AZ100
Zero drift in a continuously operating pressure sensor is a calibration problem that compounds over time and requires either periodic service visits or an automated solution. The AZ100 mounts directly to Superior HV, ND, and VN Series sensors without tubing, automatically zeroing at configurable intervals over a rated lifetime of more than 1 million cycles, equivalent to 28 years of service at 15-minute zeroing intervals.
1M+
lifecycle
24VDC
operating voltage
Direct mount:
no tubing required
PH2.0 2-pin
connector to power
AZ100 Overview
Auto-zero solutions for pressure sensors have traditionally required tubing runs between the valve and sensor ports, adding assembly steps, potential leak points, and mechanical complexity to applications that run continuously and cannot tolerate in-field service stops. Because every pressure sensor drifts from zero over time and must be re-zeroed to maintain accuracy, the AZ100 eliminates those tubing connections by mounting directly onto Superior HV, ND, and VN Series pressure sensors as a single integrated enclosure. It automatically zeroing at configurable intervals, with a rated lifetime exceeding 1 million cycles, more than 28 years of service at 15-minute zeroing intervals.
AZ100 Specifications
Features
- Fully integrated auto zero valve in a single plastic enclosure
- Enclosure connects directly to the sensor – no tubing required
- PH2.0 2-pin connector for supply voltage
- Same PCBA can be used for systems with and without AZ100
Sample Applications for the AZ100
Resources
| Data Sheet and Other Series Documentation | Version | Date | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| AZ100 Data Sheet (DS-0011) | A | October 2024 |  |
| Tubing Recommendations for Pressure Ports (AN-0014) | A | March 2026 | |
| AZ100 Product Brief (PB-0014) | A | October 2024 | |
| Drawings and CAD Files | Version | Date | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| AZ100 Package (STEP file) | A | March 2023 |  |
| Catalogs and Compliance Documentation | Version | Date | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Ordering Guide (PL-0001) | X | May 2025 | |
| NimbleSense Capabilities Brochure (MB-0001) | B | April 2023 | |
| Product Catalog (MB-0004) | F | May 2025 | |
| Certificate of RoHS Compliance (CS-0001) | A | May 2019 | |
| Statement of REACH-253 Compliance (CS-0002) | E | May 2026 | |
| Statement on Use of Conflict Minerals (CS-0003) | A | May 2019 | |
| Certificate of California Proposition 65 Compliance (CS-0006) | A | May 2019 | |
HV Series Frequently Asked Questions
How does the AZ100 physically connect to the sensor, and what does installation require?
The AZ100 mounts directly onto the pressure ports of a compatible Superior sensor as a single integrated plastic enclosure. No tubing is required between the valve and the sensor; the AZ100 connects directly to the sensor’s pressure ports, eliminating assembly steps, potential leak points, and the added mechanical bulk of tubing-based auto-zero assemblies. The assembly is secured to the PCB with two screws for stable, repeatable mounting. Electrical connection is via a PH2.0 2-pin connector supplying 24VDC at 65mA. The enclosure measures 33.7 x 17.2 x 20.1mm and weighs 8 grams, adding minimal mass and volume to the sensor assembly.
What does the 1 million-cycle rating mean for service life in an actual application?
The AZ100 is tested to exceed 1 million actuation cycles. At a 15-minute auto-zero interval, a common setting for continuously operating HVAC and industrial systems, that rating corresponds to more than 28 years of continuous operation. Most HVAC systems, clean-room environments, and medical equipment platforms have service lifetimes of 10 to 20 years, so the AZ100’s cycle life comfortably exceeds the host system’s expected service life at typical zeroing intervals. This is not a marketing estimate; it reflects the validated limit of the valve mechanism and provides confidence that the auto-zero function will remain available throughout the equipment’s full service life.
How do I select the right auto-zero interval for my application?
The auto-zero interval determines how often the AZ100 equalizes the sensor’s pressure ports and captures a new zero baseline. Shorter intervals correct drift more often; longer intervals preserve cycle life but allow more drift to accumulate between corrections. For continuously operating HVAC systems measuring low differential pressures across air handlers or filters, 15-minute intervals are typical and well within the 1 million-cycle rating. In clean-room environments where continuous particulate monitoring is critical, shorter intervals may be appropriate. In ventilator applications, auto-zero events must be coordinated with the breathing cycle to avoid interrupting measurement during active patient flow. The interval and triggering logic are defined by the ventilator’s control system. Ultimately, the right interval is a system-level decision based on the specific sensor’s drift characteristics, the application’s accuracy requirements, and how often zeroing interruptions can be tolerated.
Does integrating the AZ100 require a different PCB design than a design without auto-zero?
No. The AZ100 is designed so the same PCBA can be used whether or not the auto-zero valve is included. A design that initially omits the AZ100 can be upgraded to add it, and a product line can ship in two configurations, with and without auto-zero, from a single hardware platform without separate PCB layouts, manufacturing runs, or qualification processes for each variant. This single-PCBA architecture simplifies inventory management, reduces qualification costs, and allows the auto-zero feature to be added or removed as a product option without a hardware redesign.
Which Superior Sensor product families are compatible with the AZ100?
The AZ100 is mechanically compatible with all Superior Sensor product families, but it is primarily used with three: the HV Series for HVAC differential-pressure measurement, the ND Series for industrial and cleanroom differential-pressure measurement, and the VN Series for mechanical-ventilator pressure measurement. These three families cover the main applications where continuously operating sensors accumulate meaningful zero drift between service intervals, making an automated, direct-mount auto-zero solution especially valuable.
When should I use the AZ100 instead of implementing an externally driven solution?
Use the AZ100 instead of an externally driven auto-zero solution when your system requires continuous operation, minimal mechanical complexity, and no reliance on host-controlled pneumatics or manual service. Externally driven approaches typically require tubing runs, additional valves, custom control logic, and scheduled access for recalibration, all of which introduce leak paths, assembly steps, and maintenance burden. The AZ100 consolidates that complexity into a single, direct-mount enclosure that handles the entire zeroing sequence on its own, with no tubing, no host processor involvement, and no service visits. It is especially well suited to permanently installed HVAC, clean-room, and medical equipment where uptime is critical and field access is limited. In contrast, an externally driven solution may be sufficient for bench-top or laboratory instruments where added plumbing is acceptable and periodic manual calibration or host-managed valve control does not disrupt operations.
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