MSA ALTAIR 2X User manual

GB
MSAsafety.com
Operating Manual
ALTAIR2X
Single or Two Gas Detector
Order No. 10148950/00

© MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY 2014 - All Rights Reserved
This manual is available on the Internet at: www.msasafety.com
Manufactured by
MSA NORTH AMERICA
1000 Cranberry Woods Drive, Cranberry Township, PA 16066

ALTAIR 2X 3
Declaration of Conformity
GB
Declaration of Conformity
The manufacturer or the European Authorized Representative:
MSA AUER GmbH
Thiemannstrasse 1
D-12059 Berlin
declares that the productALTAIR 2X
based on the EC-Type Examination Certificate : FTZU 13 ATEX 0200 X
complies with the ATEX directive 94/9/EC, Annex III. Quality Assurance Notifica-
tion complying with Annex IV of the ATEX Directive 94/9/EC has been issued by
INERIS, Notified Body number: 0080.
Standards. EN 60079-0:2012, EN 60079-11:2012
The product is in conformance with the directive 2004 / 108/ EC, (EMC):
EN 50270:2007 Type 2, EN 61000 - 6 - 3:2011
The product is in conformance with the directive 2006/66/EC.
MSA AUER GmbH
Dr. Axel Schubert
R&D Instruments
Berlin,
November 2013
& Approvals INT-T

ALTAIR 2X 4
Contents
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Contents
1 Safety Regulations ......................................................................................6
1.1 Correct Use .......................................................................................6
1.2 Liability Information ............................................................................7
1.3 Safety and Precautionary Measures .................................................7
1.4 Warranty ............................................................................................9
2 Description ................................................................................................11
2.1 Overview ..........................................................................................11
2.2 On-Screen Indicators .......................................................................14
2.3 Sensor End of Life Warning .............................................................15
2.4 Sensor End of Life Alarm .................................................................15
2.5 Backlight ..........................................................................................16
2.6 Fresh Air Setup (FAS) .....................................................................16
2.7 Bump Test for Sensors with XCell Pulse Technology .....................16
3 Use .............................................................................................................16
3.1 Environmental Factors .....................................................................16
3.2 Settings ............................................................................................16
3.3 First Use ..........................................................................................17
3.4 Turning ON the Device ....................................................................17
3.5 Function Checks Before Use ...........................................................25
3.6 Duration of Use ................................................................................29
3.7 Monitoring Gas Concentration .........................................................31
3.8 Changing Alarm Setpoints ...............................................................33
3.9 Displaying Device Data ...................................................................34
3.10 IR mode ...........................................................................................35
3.11 Turning OFF the Device ..................................................................36
3.12 Data Logging ...................................................................................36

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3.13 Calibration .......................................................................................37
3.14 Using the Device with a GALAXY GX2 Automated Test System ....42
4 Maintenance ..............................................................................................43
4.1 Troubleshooting ...............................................................................43
4.2 Replacing the Battery ......................................................................44
4.3 Replacing the Sensor ......................................................................45
4.4 Cleaning ..........................................................................................46
4.5 Storage ............................................................................................46
4.6 Scope of Delivery ............................................................................46
5 Technical Data ...........................................................................................47
5.1 Technical Specifications ..................................................................47
5.2 Sensor Data .....................................................................................48
5.3 Data Logging Specifications ............................................................51
6 Certification ...............................................................................................52
6.1 Marking, Certificates and Approvals
According to the Directive 94/9/EC (ATEX)......................................53
6.2 Marking, Certificates and Approvals According to IECEx ................54
7 Ordering Information ................................................................................55
7.1 Calibration Gas Cylinders ................................................................55
7.2 Replacement Parts and Accessories ...............................................56
7.3 Sensor Replacement Kits ................................................................57

ALTAIR 2X 6
Safety Regulations
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1 Safety Regulations
1.1 Correct Use
TheALTAIR2Xgas detector,hereafterreferredtoasdevice,isintendedforuse
by trained and qualified personnel. It is designed to be used when performing a
hazard assessment to:
-Assess potential worker exposure to toxic gases and vapours.
-Determine the appropriate gas and vapour monitoring needed for a work-
place.
The ALTAIR 2X gas detector can be equipped for:
-Detecting specific toxic gases for which a sensor is installed
It is imperative that this operating manual be read and observed when using the
product. In particular, the safety instructions, as well as the information for the
use and operation of the product, must be carefully read and observed. Further-
more, the national regulations applicable in the user's country must be taken
into account for a safe use.
Alternative use, or use outside this specification will be considered as non-
compliance. This also applies especially to unauthorised alterations to the
product and to commissioning work that has not been carried out by MSA or
authorised persons.
WARNING
This product is supporting life and health. Inappropriate use, maintenance or
servicing may affect the function of the device and thereby seriously compro-
mise the user's life.
Before use the product operability must be verified. The product must not be
used if the function test is unsuccessful, it is damaged, a competent servicing/
maintenance has not been made, genuine MSA spare parts have not been
used.

ALTAIR 2X 7
Safety Regulations
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1.2 Liability Information
MSA accepts no liability in cases where the product has been used inappropri-
ately or not as intended. The selection and use of this product must be under
the direction of a qualified safety professional who has carefully evaluated the
specific hazards of the jobsite where it will be used and who is completely
familiar with theproduct anditslimitations. The selection and use of thisproduct
and its incorporation into the safety scheme of the jobsite is the exclusive
responsibility of the Employer.
Product liability claims, warranties also as guarantees made by MSA with
respect to the product are voided, if it is not used, serviced or maintained in
accordance with the instructions in this manual.
1.3 Safety and Precautionary Measures
Use Device only for Assigned Gases
The device must be used only for gases for which a sensor is installed in the
device.
Check Function
Before each day’s use, check the function of the device (chapter 3.5).
MSA recommends carrying out a routine inspection prior to each day’s use.
Perform a Bump Test
Bump test frequency is often stipulated by national or corporate regulations;
however, bump testing before each day´s use is generally the accepted best
safety practice and is therefore MSA’s recommendation. The device must pass
the bump test. If it fails the test, perform a calibration before using the device.
Perform a bump test more frequently if the device is subjected to physical shock
or high levels of contaminants.
Check Function and Alarm before Each Use
In case of failed function tests, the device must be removed from use.
WARNING
The following safety instructions must be followed implicitly. Misuse can result
in loss of life or serious injury.

