Crowcon Triple Plus+ User manual

Triple Plus+
Triple Plus+ IR
User Manual
M07701
February 2010
Issue 4a
Ex-Ox-Tox Gasdetectie
Westerdreef 5V
2152 CS Nieuw-Vennep
Telefoon: 0252 620885
E-mail: [email protected]l
Website: www.exoxtox.nl

Instructions specific for use in hazardous areas
The following instructions apply to equipment cov-
ered by certificate numbers:
Sira 02ATEX2176X
IECEx SIR06.0084X
The following information covers all relevant points
listed in clause 1.0.6 of the EHSR’s of the ATEX direc-
tive and IECEx Assessment.
The certification markings are as follows:
1. The equipment is Category 2G and may be used in
zones 1 and 2 with flammable gases and vapours with
apparatus groups IIA, IIB & IIC and with temperature
classes Tl, T2, T3 and T4.
2. The equipment is only certified for use in ambient
temperatures in the range -20°C to +50°C and should
not be used outside this range.
3. Use only battery pack supplied by Crowcon. Charging
is only permitted in the non-hazardous area. DO NOT
CHARGE IN HAZARDOUS AREA.
4. The equipment has not been assessed as a safety-related
device (as referred to by Directive 94/9/EC Annex II,
clause 1.5 and IEC Certfication Scheme for Explosive
Atmospheres).
5. Repair of this equipment shall be carried out by the
manufacturer or in accordance with the applicable
approvals regulations.
© Copyright Crowcon Detection Instruments Ltd 2010.
All rights are reserved. No part of the document may be
photocopied, reproduced, or translated to another language
without the prior written consent of Crowcon Detection
Instruments Ltd.
Publication number: M07701
Safety information:
WARNING – Do not change the battery in a flammable atmosphere.
WARNING – Substitution of components may impair intrinsic safety.
WARNING – Read the instruction manual before use.

LRQA
ISO9001:2008.
II 2G: Ex ib d IIC T4 Gb

Contents
Quickstart Guide........................................................................... 1
I. General Description ................................................................... 2
II. Operation ................................................................................. 4
2.1 Switch On.............................................................................................. 4
2.2 Display................................................................................................... 5
2.3 Overrange.............................................................................................. 6
2.4 Cautions ................................................................................................ 6
2.5 Backlight................................................................................................ 6
2.6 Alarms ................................................................................................... 6
2.7 Status Screens/Alarm Reset ................................................................... 7
2.8 Switching Off......................................................................................... 7
III. Setting Up ............................................................................... 8
3.1 Using the Menu system.......................................................................... 8
3.2 Configuration Options ........................................................................ 10
3.3 Quickcal............................................................................................... 15
3.4 Pellistor saving (Triple Plus+ only).......................................................... 15
3.5 Configuring The Instrument With Portables PC .................................... 16
IV. Battery Charging.................................................................... 18
V. Data Logging .......................................................................... 20
VI. Troubleshooting Guide........................................................... 21
VII. Maintenance and Calibration................................................ 22
7.1 Recalibrating........................................................................................ 22
7.2 Replacing the Lead-Acid Battery Pack................................................... 22
7.3 Fitting the Lithium-ion Battery Pack...................................................... 23
7.4 Replacing a sensor module................................................................... 23
7.5 Back-up memory.................................................................................. 23
VIII. Limitations of Use ................................................................ 24
IX. Accessories and spares........................................................... 25
Appendix 1 – Pumped version (optional)..................................... 27
Appendix 2 – Default Flammable Correction Factors................... 28
Appendix 3 – Front Panel Text Items ........................................... 29
Appendix 4 – Sensor Limitations................................................. 31
Appendix 5 – Menu Map............................................................ 32
Technical update February 2010
Significant changes have been made to sections: Quick Start Guide, I, II, IV, VI, VII, IX,
Appendix 1 since last version Issue 2. Experienced users should review these sections for an
update on functionality.

