How Often Should You Calibrate Your Toxic/Flammable Gas Detector?
When we think of gas detector calibration and how often it must be performed, it is dependent on many variables. First and foremost is determining if a gas sensor is out of calibration.
The best way to establish this is through a “bump” or functional test using a certified standard gas mixture of known concentration. If the device is functioning properly and still measuring gas within tolerance, calibration is unnecessary. Bump testing should be performed as regular maintenance on any gas detector. With the frequency depending on the sensor technology, manufacturer recommendations, specific company standard operating procedures and environment.
The two most common sensor types are NDIR and Electrochemical.
NDIR sensors tend not to drift and are calibrated prior to shipment. They require a bump testing frequency of 6 months or less to ensure performance is consistent. Calibration is only necessary if bump testing indicates the sensor is out of specification. Electrochemical sensors tend to drift over time and require bump testing every 3 to 6 months. Calibration is recommended annually or if bump testing indicates an out of spec sensor.
Due to the technology of electrochemical sensors, they will deplete over time and more rapidly if exposed to the target gas. They can also be poisoned if exposed to certain gases. If this is a risk, then bump testing more frequently is prudent. Calibration frequency can also be dependent on gas detector relevance. If it is a portable device, then it is pragmatic to bench calibrate before utilizing it in the field. If an area is planned to have significant traffic or work, then calibration should be performed for this event.
The sensor technology industry is constantly evolving, and with that newer sensors are assuring longer periods between calibration, or potentially no need to calibrate at all.
Using newly developed materials and software, sensors may last thousands of cycles without any performance decay, even if exposed to extreme environments or chemicals. The future is markedly promising.
Remember, the most important reason to calibrate your Vanguard Gas Detector is to provide accurate gas concentration readings in order that it could prevent illness, injury or death to personnel in the area. Your Vanguard may be exposed to extreme environments such as high or low temperatures, high or low humidity, or even harsh chemicals that may require more frequent calibration. With proper maintenance, your Vanguard can provide the safety your team deserves.
For more information about fixed toxic and flammable gas detection systems contact Ives Equipment. Call them at (877) 768-1600 or visit their website at https://ivesequipment.com.
The Weather is Changing. Freeze Protect Your Facility Now!
Ensure frigid temperatures don’t slow you down.
Nelson Electric Heat Trace.
With over 65 years of experience, let us be your trusted and reliable source for staying operational during those harsh winter months.
As winter weather is settling in, the need to protect vital equipment is essential. With lower temperatures and brutal winds, exterior equipment is in danger of freezing which lengthens or completely halts the production process. Now is the time to assess your heat trace requirements.
Nelson Heat Trace products by Emerson incorporate traditional heat trace design philosophies with innovative installation, control, and monitoring technologies. Our solutions are perfect for keeping metal pipes or other exposed equipment working at the right temperature. With unpredictable weather conditions, it is critical to keep your equipment running; we offer total environmental coverage, no matter the elements.
LEARN MORE HERE
For more information about Emerson Nelson Heat Trace Products, contact Ives Equipment. Call them at (877) 768-1600 or visit https://ivesequipment.com/freezeprotect.
An Advanced, Single Housing, All-In-One Gas Detection System
SensAlarm Plus is a complete, turn-key gas detection system preassembled in one housing. The system comes standard with strobe lights, horns, high-visibility four-digit LED display, and LCD display/interface. At the heart of the SensAlarm Plus is an advanced Intelligent Sensor platform with non-volatile memory for all critical application variables and sensor data. A non-intrusive user interface enables easy operator customization and a quick review of sensor life parameters, TWA (Time Weighted Average) alarms, calibration data, and other information with date and time recording.
The SensAlarm Plus sensor head is universal in that it accepts all Sensidyne Plus sensors. Monitoring in high, low, or adjacent locations is simplified by remote mounting the sensor head using a four-conductor cable. With a sensor connected, the automatic uploading of variables, alarm values, and sensor information dramatically simplifies installation and maintenance. Transportable calibration allows sensor calibration at the installation location or in a workshop, then hot-swapping the sensor in the field.
SensAlarm Plus is the ideal gas monitoring solution for many applications. Most laboratories, gas cylinder storage facilities, industrial work areas where gases are present, control room protection or other applications where users benefit from a packaged gas detection system are common areas that need SensAlarm Plus.
DOWNLOAD THE SENSALARM PLUS DATA SHEET FROM THIS IVES EQUIPMENT WEB PAGE
For more information about Sensidyne Fixed Gas Detection products, contact Ives Equipment. Call them at 877-768-1600 or visit their website at https://ivesequipment.com.
The MIcroMod 353 RetroPAK - An Alternative for Siemens 353 and Moore 352 Users
The 353 RetroPAK is the best choice on the market to update your controllers with the least disruption to your plant operation.
The Siemens 353 and Moore 352 controllers have been extremely popular, but they are no longer manufactured or supported. MicroMod has a cost-effective migration solution offering up-to-date technology that will be available for years to come. We understand the dilemmas faced by companies that need to ahead and be able to support their control systems without abandoning their control philosophy or incurring large up-front installation costs.
The 353 RetroPAK provides the same process control functions as the Moore 352 and Siemens 353 controllers. Factory templates (in the Siemens 353 FCO style) that can be loaded from the front keypad along with a function block library in Windows configuration software mean less time spent learning new programs and re-engineering your system. The RetroPAK suits the same panel cutout, has the same simple I / O add-on, and offers dual communication networks.
DOWNLOAD THE 353 RETROPAK BROCHURE HERE
For more information about the MicroMod 353 RetroPAK, contact Ives Equipment. Call them at (877) 768-1600 or visit their website at https://ivesequipment.com.
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