MSA SOLARIS Operating Manual
1
SOLARIS Multigas Detector
Operating Manual
European Manual / Rev 01 / 10-2003
Manufactured by
MSA INSTRUMENT DIVISION
P.O. Box 427, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15230
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Notice!
Like any piece of complex equipment, this product will do the job designed to do only if it is used and
serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. This manual must be carefully read by all
individuals who have or will have the responsibility for using or servicing the product.
The warranties made by MSA AUER with respect to the product are voided if the product is not used and
serviced in accordance with the instructions in this manual. Please protect yourself and your employees
by following them.
The product has to be controlled and serviced regularly by competent and authorized personnel. The
results of the inspections and services have to be recorded.
Before choosing and using this product, it is required to assess whether this product is suitable for the
application intended. Choice and use are beyond the control of MSA AUER. Therefore, the liability of
MSA AUER covers only the consistent quality of this product.
Instruments and components which have been tested and certified shall only be maintained and used in
accordance with the relevant instructions in the certificates. Modifications on instruments and
components and the use of defective or incomplete instruments or components are not permissible.
Apart from MSA AUER, authorized workshops can carry out maintenance work. These workshops are
responsible to obtain the latest technical information on the instruments and components from MSA
AUER.
The above does not alter statements regarding the warranties and condi-tions of sale and deliveries of
MSA AUER.
This instrument consists of subassemblies which are electrostatically sensitive. Opening of the instrument
for maintenance or repair is to be carried out by authorized personnel only. Avoid unprotected touching of
the subassemblies causing electrostatic discharge. Guarantee is voided if damages to subassemblies
are caused by electrostatic discharge.
Observe handling instructions
Subassemblies sensitive to electrostatic discharge
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1. Instrument Safety and Certifications ....................................................................................................4
1.1 Date of Instrument Manufacture .......................................................................................................4
1.2 Marking, Certificates and Approvals according to Directive 94/9/EC (ATEX).................................5
2. Using the Solaris Multigas Detector .....................................................................................................6
2.1 Last Cal Date......................................................................................................................................6
2.2 Fresh Air Set Up Option ..................................................................................................................... 6
2.3 Battery Life Indicator..........................................................................................................................6
2.3.1 Battery Warning .......................................................................................................................6
2.3.2 Battery Shutdown.....................................................................................................................7
2.3.3 Sensor Missing Alarm..............................................................................................................7
2.4 Calibration Check............................................................................................................................... 7
2.5 Measuring Gas Concentrations.........................................................................................................8
2.5.1 Oxygen Measurements (% O2) ...............................................................................................8
2.5.2 Toxic Gas Measurements ........................................................................................................8
2.6 Safe LED ............................................................................................................................................ 9
2.7 Operating Beep ..................................................................................................................................9
2.8 Viewing Optional Displays .................................................................................................................9
2.8.1 Peak Readings (PEAK) ........................................................................................................... 9
2.8.2 Minimum Readings (MIN) ........................................................................................................ 9
2.8.3 Short Term Exposure Limits (STEL) .......................................................................................9
2.8.4 Time Weighted Average (TWA) ............................................................................................10
2.8.5 Time Display ..........................................................................................................................10
2.8.6 Date Display...........................................................................................................................10
2.9 Turning OFF the Solaris Multigas Detector ....................................................................................10
3. Setting up the Solaris Multigas Detector ........................................................................................... 11
3.1 Power Systems ................................................................................................................................11
3.2 Battery Charging .............................................................................................................................. 11
3.2.1 To Charge the Instrument...................................................................................................... 11
3.3 Changing Instrument Settings......................................................................................................... 11
3.4 Accessing the Instrument Setup Mode ........................................................................................... 11
4. Calibration ..............................................................................................................................................13
4.1 Calibrating the Solaris Multigas Detector .......................................................................................13
4.2 To Calibrate the Solaris Multigas Detector .....................................................................................13
4.3 Autocalibration Failure .....................................................................................................................14
5. Warranty and Live Maintenance Procedures.....................................................................................15
5.1 MSA Portable Instrument Warranty ................................................................................................15
5.2 Cleaning and Periodic Checks ........................................................................................................15
5.2.1 Storage ...................................................................................................................................15
5.2.2 Shipment ................................................................................................................................15
5.3 Troubleshooting................................................................................................................................15
5.4 Live Maintenance Procedures.........................................................................................................16
5.4.1 Sensor Replacement .............................................................................................................16
6. Performance Specifications .................................................................................................................17
6.1 Environment and Oxygen Sensor Readings...................................................................................19
6.2 Pressure Changes ...........................................................................................................................19
6.3 Humidity Changes............................................................................................................................19
6.4 Temperature Changes .....................................................................................................................19
7. Replacement and Accessory Parts...................................................................................................... 21
Contents
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1.1 Date of Instrument Manufacture
The date of manufacture of your Solaris Multigas Detector is coded into the instrument serial number.
