E50 Setup, Walkthrough, and Troubleshooting

Topics included in this article:

• Overview
  • Disclaimers
• Setup and Registration
  • Power Requirements
  • Registration
  • Licensing
• Bluetooth
• Hardware Installation
  • Ceiling Mount
  • Wall Mount
  • External Probe Setup
• Vape Detection with the E50
  • Considerations
  • Mounting
  • Coverage
• Unregistering
• Troubleshooting
  • LED Indicators
• Helpful Links
• Contact Support or Sales

Overview

The Rhombus E50 is the successor to the E2 Environmental Sensor and is designed to monitor all things environmental: indoor air quality, outdoor air quality, CO, CO2, loud noises, and smoke, to name a few. In addition to an improved sensor suite, the E50 is powered via PoE and uses an Ambarella SOC for increased data throughput. It also acts as a BLE gateway for other sensors. A leak detection probe and temperature probe are also available for purchase (shipped separately).

Disclaimers

• The E50 is designed to detect various environmental parameters, including smoke and carbon monoxide (CO). However, it is not a life-safety device and should not be used as a substitute for a certified smoke or CO detector.
• The E50 is not an audio-recording device. It processes and analyzes audio data solely to detect specific events (T3 and T4 alarms and glass break). After processing, all audio data is deleted. The device does not support audio playback, only detection.

Setup and Registration

Power Requirements

No battery. The E50 utilizes a PoE connection for power.

Registration

1. Open the Rhombus Mobile app once the E50 is connected to power and internet.

2. Scroll to the bottom of the "Devices" page and tap "Register Devices."

3. Next, tap "All Sensors."

4. Select the location where the E50 will be registered.

5. Select the E50 from the list of nearby Bluetooth devices.

Note: You can confirm the correct device is being registered by ensuring the serial number displayed on the app matches the one on the back of the device.

Licensing

The E50 needs a license to operate. Please contact your sales representative to inquire about purchasing the necessary licensing. 

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard for exchanging data between devices over short distances. The E50 can act as a Bluetooth gateway for other BLE sensors. The distance for BLE is 100meters or 300ft unobstructed.

Hardware Installation

The E50 can be mounted to compatible accessories, such as junction boxes and caps, using the included M4x20 machine screws. The exception to this is the Universal Drop Ceiling Mount which requires the use of the included mounting screws instead.

Ceiling Mount

1. Fix the sensor to the desired surface using the 3 mounting screws provided (drywall anchors included if needed).
2. Position the sensor in the center of the room for the best coverage.
Note: If possible, mount the sensor away from HVAC vents as direct airflow may skew sensor readings or give false detections.

Wall Mount

1. Fix the sensor to the desired surface using the 3 mounting screws provided (drywall anchors included if needed).
Note: If possible, mount the sensor away from HVAC vents as direct airflow may skew sensor readings or give false detections.
Note: Mount E50 with Rhombus logo pointing down. Other orientations may affect sensor performance and lead to skewed/inaccurate readings.

External Probe Setup

The E50 may be used with two optional sensors: The Leak Detection Probe and the Temperature Sensor probe. The two probes can be connected to the sensor via the two connectors on the E50 pigtail. Both connectors are labeled with their respective function (LEAK DET for leak detection and TEMP for the Temperature Sensor probe). The leak detection cables can be daisy-chained if a longer-length cable is needed.

Vape Detection with the E50

Considerations

In many cases, vape smoke can be difficult to detect. There are several variables that must be taken into consideration:

1. The variety of available products being used.
2. How large of a puff is taken?
3. Which direction is the vape blown in?
4. What distance is the user or source from the sensor?
5. What other vapor-producing products are in the vicinity?
6. Is air stagnant or flowing through the room?
7. If flowing, is the air moving away or towards the sensor?
8. What is the air quality like in the room?
9. Are there dirty air ducts or excessive airborne particulate matter?
10. Has there been a physical obstruction in the sensor air inlet?

Considering those variables, vape detection can still be accomplished with a high degree of effectiveness. In short, vapor must reach the sensor to some degree in order to be detected. Even the most accurate sensors cannot detect vapes unless a change in microscopic particulate matter is recorded.

Given the variety of environments in which a sensor can be placed, this could present multiple challenges. When installing an E50, one must consider the whole environment and the factors listed above.

Another consideration is the amount of time it might take for slow-moving vapor to reach the sensor. This can take a moment, depending on how far away the vapor source is from the sensor. For instance, a vape cloud 10 ft from a sensor might take 30 seconds or longer to drift over. This all depends on how the airflow pushes the vapor along.

Note: The minimal Particulate Matter (PM) reading required for vape detection is 10 µg/m³. Readings below this amount are not guaranteed to produce a positive vape capture.

Mounting

The sensor should ideally be mounted as close to head height as possible to capture vape sources directly without being placed in obvious places to avoid tampering. 

If wall mounted, ensure that the E50 is mounted with the logo facing down. 

Coverage

While this largely depends on the size of the room and airflow, one sensor will cover a zone approximately 12x12 = 144 square feet in size.

Unregistering

You can unregister sensors from the phone app. You must be logged into the organization of the sensor(s) you want to unregister.  

Please Note: In order to unregister an E50, it must be powered on and connected to the network.

1. Navigate to the Rhombus App "Devices" page.

2. Scroll to the bottom and click "Utilities."

3. Click on "Unregister Sensors."

4. Select the sensor(s) you want to unregister and complete the process.

Troubleshooting

LED Indicators

Helpful Links

• Creating and Assigning Alert Policies
• User-Based Alert Notifications
• Console Features & Licensing

Contact Support or Sales

Have more questions? Contact Rhombus Support at +1 (877) 746-6797 option 2 or support@rhombus.com.

Interested in learning more? Contact Rhombus Sales at +1 (877) 746-6797 option 1 or sales@rhombus.com.