Cautions & Warnings. Sierra Monitor Corporation 5100-04-IT, 5100-05-IT, 5100-03-IT, 5100-26-IT, 5100-10-IT, 5100-88-IT

Model 5100-XX-IT Toxic Gas Sensor Module

CAUTIONS & WARNINGS

2.1 Introduction

Although the IT Transmitter Modules are designed and constructed for installation and operation in industrial applications including “hostile” environments, caution should be taken to insure that the installation is made in compliance with this instruction manual and that certain procedures and conditions are avoided. This chapter discusses the necessary cautions. Read the entire chapter prior to installation of the equipment.

2.2 Gas Sensor Modules – General

Avoid installing sensor modules where they will be unnecessarily exposed to wind, dust, water (i.e. direct hose down), shock, or vibration. Observe temperature range limitations.

Sensors may be adversely affected by prolonged exposure to certain materials. Loss of sensitivity, or corrosion, may be gradual if such materials are present in low concentrations. These materials include: Halides (compounds containing chlorine, fluorine, bromine, iodine), acid vapors, caustic liquids or mists.

Care has been taken by the manufacturer to ship modules in protective packaging to avoid contamination prior to installation. It is recommended that the modules remain protected during installation and that the covering be removed immediately prior to system start-up.

During normal use the O

2

, CO, H

2

S, and SO

2

sensors are protected from dirt and oil contamination by a sintered metal cover. If this cover becomes clogged, the response of the sensor will be reduced. Protect the sensor from contamination by careful placement, or by use of rain shields and dust shields.

Sensor modules must not be painted. Paint may contain compounds which will contaminate the sensor. Paint will cause clogging of the sintered metal cover and will cause difficulties during attachment of the calibration head or other maintenance activity. It is recommended that the module be tagged "DO NOT PAINT" .

2.3 Wiring Warnings

The manufacturer recommends that extra caution be taken where the installation is near any sources of electromagnetic or radio frequency interference. Precautions include:

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Avoid running sensor module cable close to high power cables, radio transmission lines, or cables subject to pulses of high current.

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Avoid running cables near large electric motors or generators.

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When the sensor module is to be operated in analog (4-20mA output) mode shielded cable is required.

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When shielding is used, it is recommended that shields be grounded at the controller and nowhere else.

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All splices must be via either a termination hardware system or soldered. Improperly spliced cable can result in corrosion, resistance changes and system errors. The use of wire nuts and crimp-on connectors is unacceptable.

NOTE: Installation and wiring must be in accordance with the National Electrical Code. Voltage AC conductors are not to be run in the same conduit as voltage DC conductors.

2.4 Calibration Frequency

The H2S calibration frequency is six months or 180 days. However, prudent gas detector maintenance practices normally suggest a simple recalibration following incidences of exposure to high levels of gas that would lead to alarm activation within any system utilizing the output of the gas sensor module.

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