For best performance, use this article to learn about the standard and recommended guidelines for installing Verkada Air Quality Sensors.
Standard guidelines by sensor
SV20 series
Here are some standard guidelines for the SV20 Series installation:
CO₂ monitoring
Wall mounting, between 3-6 ft (0.9–1.8m) from floor
Keep sensor at least 5 ft (1.5m) away from any doors or operable windows
Vape detection
Ceiling mounting, no more than 8-9 ft (2.4–2.7m) from the ground. If the height is increased, detection decreases.
If placed in a bathroom, 1 sensor per 2 stalls is recommended. At least 3 ft (0.9m) from vents or walls.
Wall mounting may lead to inaccurate vape detection.
At least 3 ft (0.9m) away from areas that are exposed to airflow and circulation (e.g. HVAC vents, windows, refrigerator blowers, and so on).
Away from direct sunlight exposure.
SV11
Here are some standard guidelines for the SV11 installation:
Mount indoors on a ceiling. We recommend to installed 8 ft (2.4m) above the floor.
On a solid, nonmetallic surface (e.g. drywall, drop ceiling, wood, concrete, and so on).
At least 3 ft (0.9m) away from areas that are exposed to airflow and circulation (e.g. HVAC vents, windows, refrigerator blowers, and so on).
Away from direct sunlight exposure.
Wall mounting is possible, however, leads to inaccurate temperatures and air quality detection and should be avoided, if possible.
The SV11 is designed to be installed on the ceiling; the range and accuracy values listed in the data sheet are based on the device mounted in this position. If the SV11 is mounted on a wall (vertically), it will still function, but the range and accuracy values may not be within the range specified in the data sheet.
Recommendations for best performance
Installation location
To achieve the best accuracy for all the sensors on the device, we recommend to mount the sensor on an 8 ft (2.4m) ceiling. This provides up to 250 sq ft (23 sqm) of total coverage per sensor.
Note: For vape detection, put 1 sensor for every 2 stalls in a bathroom.
Installation surface
The sensors are designed to be installed on a solid nonmetallic surface such as drywall, a drop ceiling, concrete, or wood. Metallic or surfaces that adjust the predictable heat generated by the device may lead to temperature inaccuracies.
If the SV11 is mounted on a metal surface in a cold [-5º to 5º C (23° to 41° F)] or hot [27º to 50º C (80° F to 122° F)] environment, we recommend to place a piece of rubber material between the surface and the SV11 mounting plate. This recommendation ensures that the temperature of the mounting surface has less of an impact on the accuracy of the SV11 sensor readings.
The SV20 series devices utilize a hardened plastic mount plate that significantly reduces this effect, but we still recommend that they be installed on a solid, nonmetallic surface.
Power consumption
Verkada environmental sensors use industry-standard 802.3af [Power over Ethernet (PoE)]. During normal operation, the SV11 consumes 4W of power and the SV20 series devices typically consume 3W of power (max of 4W of power). For more information, see Environmental Sensor Power Requirements.
Calibration time
When the device is first plugged-in, temperature, TVOC, and CO₂ (only on the SV20 series) readings may be higher or lower than anticipated. These readings self-correct over an automated calibration period and do not represent a significant amount of variability.
All air quality sensors have an initial calibration period of 4 hours, but can take up to 3 days to complete full calibration of the TVOC. For optimal accuracy, we recommend to mount the sensors in a stable environment without intermittent events such as sporadic HVAC events.
Note: There's a possibility that there will be variability in the sensor readings if 2 or more air quality sensors are placed next to one another. Each sensor has its own inherit characteristics and calibration can result in different readings.
Temperature, humidity range, and accuracy
Below are the ranges and accuracy measurements for each of the air quality sensor series temperature and humidity sensors. These values represent the typical and recommended installation location. If the sensor is installed outside of the recommendations, the range and accuracy may fall out of the accuracy range stated in the data sheet.
SV20 series
Temperature Range | Temperature Accuracy | Humidity Accuracy | Comments |
< -5º C (23° F) | N/A | N/A | Not within operating range of the device |
-5º to 45º C (23° to 113° F) | Typical ± 0.3º C (± 0.54º F)
Max ± 1º C | Operating Range: Accuracy: ± 3% @ 25º C | Accuracy measurements based on the sensor being installed |
> 45º C (113° F) | N/A | N/A | Not within operating range of the device |
SV11
Temperature Range | Temperature Accuracy | Humidity Accuracy | Comments |
< -5º C (23° F) | N/A | N/A | Not within operating range of the device |
-5º to 50º C (23° to 123° F) | Typical ± 2.5º C (± 4.5º F)
Max ± 3.5º C | ± 5% to ± 10% | Accuracy measurements based on the sensor being installed |
> 50º C (122° F) | N/A | N/A | Not within operating range of the device |
Wall mounting
SV20 series
The SV20 series devices can be mounted on a wall without issue; however, we don't recommended for use with vape detection.
SV11
The SV11 can be mounted on a wall, however, we don't recommended it. The ranges and accuracy of the sensors are specified for the device being installed on a solid ceiling surface. If installed on a wall, the accuracy and ranges of the SV11 sensors may be outside of what is specified in the data sheet.
Mount on a non-solid surface (example: hanging in the air)
SV11 sensors are designed to be installed on a solid ceiling surface facing the ground. If the SV11 sensor is installed in “free air”, where the front and back of the device are exposed, the accuracy of the temperature and vape detection on the sensor may not fall within the stated range.
Exposure to direct sunlight
For the highest accuracy, do not place the sensor where it is exposed to direct sunlight. If the sensor is exposed to direct sunlight, the temperature and humidity readings may fall out of the accuracy range stated in the data sheet.
Exposure to air circulation
If the sensor is exposed to consistent airflow or sporadic airflow (for example, an HVAC vent, a refrigerator blower, a window, and so on), the accuracy of the temperature sensor and the other onboard sensors may fall out of the accuracy range stated in the data sheet. Exposure to airflow changes the thermodynamics of the device which leads to varying inaccuracies in the temperature, humidity, and other sensor readings.
Airflow as present in areas, such as HVAC ducts, can generate pressure drops, back pressure, and dynamic fluctuations leading to increased sensor noise and reduced accuracy.
For the highest accuracy, mount the sensor away from HVAC vents or areas where the device could be exposed to varying levels of airflow or circulation.
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