theben CO2 sensors monitor CO2 levels in schools and classrooms, in offices and meeting rooms or in passive and low-energy buildings. CO2 sensors thereby make a decisive contribution to indoor air quality.
This site contains comprehensive information on CO2 levels in indoor air and their effects as well as needs-driven and energy-efficient ventilation control using CO2 sensors.

AMUN 716 CO2 Monitor

AMUN 716 CO2 Monitor

  • Mobile CO2 sensor with USB cable for measuring air quality
  • Suitable for schools/nurseries, offices, conference or meeting rooms and living spaces
  • The device warns optically via the LED traffic light system in case of a potentially dangerous CO2 concentration - so ventilation can be optimized immediately and a healthy room climate can be created
To the product
thePrema P360 KNX AP Multi WH

thePrema P360 KNX AP Multi WH

  • Multi-sensor KNX
  • Consisting of passive infra-red presence detector KNX and air quality sensor KNX (= 2 bus participants)
  • Measures CO2 level, relative humidity, temperature and barometric air pressure
To the product
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AMUN 716 SR/SO

  • CO2 sensor suitable for conference and meeting rooms, offices, schools/nurseries, passive and low-energy housing.
  • Warning display for CO2 concentration (lights)

  • 3 x 0–10 V outputs for CO2, temperature and relative humidity (AMUN 716 SO)

  • 2 switch outputs CO2 controlled for 2 stage control, with manual and automatic mode as well as display of switching status (AMUN 716 SR)

To the products
AMUN 716 S KNX

AMUN 716 S KNX

  • CO2 airquality sensor with integrated individual room thermostat
  • Measures CO2 level, relative humidity, temperature and barometric air pressure
  • Three independent, configurable thresholds for the CO2 level and relative humidity
To the product

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Classification of breathing air quality according to the Federal Environment Agency

CO2 content in the room

Hygienic assessment

Recommendations

< 1.000 ppm

 

hygienically harmless

no further action

1.000 bis 2.000 ppm

 

hygienically conspicuous

Check and improve ventilation measures, ventilation behavior

> 2.000 ppm

 

hygienically unacceptable

Check whether the room can be ventilated; further measures if necessary

Background: Increased CO2 levels and their consequences

We all know about badly ventilated houses, stuffy classrooms and meeting rooms. In addition to humidity and temperature, this is mainly due to exhaled carbon dioxide. An odourless and tasteless gas that is only detected by human beings due to its negative characteristics: feeling unwell, lack of concentration and deterioration in performance. Human beings absorb oxygen from the air when they inhale and release carbon dioxide into the air when they exhale. Inhaled air contains 21% oxygen and 0.035% carbon dioxide. In contrast, exhaled air contains just 16% oxygen and 4% carbon dioxide. While carbon dioxide is only harmful to human beings at concentrations of 2.5% and above, performance levels, concentration and well-being are adversely affected at a concentration of 0.1 % (1,000 ppm).

After just a few minutes, carbon dioxide levels reach 5,000 to 6,000 ppm in enclosed spaces like classrooms, offices or meeting rooms where people often congregate and which are subject to restricted ventilation. Theben CO2 sensors measure CO2 levels reliably. The measured values serve as an indicator for the ventilation control to increase the intake of fresh air.

Excursus: Max von Pettenkofer makes room air quality measurable

Max von Pettenkofer (3. December 1818 to 10. February 1901) was a professor of medical chemistry at the Ludwwig Maximilian University Munich and the first German professor of hygiene from 1865. With his studies on carbon dioxide levels 140 years ago, he laid the foundation for our current regulations relating to air quality (DIN-1946-2). This standard sets an upper CO2 limit of 1,500 ppm. That means there should only be 1,500 CO2 molecules per million air particles.

 

CO2 level

C02 Konzentration
Caption: Typical CO2 levels (in ppm) and their affect on human beings.

 

1000 ppm CO2 – the threshold for good indoor air quality

Really good indoor air quality does not exceed a threshold of 1,000 ppm CO2. Therefore, DIN 1946-6 requires an outdoor air flow of 30m3/h per person. A carbon dioxide level of 1,000 ppm CO2 is not achievable by occasional ventilation or opening windows given modern building standards and the thickness of the outer shells of buildings. It is often the case that windows in public buildings such as schools, classrooms or large offices cannot be opened: Good indoor air quality can only be guaranteed in such cases by using a ventilation system controlled by a CO2 sensor.

