Environmental monitoring sensors for ammonia detection

Ammonia is commonly encountered in applications ranging from industrial refrigeration to chemical and pharmaceutical processing. The WEG EMSW sensors continuously monitor ammonia (NH₃), temperature and humidity, combining local audible and visual alarms with connectivity to wider industrial control and monitoring systems. 

The technology brings gas and environmental measurements together in a single device, giving operators greater visibility of changing conditions while enabling data to be incorporated into existing automation infrastructure.

“Operators need to know about changing environmental conditions before they develop into a more serious problem,” said Liam Blackshaw, product manager and business development manager of automation and digital at WEG. “The EMSW Line has been developed to make environmental monitoring easier to integrate into industrial environments, providing local warning while also making data available to the wider control system.”

Designed for both temporary and permanent installations, EMSW sensors feature an IP66 protection rating and an operating temperature range of 0 to 50°C. The range is also CE certified.

WEG offers three EMSW variants to accommodate different control architectures. The EMSW-ANG operates from a 13 to 32 Vdc supply and provides selectable 0–10 V or 4–20 mA analogue output, as well as IO-Link and NFC connectivity.

The EMSW-MOD, also operating from 13 to 32 Vdc, communicates using Modbus RTU over RS-485 and incorporates NFC. For installations requiring relay-based signalling, the EMSW-RLY operates from a 127/220 Vac supply and provides a configurable NO/NC relay contact alongside NFC connectivity. All three models use an M12 four-pin connector.

These communication options enable environmental data to feed into PLCs, gateways, dashboards, supervisory platforms and wider control systems. Operators can therefore use the sensor for immediate local indication while also incorporating its measurements into remote or centralised monitoring.

The range is suited to ammonia leak detection and environmental monitoring in chemical, petrochemical and pharmaceutical facilities, as well as refrigerated areas, cold rooms and other industrial environments. It can also be deployed in farms and livestock facilities where gas, temperature and humidity monitoring can support closer control of operating conditions.

“As industrial plants become more connected, environmental monitoring should become part of that same digital infrastructure,” added Blackshaw. “Giving users a choice of analogue, Modbus, IO-Link, relay and NFC options makes it easier to introduce monitoring without having to redesign the surrounding automation system.”

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