2024 Dealer Design Awards: Testing and Monitoring Products

EVOLVING: The KANE460’s software can be updated to evolve as technology and industry changes occur. (Courtesy of UEI Test Instruments)

UEi Test Instruments has taken Gold this year in the DDA Testing & Monitoring Products category. The award-winning product, the KANE460 HVAC/R Analyzer, was launched April 30, 2024.

The KANE460 makes a technician’s job easier by allowing a central point of data through a single instrument for heating, cooling, refrigeration, and IAQ. Offering an alternative to using a smartphone, the KANE460 collects all data in one place, fit for purpose, designed for use in combustion environments. With the tool, technicians can now use one analyzer to test residential and commercial heating and hot water systems, commission boilers, perform sweep and room carbon monoxide tests, measure building IAQ and ventilation, plus install and test heat pumps, a/cs, and refrigeration systems with no manifolds or hoses required.

“This is the first time a single solution is designed for year-round application, which simplifies tools needed at a job site,” explained Sean Tierney, director of branding and product design. “Being able to do this eliminates the need to switch or carry more tools depending on seasonality or workflow. [And it] allows all your readings to run directly into your analyzer and allows you to see more results in one view.”

The KANE460 has two wireless pipe clamps for heat pump temperature differential testing, and two wireless pipe clamps and two wireless pressure probes (with refrigerant pass-through ports) for a/c and refrigeration superheat and subcooling testing. A wireless anemometer allows testing for building ventilation and IAQ issues like airflow, temperature, and relative humidity. It also allows up to four wireless CO monitors for simultaneous CO migration testing.

The tool doesn’t just collect data; it converts it into something HVACR professionals can use. KANE460 connects to optional Kane Live software to analyze, log, and email results. It’s equipped with an IR port, allowing technicians to print to an optional infrared thermal printer for hard copy test results.

Technicians can customize the probe’s configuration to suit their needs and can upgrade as needed.

“This approach ‘future-proofs’ a technician’s investment, as software can be updated to evolve as technology and industry changes occur … allowing the analyzer to evolve with the technology of the industry,” Tierney said. “It redefines the tools needed for job sites to keep customers’ homes and workplaces safe and comfortable.”

KANE460 is the result of years of research and development.

“The idea started 15 years ago, and since then, we have been perfecting the collection of HVACR data through our test instruments, developing the technology to process it through one analyzer,” Tierney said. “Individually, our wireless combustion analyzers, refrigerant probes, anemometer, and CO detectors have all upgraded both the user interface and data presentation based on customer feedback from in-field use over the last several years. We applied this feedback to the KANE460.”

Looking ahead, Tierney said development plans for the analyzer will depend on feedback from HVACR technicians using the product on the job site.

“The ability to future-proof the KANE460 means the software can easily be updated to meet the changing demands of our industry protecting the technician’s investment in the product,” he said. “We can also incorporate more data by including any additional probes they find helpful to integrate.”