SenseAir Alarm User manual

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User Manual

SenseAir

Alarm

Portable carbon dioxide sensor and alarm unit

for personal safety

with Real Time Clock

SenseAir Alarm Included

General

The SenseAir portable sensor is a lightweight CO2 instrument with a digital display designed

to measure the carbon dioxide concentration in ambient air. Built-in data logging and alarm

functions with both audible alarm and LEDs make this portable pocket size instrument perfect

for personal safety applications. The display shows the current carbon dioxide concentration

and the past 8 hours TWA (Time Weighted Average) value. The gold-plated carbon dioxide

sensor measures the carbon dioxide concentration in %VOL. State-of-the-art non-dispersive

infrared technology and automatic calibration functions have resulted in great reliability,

accuracy and long-term stability of operation. The battery capacity is more than 12 hours.

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Function Description

The instrument is durable, but for extra safety the

instrument shall be secured by the safety strap on the top.

The measuring sensor is inside the unit. Several openings

in the housing make the air circulate through the unit.

These openings must be kept open!

Please note! Whenever you go from a cold environment

to a warm environment there is a risk of condensation

(anyone with glasses has noticed it). To avoid that this

influences the accuracy of the instrument it is important

to allow it to adjust to the environment for a few minutes

before usage

Figure 1. The flow through the unit.

The display shows the instantaneous CO2 value and the TWA-value. The instantaneous CO2

value is also easy overviewed with the front panel LEDs. When the CO2concentration

reaches the lowest alarm level the second yellow LED is lit and an intermitted audio alarm is

triggered. If the concentration continues to rise the red LED is lit as the second alarm level is

reached and a continuous audio alarm is triggered.

Figure 2. Front Panel

Note: If the status indicator is shown the readings are not reliable! The actions

to take are then always first to charge the battery, second to recalibrate the CO2

sensor zero point (put the unit in CALb Mode). If still the status indicator is

shown after these two actions, please contact your dealer!

Yellow LED: Pre Alarm

1,5 %VOL CO2

Status Indicato

Red LED: Main Alarm

3,0 %VOL CO2

Green LED:

0,1 %VOL CO21s

Yellow LED:

0,5 %VOL CO2

Green LED: Always activated

in On or Sleep Mode

CO2Concentration in %VOL

TWA value

in %VOL CO2

On/OFF/Function Button

Push the button for ten seconds

to turn ON the sensor

Battery Indicator

Air inlet

Air outlet

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Default Push Button Functions

On Mode

• Normal operation

• Alarm enabled

• TWA logger active

• ABC algorithm disabled

Push the button until the display shows "tESt" (for ten seconds),

then release the button. The unit will then perform a full self-

test sequence showing the LEDs and buzzer response for

the alarm setpoints. After the test the unit is in On Mode.

Power Off

• TWA logger data will be

reset.

From On Mode, push the button until all front panel leds are

turned off. While pushing the button the unit will pass through

the mode "CALb". If you accidentally release the button too

early, just push the button once to reach On Mode and try again.

CALb Mode

• TWA logger on hold

• ABC algorithm enabled

From On Mode, push the button until the display shows CALb,

then release the button. This will activate the Automatic Baseline

Calibration ABC that requires 5 hours to complete one calibration

cycle. The instrument continues to execute calibrations every

four hours as long as it is left in CALb mode. Intended for

overnight charging in fresh air, with minor calibration adjustment

automatically performed.

To get back to On Mode, just push the button once.

Back light & Application

Function Execution. Can be turned on temporary by pushing the button. The

backlight is turned off after 8-16 seconds. Application function for

"standard" default setting is just backlight.

Acknowledge Alarm In alarm and pre alarm states, pushing the button resets the

sounding buzzer for 5 minutes at a time.

On Mode

Off Mode

"CALb"

Push Button

Release Button

Explanation

Off Mode

"tESt"

On Mode

" CALb"

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Instantaneous CO2Concentration

The instantaneous CO2concentration is shown in the upper part of the display and should

never exceed recommended short term exposure limit values. The instantaneous CO2

concentration is also indicated with the five LEDs below the display. Immediately leave the

area if the second yellow LED is lit and the buzzer sounds!

