Natural gas is a normal part of many households. We use it for cooking, heating water and heating our homes. However, incorrect use or an appliance fault can create a danger in the form of a leak or an explosion. We can neither smell nor see poisonous carbon monoxide, and together with natural gas and propane-butane it can put our lives at risk. A gas detector reveals a leak of dangerous substances even in small concentrations, triggers an alarm or warning light and so alerts us to the imminent risk of poisoning.
The purpose and installation of a gas detector
By installing a gas detector we can prevent poisoning, suffocation, fire or explosion. The detector recognises a local build-up of gas before it becomes a threat to life, and signals it both visually and audibly. For the detector to do its job properly, correct installation is extremely important.
If we have natural gas (methane) indoors, the detector should be mounted on the wall 30 cm below the ceiling. Natural gas is lighter than air and collects in the upper part of the room. To detect LPG (propane - butane), on the other hand, the detector needs to be placed on the wall about 30 cm above the floor. LPG is heavier than air and therefore collects in the lower part of the room. A leak most often occurs because of a fault in a gas appliance or a poor oxygen supply to the appliance, but also because of a fault in the flue or poor combustion of the fuel.
When installing a detector we should also bear in mind doors and other obstacles and fit the room with a sufficient number of detectors.
The Avansa 100M gas detector
The Avansa 100M gas detector is compact and is powered by a standard cable. Its operating temperature ranges from -15°C to +50°C.
It has three LED indicators on the front: the green one shows the power status and indicates that the detector is in operation; the red indicator signals that gas has been detected, and the yellow one indicates operating faults. The detector can also identify a sensor failure. In that case the yellow LED starts flashing and the detector starts beeping.
The manufacturer has also fitted the Avansa 100M detector with a TEST button, which is used to check that the audible alarm is working properly. Press it once the detector is plugged in and, if everything is working correctly, a short audible signal will sound. The volume of the audible warning at a distance of one metre from the detector exceeds 90 decibels.
The electromagnetic solenoid valve
On the back of the Avansa 100M gas detector there are mounting holes and wires for connecting the electromagnetic solenoid valve. This is a special safety device which, when connected to a gas leak monitoring system, automatically shuts off the gas supply and so prevents an emergency or an accident.
The electromagnetic solenoid valve is fitted to the main gas supply pipe outside the house, in an easily accessible place. It is important to install it in the direction of gas flow, following the arrow on the solenoid valve. As it is a normally open valve with manual reset, after an alarm has been triggered it must be reset by hand by opening the protective mechanism.
The body of the solenoid valve is made of a brass alloy and nickel, and its maximum pressure is 500 mBar.
Protect yourself against the invisible threat of leaking gas and install the Avansa 100M detector. It comes with a solenoid valve that will further increase the safety of your home. If you would like to change the connection parameters or have any other questions, do not hesitate to consult our specialists about a specific solution. We look forward to your questions at info@atria.sk.