1
Triple Plus+ and Triple Plus+ IR Quickstart Guide
1
Quickstart Guide
Prior to first use, the LIBRA Lithium-ion battery pack requires a full 12-hour
charge cycle. This will ensure the life of the new battery.
Turn ON
Press ON, press the UNMARKED button to reset alarm, green LED flashes and display
will show gas levels or display 'MONITORING' if the instrument is in the GO/NO-GO
mode (see SETTING UP).
In Alarm condition
Alarm sounds and the red LEDs flash. Press the UNMARKED button to silence the
sounder, the red LED will continue to flash if gas is present.
Gas display mode: 'ALARM' flashes next to the hazardous gas name.
GO/NO-GO mode: display reads 'GAS HAZARD, EVACUATE AREA'.
Instantaneous and TWA alarms: Alarm is triggered when the instantane-
ous threshold is reached. Press the UNMARKED button to silence the sound-
er, the red LEDs will continue to flash if gas is present. The sounder will be
triggered again if a new alarm threshold is reached.
Low battery: Alarm will sound when battery is low. Press 'user accept'.
Reset Alarm
Press the UNMARKED button.
Turn On Backlight
Press the BACKLIGHT button. It stays on for 30 minutes unless the button is pressed
again.
Battery Low
Green LED flashes quickly, the sounder frequency increases and a warning is flashed
on the display. Use cradle charger/interface unit to charge the unit (5 hours for a full
charge for lead-acid, 8 hours for Li-ion).
Calibration/Setting up
Pressing 'CAL' and entering a password enables the instrument to be recalibrated
and to change its operating modes and configuration.
Use Of Bulb Sampling Aspirator
Locate flowhead under lip above sensor apertures and secure with the two half-turn
fasteners. Squeeze bulb once every second to obtain the required flow rate of 0.5 litre/
min.
1

2
General description Triple Plus+ and Triple Plus+ IR
I. General Description
Triple Plus+
The Crowcon Triple Plus+ is a microprocessor controlled portable gas detector which
is capable of monitoring up to four gas types simultaneously and providing warn-
ing of hazardous levels. Using electrochemical, catalytic and thermal conductivity
sensors, the instrument may be configured to detect any practical combination of
oxygen, toxic and flammable gas. See Appendix 4 for notes on sensor limitations.
The built in data logging facility records gas levels of all four channels. The user
can choose the intervals at which subsequent readings are taken.They can then be
downloaded to a computer. In this way, a detailed evaluation of logged readings of
accumulated exposure can be made (see section 5). The user can then monitor pat-
terns of gas leaks and so provide essential information to an incident inquest.
The three part injection moulded TRIAX case is light yet durable and resistant
to water and dust. It houses a digital electronic circuit board, up to four sen-
sor modules, a piezo-electric alarm sounder and a power supply board which
restricts available current to the rest of the instrument and so ensures intrinsic
safety. The battery type is chargeable lead-acid which is accessible via an exter-
nal hatch to permit easy replacement and maximum instrument usage, but it is
more likely that the facility to recharge the instrument with the battery pack in
situ will be used. Crowcon have recently introduced the Lithium-ion recharge-
able battery pack, which offers superior performance over lead-acid batteries. If
your detector is not fitted with this new option, please contact your local agent
for details. The top panel incorporates a backlit liquid crystal alphanumeric
display on which gas levels and instrument messages appear, four embossed
tactile push-buttons to control instrument functions, a small green LED which
flashes periodically to confirm operation and a large high intensity red LED
which flashes when an alarm condition is encountered. Additionally, the top
panel includes two small windows through which the instrument sends infrared
signals when it is located in its dedicated Charger/Interface unit.
Triple Plus+ IR
Triple Plus+ IR is a specific version of the Triple Plus+ utilising an infrared sensor
for the detection and measurement of hydrocarbons, in place of the conven-
tional pellistor sensor. Using infrared technology in place of pellistor technology
has a number of advantages as follows:
(a) No requirement for oxygen in the background gas i.e. operation in
inert backgrounds

