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# Humidity Sensor - Quick Reference SSO
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**Device Type:** Analog Input - Humidity Sensor
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**Signal:** 0-10VDC / 4-20mA output
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**Power:** 24VAC/VDC (powered transmitter)
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**Version:** 1.0 | **Date:** Dec 2025
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---
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## DEVICE OVERVIEW
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**Common Models:**
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- Veris CWLSHTA (temp/humid combo), Honeywell H7012/H7080, Johnson Controls HT-6000, Siemens QFM, BAPI BA/RH
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**Used For:**
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Humidity control (humidification/dehumidification), indoor air quality, condensation prevention, data centers, museums
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**Specifications:**
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- **Range:** 0-100% RH (Relative Humidity)
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- **Accuracy:** ±2-3% RH typical
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- **Technology:** Capacitive polymer (most common), resistive
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- **Output:** 0-10VDC or 4-20mA proportional to %RH
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- **Power:** 24VAC or 24VDC, 10-30mA consumption
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- **Wire Type:** 18AWG minimum
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- **Wiring:** 3-wire (power, common, signal output)
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- **Often Combined:** Many models include temperature sensor (dual output)
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**Environment:** -40 to 140°F, 0-100% RH (condensing OK for most models)
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---
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## SAFETY - PPE REQUIRED
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- ☑ Safety glasses (ANSI Z87.1)
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- ☑ Work gloves
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- ☑ Hard hat (if overhead work)
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- ☑ Ladder safety equipment
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### HAZARDS
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- **LADDER WORK** - Typical installation 4-6 feet high
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- **ELECTRICAL** - 24VAC/VDC low voltage (minimal risk)
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### LOCKOUT/TAGOUT
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- [ ] **NOT required** - low voltage device
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---
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## INSTALLATION CHECKLIST
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### TOOLS NEEDED
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- Drill + bits
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- Wire strippers (18AWG)
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- Screwdrivers
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- Multimeter
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- Level, tape measure
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- Label maker
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### PRE-INSTALL
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- [ ] Location per blueprints (typically 4-6 feet above floor)
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- [ ] Avoid locations near:
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* Direct water spray or steam sources
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* Air conditioning vents (localized humidity)
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* Windows or exterior walls (condensation)
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* Kitchens, bathrooms, locker rooms (unless monitoring those spaces)
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- [ ] Confirm sensor type matches controller input (0-10V vs 4-20mA)
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- [ ] For duct sensors: Straight section, away from humidifiers/dehumidifiers
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### INSTALL STEPS - SPACE SENSOR
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1. **Mount sensor:**
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- Height: 4-6 feet above floor
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- Representative location (not corner or near window)
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- Use level, wall mount or electrical box
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2. **Route and terminate wiring:**
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- **3-Wire Standard:**
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* Red: +24VAC/VDC
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* Black: Common
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* White/Green: Humidity signal
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- **If combo temp/humidity (4-wire or 5-wire):**
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* Add additional signal wire for temperature
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- Tighten terminals: 7-9 in-lbs
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3. **Label:** "RM-201-HUM" or "AHU-1-RA-HUM"
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### INSTALL STEPS - DUCT SENSOR
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1. **Lock out air handler** (if drilling duct)
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2. **Drill penetration:** Similar to temperature sensor (3/4"-1" hole)
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3. **Insert probe:** Typically 6-12 inches into duct
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4. **Seal penetration:** High-temp duct sealant
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5. **Terminate wiring** as above
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6. **Restore system**
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### POST-INSTALL
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- [ ] Sensor mounted securely and level
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- [ ] All wires terminated tight
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- [ ] Labels applied
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- [ ] Duct penetration sealed (if applicable)
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- [ ] Work area cleaned
