A3 Refrigerant Leak Detection

A3 R290 Refrigerant Leak Detection Sensors for HVAC/R Systems

Reliable R290 propane leak detection solutions designed for heat pumps, air conditioning systems and commercial refrigeration equipment. Choose the right sensor format for OEM integration and HVAC/R safety control.

Explore R290 Sensor Solutions Discuss Your Application
  • A3 R290 Detection
  • Built for HVAC/R OEMs
  • Flexible Integration
R290 propane refrigerant sensor application in HVAC/R equipment
Natural Refrigerant

Why R290 Is Becoming a Key Refrigerant for HVAC/R

R290, also known as propane refrigerant, is being considered for a growing range of HVAC/R applications. Its use in heat pumps, air conditioning systems and refrigeration equipment creates new opportunities for lower-impact cooling solutions while also introducing important safety considerations for equipment manufacturers.

Because R290 belongs to the A3 refrigerant class, dependable leak detection should be considered as part of the equipment safety strategy. The right sensor solution helps OEMs integrate refrigerant monitoring into new HVAC/R system designs.

Natural Refrigerant

R290 is a propane-based refrigerant option used across a growing range of HVAC/R equipment.

HVAC/R Applications

Suitable for heat pumps, air conditioning systems, commercial refrigeration and related equipment.

Safety Consideration

As an A3 refrigerant, R290 requires a dependable leak detection strategy during equipment development.

Why R290 Leak Detection Matters

Reliable sensing helps HVAC/R equipment respond promptly when refrigerant leakage occurs.

R290 belongs to the A3 refrigerant class.

Leak monitoring should be reviewed early in HVAC/R equipment development.

Early leak detection helps reduce the risk of gas accumulation inside HVAC/R equipment.

Sensor placement and control logic can be evaluated around the equipment architecture.

Reliable signal output allows the equipment control system to take appropriate safety actions.

Enable the HVAC/R control system to respond promptly.

Ventilation Alarm System Notification Equipment Safety Response

R290 Sensor Solutions for Different HVAC/R Integration Needs

Select the right sensor format based on your equipment architecture, installation requirements and project stage.

A3 R290 Refrigerant Leak Detection Sensor - R1 product image
R290 Sensor Module for HVAC/R OEM Integration

A3 R290 Refrigerant Leak Detection Sensor - R1

A compact NDIR R290 sensing solution designed for integration into HVAC/R equipment, control systems and customized OEM projects.

  • NDIR infrared detection technology
  • 0-100% LFL measurement range with 0.1% LFL resolution
  • Designed for air conditioning systems, heat pumps and commercial refrigeration
  • RS485 with customized LIN 2.1 / CAN integration support
  • Product information available through inquiry
Suitable equipment: R290 air conditioning systems, heat pump equipment, commercial refrigeration, cold storage and HVAC unit safety monitoring.
View R290 Sensor Module Request Product Information
A3 R290 Refrigerant Leak Detection Sensor - R2 product image
Automotive-Grade R290 Sensor Module for Demanding Integration

A3 R290 Refrigerant Leak Detection Sensor - R2

An automotive-grade NDIR propane gas detection module for R290 leak detection in HVAC/R, refrigeration, industrial safety and thermal management applications.

  • NDIR infrared detection technology
  • Automotive-grade adaptability for demanding operating conditions
  • 0-100% LFL measurement range with 0.1% LFL resolution
  • RS485 with customizable LIN 2.1 / CAN integration support
  • Downloadable product information available
Suitable equipment: air conditioning refrigerant leak detection, R290 heat pump equipment, commercial refrigeration, cold-chain systems and HVAC unit safety monitoring.
View R290 Leak Detection Sensor Download Datasheet

Not sure which R290 sensor fits your system?

Talk to our engineering team to identify the right solution for your HVAC/R project.

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Choose the Right R290 Sensor for Your HVAC/R System

Compare the two sensor formats and identify the solution that best fits your equipment design.