- The last three digits represent the month (the letter) and the year (the two-digit number).
- The letter corresponds to the month starting with A for January, B for February, etc.
Chapter 1
1. Instrument Safety and Certifications
The Solaris Multigas Detector is for use by trained and qualified personnel. It is designed to be used
when performing a hazard assessment to: Assess potential worker exposure to combustible and toxic
gases and vapors. Determine the appropriate gas and vapor monitoring needed for a workplace.
The Solaris Multigas Detector can be equipped to detect:
- Combustible gases and certain combustible vapors
- Oxygen-deficient or oxygen-rich atmospheres
- Specific toxic gases for which a sensor is installed
General Notice!
Carefully review the following safety limitations and precautions before placing this instrument in service.
The minimum concentration of a combustible gas in air that can ignite is defined as the Lower Explosive
Limit (LEL). A combustible gas reading of “100” or “5.00” indicates the atmosphere is above 100% LEL or
5.00% CH
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, respectively, and an explosion hazard exists. In such cases, the instrument LockAlarm fea-
ture activates. Move away from contaminated area immediately.
- Read and follow all instructions carefully.
- In accordance with EN50073 chapter 7.2.1 MSA recommends to carry out a routine inspection prior
to use.
- Check calibration more frequently if exposed to organic silicone, silicates, lead-containing
compounds, hydrogen sulfide over 200 ppm, or high contaminant levels.
- Recheck calibration if unit is subjected to physical shock.
- Use only to detect gases/vapors for which a sensor is installed.
- Do not use to detect combustible dusts or mists.
- Do not use in reducing atmospheres or furnace stacks.
- Make sure adequate oxygen is present.
- Do not block sensors or press on the face of sensors, as this may damage the sensors.
- Do not use this instrument to test for combustible gases in atmospheres containing vapors from
liquids with a high flash point (above 38 °C, 100 °F) as this may result in erroneously low readings.
- Have a trained and qualified person interpret instrument readings.
- Do not change Li ION battery in a hazardous atmosphere.
- Use only battery chargers listed in this manual; other chargers may damage the battery and unit.
- Dispose of batteries in accordance with local health and safety regulations.
- Do not alter or modify instrument, otherwise damage may result.
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1.2 Marking, Certificates and Approvals according to Directive 94/9/EC (ATEX)
Product: MSA SOLARIS
Type of protection: EN 50 014, EN 50 018, EN 50 020
Marking: II 2G EEx ia d IIC T4
-20 °C ≤ Ta ≤ +50 °C Um = 7.26 V
EC-Type Examination Certificate: BVS 03 ATEX E 238 X
Quality Assurance Notification: 0080
Year of Manufacture: see Label
Serial No.: see Label
EMC Conformance according to the Directive 89/336/EC
EN 50 270 Type 2 EN 61 000 - 6 - 3
Declaration of Conformity
MANUFACTURED BY: Mine Safety Appliances Company
1000 Cranberry Woods Drive
Cranberry Township, PA 16066 USA
EUROPEAN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE:
MSA AUER GmbH
Thiemannstraße 1
D-12059 Berlin, Germany
This is to declare that the MSA SOLARIS
Complies with the provisions of the council directive 94/9/EC (ATEX). This declaration is based on the
EC-Type Examination Certificate BVS 03 ATEX E 238 X EXAM, of Germany, in accordance with Annex
III of the ATEX Directive 94/9/EC Quality Assurance Notification issued by Ineris of France, Notified
Body number 0080, in accordance with Annex IV and Annex VII of the ATEX Directive 94/9/EC.
We additionally declare that this product is in conformance with the EMC directive 89/336/EEC in
accordance with EN 50270 Type 2 and EN 61 000-6-3
MSA AUER GmbH Berlin, October 2003
Dr. Axel Schubert
R & D Instruments
Chapter 1
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2. Using the Solaris Multigas Detector
Press the Power ON button; the instrument displays:
1. A self-test:
- All segments display, Audible alarm sounds, Alarm light illuminate, Vibrator activates
- Software version displays, internal diagnostics.
