Introduction
KMC Controls manufactures a variety of pneumatic, analog electronic, and digital room sensors and thermostats. Some sense only temperature, while others also add humidity, motion, and/or CO₂ sensing. This document covers general principles for mounting and maintenance of room (temperature, humidity, motion, and CO₂) sensors.
KMC also sells other kinds of sensors (e.g., duct, air flow, smoke, carbon monoxide, pressure) that are not covered by this document.
For additional general information about sensors, see the following resources on the KMC web site:
- Sensor and Thermostat Selection Fundamentals White Paper
- Sensor and Thermostat Selection Guide
- How Hot Do You Feel? (Humidity Effects, Sensing, and Control)
- (CO₂) Demand Control Ventilation Benefits for Your Building White Paper
Contact Information: KMC Controls, 19476 Industrial Drive, New Paris, IN 46553 | Phone: 877-444-5622 | Fax: 574-831-5252 | Website: www.kmccontrols.com
Contents
Handling Precautions
For digital and electronic sensors, thermostats, and controllers, take reasonable precautions to prevent electrostatic discharges to the devices when installing, servicing, or operating them. Discharge accumulated static electricity by touching one's hand to a securely grounded object before working with each device.
NOTICE: OBSERVE PRECAUTIONS FOR HANDLING ELECTROSTATIC SENSITIVE DEVICES ⚠️
Mounting Plates/Adapters
For mounting to various sizes of electrical boxes or other openings, KMC Controls sells mounting plates/adapters designed for various models of sensors.
NOTE: Light almond plates are not for white “W” model sensors.
For BAC-12xxxx, BAC-4xxxCW000x, and STE-9xxx
- HMO-10000W: White (shown), for mounting BAC-12xxxx FlexStats (not needed for BAC-13xxxx/14xxxx models), BAC-4xxxCW000x AppStats, and STE-9xxx NetSensors to horizontal 2 x 4 inch or 4 x 4 inch electrical boxes.
- HMO-10000: Light almond.
For KMD-116x/118x/12x1 and STE-8x01
- HMO-1161: Light almond (shown), for mounting KMD-116x/118x/12x1 and STE-8x01 NetSensors to 4 x 4 or horizontal 2 x 4 inch electrical boxes.
- HMO-1161W: White.
For KMD-1151/1171
- HMO-5042: Light almond (shown), for mounting (discontinued) KMD-1151/1171 NetSensors to 4 x 4 or horizontal 2 x 4 inch electrical boxes.
- HMO-5043: White.
For STE-6xxx and THE-1102
- HMO-6036: Light almond (shown), for mounting STE-6xxx temperature sensors and THE-1102 humidity transmitters with temperature sensors to 2 x 4 inch electrical boxes.
- HMO-6036W: White.
For THE-1105, CTE-51xx, and CTC-16xx
NOTE: These backplate kits are for THE-1105 humidity transmitters with temperature sensors, CTE-51xx electronic thermostats, and CTC-16xx pneumatic thermostats. The kits allow the thermostats to be mounted to 2 x 4 inch electrical boxes or to adapt to Barber-Colman, Johnson Controls, L&G-P, or Robertshaw/Invensys mounting plates.
- HMO-5024: Light almond with aluminum trim (shown).
- HMO-5026: White with aluminum trim.
- HMO-5030: Light almond.
- HMO-5031: White.
Mounting for Optimal Temperature Sensing
For effective temperature sensing, mount the thermostat or sensor in a location enabling it to sense the general room environment. The thermostat or sensor must NOT be:
- Blocked from normal air circulation by obstructions (e.g., behind curtains or cubicle walls).
- Exposed to artificial heat sources (e.g., lights, computers, copiers, or coffee makers) or to sunlight (at any time of the day).
- Exposed to drafts from windows, doorways, diffusers, or returns.
- Exposed to air flow through the conduit (e.g., from leaks in plenum ducts) or other holes into the wall cavity. See Reducing Temperature Sensing Errors on page 6.
- Mounted on an exterior wall. See Reducing Temperature Sensing Errors on page 6.
- Mounted on or near a large thermal mass (e.g., a concrete block wall). See Reducing Temperature Sensing Errors on page 6.
- Mounted in or near a corner. See Minimum Distance from Corners on page 3.
The above factors primarily affect temperature sensing, but some also affect accurate humidity and CO₂ sensing as well.
Mounting for Optimal Motion Sensing
For motion sensing models, mount the sensor on a wall that will have an unobstructed view of the typical traffic in the coverage area. Some of the issues that affect temperature sensors also affect motion sensors (See Mounting for Optimal Temperature Sensing on page 3). When choosing a location, the motion sensor must NOT be:
- Behind curtains or other obstructions.
- In locations exposed to direct sunlight or heat sources.
- Near a heating or cooling inlet or outlet.
Situations that would need additional remote motion sensors (third party, purchased separately) to be connected to the controller include:
- Areas with obstructions that block sensor coverage.
- Areas too large for adequate coverage by the sensor/thermostat's single built-in sensor.
