In the energy-saving transformation of building HVAC and industrial temperature control, heat pumps and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems have become core equipment due to their high energy conversion efficiency. The accuracy and environmental adaptability of pressure sensing are key factors determining the system’s dynamic regulation precision, coefficient of performance (COP), and long-term reliability. Developed by Xi’an Chinastar M&C Co., Ltd., the CS-PT1800 pressure sensor, designed specifically for heat pumps and VRF systems, adopts ceramic capacitive sensing chip technology and customized structural design. It breaks through technical bottlenecks of traditional sensors in wide-temperature operation, condensation protection, and electromagnetic compatibility, providing core sensing solutions for the intelligent and high-efficiency operation of heat pump and VRF systems.
At the technical core, the CS-PT1800 uses a ceramic capacitive sensing element. Its working principle is as follows: pressure applied to the ceramic diaphragm causes elastic deformation, changing the capacitance between the base electrode and the diaphragm electrode. The change in capacitance is proportional to the applied pressure, achieving measurement accuracy of ±1.5% F.S. within the pressure range of -1 to 50 bar. The temperature drift coefficient is kept extremely low within the operating temperature range of -35°C to 120°C, allowing precise capture of refrigerant pressure fluctuations during low-temperature heating in winter and high-temperature cooling in summer. This provides millisecond-level data support for pulse width modulation (PWM) control of electronic expansion valves and variable frequency speed regulation of compressors.
In terms of structural design, the product features a full-sealing structure with IP67 protection and insulation strength of 1800 VAC for 1 second, enabling it to withstand dust, vibration, and surge voltage in industrial environments. Forward and reverse overvoltage protection further enhances the fault tolerance of the circuit system.
In engineering applications, the CS-PT1800 is deeply optimized for the operating conditions of heat pumps and VRF systems: - In air-source heat pumps, the sensor monitors evaporator low pressure and condenser high pressure in real time. Through closed-loop coordination with variable frequency controllers, the heating COP can reach above 2.8 at -15°C, reducing energy consumption by 12% compared with traditional sensing solutions.
In VRF systems, its excellent EMC performance adapts to the complex electrical environments of in-row cooling units in data centers and modular units in commercial buildings. Stable transmission of pressure signals ensures balanced load distribution among multiple indoor units, avoiding energy loss and service life degradation caused by frequent compressor starts and stops.
In addition, the sensor is compatible with mainstream refrigerants including R32, R410A, and R22, meeting the medium compatibility requirements of various heat pump and VRF products, and greatly reducing supporting R&D costs for equipment manufacturers.As an innovative achievement in sensing technology for the HVAC&R industry, the CS-PT1800 not only reflects Chinastar M&C’s expertise in sensing technology and industrial customized design, but also empowers energy efficiency upgrades in heat pump and VRF systems through precise pressure sensing, providing critical technical support for building energy conservation and the achievement of China’s “dual carbon” goals.
