Installation Instructions for the ISSUE 1

HCH-1000 Series Capacitive Humidity Sensors 50018326

GENERAL INFORMATION SENSOR OPERATING RANGE
The HCH-1000 Series is a capacitive polymer sensor designed Although the HCH-1000 Series may not fail beyond the limits,
for relative humidity measurement. The sensor converts as shown in Figure 2, the specification only applies to
humidity value into capacitance, which can be measured operation within the working range.
electronically.
FIGURE 2: OPERATING RANGE
Polyimide is used as a humidity sensing material because of its
inherent IC (Integrated Circuit) processing compatibility,
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reduced temperature dependence and enhanced resistance
against contamination. The HCH-1000-Series is manufactured
using semiconductor technology.

STANDARD CHARACTERISTICS
The sensor consists of a grid top electrode, a polyimide layer,
and a bottom electrode. The grid top electrode on the bottom
electrode provide enhanced sensitivity compared to that of a
standard structure. Figure 1 shows the typical response curve
in a humidity range of 0% RH to 100% RH.

FIGURE 1: TYPICAL HUMIDITY RESPONSE (Sensitivity = 0.6 pF %RH)

390

380

370

360
Capacitance (pF)

350

340

330

320

310

300

290

280

270
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

R elative hum idity (%R H )

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 HCH-1000 Series Capacitive Humidity
Issue 1 50018326
Sensors
SPECIFICATIONS (TA = 25 ºC [77 ºF], Input Voltage = 1 VRMS, Frequency = 20 kHz)
Characteristic Min. Typ. Max. Unit Note
Normal capacitance 310 330 350 pF at 55% RH
Sensitivity 0.55 0.6 0.65 pF/% RH 10% RH to 95% RH
Humidity hysteresis – ±2 – % RH –
Linearity – ±2 – % RH –
Response time – 15 – sec 30% RH to 90% RH
Temperature coefficient 0.15 0.16 0.17 pF/°C 5 °C to 70 °C [41 °F to 158 °F]
Long-term stability (drift) – 0.2 – % RH/year –
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Operating temperature range -40 [-40] – 120 [248] °C [°F] –
Operating humidity range 0% – 100% RH –
Operating frequency range 1 – 100 kHz –

BASIC CAPACITANCE CHARACTERISTICS FIGURE 3: BASIC CAPACITANCE (At 25 °C, 1 VRMS, 20 kHz)
Capacitance is measured by applying 1 Vrms at 20 kHz at
25 °C. The sensor characteristic is determined by the following
formula:

CC(%RH) = CS at 55%RH + S x[(%RH(CM) - %RH(CS)]pF

Where,
S Sensitivity (pF/%RH)
CC(%RH) Calculated capacitance at the measured
relative humidity
CS at 55 %RH Standard capacitance value at 55% RH
%RH(CM) Measured relative humidity value
%RH(CS) Standard relative humidity value (55%
RH)
HYSTERISIS CHARACTERISTICS
Figure 3 shows the typical characteristic curve. The average Figure 4 shows the hysteresis curve. The hysterisis formula is:
increase in capacitance value within the working range of
10% RH to 95% RH is typically 56 pF. Hysteresis Value = C (20% RH ⇒ 95% RH ) − C (95% RH ⇒ 20% RH )

The hysteresis value is measured under 1 pF. The hysteresis

of measured samples indicates between ±3% RH at each
humidity point.
Where, FIGURE 4: HYSTERISIS CHARACTERISTICS
S Sensitivity (pF/%RH)
CM(%RH) Measured capacitance value
CS at 55%RH Standard capacitance value at 55 %RH
%RH(CC) Calculated relative humidity value at the
measured capacitance
%RH(CS) Standard relative humidity value (55 %RH)

2 Honeywell • Sensing and Control

 HCH-1000 Series Capacitive Humidity
Issue 1 50018326
Sensors
FIGURE 5: TEMPERATURE CHARACTERISTICS FIGURE 7: SHORT-TERM STABILITY
(At 1 VRMS, 20 kHz)

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FIGURE 6: FREQUENCY CHARACTERISTICS

FIGURE 8: MOUNTING DIMENSIONS (For reference only: mm/[in])

HCH-1000-001 HCH-1000-002

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 HCH-1000 Series Capacitive Humidity
Issue 1 50018326
Sensors
ENVIRONMENTAL TEST SYSTEM FIGURE 9: ENVIRONMENTAL TEST SYSTEM DIAGRAM
Figure 9 depicts environmental testing. The devices are
characterized at 25 °C [77 °F] between 20% RH and 95% RH.
The meter is set to measure capacitance at 1 V and 20 kHz.

For precise measurement, a hygrometer is compared with the

humidity of the temperature-humidity chamber.

The data output indicates the effect of sensor characterization

before/after the environmental tests.
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