3
Triple Plus+ and Triple Plus+ IR General description
(b) No damage caused by exposure to high gas concentrations
(c) No poisoning effects
(d) Ability to measure at % volume levels as well as %LEL
(e) Fail safe
It must be remembered however that an infrared hydrocarbon sensor will have
no response to hydrogen and is therefore unsuitable for use where hydrogen
forms a significant part of any potential flammable risk. In order to ensure ready
identification of Triple Plus+ IR the membrane switch assembly is yellow in place
of the normal orange and carries the name designation ‘Triple Plus+ IR’.
The infrared sensor module in Triple Plus+ IR will be supplied with a calibration
for one of four hydrocarbon species i.e. methane, propane, butane or ethylene.
This calibration is factory set. Whatever the calibrated species the infrared sen-
sor will respond to any hydrocarbon present, but with differences of response
to different species. However unlike for a pellistor sensor it is not possible to
assign simple correction factors, as the basic relationship between concen-
tration and response of the detector is not linear. An infrared sensor should
therefore always be calibrated for the species to be determined or a suitable
target. If other specific hydrocarbon species need to be detected, please consult
Crowcon as to the optimum calibration.
The infrared sensor in Triple Plus+ IR can be supplied on one of two configura-
tions as follows:
• Single range %LEL
In this case the Triple Plus+ IR can have up to three other sensors from the
standard range of toxic and oxygen sensor modules available.
• Dual range %LEL and % volume
In this case the sensor module has a second ribbon connector on a side-piece
of PCB, and therefore takes up two display positions on Triple Plus+ IR. This
allows only two other sensor modules from the toxic and oxygen range to be
used. A dual range sensor will always have both ranges calibrated for the same
species, and operates in an auto-ranging mode displaying in %LEL terms with
no numerical display for % volume until the level of gas exceeds 100%LEL,
and in volume terms with no numerical value for %LEL when the level of gas
is above 100%LEL. Note also the lower range will always display as %LEL even
if the gas is detected in an inert background gas where strictly speaking the
mixture cannot be explosive. The display indicates the equivalent %LEL level if
the gas were in an air background.
Note: It is not possible to have a pellistor or thermal conductivity sensor in a
Triple Plus+ IR.

4
Operation Triple Plus+ and Triple Plus+ IR
II. Operation
2.1 Switch On
Press the 'ON' button to switch on the Triple Plus+/Plus+ IR. The instrument
will display the message 'Crowcon Triple Plus+/Plus+ IR' and the serial number.
The unit will test the red alarm LED, sounder and alarm beacons. Press the
UNMARKED button to silence the alarm. Note: if the unit is in the presence of
a hazardous gas the alarm will continue to operate. If alarms are configured to
mute (see MUTE in section 3.2, Configuration Options) then the alarm will not
sound and the alarm LED not flash during the switch on process.
After a short pause the display will change to 'Testing System…' and display
the current battery voltage. If the current date is past a preset calibration due
date, then the instrument will display ‘Calibration Due’. See section 3.2 for
configuration options. If there are different sensor modules in the instrument
compared to when it was last used (possibly indicating sensor failure) the mes-
sage 'Sensors changed?' will be displayed. If the instrument’s configuration
has been lost or corrupted, then the message 'Loading default data' will be
displayed. With all three of these error/warning messages, the condition must
be accepted by pressing the UNMARKED button, indicated on the display with
the word CONTINUE above it.
The instrument can alarm on instantaneous gas levels, and on both short and
long term Time Weighted Average (TWA) gas exposure levels. Note that the
Time Weighted Average toxic gas exposures are reset to zero when the instru-
ment is switched off.
A well charged battery will cause the display to indicate in excess of 5.8 V; it is
considered flat at 5.0 V. Below 5.3 V a operational instrument will display a low
battery warning; an 'off' instrument will not switch on.
About 5 seconds after the instrument is switched on, the Triple Plus+/Plus+ IR
will complete its self-tests and indicate the current gas levels.
If the instrument enters an alarm condition then the sounder will be triggered
and the alarm LEDs will flash. Once the gas levels are below alarm levels (i.e. safe
gas levels), the alarm warning may be switched off by pressing the UNMARKED
button. If alarms are muted the red alarm LED will not flash nor will the alarm
sounder sound when the instrument is in alarm - the only indication of the
alarm condition will be the word ‘ALARM’ alternately flashing with the gas value
of the channel in alarm.

