Inficon GAS-Mate User manual

OPERATING MANUAL
GAS-Mate®
Combustible Gas Leak Detector

2
Declaration of Conformity
This is to certify that this equipment, designed and manufactured by INFICON
Inc., 2 Technology Place, East Syracuse, NY 13057 USA meets the essential
safety requirements of the European Union and is placed on the market
accordingly. It has been constructed in accordance with good engineering practice
in safety matters in force in the Community and does not endanger the safety of
persons, domestic animals or property when properly installed and maintained
and used in applications for which it was made.
Equipment Description . . . . . . . . . GAS-Mate®Combustible Gas Leak Detector
Applicable Directives . . . . . . . . . . 73/23/EEC as amended by 93/68/EEC,
89/336/EEC as amended by 93/68 EEC
94/9/EC
Applicable Standards . . . . . . . . . . EN61010-1, EN61000-6-1, EN61000-6-3,
EN60079-0:2009, EN60079-15:2005
CE Implementation Date . . . . . . . January 2000
Authorized Representative. . . . . . Brian W. King
Business Line Manager, Service Tools
INFICON Inc.
Two Technology Place
East Syracuse, NY 13057
Any questions relative to this declaration or to the safety of INFICON®products
should be directed, in writing, to the quality assurance department at the above
address.
GAS-Mate®and INFICON®are registered trademarks of INFICON GmbH.
The GAS-Mate is Intrinsically Safe for Class I, Division 1, Groups A-D, T4 and
rated II 3G Ex nA nL IIC T4 X as per Listing Number E112145 by MET
Laboratories, Inc.

3
Introduction
Thank you for buying the INFICON GAS-Mate Combustible Gas Leak Detector.
The GAS-Mate is an intrinsically safe instrument designed to detect leaks of a
variety of combustible gases. It can be used for many leak testing applications
including, but not limited to:
Combustion appliances
Gas-fired furnaces
Gas stoves
Hydrocarbon-based refrigerants
Gas pipelines, valves and meters
Heat exchanger testing with combustible gases
The GAS-Mate is sensitive to a variety of hydrocarbons and other gases
including, but not limited to:
Natural Gas
Cyclopentane
Isobutane
Methane
Propane
Ethane
Butane
Ammonia
Ethanol
Forming Gas
NOTE: The GAS-Mate does NOT detect carbon monoxide (CO).
To get the best performance from your GAS-Mate combustible gas leak detector,
please read this manual carefully before you start using the instrument. If you
have any questions or need additional assistance, please call 1-800-344-3304.
We'll be happy to help you!
GAS-Mate's High Performance Features
Highly advanced thick film, long-life sensor.
Small sensor and probe tip allow leak checking in tight spaces.
Automatic adjustment (zeroing) to combustible gases in leak test area for
greater stability.
Innovative sensitivity touch pad for faster pinpointing of leaks.
Rugged flexible probe.
Variable audible signal as well as multiple LEDs to indicate leaks.

4
Specifications
Sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 PPM Methane (main component of natural gas)
Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Two "D" cell alkaline batteries
Battery Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Approximately 25 hours
Weight (with power cells) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5 lb (0.7 kg)
Product Warnings
WARNING
To prevent ignition of a hazardous atmosphere, batteries must only
be changed in an area known to be nonhazardous (i.e., completely
free of combustible gas).
WARNING
Use only Duracell® MN1300 batteries to maintain intrinsically safe
approval.
WARNING
Always check instrument operation with a known combustible leak
source before use.
WARNING
The GAS-Mate will detect leaks as described below but may not
indicate when a hazardous atmosphere is present due to its Auto
Zeroing function. Lack of a reading by the GAS-Mate should not be
taken as an indication that the atmosphere is totally safe.
WARNING
There are no user serviceable parts inside. Do not disassemble the
GAS-Mate.

5
Getting Started
1. The combustible gas sensor is already installed in the GAS-Mate's probe. No
installation of the sensor is necessary.
2. You will need to install the alkaline batteries which are included with your
GAS-Mate. Remove the battery cover by releasing the latch and sliding the
cover down and off the handle. You may need to use a small flat-blade
screwdriver to assist with releasing the latch. Install the two "D" sized Duracell®
MN1300 alkaline batteries as shown in Figure 1, with the positive terminals
pointing toward the end of the handle. Reinstall the battery cover by aligning it
in the grooves on the handle and sliding it up the handle until it latches.
Figure 1. Properly installed alkaline batteries
DURACELL® is a registered trademark of Duracell, Inc., Bethel, Connecticut.
+-+-

6
Using the GAS-Mate
1. Be sure to power the GAS-Mate on in an area known to be free of any
combustible gases, such as outdoors, for ideal leak checking. Depress the
Power button to turn the unit on. Wait for the GAS-Mate to warm up. The high
pitched audible tone will change to a steady beeping and the LEDs will
illuminate briefly. The warm up time is approximately 30 seconds, but will vary
depending on the length of time since the unit was last used. In clean air, the
audio alarm will beep at a slow, steady rate.
The unit will automatically power up in maximum sensitivity. This is the setting
in which most leak-checking should be performed, including searching for very
small leaks. The GAS-Mate has adjustable sensitivity. You can reduce
sensitivity by dragging your finger downwards on the sensitivity touch pad.
This can be helpful for pinpointing the location of larger leaks. The automatic
background zeroing function keeps the instrument stable, eliminating the need
to frequently adjust sensitivity.
2. Carry the GAS-Mate into the area of the suspected leak. An alarm at this time
indicates a build-up of combustible gas in the general area. When the
GAS-Mate detects combustible gas, the rate of beeping of the audio alarm
increases in proportion to the size of the leak detected. The rate of flashing of
the LEDs also increases with an increase in the gas concentration detected.
The automatic background zero function (which is constantly working) will zero
out the background gas and the alarm will slowly return to a slow beeping.
When the unit has stabilized again, proceed towards the suspected leak site.
The GAS-Mate will continue to indicate changes in gas concentration by
alarming as the concentration increases.
3. Move the probe tip slowly (approximately 2-5 centimeters per second) around
suspected leak sites. Try to position the probe tip as close as possible to the
suspected leak site for optimum performance. An increase in the rate of
beeping and flashing LEDs indicates a leak.
4. To confirm a leak, pull the probe away from the suspected leak site and allow
the instrument to return to a steady state. Repeat step 3.
5. After exposure to very high concentrations of some gases, the sensor may
require several minutes to stabilize and return to normal operation.
6. The Battery LED will flash when the batteries need to be replaced. The
GAS-Mate will continue to operate for approximately one hour after the Battery
LED begins to flash.
7. Store your GAS-Mate in a clean place, protected from shock, impact, or other
possible damage. We suggest storing it in the hard plastic carrying case that
comes with the unit.

