Infrared Gas Detector Provides Rapid Response to Dangerous Gas Leaks

With its fast three-second response time, the Model IR400 Point Infrared Gas Detector, from General Monitors (USA), provides an added margin of safety in protecting people, equipment and plants from potentially explosive gas leaks. The IR400 features rapid fail-to-safe continuous gas/vapour monitoring within the lower explosive limit (LEL). It reliably alerts plant employees to gas leaks and warns them to shut down processes in affected areas.

The Model IR400 gas detector responds within three seconds to gas leaks even with a splash guard installed to protect it from rain and other environmental conditions. It is important to note that most industrial point IR gas detection applications require a splash guard. Process and plant engineers need to be sure when specifying a gas detector that its speed of response takes into account the addition of a splash guard. In many cases, the addition of a splash guard slows the speed of response considerably.

The low maintenance Model IR400 gas detector monitors hydrocarbon-based gases including methane, propane, ethane, ethylene, butane, hexane, pentane and benzene. It features a self-diagnostic design to prevent false alarms and process shutdowns. It monitors conditions such as supply voltage and optical path integrity. The IR400 also features heated optics to eliminate condensation, and a dirty optics indicator helps discriminate between true alarms and maintenance needs. 

The user-friendly IR400 uses only 4.8 W of power. It is designed for operational efficiency and system problem-detection capability. Additionally, the detector requires no routine calibration, a feature that reduces demand for field technician maintenance time. 

The Model IR400 operates by measuring the absorption of infrared radiation passing through a volume of gas using a dual beam, single detector method.  The IR detector measures the intensity of two specific wavelengths, one at an absorption wavelength and another outside of the absorption wavelength. The gas concentration is determined by comparing these two intensities.

The IR400 Detector can be configured for analogue output, Modbus, and HART.  The IR400 provides a two-wire RS-485 addressable communication link, which supports the Modbus protocol, and is used to monitor status and settings in order to simplify installation and maintenance. Warning and alarm and maintenance events are available via Modbus or HART, as well as diagnostics and correction action capabilities.  Its electronics are contained within a rugged, explosion-proof housing. The IR400 has FM, CSA, ATEX, IECEx, and BV approvals, the CE Marking, and is suitable for use in SIL 3 systems.