Tetra Personal Multigas Monitor User Manual M07238 July 2007 Issue 6
Safety Certification: CL S AS IFI R R Warning • To avoid possible personal injury: • Substitution of components may impair intrinsic safety. • Do not use the detector if it is damaged or something is missing, contact Crowcon immediately. • Use only sensor modules specifically designed for your Tetra. (Please see the section on replacement parts and accessories.
Tetra Personal Multigas Monitor Contents Unpacking ................................................1 Quickstart guide ........................................2 Introduction ..............................................6 Operation ..................................................8 Batteries ..................................................12 Alarm indications ....................................14 Fixing accessories ....................................15 Flow sampling .....................................
Tetra Unpacking Tetra Personal Multigas Monitor Thank you for purchasing the new Tetra Personal Multigas Monitor. Tetra has redefined portable gas monitoring and will give you years of unparalleled service and reliability. Please read the instructions carefully before use. Keep the manual for future reference. Unpacking Remove the Tetra Personal Multigas Monitor from the packaging. The Tetra accessories will be located in the bottom of the box.
Quickstart guide Tetra Quickstart guide 1. Getting started Review your Tetra unit Top view Alarm LEDs IR comms window Operator button Operator LCD display screen Side view Belt clip lever Front plate Switching on your unit Tetra requires little setting up, follow these simple steps to get your unit ready for use. 1. Ensure the unit is in clean air. 4s 2. Switch on Press and hold the operator button until the red LED flashes.
Tetra Quickstart guide Tetra warm up sequence a) The unit will test the alarm LEDs, sounder, vibration alerts, and the operator display screen. The sounder may be silenced by pressing the button. LEDs Alarm test Sounder Alarm test Vibrator Alarm test b) The unit will continue through a warm up sequence as shown below, this will take approximately 45 seconds. CROWCON Tetra Tetra vs. 1.01 CH4 NEXT CAL i %LEL CO Gas Detection You ..
In the event of an alarm Tetra Run mode Your unit is now ready to use. Below is a typical screen display showing the unit in normal gas monitoring Run mode. CH4 %LEL CO Warm up OK Flashing icon, Tetra running normally 20.8 0.0 ppm OK 0 0.0 H2S ppm Screen Icons O2 % Familiarize yourself with the gases being monitored in your unit and make sure you understand site health and safety procedures in the event of alarm conditions.
Tetra Switching off 1. When the gas level returns to normal, press the operator button. This will reset your Tetra unit to normal Run mode. If gas levels are still in alarm, the button will have no effect. The Tetra alarm is set to latch by default. The unit will still continue in alarm mode even when gas levels return to normal, until the alarm is cleared, by pressing the operator button. For any one gas, there are normally two alarm thresholds. These are indicated by the alarm icons shown. 1 2 3.
Introduction Tetra I. Introduction Thank you for purchasing the new Tetra Personal Multigas Monitor. Tetra is a portable multigas detector, designed to be carried or worn by individuals working in hazardous environments such as confined spaces. It is suitable for use in Zone 1 and 2 hazardous areas. Tetra can monitor up to four different gases and display the readings simultaneous on a display screen.
Tetra Introduction allowing you to swap sensors between units or configure your unit, as appropriate, to your current needs. Plug and play will ease maintenance time and cost, and the intelligent modular system will remove the need to calibrate each sensor. Additional i-modules can be purchased, pre-calibrated from your local supplier.
Operation Tetra II. Operation 2.1 Switch-on sequence 1. Ensure the unit is in clean air. 2. Switch on Press and hold the operator button until the red LED flashes. The instrument begins with testing all the LCD segments on the operator display screen, the red and blue alarm LEDs, sounder and internal vibrator alert for about 5 seconds. The sounder may be silenced by pressing the button. The unit enters a warm up mode and displays a sequence of screens, see page 3 for more details.
Tetra Run mode 2.2 Run mode The Tetra unit will display up to four gas readings simultaneously on the operator display screen. A typical display with four sensors installed, is shown below. Screen Icons Warm up OK CH4 %LEL CO ppm OK Flashing icon, Tetra running normally 0 0.0 Pump 20.8 0.0 H2S ppm O2 % Battery Each channel will display the gas name, units and current value. Familiarize yourself with the gases currently being monitored in your unit.
Display options Tetra TWA alarm Tetra will display the TWA alarm when the 15 minute or 8 hour time weighted average alarm threshold is passed for toxic gases. 2.4 Display options Tetra provides two additional selectable displays: Peak display When Peak mode is selected the instrument shows the highest value for combustible and toxic gases and the lowest value for oxygen since the mode was selected.