Selection Factor
A3 R290 Refrigerant Leak Detection Sensor - R1
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A3 R290 Refrigerant Leak Detection Sensor - R1
A3 R290 Refrigerant Leak Detection Sensor - R2
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A3 R290 Refrigerant Leak Detection Sensor - R2
Best for HVAC/R OEM embedded integration Demanding HVAC/R projects requiring automotive-grade adaptability
Installation Integrated into internal equipment and control system design Integrated where vibration, wide temperature variation or complex system environments need review
Product development stage New HVAC/R equipment development and refrigeration equipment integration New designs, validation projects and demanding operating environments
Integration flexibility RS485 with customized LIN 2.1 / CAN support listed on the product page RS485 with customizable LIN 2.1 / CAN support listed on the product page
Typical applications R290 air conditioning systems, heat pumps, commercial refrigeration, cold storage and HVAC unit safety monitoring Air conditioning leak detection, R290 heat pump equipment, commercial refrigeration, cold-chain systems, industrial safety and HVAC unit safety monitoring
A3 R290 Refrigerant Leak Detection Sensor - R1A3 R290 Refrigerant Leak Detection Sensor - R1
Best for
HVAC/R OEM embedded integration.
Installation
Integrated into internal equipment and control system design.
Typical applications
R290 air conditioning systems, heat pumps, commercial refrigeration, cold storage and HVAC unit safety monitoring.
A3 R290 Refrigerant Leak Detection Sensor - R2A3 R290 Refrigerant Leak Detection Sensor - R2
Best for
Demanding HVAC/R projects requiring automotive-grade adaptability.
Installation
Integrated where vibration, wide temperature variation or complex environments need review.
Typical applications
Air conditioning leak detection, R290 heat pump equipment, commercial refrigeration, cold-chain systems and HVAC unit safety monitoring.

R290 Leak Detection Applications Across HVAC/R Systems

Flexible refrigerant sensing solutions for residential, commercial and industrial HVAC/R equipment.

Propane refrigerant leak detection for commercial refrigeration equipment

Commercial Refrigeration

R290 detection for refrigeration cabinets, display cases and professional equipment.

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R290 monitoring for cold storage and cold-chain equipment

Cold Storage and Cold Chain

R290 monitoring for cold rooms, food storage and temperature-controlled equipment.

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R290 leak sensing for chillers and industrial cooling equipment

Chillers and Industrial Cooling

R290 leak sensing for industrial and process cooling equipment.

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R290 sensor module for OEM HVAC/R equipment integration

OEM HVAC/R Equipment

Flexible R290 sensing solutions for new product development and system integration.

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Reliable R290 Detection for Demanding HVAC/R Environments

Designed to support dependable refrigerant monitoring across a wide range of HVAC/R equipment.

01

Continuous R290 Leak Detection

Supports continuous R290 / A3 refrigerant monitoring and prompt system response when leakage occurs.

02

Factory Calibrated

Factory-calibrated sensing solutions designed to simplify OEM integration and reduce on-site setup requirements.

03

15+ Year Service Life

Designed for a service life of more than 15 years, supporting long-term operation in HVAC/R equipment.

04

High-Temperature and High-Humidity Resistance

Built for stable operation in demanding HVAC/R environments with elevated temperature and humidity conditions.

05

Designed for IEC / UL 60335-2-40

Developed with IEC / UL 60335-2-40 requirements in mind. Product validation is currently in progress.

06

Flexible OEM Integration

Designed for HVAC/R equipment integration with flexible interface options for different system architectures.

View Detailed Product Specifications
NDIR R290 sensing technology for propane refrigerant leak detection
NDIR R290 Sensor

R290 Sensing Technology Designed for Refrigerant Safety

Why NDIR Technology for R290 Detection?

