SENSIRION SEN5 Series User manual

www.sensirion.com Version 1.0 –June 2021 1/5
Handling Instructions
For SEN5x Environmental Sensor Node
Introduction
The Sensirion SEN5x environmental node is a combo sensor that is based on a PM2.5 sensor, containing one
or a combination of Sensirion SHTxx humidity and temperature sensor and a Sensirion SGPxx VOC sensor.
For taking advantage of the outstanding performance of the SEN5x, some precautions must be taken during
storage, assembly, and packaging. Therefore, please read the following instructions carefully - preferably
during design-in phase and before production release of the respective device. Special attention is required
regarding the exposure to volatile organic compounds, i.e. high concentration and long exposure time to
respective gases shall be avoided. Such conditions are known to occur in manufacturing environment and/or
during storage. Therefore, proper handling and choice of materials are crucial.
1Handling
SEN5x sensors shall be handled with care. If the product is dropped on a hard surface from a height >1m the part must
be discarded and replaced by a new one.
The inherent design of this component causes it to be sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). To prevent ESD-induced
damage and/or degradation, take customary and statutory ESD precautions when handling this product.
2Exposure to Chemicals
SHTxx Humidity and temperature sensors, as well as SGPxx VOC sensors are highly accurate environmental sensors
and as such they are not ordinary electronic components. The openings in the SEN5x housing exposes these
environmental sensors to the environment and make them susceptible to pollutants. While applying sensors in the field
in ambient environment is not critical, pollutants are known to occur in manufacturing environments and during storage.
Please carefully follow the guidelines in this application note to ensure that you can benefit of the outstanding
performance of the SEN5x.
The SEN5x shall not get in close contact with volatile chemicals such as solvents or other organic compounds.
Especially high concentration and long exposure must be avoided. Ketenes, Acetone, Ethanol, Isopropyl Alcohol,
Toluene, etc. are known to cause drift of the humidity and VOC reading –irreversibly in most of the cases. Please note
that such chemicals are integral part of epoxies, glues, adhesives, etc. and outgas during baking and curing. These
chemicals are also added as plasticisers into plastics, used for packaging materials, and do out-gas for some period.
Acids and bases may affect the sensor irreversibly and shall be avoided: HCl, H2SO4, HNO3, NH3etc. Also Ozone in
high concentration or H2O2have the same effect and therefore shall be avoided. Please note, that above examples
represent no complete list of harmful substances.
The sensor shall not get in contact with cleaning agents. Applying cleaning agents to the sensor may lead to drift of the
humidity and VOC reading.
Ensure good ventilation (fresh air supply) to avoid high concentrations of volatile chemicals (solvents, e.g. ethanol,
isopropanol, methanol, acetone, cleaning solutions, detergents…).

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3Packing and Storage
Prior to assembly or use of the sensors it is strongly recommended to store the sensors in the original packaging.
During storage, SEN5x sensors shall be oriented such that the air inlet and outlet are not facing up.
Sensors shall always be stored in a well-ventilated environment, with temperature and relative humidity within the limits
specified in the respective datasheet.
SEN5x Sensors as well as products containing SEN5x sensors shall not be packaged in outgassing plastic materials
which could cause sensor pollution. Besides metal-in antistatic shielded ESD bags, paper or cardboards based
packaging, deep drawn plastic trays (PE, PET, PP) may be considered. Do not use antistatic polyethylene bags (light
blue, pink or rose color); be very careful with bubble foils and foams.
Be careful about stickers present inside the packing (e.g. on the housing of the device). Sticker size should be kept to
a minimum, and the sticky side shall fully adhere onto a surface.
Please note that many packaging materials may be provided with additives (plasticizers) which may have a polluting
effect on the sensor. Generally speaking, if a material emits a strong odor you should not use it. Additives may also be
added to materials which are listed for recommended use. For high safety, device housing and shipment packaging
must be qualified. Such a qualification test may contain exposure of the final device with sensor in its shipment
packaging to temperature ≥55°C for at least 168 hours. (If shipping or storage conditions are expected to be harsh, the
qualification test conditions for the packing material have to be customized.) The sensor reading then shall show no
changed deviation against a reference compared to same measurements before the exposure.
4Assembly
Regarding adhesives and encapsulants the material in the following tables may be used –according to respective
datasheets, applied and fully cured in well ventilated environment (fresh air supply). Materials and brands not listed in
the following tables may be harmful and shall be tested carefully before applying.
Epoxy Adhesives
Manufacturer
Product
EPO-TEK
H70E/S
Other Recommended Materials
Manufacturer
Product
Teflon
PEEK
Polycarbonate (PC)
ABS
FR4 PCB
Viton seals (after thermal outgassing)
Hot melts may absorb water and thus may have an impact on the humidity response time of the sensor in the device.
Therefore, hot melt shall be applied sparingly.
The sensor shall be mounted into the device, if possible, after all materials that are used in the assembly process have
completely cured or dried out. Otherwise ensure good ventilation (fresh air supply) in curing ovens and assembly lines.
Ensure recommendations in this application note are equally considered during repair and rework of assemblies
containing sensors.
Be particularly careful when using strong cleaning agents (e.g. detergents, alcohols, brominated or fluorinated solvents).
Cleaning any part of a product might lead to high concentration of cleaning agents on the sensor. Please remove any