Alarm functions (factory settings):

LED

Green 1: always lit when the unit is on

Green 2: >0,1 % VOL (Recommended indoor max CO2concentration level)

Yellow 1: >0,5 % VOL

Yellow 2: >1,5 % VOL, Buzzer (bip-bip-bip-…), pre alarm.

Red: >3,0 %

VOL, Buzzer (biiiiiiiiiiii….), main alarm.

When the CO2concentration exceeds 1,5 % VOL the second yellow LED is lit (pre alarm) and

the buzzer beeps intermittent. If the CO2concentration rises above 3,0 % VOL the red LED is

lit and the buzzer sounds continuously. By pushing the button (alarm acknowledgement) the

buzzer temporarily will be turned off. The backlight is automatically turned on at pre and

main alarm and turned off 8-16 seconds after alarm acknowledgement. If the alarm condition

remains 5 minutes from alarm acknowledgement the buzzer becomes actuated again. When

the alarm condition has vanished the SenseAir Alarm returns to normal operation with the

buzzer silenced (- if not acknowledged the backlight will remain on).

The TWA Value

8 hours TWA (Time Weighted Average) value represents the average carbon dioxide level

exposure during a working day. In most European countries the CO2hygienic limit value (8

hours/day or 40 hours/week) is set to 0,5 %VOL (5000 ppm). It is considered unhealthy long-

term to be exposed to more than this value during an 8-hour working day.

The TWA value is shown in the lower part of the display. At power on the TWA-value starts

from 0,04% CO2and accumulates current carbon dioxide levels averaged over time. Data

acquisition is done every 4th minute for the passed 4 minutes average exposure.

During continous operation the TWA value displayed by the SenseAir Alarm unit is an

average value of the latest 8 hours data recorded. To reset TWA, just switch the unit into Off

Mode and back on (without any battery charger connected). Senseair then starts up with the

default value 0,04 %VOL CO2.

In CALb, the current TWA-value is kept on hold. This is useful when you want to take a

pause in measuring, for example, if you are doing a worksite investigation and have to leave

the area for some time. When the unit is switched back into On Mode it will resume the

started TWA recording period.

Switching the unit into OFF Mode, with the battery charger connected until switched back

into ON Mode again, will also pause and resume the TWA calculations.

For the records, it is possible to download to a PC all logged data for the last 8 hours TWA

period. A special communication cable is required (included), plus the free software UIP-P

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(can be downloaded from www.senseair.com). This connection can be done in OFF Mode

during battery charging, as well as during normal operation in ON or CALb Modes, with or

without any battery charger connected.

Charging of the Battery

Charging of the battery can be done with the unit in Off-, CALb- or On Mode. The electronic

circuitry gets activated by charging also in Off Mode, but will return to initial off state when

disconnected. When the DC- adapter is connected the charging of the battery is indicated by

the rolling battery icon. When the battery is fully charged the battery icon is lit continuously.

The SenseAir unit automatically stops charging when the battery is fully charged.

The charging time for a completely discharged battery is 4±1 hours and the battery capacity is

more than 12 hours of operation.

Figure 3. Connections

Self Diagnostics and Calibration

The SenseAir is basically maintenance free. The system contains a complete self-diagnostic

routine, which is executed automatically every time the power is turned on. The unit will then

perform a full self-test sequence showing the LEDs and buzzer response for the alarm

setpoints. SenseAir is working with continuous self-diagnostics during operation (On Mode).

If any error is detected the Status Indicator Segment will be lit.

The sensor has an automatic calibration function to secure long-term accuracy. It's called

Automatic Baseline Calibration (ABC), implemented to eliminate any zero point drift of the

infrared sensor. ABC calibration cycles are performed in 4 hours intervals. During some

minutes of that time fresh air (CO2concentration between 380-420 ppm) has to be present.

