Crowcon launches XgardIQ

Crowcon Detection Instruments Ltd – a manufacturer of specialist gas detection equipment – has recently announced its next generation of intelligent gas detectors and transmitters, XgardIQ. XgardIQ is an intelligent and versatile gas detector and transmitter that is compatible with Crowcon’s full range of sensor technologies. XgardIQ is available to be fitted with a variety of flammable, toxic or oxygen gas sensors or, alternatively, it may be installed with a remote sensor, housing up to 15 m from the transmitter.

XgardIQ has been developed to minimise the time operators must spend in hazardous areas where they may be exposed to gas hazards, enhance site safety using Crowcon’s ‘positive safety’ feature and enable simple installation and commissioning.

HART communications enable diagnostic checking and maintenance

Providing analogue 4-20mA and RS-485 Modbus signals as standard, XgardIQ is optionally available with alarm and fault relays and HART communications. This comprehensive set of output interfaces ensures compatibility with virtually any control system from gas detection panels, to PLC’s, DCS’s and SCADA systems. HART communications enables diagnostic checking and maintenance using industry-standard communications tools remotely or locally in the hazardous area. The HART feature also enables XgardIQ to be logged and monitored automatically on asset management systems.

Minimising time spent in hazardous areas

XgardIQ offers powerful features that help to minimise the time that operators spend in the hazardous area to perform routine maintenance functions. Sensor modules can be simply and quickly “hot-swapped” without a hot-work permit, either for replacement with a new pre-calibrated replacement module, or for temporary removal to a safe area for calibration. Therefore, engineers avoid the need to carry compressed gas cylinders on-site and the sensor module can be tested and calibrated in the safety of a laboratory.

Users have the option to perform a quick and simple bump test rather than full calibration to verify that sensors are fully operational. Using the ‘speedy bump’ and ‘smart bump’ options, users can perform interim safety checks in minimal time, using the minimum amount of gas.

XgardIQ utilises buttons and a bright organic light emitting diode (OLED) display rather than conventional magnets and LCD’s for configuration and adjustments. The OLED display enables status checking at a glance and from a distance and the use of buttons avoids the risk of special tools, such as magnets, being lost, thus resulting in aborted calibration attempts.

Crowcon’s ‘positive safety’ feature

Crowcon’s ‘positive safety’ feature confirms the detector is operating safely using a bright blue LED and screen messages. XgardIQ automatically alerts operators of any irregular events that may affect product integrity – such as the ambient temperature or gas concentration exceeding sensor limits. Such events may harm the sensor but would remain undiagnosed on conventional gas detectors – the sensor may be rendered insensitive to gas without warning the operator. When the detector is working safely the blue positive safety LED remains on constantly, if any abnormal operating conditions are detected the LED will flash and a warning message will be displayed.

The XgardIQ transmitter will automatically configure to the correct gas-type, scale and alarm levels when a sensor module is inserted.

Comment form Crowcon

“XgardIQ has been developed to address the challenges and objectives of operators in safety-critical applications and to deliver real user benefits” explains Andy Avenell, Senior Business Development Manager. “We spend a significant amount of time talking to engineers and operators in oil and gas facilities, petrochemical and chemical plants and other high risk areas. The experiences and insight gained from such sites has been instrumental in the specification development of XgardIQ.”

Edited from source by Elizabeth Corner

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/product-news/25062015/crowcon-launches-xgardiq/