2. Alarm setpoints: Low, High, STEL (if activated),TWA (if activated)
3. Calibration gas (expected calibration gas values)
4. Time and date (if data logging option installed)
5. Last CAL date (if data logging option installed)
6. Instrument warm-up period
7. Fresh Air Setup option
2.1 Last Cal Date
If your Solaris is equipped with data logging a “last successful calibration date” feature is included. The
date shown is the last date that all installed sensors were successfully calibrated. “LAST CAL” is
displayed with this date in the following format: MM:DD:YY
2.2 Fresh Air Set Up Option
(for automatic zero adjustment of the Solaris Multigas Detector sensors)
NOTE: The Fresh Air Setup (FAS) has limits. If a hazardous level of gas is present, the Solaris Multigas Detector ignores the FAS command and goes into alarm. Do not activate the Fresh Air Setup
unless you are certain you are in fresh, uncontaminated air. Do not use the Fresh Air Setup as a
substitute for daily calibration checks. The calibration check is required to verify span accuracy.
Persons responsible for the use of the Solaris Multigas Detector must determine whether or not the
Fresh Air Setup option should be used. The user ’s abilities, training and normal work practices must be
considered when making this decision.
8. Turn ON the Solaris Multigas Detector. Once the instrument self check is complete, ZERO? flashes
for 10 seconds.
9. To perform a Fresh Air Setup, push the ON/OFF button while ZERO? is flashing.
10.To immediately skip the FAS, push the ? RESET button. If no buttons are pushed, the ZERO?
automatically stops flashing after the 10 seconds have expired and the FAS is not performed.
2.3 Battery Life Indicator
The battery condition icon continuously displays in the upper portion of the screen, regardless of the
selected page. As the battery charge dissipates, segments of the battery icon go blank until only the
outline of the battery icon remains.
2.3.1 Battery Warning
A Battery Warning indicates that a nominal 15 minutes of operation remain before instrument batteries
are completely depleted.
NOTE: Duration of remaining instrument operation during Battery Warning depends on ambient
temperatures.
Chapter 2
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When the Solaris Multigas Detector goes into Battery Warning:
- Battery Life indicator flashes and “BATT WRN” flashes every 15 seconds.
- Alarm sounds and lights flash every 15 seconds.
- The Solaris Multigas Detector continues to operate until the instrument is turned OFF or battery
shutdown occurs.
2.3.2 Battery Shutdown
When the batteries can no longer operate the instrument, the instrument goes into Battery Shutdown
mode:
- LOW and BATTERY flash on the display.
- Alarm sounds and lights flash; alarm can be silenced by pressing the RESET button.
- No other pages can be viewed; after approximately one minute, the instrument automatically turns
OFF.
NOTE: When Battery Shutdown condition sounds, stop using the instrument; it can no longer alert you
of potential hazards since it does not have enough power to operate properly:
1. Leave the area immediately.
2. Turn OFF the instrument if it is ON.
3. Report to the person responsible for maintenance.
4. Recharge the battery.
2.3.3 Sensor Missing Alarm
The Solaris Multigas Detector will enter the Sensor Missing alarm if the instrument detects that an
enabled sensor is not properly installed in the instrument. For O2, CO, and H2S sensors, the Sensor Missing feature is checked when the instrument is turned ON and when leaving the Setup mode. The
combustible Sensor Missing feature is continually monitored. If a sensor is detected as missing, the
following occurs:
- SENSOR and MISSING flash on the display.
- The flag above the sensor detected as missing flashes on the display.
- Alarm sounds and lights flash.
- Alarm can be silenced by pressing the RESET button; no other pages can be viewed.
- After approximately one minute, the instrument automatically turns OFF.
2.4 Calibration Check
The calibration check is simple and should only take about one minute.
1. Turn ON the Solaris Multigas Detector in clean, fresh air.
2. Verify that readings indicate no gas is present.
3. Attach calibration cap to the Solaris Multigas Detector.
4. Ensure that “TOP” and “?” on the calibration cap are oriented so that “TOP” is positioned at the top of
the instrument.
5. Attach regulator (supplied with calibration kit) to the cylinder.
6. Connect tubing (supplied with calibration kit) to the regulator.
7. Attach other end of tubing to the calibration cap.
8. Open the valve on the regulator.
- The regulator flow rate is 0.25 lpm.
- The reading on the Solaris Multigas Detector display should be within the limits stated on the
calibration cylinder or limits determined by your company.
- If necessary, change cylinder to introduce other calibration gases.
- If readings are not within these limits the Solaris requires recalibration (Chapter 4)
Chapter 2
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