NOTE: Using remote sensors requires custom programming in most controllers. For information about using integrated and selectable remote motion sensors in a FlexStat, see the FlexStat Application Guide.
For KMC motion sensors, the effective detection range is approximately 33 feet (10 meters). Factors that may reduce the range may include the following items:
- Too small of a difference between the surface temperature of the object and the background temperature of the room.
- Object movement in a direct line toward the sensor.
- Very slow or very fast object movement.
- Obstructions in the (horizontal or vertical) sensing area. See Typical Motion Sensor Pattern on page 5.
False detections may be triggered by any of the following conditions:
- The temperature inside the detection range suddenly changes because of the entry of cold or warm air from an air-conditioning or heating unit.
- The sensor being directly exposed to sunlight, an incandescent light, or other source of infrared rays.
- Small animal movement.
Mounting Height
Traditionally, thermostats and room temperature sensors have been mounted approximately 60 inches (152 cm) from the floor. This has been considered an effective height to measure the room temperature and to allow a person to adjust a setpoint while standing.
However, for thermostats (and sensors with adjustable setpoint controls), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has rules to ensure that public lodging spaces and facilities remain accessible to the disabled. (These rules do not apply to private homes that rent fewer than five rooms.) To ensure that people in wheelchairs can reach and adjust the setpoint without assistance, ADA rules specify thermostat placement to be no higher than 48 inches (121 cm) above the floor (assuming no other obstructions are below it).
BEFORE running conduit and installing a thermostat, check the specific details of any applicable compliance requirements!
Troubleshooting (Location)
To correct or compensate for sensing problems caused by mounting issues:
- Reposition the sensor or the surrounding obstructions. See Mounting for Optimal Temperature Sensing on page 3 and Mounting for Optimal Motion Sensing on page 4.
- Insulate the sensor from air leakage and heating/cooling sources. See Reducing Temperature Sensing Errors on page 6 and Mounting Components and Height on page 5.
- Adjust the sensor calibration to offset the environmental issues. See the instructions for the sensor and/or configuration software.
Inaccurate sensing may also be caused by one of a variety of electrical or configuration issues. See the installation and/or application guide of the sensor for those factors.
Reducing Temperature Sensing Errors
Best Practices
- Air movement between the conditioned space and the conduit and/or wall cavity can skew sensor readings. Apply sealant inside the conduit and other holes to block air leakage. See Mounting Components and Height on page 5.
- Mounting on an exterior wall will allow varying outside conditions to affect the sensor's readings. Mounting on or near a large interior thermal mass (e.g., concrete block wall) can slow the sensor's response to room air temperature changes. These mounting areas should be avoided, but a foam gasket (e.g., HPO-1161 or HPO-9002) mounted behind the backplate may help insulate the sensor from a less-than-optimal wall surface. See Mounting Insulators on page 7, Mounting Components and Height on page 5, and the accessories available for the applicable product.
A foam gasket may also help block air leakage from the wall cavity.
Mounting Insulators
- HPO-1161: Foam insulating gasket for KMD-116x/118x/12x1 and STE-8x01 NetSensors (mounts between the black backplate and the electrical box).
- HPO-9002: Foam insulating gasket for STE-9xx1 NetSensors.
- HMO-5002: Light almond (shown) backplate extender and insulator, 1-1/8 inches deep, for CTE-1xxx thermostats, CTE-11xx thermostats, and TTE-1001 transmitters.
- HMO-5012: White, 1-1/8 inches deep.
- HMO-5007: Light almond (shown), 1-11/16 inches deep.
- HMO-5013: White, 1-11/16 inches deep.
Maintenance
To maintain accurate temperature and humidity sensing, remove dust as necessary from the ventilation holes in the top and bottom of the case.
To clean the case or display, use a soft, damp cloth (and mild soap if necessary).
To maintain maximum sensitivity of the built-in motion sensor, occasionally wipe dust or dirt off the lens—but do not use any fluid on the sensor.
CO₂ sensors designed for continuous occupation applications, such as in the BAC-14xxxx FlexStats, require periodic calibration with gas to maintain long-term accuracy. See the CO₂ calibration section in the FlexStat Application Guide for more information.
NOTE: BAC-13xxxx FlexStats and most other KMC CO₂ sensors are designed to operate in areas where CO₂ levels periodically fall to outside levels during unoccupied periods. Such models self-calibrate over time, and calibrating them with gas may not be necessary or even feasible.
Important Notices
The KMC logo and KMC Controls are registered trademarks of KMC Controls, Inc. Other products and name brands mentioned may be trademarks of their respective companies or organizations.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form by any means without the written permission of KMC Controls, Inc.
The material in this document is for information purposes only. The contents and the product it describes are subject to change without notice. KMC Controls, Inc. makes no representations or warranties with respect to this document. In no event shall KMC Controls, Inc. be liable for any damages, direct or incidental, arising out of or related to the use of this document.
Support
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© 2021 KMC Controls, Inc. Specifications and design subject to change without notice.