 

Application: CO2 sensors in schools, offices, passive and low-energy houses

Due to legal requirements, modern buildings now have very good thermal insulation. In order to keep heating costs as low as possible, windows, outer walls and roofs - the entire building envelope - are so well insulated that an exchange of air is impossible. The result is, in addition to an increased CO2 concentration, also increased moisture, which quickly leads to the formation of mold in the building. Health risks from fungal spores, etc. are thus preprogrammed. In order to sustainably avoid health risks and structural damage, a needs-based supply of fresh air is essential, especially in modern buildings such as passive and low-energy houses.
This is where CO2 sensors from Theben come into play: In addition to the CO2 concentration, CO2 sensors also measure the relative humidity in the building. If defined values ​​are exceeded, CO2 sensors such as the AMUN 716 S KNX send a signal to the building automation, e.g. E.g .: KNX, and the ventilation system increasingly controls fresh air or opens a window automatically. Conventional control is also possible with Theben CO2 sensors such as the AMUN 716 SR: It controls the ventilation system directly.

Ventilation control: CO2 sensors for needs-driven ventilation control

Together with modern building systems technology such as KNX, CO2 sensors make an enormous contribution to saving energy. Ventilation is a matter of guesswork without CO2 sensors. And that's mostly too late or too much. Too much in this context means heat and heating costs are lost with the exchange of air. This is where Theben CO2 sensors come to the fore: The readings of the CO2 sensor show when, and for how long, ventilation is required. The ventilation system only introduces fresh air as long as it is actually required. In addition to the heating energy saved, speed-controlled ventilation via CO2 sensors also offers large potential savings with fans in ventilation systems. The output of a fan depends on the third power of its speed. A reduction in speed of 20% leads to the halving of electricity consumption.

 

Volume flow

CO2 Sensoren Volumenstrom 1290 px en
Caption: CO2 sensors enable great potential savings in energy costs (green surface).

 

Measurement method: Non-dispersive infrared process

Theben CO2 sensors measure CO2 levels via infrared spectroscopy, also known as non-dispersive infrared process (NDIR). As CO2 reduces the incidence of infrared light on the CO2 sensor, the received signal changes in relation to the CO2 levels in the indoor air.

AMUN 716 CO2 Monitor

AMUN 716 CO2 Monitor

  • Mobile CO2 sensor with USB cable for measuring air quality
  • Suitable for schools/nurseries, offices, conference or meeting rooms and living spaces
  • The device warns optically via the LED traffic light system in case of a potentially dangerous CO2 concentration - so ventilation can be optimized immediately and a healthy room climate can be created
To the product
thePrema P360 KNX AP Multi WH

thePrema P360 KNX AP Multi WH

  • Multi-sensor KNX
  • Consisting of passive infra-red presence detector KNX and air quality sensor KNX (= 2 bus participants)
  • Measures CO2 level, relative humidity, temperature and barometric air pressure
To the product
TITLE_EN_GB does not exist

AMUN 716 SR/SO

  • CO2 sensor suitable for conference and meeting rooms, offices, schools/nurseries, passive and low-energy housing.
  • Warning display for CO2 concentration (lights)

  • 3 x 0–10 V outputs for CO2, temperature and relative humidity (AMUN 716 SO)

  • 2 switch outputs CO2 controlled for 2 stage control, with manual and automatic mode as well as display of switching status (AMUN 716 SR)

To the products
AMUN 716 S KNX

AMUN 716 S KNX

  • CO2 airquality sensor with integrated individual room thermostat
  • Measures CO2 level, relative humidity, temperature and barometric air pressure
  • Three independent, configurable thresholds for the CO2 level and relative humidity
To the product

Service Hotline
Our hotline is available to help you with any questions about CO2 sensors:
+49 7474/ 692-369


Our hours of operation:
Monday to Thursday: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
During off-service hours you can contact our hotline: hotline@theben.de