5
Triple Plus+ and Triple Plus+ IR Operation
2.2 Display
The information on the display is dependent on the type of sensors installed in
the instrument. For each sensor module installed, the display indicates the gas
concentration, the units of measurement (e.g. ppm) and the channel name (e.g.
H2S). (Each sensor module contains analogue circuitry to support the sensor
and a small digital memory which identifies it to the processor along with cali-
bration data and alarm thresholds.) A quarter of the screen is reserved for each
of a possible 4 gas channels, which means that in the popular ‘triple’ gas con-
figuration one quadrant is left blank. It is often useful to know how the location
of the sensor modules relates to the display. When viewing the instrument from
the top with the sensor grilles facing away, reading the display from left to right
like a book shows the location of the sensors installed from left to right along
the front face. The normal mode of operation is diffusion monitoring whereby
the instrument constantly samples air in its immediate vicinity.
Display options
The instrument may be configured into alternative display modes, by the DISPY
option (see DISPY in section 3.2, Configuration Options). The ON button can
be programmed to switch between modes.
The possible display modes are:
Normal: All gas values, units and names are displayed in real time
Average: The average gas reading since the instrument was switched on is
displayed for toxic sensors. This is indicated by flashing 'avg' with
the sensor name. Non-toxic sensors will display their normal gas
level.
Off: Display reads 'MONITORING' whilst a safe condition is perceived,
and flashes 'GAS HAZARD and EVACUATE AREA 'in alarm condi-
tion.
TWA Toxic: This display mode only affects toxic sensors, and is indicated by
the letters 'TWA' flashing with the sensor name. The gas value
displayed will be the current long-term exposure level. Non-toxic
gas sensors will display their normal gas level.
Peak hold: This options affects the displayed gas value for all sensors, and is
indicated by the letters 'pk' flashing with the sensor name. The
highest gas level that has been read since instrument switch on
will be displayed, or in the case of oxygen, the lowest level read.
The peak that has been retained may be reset to the current gas

6
Operation Triple Plus+ and Triple Plus+ IR
level by pressing the UNMARKED button. The peak gas level will
then be displayed again from then on.
In addition to the messages described above, if alarms are muted the message
‘MUTED’ will flash with the sensor name and units.
2.3 Overrange
If a flammable sensor’s signal is out of range then the instrument may be
configured, via a PC and the Portables PC software, to either flash the relevant
numbers on the display, or to display a message of the form 'SENSOR FAILURE'
and the name of the failed sensor. The alarm sounder will activate. This type
of error could indicate a high gas level or sensor failure. Calibration should be
checked after such a warning.
2.4 Cautions
Sensors may be adversely affected by exposure to silicones, lead compounds,
high levels of hydrogen sulphide and chlorine, and some industrial solvents.
A condition of certification is that the instrument is not used with ethyl nitrate
vapours, or in hazardous areas containing IIC gases (e.g. hydrogen, acetylene)
where the risk of mechanical damage to the enclosure is high.
2.5 Backlight
In low ambient light conditions, the backlight can be activated to illuminate the
display by pressing the BACKLIGHT button. To switch off the backlight press the
BACKLIGHT button again, or it will turn off automatically after a configurable
timeout period of 10, 20 or 30 minutes. Alternatively, the backlight may be
configured to remain on permanently, or to never timeout once switched on.
(See LIGHT in section 3.2, Configuration Options). In an alarm condition, the
backlight is automatically turned on.
2.6 Alarms
When the Triple Plus+/Plus+ IR encounters an alarm condition the red lights
flash, the beacons activate and the sounder emits a loud, fast bleep. Where
permitted instantaneous toxic gas alarms may be accepted by pressing the
UNMARKED button. In this case, the sounder is silenced but the red lights
continue to flash. With instantaneous alarms, the word 'ALARM' will flash
next to the gas name. Time Weighted Average exposure limit alarms will flash

7
Triple Plus+ and Triple Plus+ IR Operation
the whole display with the warning. All instantaneous alarm types are latch-
ing which means that they may only be reset by pressing the UNMARKED
button when the gas hazard has passed. If set up for Time Weighted Average
(TWA) alarms, the Triple Plus+/Plus+ IR triggers a non-resettable alarm if
a short term (normally 15 minute) or long term (8 hour) exposure level is
reached. Both TWA alarm types may only be reset by turning the instrument
off and on again when the average exposure has fallen below threshold levels.
(See Configuring the instrument with Portables PC software on setting these
levels).
2.7 Status Screens/Alarm Reset
The UNMARKED button has two functions: to reset alarms (see 3.6 above)
or to display a series of status screens. To view the status screens press the
UNMARKED button when the instrument is not in an alarm condition.
The series of status screens show the following information in sequence. Press
the UNMARKED button to move onto the next screen, and eventually back to
the main instrument display of gas levels. If the button is not pressed for 20 sec-
onds the instrument will ‘timeout’ and return to the main gas reading screen.
The date, current time, and the time elapsed since instrument switch
on is displayed.
Serial number and calibration due date is displayed.
Alarm 1 levels are shown for all sensors.
Short-term exposure levels are displayed for toxic sensors.
Long-term exposure levels are displayed for toxic sensors.
Currently selected user and site are displayed.
2.8 Switching Off
Provided the facility has not been denied with the SETTING UP function, the
Triple Plus+/Plus+ IR may be switched off by pressing the ‘ON’ button and the
UNMARKED button simultaneously and holding them down for about half a
second. This prevents accidental switch off through knocking the keypad.