7
How to Change the Alkaline Batteries
WARNING
To prevent ignition of a hazardous atmosphere, batteries must only
be changed in an area known to be non-hazardous (i.e., free of
combustible gas).
CAUTION
Use only Duracell® MN1300 "D" size batteries to maintain
intrinsically safe approval.
1. Remove the battery cover by releasing the latch and sliding the cover down and
off the handle. You may need to use a small flat-blade screwdriver to assist with
releasing the latch.
2. Remove the used batteries. Insert the two new "D" sized batteries in the battery
compartment with the positive ends facing toward the end of the handle.
3. Reinstall the battery cover by aligning it in the grooves on the handle and sliding
it up the handle until it latches.
Disposing of the Alkaline Batteries
At the end of the life of your alkaline batteries, please dispose of them according
to applicable state and local regulations. In the absence of such regulations,
INFICON encourages its customers to recycle and/or dispose of the cells through
voluntary waste recycling programs.

8
How to Change the Sensor
1. The sensor comes installed in the tip of the GAS-Mate probe. You only need to
insert/remove the sensor when it is time to replace it.
2. Insert a paper clip or a small screwdriver under the sensor through the slot in
the probe tip and carefully slide the sensor out of the end of the probe tip as
seen in Figure 2.
3. Remove the new sensor from its packaging and install it by aligning the tab on
the metal sensor can with the slot in the probe tip and gently sliding the sensor
into the tip. Be certain that the four wire leads on the sensor fit into the four holes
at the base of the probe sensor socket, and that they are not bent during the
installation process.
4. When properly installed, the top of the sensor should be approximately flush
with the tip of the probe.
Figure 2. Replacing the sensor
Alignment Tab

9
Troubleshooting
WARNING
Substitution of components may impair intrinsic safety.
Except for the batteries and the sensor, the internal parts of the GAS-Mate
Combustible Gas Leak Detector are not user serviceable. If you experience a
problem with your GAS-Mate, follow the steps in the trouble shooting guide below
to determine how to remedy your problem. If you cannot remedy the problem, take
your GAS-Mate to your wholesaler for warranty evaluation or call our technical
assistance line at 1-800-344-3304.
Problem Possible Cause Remedy
GAS-Mate will not
power up.
Batteries are worn out. Replace batteries.
Batteries are
improperly installed.
Refer to Figure 1 for
proper installation.
Poor sensitivity. Unit
powers up, but has a
difficult time detecting
combustible gas.
Unit set to low
sensitivity.
Increase sensitivity by
dragging finger
upwards on touch pad.
Sensor is worn out and
needs to be replaced.
Replace sensor.
Alarm sounds
continuously, even after
a couple minutes of
warm-up.
The sensor is not
installed properly or is
missing.
The sensor leads must
be straight and inserted
in the holes at the base
of the sensor socket.
Or, the orientation tab is
not properly aligned in
the probe tip. Refer to
Figure 2.
Sensor is worn out and
needs to be replaced.
Replace sensor.

10
Replacement Parts and Accessories
Replacement parts and accessories for your INFICON GAS-Mate combustible
gas leak detector are available through the same dealer from whom you bought
the instrument.
Plastic storage case . . . . . . . . . . . 718-701-G1
Replacement sensor . . . . . . . . . . 706-700-G1
Warranty and Liability
INFICON warrants your GAS-Mate Combustible Gas Leak Detector to be free
from defects of materials or workmanship for three (3) years from the date of
purchase. INFICON does not warrant items that deteriorate under normal use,
including power cells (batteries) and sensors. In addition, INFICON does not
warrant any instrument that has been subjected to misuse, negligence, or
accident, or has been repaired or altered by anyone other than INFICON.
INFICON's liability is limited to instruments returned to INFICON, transportation
prepaid, not later than thirty (30) days after the warranty period expires, and which
INFICON judges to have malfunctioned because of defective materials or
workmanship. INFICON's liability is limited to, at its option, repairing or replacing
the defective instrument or part.
This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied, whether of
Merchantability or of Fitness for a particular purpose or otherwise. All such other
warranties are expressly disclaimed.
INFICON shall have no liability in excess of the price paid to INFICON for the
instrument plus return transportation charges prepaid. INFICON shall have no
liability for any incidental or consequential damages. All such liabilities are
excluded.

11
Return Authorization Procedure
Defective GAS-Mates, or defective replacement parts and accessories, should be
returned to your wholesaler for warranty evaluation. If you have any questions,
please contact INFICON at 800-344-3304.
Please do not return your unit directly to the factory without first contacting your
wholesaler.

TWO TECHNOLOGY PLACE
EAST SYRACUSE, NY 13057-9714 USA
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-Mail: [email protected]
inficonservicetools.com
074-529-P1B