• EMC Compliant: Designed to meet Class B emissions standards
• Whole System Expertise: Design and development of hardware and firmware
• Plug Into Standard Systems: BACnet and Modbus connectivity for easy integration
• Optimised for Scale: high-performance and low-cost design for volume manufacture
• Customisable Firmware and Sensor Integration: allowing for flexible bespoke solutions
• Designed for Existing Product Integration: fitting within existing enclosures for design and cost benefit

Project summary

Trends in building sensors have shifted away from analogue signalling toward digital interfaces, allowing for improved functionality and reduced wiring complexity. Our client, an established manufacturer of analogue building sensors, needed to modernise its product offering without sacrificing brand identity. Having previously relied on rebranded third-party digital products, they partnered with us to develop a set of electronics that would compete with market leaders in terms of functionality.

We engineered a new solution that integrated the required digital communication capabilities while maintaining compatibility with the client’s existing enclosures, to preserve their well-known product aesthetics and avoid the costs of plastic retooling. This new design also supports a wide range of sensor configurations, enabling tailored solutions without the need for new PCB designs for each application. With over 10,000 units already deployed, the sensors have been extremely reliable.

Core components:

• STM32 MCU
• Sensirion RH&T sensor
• SenseAir CO2 sensor

Product features:

• ±60V fault protected RS485 transceiver provides reliability in noisy environments
• Able to run from either 24V DC or 24V AC power supplies
• Pluggable terminal blocks for easy wiring and reduced risk of damage during installation
• Zero crossing detect TRIAC outputs prevent current surge during turn on
• 3x 0-10V analogue outputs can be configured to represent any of the onboard sensors
• Onboard EEPROM for storing configuration settings
• Temperature sensor with ±0.5°C measurement accuracy
• Integrated relative humidity, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and air quality sensors
• BACnet MSTP interface allows for simple discovery by building controllers
• MODbus RTU interface provides a simple, low-cost alternative for legacy installations
• Complies with EMC Class B radiated and conducted emission thresholds

Partner Electronics Scope of Work:

• Initial design concepts with client
• Circuit design through to schematic capture
• PCB layout through to manufacturing packs
• Liaising with EMS during fabrication
• Board bring-up and testing
• Refinements based on evolving client requirements

The post Case Study: Smart Building Sensor first appeared on Partner Electronics.

The CRA relates to products with digital elements (PDEs) that have, or could have, a connection to a network. If you have or are developing products that connect to the Internet, cloud or phone network, then this will affect you.

Is this serious?

The consequences for non-compliance are significant, with penalties of up to £10M or 2.5% global revenue.

It will also be difficult to retrospectively add CRA compliance to many products, so it needs to be considered now.

Under Development

While the act has been finalised, the details around its practical implementation haven’t yet been confirmed. You can be sure, though, that we will monitor information as it is released to understand its implications for your development.

Which developments will it impact?

The CRA will affect all manufacturers of products with digital elements intended for the UK/EU market unless they are specifically excluded (such as medical, automotive and aerospace, which all have separate security standards).

The affected product categories include industrial automation controls, IoT devices, smart appliances, and consumer electronics.

There are also supply chain implications, with all suppliers in your chain needing to demonstrate compliance through documentation. Integrated software must also meet CRA requirements, and there will be new documentation requirements for digital elements (CE marking).

What we know about timescales

Reporting requirements will begin on September 11th, 2026.

The full enforcement deadline is December 11th, 2027.

While current information is incomplete, we are in this with you and will support your development through this process.

Whether you’re exploring new ideas or ready to develop, we can take your product further.
Get in touch

The post What Do You Need to Know About the Cyber Resilience Act? first appeared on Partner Electronics.