Tetra Event logging Peak test When performing a peak test, such as a vertical entry check, previous readings can be cleared on entry to the peak display option. Zero The Tetra instrument can perform an autozero by selecting the Zero function from the menu. When zero is completed, the instrument will return to normal operation. 2.4 Logging Tetra incorporates event logging which can be accessed using the IR communications link with Portables PC software. See section VIII.
Batteries Tetra III. Batteries 3.1 Rechargeable batteries Recharge time for the Li-ion batteries is less then 6 hours (less, if they are not fully discharged). Rechargeable batteries will typically last 12+ hours, fully loaded with 3 or 4 sensors and a pump. Charging the batteries 1. Ensure you are in a safe area. 2. Plug the charger power supply into a mains socket. 3.
Tetra Batteries (see example). In Run mode, the battery icon will display six bars when it is full. 4. Remove the lead from the charging socket and replace the protective cover. 3.2 Non-rechargeable batteries Tetra uses a three AA alkaline battery pack which will give 11 hours operating time. The following battery types are suitable for the non-rechargeable version: Energizer type LR6 MN1500 Gold Peak type 15A LR6 Duracell type MN1500 LR6 Varta type 4006 Alkaline batteries will typically last 11 hours.
Alarm indications Tetra IV. Alarm indications Tetra provides two instantaneous alarm levels for each installed sensor, designated level 1 and level 2. For toxic gas sensors, there are also two time weighted average alarms (TWA), one for short term exposure (STEL): based on a 15 minute time weighted average, and the second TWA alarm is for long term exposure: based on a 8 hour time weighted average. Alarm configurations are set via the Crowcon Portables PC software.
Tetra Fixing accessories V. Fixing Accessories Belt clip Tetra has a strong built-in belt clip located on the back of the unit. Lifting the small lever will allow the unit to be attached to a belt more easily. Universal harness plate Crowcon provide a universal harness plate which can be used with either a chest harness or a shoulder strap.
Flow sampling Tetra VI. Flow sampling Attaching the flow adaptor plate To perform manual sampling using Tetra, a flow adaptor plate must be fitted onto the front of the instrument. Flow adaptor Gas in Gas out 1. To fit the flow adaptor plate, slide the top of the flow adaptor plate into the small recess on the front of the instrument, screw the thumbscrew until the plate is tightly fitted into place. 2. Attach the sampling tube or flow accessory onto the gas inlet nozzle. 3.
Tetra Flow sampling Pumped instruments Tetra’s inbuilt pump draws sample air in through the inlet nozzle of the flow adaptor plate and out through the outlet nozzle. When using sampling equipment, if the inlet should become blocked with dirt, water or a kink in the line, the pump will automatically stop. Tetra will emit a rapid series of beeps and display a warning message. To restart the pump, clear the blockage and press the operator button. Extension probes, drop lines and water traps are available.
Gas testing Tetra Tetra Bump Test Accessory kit The Bump Test Accessory is a gas testing kit designed to enable bump testing of the Tetra multigas detector using a specially formulated, high stability long life quad gas mix. It can be used with Tetra units having sensors for Combustible, Oxygen, Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen Sulphide gases, and all Tetra units with these sensors can be bump tested using the kit. 6.
Tetra Field calibration 4. Tetra will display a progress bar at the bottom, the names of the gas sensors fitted are shown with a cross beside each. Operate the Trigger regulator and apply gas to the Tetra whilst the progress bar is counting down. As gas flows and the sensors respond, the Tetra monitors the response against stored gas values.
Gas test/calibration troubleshooting Tetra 4. To abort the Calibration test press the button at any time whilst the test is in progress. 6.4 Cal/Test This can arise if having selected and confirmed calibration one or more (but not all) of the sensors are not calibrate enabled. In this case calibrate enabled channels will calibrate, and non-enabled channels will Gas Test (bump) only. 6.
Tetra Maintenance and Calibration VII. Maintenance and Calibration Tetra is designed to operate almost maintenance free under most conditions. However, some small items of routine maintenance are recommended. General To keep the display panel and operator button free from dirt build up, regularly wipe over your Tetra unit with a damp cloth. Filter Inspect the front filter at regular intervals for dirt or damage. Replace with a new filter/front grill if necessary, part number CO1852.