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sensors or devices containing sensors before cleaning the production area and tools. Ensure good ventilation (fresh air
supply) and that any solvents have evaporated before resuming production.
5Disclaimer
The above given restrictions, recommendations, materials, etc. do not cover all possible cases and items.
The material recommendations are given regarding pollution of SHT and SGP sensors which are part of SEN5x and
assume optimal processing for avoiding VOC in process –the materials were not tested regarding other properties like
reliability, performance, usability or mechanical properties. The material recommendations have been compiled with our
best knowledge at the time of writing. Manufacturers may change the compounds without notice, which can lead to
reduced Sensor performance due to outgassing.
This document is not to be considered complete and is subject to change without prior notice.

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6Revision History
Date
Revision
Changes
15. June 2021
1.0
Initial version
7Important Notices
7.1 Warning, Personal Injury
Do not use this product as safety or emergency stop devices or in any other application where failure of the product could result in
personal injury. Do not use this product for applications other than its intended and authorized use. Before installing, handling, using or
servicing this product, please consult the data sheet and application notes. Failure to comply with these instructions could result in
death or serious injury.
If the Buyer shall purchase or use SENSIRION products for any unintended or unauthorized application, Buyer shall defend, indemnify and hold
harmless SENSIRION and its officers, employees, subsidiaries, affiliates and distributors against all claims, costs, damages and expenses, and
reasonable attorney fees arising out of, directly or indirectly, any claim of personal injury or death associated with such unintended or unauthorized
use, even if SENSIRION shall be allegedly negligent with respect to the design or the manufacture of the product.
7.2 ESD Precautions
The inherent design of this component causes it to be sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). To prevent ESD-induced damage and/or
degradation, take customary and statutory ESD precautions when handling this product.
See application note “ESD, Latchup and EMC” for more information.
7.3 Warranty
SENSIRION warrants solely to the original purchaser of this product for a period of 12 months (one year) from the date of delivery that this product
shall be of the quality, material and workmanship defined in SENSIRION’s published specifications of the product. Within such period, if proven to
be defective, SENSIRION shall repair and/or replace this product, in SENSIRION’s discretion, free of charge to the Buyer, provided that:
▪notice in writing describing the defects shall be given to SENSIRION within fourteen (14) days after their appearance;
▪such defects shall be found, to SENSIRION’s reasonable satisfaction, to have arisen from SENSIRION’s faulty design, material, or workmanship;
▪the defective product shall be returned to SENSIRION’s factory at the Buyer’s expense; and
▪the warranty period for any repaired or replaced product shall be limited to the unexpired portion of the original period.
This warranty does not apply to any equipment which has not been installed and used within the specifications recommended by SENSIRION for
the intended and proper use of the equipment. EXCEPT FOR THE WARRANTIES EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN, SENSIRION MAKES NO
WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT. ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT
LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED AND
DECLINED.
SENSIRION is only liable for defects of this product arising under the conditions of operation provided for in the data sheet and proper use of the
goods. SENSIRION explicitly disclaims all warranties, express or implied, for any period during which the goods are operated or stored not in
accordance with the technical specifications.
SENSIRION does not assume any liability arising out of any application or use of any product or circuit and specifically disclaims any and all liability,
including without limitation consequential or incidental damages. All operating parameters, including without limitation recommended parameters,
must be validated for each customer’s applications by customer’s technical experts. Recommended parameters can and do vary in different
applications.
SENSIRION reserves the right, without further notice, (i) to change the product specifications and/or the information in this document and (ii) to
improve reliability, functions and design of this product.
Copyright©2020, by SENSIRION.
CMOSens®is a trademark of Sensirion
All rights reserved

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8Headquarters and Subsidiaries
Sensirion AG
Laubisrütistr. 50
8712 Stäfa
Switzerland
phone: [phone]
fax: [phone]
[email protected]m
www.sensirion.com
Sensirion Inc., USA
phone: [phone]
[email protected]
www.sensirion.com
Sensirion Korea Co. Ltd.
phone: [phone]~3
[e-mail]
www.sensirion.com/kr
Sensirion Japan Co. Ltd.
phone: [phone]
[email protected]
www.sensirion.com/jp
Sensirion China Co. Ltd.
phone: [phone]
[e-mail]
www.sensirion.com/cn
Sensirion Taiwan Co. Ltd
phone: [phone]
[email protected]m
www.sensirion.com
To find your local representative, please visit www.sensirion.com/distributors