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- [ ] Photos taken
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---
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## EXPECTED READINGS
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### PRE-POWER (Power OFF)
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- **Continuity:** Each wire <5 ohms end-to-end
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- **Isolation:** >10K ohms to ground
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### POWER-UP
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- **Supply Voltage:** 24VAC/VDC ±10% (21.6-26.4V)
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- **Warm-up Time:** 1-5 minutes (capacitive sensors)
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### NORMAL READINGS
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| Humidity Level | Condition | 0-10V Output | 4-20mA Output |
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|---------------|-----------|--------------|---------------|
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| 20% RH | Very dry (winter) | 2.0V | 7.2mA |
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| 30% RH | Low (heating season) | 3.0V | 9.6mA |
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| 40% RH | Comfortable low | 4.0V | 12.0mA |
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| 50% RH | Ideal comfort | 5.0V | 14.4mA |
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| 60% RH | Comfortable high | 6.0V | 16.8mA |
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| 70% RH | High (summer) | 7.0V | 19.2mA |
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| 80% RH | Very high | 8.0V | 21.6mA |
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**ASHRAE Comfort Range:** 30-60% RH
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**Typical Indoor (Winter Heating):** 20-40% RH
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**Typical Indoor (Summer Cooling):** 40-60% RH
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**Condensation Risk:** >70% RH at cool surfaces
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**Mold Growth:** Sustained >60% RH
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---
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## PROOF OUT TESTS
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### TEST 1: Warm-Up Period
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- **Do:** Power sensor and wait 5 minutes
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- **Expect:** Reading stabilizes
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- **Pass If:** Stable within 5 minutes
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### TEST 2: Breath Test
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- **Do:** Exhale breath at sensor for 10-20 seconds
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- **Expect:** Humidity increases 10-30% RH within 30-60 seconds
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- **Pass If:** Reading increases significantly then returns to baseline
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### TEST 3: Wet Towel Test (Optional)
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- **Do:** Place wet towel near sensor (not touching)
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- **Expect:** Humidity increases over 2-3 minutes
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- **Pass If:** Reads higher with moisture source present
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### TEST 4: Range Verification
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- **Do:** Compare reading to conditions:
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* Winter with heating: 20-40% RH typical
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* Summer with AC: 40-60% RH typical
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* Humid day without AC: 60-80% RH typical
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- **Expect:** Reading makes sense for current conditions
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- **Pass If:** Reading reasonable for season and HVAC status
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### TEST 5: Controller Integration
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- [ ] Sensor appears in controller AI list
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- [ ] Reading displays in % RH
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- [ ] Graphics show live data
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- [ ] Controller uses for humidification/dehumidification
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- [ ] No faults or errors
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---
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## TROUBLESHOOTING
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### NO READING / SENSOR FAULT
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1. Verify supply voltage: 24VAC/VDC ±10%
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2. Wait 5 minutes for warm-up
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3. Check wiring connections tight
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4. Test continuity end-to-end: <5 ohms
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5. Measure output: Should be 0-10V or 4-20mA (not 0V or 0mA)
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6. **If 0V or 0mA:** Sensor failed - replace
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### READING STUCK / NOT CHANGING
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1. Verify sensor has power
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2. Wait for warm-up period
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3. Perform breath test - should increase reading
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4. Check sensor element not damaged or contaminated
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5. **If still stuck:** Replace sensor
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### READING TOO HIGH (Always >70% RH indoors)
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1. Check sensor location - near moisture source?
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2. Verify building HVAC dehumidification operating
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3. Compare to portable humidity meter
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4. Check for water damage or leaks in area
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5. **If sensor consistently high:** May need recalibration or replacement
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### READING TOO LOW (Always <20% RH indoors)
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1. Check sensor location - near supply diffuser?
