BW Technologies GasAlertClip

The BW Technologies GasAlertClip is a 2-year gas detector designed for personal safety, providing warnings of hazardous gas levels. It monitors specific gases depending on the model: hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and oxygen (O2). The device is equipped with an internal vibrator alarm and event logging capabilities for certain models, storing and transmitting gas alarm event data.

Function Description

The primary function of the GasAlertClip is to detect hazardous gas concentrations and alert the user through audible, visual, and vibratory alarms when gas levels exceed factory-set or user-specified alarm setpoints. For oxygen, it also detects deficiency. The detector is activated by pressing and holding a button for 5 seconds, after which it performs a self-test, sets a life-remaining clock, and displays alarm setpoints. Once activated, the device cannot be turned off. It continuously monitors gas levels and records up to 10 gas alarm events, including gas type, alarm level, duration, and time elapsed since the alarm.

Important Technical Specifications

Maximum Operating Life: 2 years after activation, assuming 3-5 minutes of alarm time/day.
Detection Range:
- H2S: 0 to 100 ppm
- CO: 0 to 300 ppm
- O2: 0 to 30% by volume
- SO2: 0 to 100 ppm
Alarm Setpoints (Standard):
- GasAlertClip O2: Low 19.5%, High 23.5%
- GasAlertClip CO: Low 35 ppm, High 200 ppm
- GasAlertClip H2S: Low 10 ppm, High 15 ppm
- GasAlertClip SO2: Low 5 ppm, High 10 ppm
- Note: May be equipped with customer-specified alarm setpoints.
Calibration: H2S, CO, SO2 do not require calibration. O2 is self-calibrating.
Shelf Life: 1 year before activation.
Operating Temperature:
- H2S: -40 to +122 °F / -40 to +50 °C
- CO: -22 to +122 °F / -30 to +50 °C
- SO2: -22 to +122 °F / -30 to +50 °C
- O2: -4 to +122 °F / -20 to +50 °C
- Internal vibrating option operates to: +5°F / -15°C.
Operating Humidity: 5% to 95% relative humidity (non-condensing).
Audible Alarm: ≈85 dB at 1 ft. (0.3 m).
Visual Alarm: Wide-angled alarm bar.
Display: Liquid crystal display (LCD).
Sensor Type: Electrochemical cells.
Detection Technique: Instantaneous alarm.
Battery: Lithium, non-replaceable.
Intrinsic Safety: Classified by UL to both U.S. and Canadian Standards as intrinsically safe for Class I, Division 1, Group A, B, C, D and Class I, Zone 0, Group IIC. ATEX: CE 0539 II 2G DEMKO 02 ATEX 0235232, EX Approval: EEx ia IIC T5, CE: European Conformity.
Data Event Specifications (EL models only):
- Number of Stored Events: Up to 10 events encountered.
- Data Transmission Method: Via infrared port to thermal printer.
- Information Transmitted: Gas type and alarm level in ppm or %, duration of alarm in minutes and seconds, time elapsed since the alarm occurred in days, hours and minutes.
- Data Transmission Time: 45 seconds plus 10 seconds per record.

Usage Features

Activation: Press and hold the Test button for 5 seconds. The detector performs a self-test and displays alarm setpoints.
Display Features: The LCD shows maximum exposure under alarm, high and low alarm setpoints, self-test status, gas monitored, alarm condition, life-remaining clock, and time since maximum exposure.
Gas Alarms:
- Low Gas Alarm: Slow beeps (1 beep every 2 seconds), slow vibrations (vibrator models only), and slow flashes (1 flash every 2 seconds).
- High Gas Alarm: Fast beeps (1 beep every second), fast vibrations (vibrator models only), and fast flashes (1 flash every second).
- Alarms stop when gas levels return to an acceptable range.
Life-Remaining Clock: Displays remaining months, days, and hours of operation. An alarm occurs when the clock displays 0 hours, and the detector continues to operate for up to 8 hours.
Maximum Gas Exposure: The detector records maximum gas exposure under alarm conditions and the hours since it occurred. This data can be viewed by pressing the Test button within 24 hours of a gas alarm.
Self-Test: A daily self-test is required. Press the Test button to initiate. The detector emits a beep, flash, and vibration, tests the battery, displays all elements, performs a sensor integrity test, and shows alarm setpoints. If an alarm occurred recently, it also shows maximum gas exposure. A successful self-test is indicated by a short beep, single vibration, and a checkmark on the display. If the self-test fails, the detector emits five short beeps, and "Test" continues to show on the display. Three consecutive self-test failures lead to safety shutdown mode.
Safety Shutdown Mode: The display goes blank, and the detector beeps, flashes, and vibrates quickly until the battery loses power. This occurs after three consecutive self-test failures, three consecutive automatic battery test failures, or if the detector is not manually turned off within 8 hours of a life-ended alarm.
Gas Event Data Transmission (EL models only): Press the Test button with the printer on to transmit stored alarm data. The display will flash "Prn," and the red LED on the detector will turn on.

Maintenance Features

Daily Self-Test: Ensure the sensor grill is free of dirt and debris and not covered. Periodically test the sensor's response by exposing it to a target gas concentration exceeding the low alarm setpoint and manually verifying alarm activation.
Automatic Battery Test: The detector automatically tests the battery every 2 hours. Three consecutive battery test failures lead to safety shutdown mode.
Calibrating Oxygen: The GasAlertClip O2 self-calibrates using ambient oxygen levels. To calibrate, run a self-test if "Test" is displayed, then press and hold the Test button for 5 seconds in a normal atmosphere (approximately 20.9% O2). A successful calibration is indicated by one vibration and a prolonged beep.
Disposal: The instrument contains a lithium battery and should be disposed of by a qualified recycler or hazardous materials handler.
Accessories:
- GA-TC-1 Test Cap Accessory: Designed to fit over the sensor for target gas response testing.
- GPR-PRINTER Cordless Thermal Printer Accessory: Accepts and prints stored gas alarm event data.
- GA-TS02 Automatic Test Station Accessory: Automatically tests response to gas.