8
Setting Up Triple Plus+ and Triple Plus+ IR
III. Setting Up
The Triple Plus+/Plus+ IR has been designed to display as much or as little infor-
mation to the user as is required by the controller of the equipment. On the one
hand it is a four channel measuring instrument with continuous readout, on the
other, a basic alarm only detector with status display and no way of switching it
off. This section describes how to tailor the instrument to the application via the
front panel buttons. The section on Configuring the instrument with Portables
PC software details other adjustments that may be made to the instrument.
3.1 Using the Menu system
To access the SETUP menu press ‘CAL’ button. The screen will display the
following:
MENU EVENT LOG
<< >> QUIT LOG
The four buttons have above them a symbol or word: these are the ‘soft key’
functions currently assigned to that particular key. Use the ON and BACKLIGHT
buttons to scroll left and right, the CAL button to quit the menu system and
the UNMARKED button to select a menu option. View the road map on page
31 for details of Triple Plus+ configuration menu system.
The options available are:
MENU This selects the configuration menu. It is password protected, and
described below
EVENT This marks an event in the data log. There is no menu beneath this
option.
LOG This selects the log menu, described below.
How to enter the configuration Menu
Use the scroll buttons to select the MENU item and press the UNMARKED
button. The screen will display 'Password?' Press the buttons in the following
sequence within 5 seconds to enter the default password: ON, BACKLIGHT,
CAL and UNMARKED. This password can be changed via a PC using Portables
PC software.

9
Triple Plus+ and Triple Plus+ IR Setting Up
How to change an option
To change an option, use the first two keys, labelled with the << and >> sym-
bols, to change the current selection, and the third key (labelled QUIT) to finish
changing the selection. If the QUIT key is pressed and the parameter has been
modified then the user is prompted with a save changes message. Two keys
are soft key function labelled, one with YES and one with NO. Press the desired
button.
For example, to configure the start-up option, from the configuration Menu
follow the steps below:
DISPY ALARM ZERO PUMP
<< >> QUIT PUMP
Scroll the menu list to the left until START is selected.
ALARM ZERO PUMP START
<< >> QUIT START
Press the UNMARKED button to enter the START submenu.
START: ZERO & LOG
<< >> QUIT
Use the << and >> buttons to scroll through options (Section 3.2). Press QUIT
to select option and quit menu.
Save the changes?
YES NO
Press the first button to save the change and move the menu back up a level,
and the last key to leave the selection as it was (unchanged) and move back
up a level.
The menu system has timeouts on all operations. If no keys are pressed within
about 20 seconds the system steps back one level at a time. Changes that have
been accepted by pressing YES to the save changes prompt are retained. Any
change that has not been explicitly saved will be lost.
The following parameters are modifiable via the instrument front panel but-
tons, and are displayed on the screen in the following order:
ZERO FLAMM LEVEL PUMP CALIB DISPY ALARM START BUTTN TIME
OFF LIGHT