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2. Verify building humidification operating (winter)
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3. Compare to portable humidity meter
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4. **If sensor consistently low:** Recalibrate or replace
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### ERRATIC / FLUCTUATING READINGS
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1. Check for air currents (too close to diffuser)
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2. Verify sensor mounted securely
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3. Check wiring for interference
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4. Look for temperature cycling (humidity changes with temp)
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5. Check sensor element for contamination
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6. **If persists:** Replace sensor
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### SLOW RESPONSE
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1. Normal: Humidity sensors respond slower than temperature (2-5 min)
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2. Check sensor not obstructed or covered
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3. For duct sensors: Verify in airstream
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4. **If >10 minutes:** Sensor may be failing
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---
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## ESCALATION - COMPLETE BEFORE CALLING
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### PRE-ESCALATION CHECKLIST
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- [ ] Verified supply voltage (24V ±10%)
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- [ ] Waited 5+ minutes for warm-up
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- [ ] Verified wiring connections
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- [ ] Performed breath test
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- [ ] Compared to portable humidity meter (if available)
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- [ ] Checked sensor location
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- [ ] Documented readings over time
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- [ ] Taken photos
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### PROVIDE THIS INFO
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- **Sensor:** [Mfg / Model / Location]
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- **Supply Voltage:** _____ VAC/VDC
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- **Output Signal:** 0-10V or 4-20mA
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- **Current Reading:** _____ % RH
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- **Reference Reading:** _____ % RH (if available)
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- **Temperature:** _____ °F (humidity related to temp)
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- **HVAC Status:** Heating/Cooling/Humidifying/Dehumidifying
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- **Outdoor Conditions:** Temp _____ °F, Humid/Dry
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- **Symptoms:** [Stuck, erratic, high, low, no reading]
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- **Response to Breath Test:** [Increased / No change]
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### CONTACTS
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- **Field Specialist:** [Phone]
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- **Programmer:** [Phone]
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- **Dispatch:** [Phone]
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---
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## CALIBRATION
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**When Needed:**
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- Annual calibration recommended
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- If reading consistently off by >5% RH
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- After sensor replacement
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**Methods:**
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**OPTION A: Salt Test (Simple, Low Accuracy)**
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1. Requires: Table salt, small container, sealed bag
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2. Mix saturated salt solution (pile of salt in water)
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3. Place sensor and salt solution in sealed bag
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4. Wait 8-12 hours for stabilization
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5. Should read 75% RH at room temperature
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6. Adjust if reading significantly different
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7. **Note:** Only accurate to ±5% RH
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**OPTION B: Calibrated Humidity Chamber (Accurate)**
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1. Requires: Humidity calibration chamber or standard
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2. Place sensor in chamber with known humidity
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3. Wait for stabilization (1-2 hours)
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4. Adjust sensor to match chamber humidity
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5. Test at multiple points (33%, 75% RH typical)
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6. **Preferred method** - most accurate
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**OPTION C: Reference Meter Comparison**
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1. Place calibrated portable meter next to sensor
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2. Wait 10-15 minutes for both to stabilize
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3. Compare readings
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4. **If consistently offset:** Apply controller offset or recalibrate sensor
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**OPTION D: Controller Offset (Temporary)**
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1. If sensor consistently off by fixed amount
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2. Apply offset in controller configuration
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3. **Not permanent fix** - sensor should be recalibrated
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**Acceptable Tolerance:** ±3% RH for most BAS applications
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---
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## COMMON ISSUES & TIPS
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**Mount height:** 4-6 feet typical - humidity generally well-mixed in conditioned spaces
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**Warm-up time:** Allow 5 min after power-up before commissioning
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**Location critical:** Away from moisture sources (humidifiers, sinks, showers) unless monitoring those
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**Temperature affects humidity:** Warm air holds more moisture - expect changes with temp
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**Relative humidity:** % of moisture air can hold at current temperature (not absolute moisture)
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**Condensation risk:** Occurs when surfaces below dew point (typically >70% RH)
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**Winter heating:** Tends to dry indoor air (20-40% RH common)
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**Summer cooling:** AC removes moisture (40-60% RH typical)
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**Combo sensors:** Many include temperature - verify both signals work correctly
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**Breath test:** Quick verification - exhaled breath ~90-95% RH
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**Calibration drift:** Humidity sensors drift more than temp sensors - annual cal recommended
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**Contamination:** Dust, chemicals, smoke can affect accuracy - clean or replace if contaminated
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---
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**Document ID:** SSO-HUMIDITY-001
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**Revision:** 1.0
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**Next Review:** Dec 2026