ABC function is only active in "CALb Mode" (after one hour delay) and requires 1 to 5 hours

to perform one calibration adjustment. Each such adjustment is limited to a fine-tuning of

0,01% CO2. Several consecutive adjustments might be performed, if required, for each

additional 4 hours period stay in “CALb Mode”.

The CALb Mode is intended for overnight charging in an area with good ventilation, or close

to the fresh air inlet.

Communication Port

Calibration Gas Inlet

DC-adapter

New sensors with A232R have red connection parts

and a red spot on the cable

Old sensors are the same colour as the housing

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User Interface Program UIP-P

Software Program

UIP-P is a PC software tool that can be free downloaded from http://www.senseair.com/.

Together with the included cable the SenseAir can be connected to a computer to:

1. Load measured samples from SenseAir Alarm into the computer.

2. Configure the trigger levels for the five LEDs.

3. Configure the alarm levels for the buzzer.

4. Customize display. Which parameters shall be visible for the user?

5. Save and load application and customized files.

6. Make CO2sensor calibrations.

Sensors with serial number 18602163 or higher, which have a red connection part, must be

used together with a cable with red spot.

This computer communication can be done in all modes; on, off or CALb, with or without the

charger connected.

The File menu has sub menus; Load settings from file, Save settings to file, Load backup file,

Save backup file, Close.

Load settings from file Loads setting from a set file eg an application file.

Save settings to file Saves settings in a set file

The Sensor menu has sub menus; Read from sensor, Send to sensor, Calibrate.

Read from sensor Use this button to load settings and samples from the sensor.

Send to sensor Sends settings to the sensor.

The Help menu has sub menus; About (version number), Help

UIP-P has six folders

The folder General shows sensor data and current reading of CO2and CO2 TWA.

The folder LED shows the selected values to turn on the LEDs. The values can be to desired

values. Enter the new values into the sensor by pushing the button Send to sensor.

Figure 4. The folder General in UIP-P shows Figure 5. The folder LEDs in UIP-P shows the

shows the sensor data and current readings concentrations to turn on the LEDs

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In the folder Display the two rows on the display are shown. Default is CO2concentration

measured in % and the TWA value in %. If the default is not used the display may show other

parameters. Send the new settings to the sensor by pushing the button Send to sensor.

In the folder Buzzer the alarm limits are set.

Figure 6. The folder Display in UIP-P shows what Figure 7.In the folder Buzzer in UIP-P the alarm

Is shown on the display. limits are set

In the folder CO2History the sampled CO2 readings are shown. Readings can be saved in

files. See Sampling of CO2readings. By pushing “Get data” a simple graph with data up to

the time the sampling counter is shown. Push the button ”Reset CO2 history” to clear the

sampled readings.

Figure 8. In the folder CO2History in UIP-P the sampled readings are shown.

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In folder Logger the readings in real time are shown. Move the mouse over it and a box will

appear showing time and CO2 value as the pointer is moved on the X-axis. The desired

sampling interval can be set here. Push the button ”Reset logger” to clear the logger.

Figure 9. In the folder Logger in UIP-P the sampled readings are shown in real time.

Sampling CO2readings

SenseAir Alarm continuously samples CO2readings. The internal sample counter is active in

On mode and is reset if the sensor is turned off without the charger connected. All readings

sampled when the counter was active can be seen in User Interface Program UIP-P. All data

from UIP-P can be saved in a text file or an excel file for storage or further data processing.

Up to 580 readings can be stored in a FIFO memory (“first in first out”). If the sensor is in On

mode during longer time older data can be overwritten so that the latest de 580 samples are

stored. The sampling interval can be selected in folder ”Logger”. Preset value is 5 minutes /

two days measuring time. By selecting different sampling intervals the measuring time can be

longer or shorter. If the sampling interval has been changed the sensor must be restarted

after the change with the charger NOT connected. If the sensor is not restarted the

graph will not show the right data.

The sample counter is always active in On mode. Push the buttons ”Reset logger” and ”Reset

CO2history” to clear the sample counter. In CALb mode the sampling is interrupted and

continues when the sensor is in On mode. This is useful if you want to take a break in the

measurements. If the sensor is turned Off with the charger connected the sampling is

interrupted and continues when the sensor is turned on.