10
Setting Up Triple Plus+ and Triple Plus+ IR
3.2 Configuration Options
LIGHT:
Configures the backlight timeout option to be NEVER TIMEOUT, 10 MINS.,
20 MINS., 30 MINS., or ALWAYS ON. Whatever option is selected, the backlight
will always come on when the instrument is in alarm.
DISPY
Display mode. Configures the instrument display mode, with one of the follow-
ing options: Normal, Average, Off, TWA Toxic, Peak Hold. These are described in
the section III Operation. Note: the action of the BUTTN option below.
ALARM
Alarm mode. User can select one of the following: ALL ACTIVE, TWA ONLY,
INSTANT.
Within this option, the instrument may be set up to acknowledge different
toxic gas alarm types. Instantaneous mode INST (INSTANT) sets the instrument
to alarm as soon as threshold toxic gas level is reached.
TWA mode will cause the instrument to ignore temporary excursions above
instantaneous alarm thresholds but to go into alarm instead when the SHORT
TERM or LONG TERM exposure levels have been reached. ALL ACTIVE enables
both TWA and instantaneous alarm types but allows the user to silence instan-
taneous alarms (see section 2, Operation).
‘ZERO’
When this option is selected, the instrument will give the prompt ‘ZERO ALL?’
Only if you are sure that the instrument is in clean air and all sensors have set-
tled down to a steady output should YES be pressed. The Triple Plus+/Plus+ IR
then calculates offset correction and gain factors necessary to make toxic and
flammable gas channels read zero and oxygen channels read 20.9%. Following
a successful zeroing, there is the option to END the set up and return to moni-
toring, or to CONT to continue with setting up.
PUMP
Turns the pump on and off. Options are GO and STOP.
START
Selects functions to be enabled at start up (instrument switch on). Options are:
NOTHING, ZERO, LOG, ZERO & LOG.

11
Triple Plus+ and Triple Plus+ IR Setting Up
ZERO enables the option of zeroing the sensors at start, as per the zero all
option above – the prompt to zero the sensor will appear several seconds after
start up (to give the sensors time to settle) and will timeout (without performing
a zero) if the YES button is not pressed within about 5 seconds.
LOG enables data logging at start up, and ZERO & LOG enables both zero and
data logging at start up. Select NOTHING to disable zero and logging at start
up.
BUTTN
The left-hand button can be programmed to perform various functions when
the instrument is in normal gas measurement mode. The options available are:
NOTHING, PUMP, PEAK, TWA TOXIC, AVERAGE, NORMAL.
NOTHING means all special functions on the button are disabled.
PUMP allows the pump to be switched off and on without having to enter the
menu system to perform this action.
PEAK, TWA TOXIC and AVERAGE are as per the DISPY functions. Pressing the
button when one of these options is selected will toggle the display mode
between that set on the button and that set in the DISPY setting.
NORMAL serves a similar function. If the DISPY mode has been set to some-
thing other than NORMAL then NORMAL allows the display mode to be tog-
gled from that set in the DISPY option to the normal gas display. Note: these
display functions have no effect if the DISPY mode is set to OFF, and that the
instrument will always start up in the display mode set by the DISPY function.
If the MUTE function is enabled then a SILENT ALARMS option will also appear
as one of the possible selections in the BUTTN menu. This option allows the
programmable button to toggle the MUTE feature between SILENT ALARMS
and AUDIBLE ALARMS. Note that when SILENT ALARMS is selected no audible
siren will sound when the instrument is in alarm, nor will the alarm light flash.
There will be a visual indication of the alarm condition on the instrument’s
display. When the programmable button is pressed the instrument will issue a
double bleep sound as an audible confirmation that a feature has been selected
or de-selected.
FLAMM (Triple Plus+ only)
This selects the flammable gas correction to be used for flammable (pellistor)
sensors. It may be set to NO CORRECTION or to one of the gases defined in
the flammable correction table. If a gas is selected, then this will change the
name on the display and use the selected correction factor for pellistor sensor