Maintenance and Calibration Tetra always running even in Calibration or Gas Test modes - it is essential to use the C01874 'bellows' style flow plate. Pumped units with software version 1V08 or later where the default configuration is that the pump is automatically switched off in Calibration or Gas Test mode.
Tetra PC interface and software VIII. PC interface and software Tetra can be connected to a PC using an infrared optical link. The Tetra unit has an optical communication port: an IR window is located on the top of the unit. The PC requires a Crowcon infrared PC interface, part number MIS26003 and Crowcon Portables PC software. The adaptor connects to an RS232 port, a USBRS232 adaptor is also available from Crowcon.
i-module replacement Tetra IX. i-module replacement 1. Ensure you are in a non-hazardous (safe) area. Switch off the unit 2. Remove any accessories, such as the flow adaptor, if fitted. 3. Remove the front cover grill by unscrewing the M3, 2 mm Allen screw as shown the in the drawing, point Unscrew the side retaining M4, 3 mm Allen screws as shown in . Remove the three sensor plate retaining screws as shown by point . Ease the top away from the body, point .
Tetra i-module replacement two quick release fixings, push the sensor mounting out the sensor plate housing, taking care to retain any seals. Installing or replacing an i-module If replacing an i-module with one of the same type, instrument specific configuration will be retained. If replacing with a different i-module its default configuration will be loaded. 1. Unwrap the i-module from any packaging, ensure the sensor is fully seated on the module board.
Specification Tetra X. Specification Dimensions 122 x 128 x 57 mm (43/4 x 5 x 21/2 inches) Weight 498 g rechargeable unit, including belt clip and 4 sensors. Housing, degree of protection Ingress protection IP65 (NEMA 4) Operating temperature -20 to +55°C (-4 to +131 F) Humidity 0-99% RH, non-condensing for continuous operation Display 128 x 64 pixel Warm up time 45 seconds approximately Response time (typical) (T90) : appx 20 seconds for most toxic sensors, 10 seconds for oxygen.
Tetra Accessories and spare parts XI. Accessories and spare parts Accessory list Crowcon part number C01841 C01846 C01847 C01876 C01877 C01893 C01874 C01875 C011005 C03328 Description Aspirator Plate and Gasket Aspirator assembly for pumped units Aspirator assembly, non pumped units Tetra Gas Test Accessory Kit for pumped units Tetra Gas Test Accessory Kit for non-pumped units. Refer to Section VII for applicability Tetra Gas Test Accessory Kit.
Accessories and spare parts S011422 S011425 S011426 S011427 S011428 S011429 S011430 S011431 S011432 S011433 S011434 S011435 S011438 0-500 ppm carbon monoxide CO 0-20 ppm sulphur dioxide SO2 0-10 ppm nitrogen dioxide NO2 0-20 ppm nitrogen dioxide NO2 0-5 ppm chlorine Cl2 0-1000 ppm hydrogen H2 0-25 ppm hydrogen cyanide HCN 0-5 ppm phosphine PH3 0-1 ppm ozone O3 0-10 ppm hydrogen fluoride HF 0-1 ppm fluorine 0-100 ppm ammonia NH3 0-1000 ppm ammonia Sampling accessories: C01847 Aspirator assembly for non pu
Tetra Troubleshooting guide XII. Troubleshooting guide Symptom/ error message Cause Action Instrument won't switch on Pump not running Flat battery. The pump is a PC configurable option. Function disabled. Zero drifted. Recharge or replace battery. Reconfigure with PC software. Reconfigure with PC software. Restart instrument in clean air. Do not use; exit hazardous area immediately. Return instrument for recalibration or sensor replacement. Switch off and restart in clean air.
Charging batteries Tetra Appendix: Limitations of sensors Sensor limitations The sensors used in Tetra have limitations common to all such gas sensors, and users should be aware of the points listed below. Crowcon can advise on particular situations and suggest alternative sensors if the instrument is likely to experience extreme conditions. Tetra uses a catalytic combustible gas sensor, which measures the combustibility of the gas.
UK Office Crowcon Detection Instruments Ltd 2 Blacklands Way, Abingdon Business Park Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 1DY United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1235 557700 Fax: +44 (0)1235 557749 Email: crowcon@crowcon.com Web site: www.crowcon.com USA Office Crowcon Detection Instruments Ltd 21 Kenton Lands Road, Erlanger, Kentucky 41018-1845 USA Tel: +1 800 527 6926 or 1-800-5-CROWCON +1 859 957 1039 Fax: +1 859 957 1044 Email: sales@crowconusa.com Web site: www.crowcon.