NDIR sensing identifies R290 by monitoring its infrared absorption characteristics. This approach supports continuous refrigerant monitoring in HVAC/R equipment and is suitable for OEM applications that require stable, long-term sensing performance.

In-House Developed Laser Module

Our self-developed laser module enables consistent optical performance and reliable R290 detection.

New-Generation NDIR Calibration Algorithm

Our proprietary NDIR calibration algorithm improves measurement accuracy and supports stable sensor performance over time.

Environmental Compensation for Reliable Long-Term Monitoring

Built-in environmental compensation helps maintain stable R290 detection across changing temperature and humidity conditions.

From Sensor Selection to HVAC/R Integration

A clear path from application review to product evaluation and mass production.

1

Share Your Application

Tell us your refrigerant type, equipment category and installation environment.

2

Select the Sensor Format

Choose the appropriate R290 sensor solution based on your integration requirements.

3

Technical Evaluation

Evaluate interfaces, installation position, environmental conditions and system response logic.

4

Sample Testing and Mass Production

Move from sample validation to stable production supply.

Start Your R290 Sensor Project

Frequently Asked Questions About R290 Sensors for HVAC/R

Yes. MAXMAC offers NDIR-based R290 refrigerant leak detection solutions for HVAC/R equipment, heat pumps, commercial refrigeration systems and customized OEM projects.

Two product formats are available:

R1: a compact R290 sensor module designed for flexible OEM integration
R2: an automotive-grade R290 leak detection sensor designed for demanding operating environments

Both solutions can support continuous R290 refrigerant monitoring. The appropriate model depends on the installation environment, interface requirements and mechanical integration needs.

The R1 sensor module is suitable for HVAC/R manufacturers that need a compact sensing module for integration into equipment, controllers or customized assemblies.

The R2 leak detection sensor is better suited to applications that require a more complete, robust sensor design, such as transport HVAC, thermal management systems and installations exposed to demanding environmental conditions.

To recommend the right model, we typically review the target equipment, installation location, operating temperature range, interface requirements and annual volume.

MAXMAC R290 sensors use NDIR infrared detection technology to identify propane refrigerant by measuring its infrared absorption characteristics.

Compared with general-purpose gas detection methods, NDIR sensing is suitable for continuous refrigerant leak monitoring where stable, long-term performance is required. Our solution is supported by an in-house developed optical module and a new-generation NDIR calibration algorithm.

Both R1 and R2 are designed for R290 refrigerant leak detection across a 0-100% LFL measurement range, with 0.1% LFL resolution.

This allows HVAC/R equipment manufacturers to monitor low-level leakage and define system responses according to the requirements of the target application.

Yes. The R290 sensing solution is designed for stable operation in demanding HVAC/R environments, including applications where temperature and humidity can fluctuate significantly.

For projects with specific requirements, such as transport HVAC systems operating across a wide temperature range, our engineering team will confirm the recommended model and validation conditions based on the application profile.

R1 and R2 support RS485 communication, with customized integration support available for LIN 2.1 and CAN according to project requirements.

For OEM projects, the final communication protocol, connector definition and output format can be confirmed during the technical evaluation stage.

Yes. The R2 sensor is particularly suitable for evaluation in transport HVAC applications, including bus and rail air-conditioning systems, where robust integration and stable leak detection performance are important.

Because transport projects may involve specific power supply, vibration, temperature-range and interface requirements, we recommend sharing the application conditions with our engineering team before sample evaluation.

Our R290 leak detection solutions are being developed with the safety requirements of IEC / UL 60335-2-40 in mind for HVAC/R refrigerant leak detection applications.

Compliance and validation status should be confirmed based on the selected product model and the specific OEM project requirements. Technical documentation, samples and further validation details can be discussed during the evaluation process.

Find the Right R290 Sensor for Your HVAC/R Application

Developing a heat pump, air conditioning system or refrigeration product using R290? Share your application requirements with our team to identify the right sensor solution.

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