12
Setting Up Triple Plus+ and Triple Plus+ IR
modules. The exact list of gases and their corrections are configurable via a PC
using Portables PC software. The default of gas correction factors for flammable
gases with respect to methane and pentane are listed in Appendix 2.
Note: if no table has been downloaded into the instrument then no correction
factor can be selected (the only option is NO CORRECTION).
CALIB
When a calibration is being performed, replace the integral flow plate with the
calibration flow plate so the gas is not being sampled by the pump.
This allows re-calibration of the instrument, which must first have been zeroed in
clean air. You will need Triple Plus+/Plus+ IR aspirator and a supply of Crowcon
calibration gas (see section 7 Maintenance and Calibration). The top line now
displays one of the instrument’s gas channels. This display will look like:
CALIBRATE: CH4 (chan. 1)
<< >> QUIT CAL
Use the first two keys to select the required gas. Press QUIT to move back up a
menu level, or CAL to select the gas to calibrate. The display will now change to:
CALIBRATE: CH4 = 0
UP DOWN QUIT CAL
The actual gas reading is displayed on the top line, and should go up when the
relevant TEST GAS is aspirated over the sensors. When the reading has stabilised
use the UP and DOWN keys to make the reading match the known test gas con-
centration. Now press CAL to actually calibrate the instrument’s gain. QUIT can
be pressed to abandon the calibration. If the instrument is calibrated, it will either
respond with CAL SUCCESSFUL or CAL FAILED. If the calibration failed the instru-
ment’s gain is not changed, and means that either the gas concentration was not
equal to the value set (check both and repeat) or that the sensor has deteriorated
with use (see section 7 Maintenance and Calibration for sensor replacement).
Note that when calibrating flammable sensors they will always appear in the
CALIB menu as the sensor type they really are without any flammable correc-
tion factor applied. They should also be calibrated as per the gas they really are,
and not as per the gas selected as a flammable correction factor. For example,
if there is CH4 (methane) sensor in an instrument, and a flammable correction
facor is applied so that the instrument reads PRO (propane) then the sensor
would be selected as the CH4 (and not PRO) in the CALIB menu and methane
used to calibrate the sensor.

13
Triple Plus+ and Triple Plus+ IR Setting Up
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE: All units fitted with sensors to measure both
%LEL AND %Volume Methane, other hydrocarbons or “flammables”
To avoid potential damage to the pellistor sensor used for measuring % LEL
methane when calibrating the IR or thermal conductivity sensor used for meas-
uring % volume methane, the following precautions must be observed. Failure
to follow this guidance may permanently damage the pellistor sensor, resulting
in unsafe, erroneous readings and the need to replace the sensor. If the guide-
lines are followed the sensor should provide long and reliable service.
Special Calibration Precautions
1. Perform a Zero on the unit in clean mobile air as normal.
2. Apply 2.5 % Volume Methane gas using the flow plate and calibrate
the %LEL flammables sensor to either 50.0% LEL (areas covered by
ISO10156) or 56.8% LEL (areas covered by ATEX / IEC 60079-29-
2007).
3. Prepare to apply two samples of methane gas to the unit in quick
succession: first 6% Volume Methane, and then 50% Volume
Methane. Applying 6% Volume Methane will set the pellistor into save
mode so it will not be damaged by applying higher volume levels of
calibration gas.
4. Stop the flow of 6% Volume Methane and follow it within one or two
seconds with 50% Volume Methane. Avoid the introduction of air, for
example by using a three-way valve.
5. Calibrate the % volume flammables channel as normal and then turn
off the gas supply. DO NOT purge the gas line with air.
6. Remove the flow plate and check that both flammables detectors
return to zero reading.
7. For units calibrated with hydrocarbons other than methane the levels
above should be scaled according to the relevant LEL levels.
TIME
Selecting this will give a display of the form:
CURRENT TIME: 21:48:00
HOUR MINUTE QUIT
Press the key labelled HOUR to increment the hours and the key labelled
MINUTE to increment the minutes until the correct current time is displayed

14
Setting Up Triple Plus+ and Triple Plus+ IR
OFF
Two options: OFF ENABLED, OFF DISABLED. Determines whether the instru-
ment can be switched off.
MUTE
If the mute function is enabled (which can only be done via Portables PC, see
section 3.5. PC interface and software) then a MUTE option will appear within
the menu system. This option can be selected as either SILENT ALARMS or
AUDIBLE ALARMS. If SILENT ALARMS is selected then the word MUTED will
flash on the main display with the gas units and name, no audible alarm will
sound when an alarm is triggered, nor will the alarm LED will flash. There will be
a visual indication of the alarm condition on the instrument’s display. Note: this
option will be ignored when the instrument’s display mode is selected as OFF.
LEVEL
This option displays and allows modification of alarm 1 for flammable LEL chan-
nels. Use the two keys labelled on the display as UP and DOWN to adjust this
alarm level between to the required value.
Note: Crowcon does not generally recommend that alarm levels be set to a
level that is less than 5% of the sensor’s range because of the possibility of
spurious alarms being triggered.
LOG MENU
The LOG MENU acts similarly to the MENU system just described. Options are:
START or STOP. One of these two options is displayed depending on the cur-
rent state of the data logger. Press START to turn data logging on, and STOP
to turn logging off.
USER
Allows selection of a user name, which is used in the data log (see section 3.5).
The act of changing the user is an event which is logged by the data logger.
SITE
As user, but site location.

