Refrigerants sensors

XENSIV™ highly accurate, robust, and low-power thermal conductivity-based refrigerant sensors.

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Evolving regulations shaping refrigerant leak detection systems

The Kigali Amendment, which expanded the Montreal Protocol in October 2016 and came into force in January 2019, aims to reduce the production and use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 85% by 2045. This global treaty seeks to mitigate the environmental effects of HFCs through a gradual reduction strategy. Numerous alternative refrigerants with low Global Warming Potential (GWP) are being introduced to replace HFCs, many of which exhibit mild flammability, necessitating enhanced safety practices such as leak detection in specific installations. Guidelines like UL 60335-2-40 outline these requirements, and within the United States, such standards have been integrated into codes governing residential and commercial air conditioning units starting in 2025. As more flammable, low-GWP substances are adopted in HVAC equipment due to stricter regulations, the demand for robust monitoring technology is expected to grow, driving advancements in this sector. The adoption of A2L refrigerants marks significant progress toward lower-GWP options, and Infineon is developing sensors for other critical refrigerants, including propane.

XENSIV™ A1, A2L and A3 refrigerant leakage sensors

Automotive and industrial HVAC manufacturers are increasingly using alternative refrigerants classified as mildly flammable (A2L) or flammable (A3). This shift introduces new safety risks related to refrigerant leakage, prompting standards such as UL 60335-2-40 and IEC 60335-2-40 to mandate Refrigerant Detection Systems (RDS) for specific refrigerant loads and room sizes.

As manufacturers transition to low-GWP refrigerants, refrigerant leakage sensors play an essential role in ensuring safe and reliable HVAC operation.

Infineon, a global leader in sensor technology, offers the XENSIV™ TCI-R sensor for detecting A1 and A2L refrigerants based on the thermal conductivity principle.

For A3 refrigerants, Infineon is developing a sensor solution for Propane (R-290) that complies with IEC 60335-2-40 standards. This sensor delivers high accuracy with minimal cross-sensitivity.

Industrial applications of refrigerant leak gas sensors

Refrigerant leak gas sensors are vital in industrial settings, ensuring safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Key applications include:  

  • HVAC systems: Detecting leaks to maintain safe, efficient operations in buildings.  
  • Cold storage: Monitoring systems to preserve perishable goods and prevent spoilage.  
  • Industrial refrigeration: Ensuring performance and safety in large-scale systems.  
  • Food and beverage processing: Warning of hazardous gas concentrations to protect workers and products.  
  • Data centers: Preventing leaks in cooling systems to ensure uninterrupted operations.  
  • VRF air conditioners: Identifying leaks to maintain efficiency and reduce repair costs.  
  • Unitary air conditioners: Enhancing safety and performance by early leak detection.  
  • Heat pumps: Improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
  • On-board ships: Ensuring safety in marine refrigeration by detecting leaks.  
Enhancing automotive safety with refrigerant leak sensors

Refrigerant leak gas sensors are critical in the automotive industry for safety, efficiency, and environmental compliance. Key applications include:

  • Vehicle air conditioning systems: Detecting refrigerant leaks to maintain cooling efficiency and passenger safety.
  • Electric and hybrid vehicles: Monitoring refrigerant levels in advanced thermal management systems for battery and cabin temperature regulation.
  • Refrigerated transport vehicles: Ensuring the integrity of cooling systems to preserve perishable goods during transit.
  • Automotive manufacturing facilities: Monitoring refrigerant systems to ensure compliance with environmental standards and protect workers from hazardous gas exposure.

Evolving regulations shaping refrigerant leak detection systems

The Kigali Amendment, which expanded the Montreal Protocol in October 2016 and came into force in January 2019, aims to reduce the production and use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 85% by 2045. This global treaty seeks to mitigate the environmental effects of HFCs through a gradual reduction strategy. Numerous alternative refrigerants with low Global Warming Potential (GWP) are being introduced to replace HFCs, many of which exhibit mild flammability, necessitating enhanced safety practices such as leak detection in specific installations. Guidelines like UL 60335-2-40 outline these requirements, and within the United States, such standards have been integrated into codes governing residential and commercial air conditioning units starting in 2025. As more flammable, low-GWP substances are adopted in HVAC equipment due to stricter regulations, the demand for robust monitoring technology is expected to grow, driving advancements in this sector. The adoption of A2L refrigerants marks significant progress toward lower-GWP options, and Infineon is developing sensors for other critical refrigerants, including propane.

XENSIV™ A1, A2L and A3 refrigerant leakage sensors

Automotive and industrial HVAC manufacturers are increasingly using alternative refrigerants classified as mildly flammable (A2L) or flammable (A3). This shift introduces new safety risks related to refrigerant leakage, prompting standards such as UL 60335-2-40 and IEC 60335-2-40 to mandate Refrigerant Detection Systems (RDS) for specific refrigerant loads and room sizes.

As manufacturers transition to low-GWP refrigerants, refrigerant leakage sensors play an essential role in ensuring safe and reliable HVAC operation.

Infineon, a global leader in sensor technology, offers the XENSIV™ TCI-R sensor for detecting A1 and A2L refrigerants based on the thermal conductivity principle.

For A3 refrigerants, Infineon is developing a sensor solution for Propane (R-290) that complies with IEC 60335-2-40 standards. This sensor delivers high accuracy with minimal cross-sensitivity.

Industrial applications of refrigerant leak gas sensors

Refrigerant leak gas sensors are vital in industrial settings, ensuring safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Key applications include:  

  • HVAC systems: Detecting leaks to maintain safe, efficient operations in buildings.  
  • Cold storage: Monitoring systems to preserve perishable goods and prevent spoilage.  
  • Industrial refrigeration: Ensuring performance and safety in large-scale systems.  
  • Food and beverage processing: Warning of hazardous gas concentrations to protect workers and products.  
  • Data centers: Preventing leaks in cooling systems to ensure uninterrupted operations.  
  • VRF air conditioners: Identifying leaks to maintain efficiency and reduce repair costs.  
  • Unitary air conditioners: Enhancing safety and performance by early leak detection.  
  • Heat pumps: Improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
  • On-board ships: Ensuring safety in marine refrigeration by detecting leaks.  

Enhancing automotive safety with refrigerant leak sensors

Refrigerant leak gas sensors are critical in the automotive industry for safety, efficiency, and environmental compliance. Key applications include:

  • Vehicle air conditioning systems: Detecting refrigerant leaks to maintain cooling efficiency and passenger safety.
  • Electric and hybrid vehicles: Monitoring refrigerant levels in advanced thermal management systems for battery and cabin temperature regulation.
  • Refrigerated transport vehicles: Ensuring the integrity of cooling systems to preserve perishable goods during transit.
  • Automotive manufacturing facilities: Monitoring refrigerant systems to ensure compliance with environmental standards and protect workers from hazardous gas exposure.

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