It is recommended to start a sampling period with a fully charged battery and to try to avoid

charging during the sampling time. If the charger is connected to the sensor the battery will be

charged when needed. If the voltage falls below a certain level the sensor is automatically

turned off and the sample counter is cleared (the same if the sensor is turned off without the

charger connected). Old data remain until they are overwritten.

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Tips before a measurement

• If possibly do the measurements without the charger connected.

• Start the measurement with a fully charged battery.

• Select a sampling interval without overwriting samples.

Note!

• If the sensor is turned off without the charger connected the sample counter is

cleared. New measurements start from zero.

• If the voltage sinks below a certain level the sensor is automatically turned off

and the sample counter cleared. If the sensor is turned off with the charger

connected a break is done in the sampling. When restarted the sampling

continues where it was interrupted.

• If the sensor is in CALb mode only a break is done in the sampling. When

restarted the sampling continues where it was interrupted.

• If the sensor is cleared the sampled values remain until they are overwritten.

Calibration with computer and UIP-P

Back ground calibration Place the sensor in fresh outdoor air. Open the program and choose

File-Sensor- Calibrate-CO2background. Check the graph to see when the sensor is stable.

Click the button and the sensor will be calibrated to 0.04 %.

Zero point calibration For the most accurate zero point calibration result - proceed as

follows:

Put the sensor in a small plastic bag and flow zero ppm CO2gas (i.e. nitrogen) into the bag.

Click the button and use the graph that appears to decide when the readings have stabilized,

then click "next" and the sensor will be calibrated to zero.

Span point calibration For the most accurate span point calibration result - proceed as

follows:

Put the sensor in a small plastic bag and flow gas with carefully determined CO2

concentration into the bag. Click the button and use the graph that appears to decide when the

readings have stabilized. The program asks about carbon dioxide concentration ”Please enter

span gas concentration in %”.

Always zero calibrate before span calibration!

Save and load files

Load settings from file. Loads settings from a set file eg an application file. Select the file

you want to load into the sensor. If the file is zipped it must be unzipped before loading. New

settings is not sent to the sensor before you answer yes to the question ”Do you want to send

the new settings to the sensor now or pushes “Send to sensor”.

Save settings to file. Saves settings in a file. Individual settings of LEDs, display can be

saved in a file and later loaded into the sensor.

Load backup file Loads the complete memory content with individual calibration data from a

file to the sensor. New settings is not sent to the sensor before you answer yes to the question

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”Do you want to send the new settings to the sensor now or pushes “Send to sensor”. The file

can only be loaded if it was created from the same sensor. The unit serial number is used as a

locking parameter preventing the file to be loaded into any other monitor with a different

serial number!

Save backup file Saves the complete memory content with individual calibration data from

the sensor to a file.

Application files

An application file customizes the sensor to a specific application. Typically, the application

file adds to the default unit some mathematic algorithm that will be executed by the push-

button when the unit is in On Mode. Also, the display options will be enhanced and include

the result of this extra function.

These files are free and are included in the UIP_P software package, which can be

downloaded from SenseAir's web site www.senseair.com. You are welcome to suggest new

and suitable applications for this library by contacting your distributor!

To load an application file from the library into the unit, proceed as follows:

• Connect the cable and start the UIP_P software to establish the PC connection

• You might want to save the existing unit configuration for future restoration. If so,

select main menu “File” / “Save settings to file” and select some appropriate file

name.

• Select the main menu “File” / “Load settings from file” and select the application file

of interest

• When the file has been loaded onto the PC screen you might want to edit the default

display configuration and select SI or English/US units – this is the time to do it!

• When you have made your selections you must click on “Send to sensor”!!!

• Exit the software when finished and turn off the sensor power (with no battery charger

connected).

After power up the unit has its new operation functionality! You are free to reconfigure back

and forth as much as you like, but to be sure of correct operation you must completely power

down the monitor before operating with a new application configuration!

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