15
Triple Plus+ and Triple Plus+ IR Quickcal
3.3 Quickcal
The instrument has the ability to perform a ‘quick calibration’ of four gas chan-
nels: CH4; CO; H2S and O2 in ‘one go’. The system prompts the user through
the procedure. Before QuickCal is initiated, the instrument should have been
zeroed. Now follow this procedure:
Press both of the middle 2 buttons, and hold them down for 5-7 seconds.
The instrument will announce that the Quick Calibration has been initiated,
and remind the user that the instrument should have been zeroed before this
procedure is invoked.
The instrument will now alternately flash the gas concentrations it is expecting
to be applied and the prompt CALIBRATE ALL INPUTS, with the two outer keys
labelled with YES and NO. Pressing YES moves on in the QuickCal sequence,
NO abandons the QuickCal and the instrument returns to the normal gas
monitoring screen.
The instrument will now issue the prompt 'Is gas on sensors?' with the two
outer keys labelled YES and NO as before. Ensure the correct test gas is applied
to the instrument, and press YES. Pressing NO returns the instrument to the
normal gas monitoring display.
If YES is pressed the display will change to SENSORS SETTLING, with a line of
dots appearing on the bottom line of the display to indicate the instrument is
working. The instrument will now wait until there appears to be a good steady
flow of gas, and then the calibration will be performed. If the instrument per-
ceives that the gas level is not steady then the message 'Gas not stable!' will
be displayed and the calibration aborted.
If all channels are successfully calibrated the instrument will display the message
'Calibration successful', otherwise the message 'Calibration failed!' with the list
of gases that failed the calibration displayed.
When performing a calibration with a gas from a pressurised source, the instru-
ment’s pump (if present) should always be turned off.
3.4 Pellistor saving (Triple Plus+ only)
To avoid the pellistor sensor being damaged by exposure to excessive levels of
flammable gas, it is protected automatically. Pellistor saving may be triggered
in two ways: On dual range flammable instruments (i.e. those with a pellistor
measuring LEL and a thermal conductivity block measuring % volume) a per-
centage volume of gas may be specified at which the pellistor will be switched
off. This percentage is configurable by computer using the Portables PC soft-
ware, and is 5% by default (see below).

16
Pellistor saving Triple Plus+ and Triple Plus+ IR
Additionally, a pellistor will switch itself off if it reaches a reading of 105% LEL
or more – this action will happen irrespective of whether a % volume sensor is
also fitted. If a pellistor switches itself off then it will stay off until it is manually
switched on. This happens by pressing the unmarked button. The pellistor will
warm up for 5 seconds before the pellistor channel will read.
Pellistor saving is indicated on the display by the gas level being blank for the
flammable block.
3.5 Configuring The Instrument With Portables
PC
The following configuration settings may ONLY be set via Portables PC. The
function of these parameters is explained here. See the Portables PC documen-
tation for details of how these parameters are accessed and modified. Note that
Portables PC also allows the parameters configurable via the front panel to be
configured via a PC.
CONFIDENCE BLIP The green LED will always flash once every three seconds.
This option determines if an audible blip is also made.
LOG PERIOD Allows setting of the data logging period, anywhere from 1 sec-
ond to 24 hours. See section on data logging for description.
S.T.E.L. TIME The short term exposure limit (S.T.E.L.) averaging period, set
between 5 and 15 minutes. 15 minutes is the UK standard.
SYSTEM TIME AND DATE Instrument time and date.
CALIBRATION DUE Sets the date at which the Calibration due warning mes-
sage will appear at instrument start up.
USER AND SITE STRINGS The actual text associated with the 10 user and site
names may be set via Portables PC. The information, once set, appears in the
log menu.
VOLUME RANGE Set the volume of gas used by flammable volume channels
to turn off flammable (LEL) channels (for Autoranging units only).
PASSWORD Allows the menu password to be changed from the default of
1 2 3 4.
CHANNEL NAME AND UNITS This is the text used for the gas readings display.
It may be set via Portables PC.
FLAMMABLE CORRECTION DATA The name associated with a correction fac-