11
Influence of Oxygen and Interfering Gases
It is to be considered, that the measurement of gas and/or vapour concentrations in the range below 100%
LEL cannot be done accurately, if the oxygen concentration at the same time is below 10 %-Vol.. In this
case the CC sensor suffers from a lack of oxygen, which is necessary for the “catalytic combustion”. If the
oxygen sensor detects such a low concentration, the display reads “????” instead of the LEL value. When the
oxygen concentration exceeds 10 %-Vol., the LEL value will be displayed correctly again. The EX-approval
does not cover the use of the detector in oxygen enriched atmospheres. Certain components, known as
„sensor or catalyst poisons“, may affect the signal behaviour of the CC sensor. The "sensitivity", i.e. the
capability of the sensor to give signals, is reduced. Components of this kind are e.g. sulphuric, lead or
silicone compounds.
Special Notes for LEL Monitoring
For LEL monitoring the G460 may use a catalytic combustion (CC) sensor. Due to this principle the G460
cannot distinguish between measurement values in the LEL range and those in the high Vol.-% range (e.g.
> 20 Vol.-% CH
4
). Concentrations of more than 110 % LEL might also damage this sensor. To prevent such
a damage, the sensor is turned off, when gas concentrations of more than 110 % LEL are measured. Only
pressing the key RESET and confirming the question “Fresh Air?” by means of key YES the sensor is turned
on again. Oxygen concentrations of less than 10 %-Vol. do not allow the CC sensor to correctly detect
combustible gases and vapours. The paragraph „Influence of Oxygen and Interfering Gases“ provides
additional information.
HI%-Measurement of Methane resp. Natural Gas
[#]
In standard detection mode methane (CH4) can be measured within a range of 0..100 %LEL by using either
a catalytic combustion sensor (CC) or an infrared sensor (IR). In this mode all gas alarm thresholds are
monitored. If the instrument is equipped with a special HI%-IR sensor (MK227-5 or MK231-5), monitoring of
higher ranges of up to 100 %-Vol. CH
4
is possible. By pressing the middle and left key simultaneously the
mode will be switched to HI%-range. In this mode no gas alarms will be monitored. Apart from deactivated
gas alarms also the confidence bleep and optionally the catalytic combustion sensor are deactivated. The
display shows in the left top corner the HI%-symbol. The measurement value of the infrared sensor is
shown in %-Vol. CH
4
and the position for the measurement values of the catalytic combustion sensor
remains blank. The pressure dependence of the IR sensor explained within the “Sensor Specifications” must
be noticed. If the gas concentration falls below 5 %-Vol. CH
4
the %LEL range can be re-activated by hitting
the middle and left key simultaneously. Gas alarm, confidence bleep and optionally catalytic combustion
sensor are re-activated as well.
Service Mode
Press the middle key (RESET) for approx. 5 seconds to activate the service mode. In the service mode the
G460 can be adjusted by changing of program parameters. Certain menu points require the access code
„0011“ to prevent accidental change of important functions by unauthorized persons. During the service
mode all alarms are deactivated. The main menu is the first menu point in the service mode.
Main Menu
The menu points of the main menu are:
1. Location (= Entering a location)
2. User (= Entering of identity)
3. Data logger (= Adjustment of data logger functions)
4. Signal (= Setting of confidence bleep intervals)
5. Service (= Starting the service menu)
6. AutoCal (= AutoCal adjustment with fresh air or with test gas)
7. Options (= Anti-Lazy-Battery, contrast, alarm volume)
8. Pump (= Information and status of the pump )
Menu control: The function of the key is explained by the display reading above the relevant key.