ALTAIR 2X 8
Safety Regulations
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Check Confidence Indicator
The Confidence indicator must flash every 15 seconds after starting the device.
Defective Vibrating Alarm Possible
At ambient temperatures < 0 °C, the vibrating alarm can give a false alarm or
can fail completely. In such conditions, do not rely solely on the vibrating alarm.
Physical Shock
Perform a calibration if device is subjected to physical shock.
Sensor Maintenance
Do not block sensor opening as this may cause inaccurate readings. Do not
press on the face of the sensor, as this may damage it and cause erroneous
readings. Do not use compressed air to clean the sensor holes, as the pressure
may damage the sensor.
Observe Proper Time for Display Stabilising
Allow sufficient time for device to display accurate reading. Response times
vary based on the type of sensor being utilized.
Be Aware of Environmental Conditions
A number of environmental factors may affect the sensor readings, including
changes in pressure, humidity and temperature.
Be Aware of the Procedures for Handling Electrostatically Sensitive
Electronics
The device contains electrostatically sensitive components. Do not open or
repair the device without using appropriate electrostatic discharge (ESD)
protection. The warranty does not cover damage caused by electrostatic
discharges.
Be Aware of the Product Regulations
Follow all relevant national regulations applicable in the country of use.
Be Aware of the Warranty Regulations
The warranties made by Mine Safety Appliances Company with respect to the
product are voided if the product is not used and maintained in accordance with
the instructions in this manual. Please protect yourself and others by following
them. We encourage our customers to write or call regarding this equipment
prior to use or for any additional information relative to use or service.

ALTAIR 2X 9
Safety Regulations
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1.4 Warranty
Specific battery run-time over temperature is not warranted.
This warranty does not cover filters, fuses or replaceable batteries. This
warranty is valid only if the product is maintained and used in accordance with
Seller's instructions and/or recommendations.
The Seller shall be released from all obligations under this warranty in the event
repairs or modifications are made by persons other than its own or authorised
service personnel or if the warranty claim results from physical abuse or misuse
of the product. No agent, employee or representative of the Seller has any
authority to bind the Seller to any affirmation, representation or warranty
concerning this product. Seller makes no warranty concerning components or
accessories not manufactured by the Seller, but will pass on to the Purchaser
all warranties of manufacturers of such components.
THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED,
IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AND IS STRICTLY LIMITED TO THE TERMS
HEREOF. SELLER SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Exclusive Remedy
It is expressly agreed that Purchaser's sole and exclusive remedy for breach of
the above warranty, for any tortious conduct of Seller, or for any other cause of
action, shall be the replacement at Seller's option, of any equipment or parts
thereof, which after examination by Seller is proven to be defective.
Replacement equipment and/or parts will be provided at no cost to Purchaser,
F.O.B. Seller's Plant. Failure of Seller to successfully replace any noncon-
forming equipment or parts shall not cause the remedy established hereby to
fail of its essential purpose.
ITEM WARRANTY PERIOD
Chassis and electronics Three years
H2S, CO, SO2, NO2sensors Three years
Cl2, NH3sensors Two years

ALTAIR 2X 10
Safety Regulations
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Exclusion of Consequential Damage
Purchaserspecificallyunderstandsandagreesthatundernocircumstanceswill
seller be liable to purchaser for economic, special, incidental or consequential
damages or losses of any kind whatsoever, including but not limited to, loss of
anticipated profits and any other loss caused by reason of nonoperation of the
goods. This exclusion is applicable to claims for breach of warranty, tortious
conduct or any other cause of action against seller.

ALTAIR 2X 11
Description
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2 Description
2.1 Overview
Fig. 1 Device view
1 Alarm LED (red) 5 Button
2 Infrared port 6 Display with backlight
3 Sensor cover 7 Gas type
4 Safe LED (green) 8 Audible alarm transmitter
121
3
4
6
5
7
8

ALTAIR 2X 12
Description
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The device monitors gases in ambient air and in the workplace. The following
toxic gases can be monitored in the ambient air:
-Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
-Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
-Carbon monoxide (CO)
-Hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
-Chlorine (Cl2)
-Ammonia (NH3)
The Two Gas (Two-Tox) sensor provides two sensing capabilities in a single
sensor. The following combinations are possible:
-Carbon monoxide/hydrogen sulfide (CO/H2S)
-Carbon monoxide/nitrogen dioxide (CO/NO2)
-Hydrogen sulfide/sulfur dioxide (H2S/SO2)
The alarm levels for the individual gases are factory-set and and cannot be
changed during operation. Changes can only be made through MSA Link soft-
ware.
Short Term Exposure Limits (STEL)
The STEL alarm is calculated over a 15 minute exposure.
STEL calculation examples:
Assume the device has been running for at least 15 minutes:
15 minute exposure of 35 ppm:
10 minute exposure of 35 ppm and 5 minutes exposure of 5 ppm:
Ifthe device is onforlongerthan15minutes,theSTELis calculated forthemost
recent fifteen minutes of runtime.
(15 minutes x 35 ppm) = 35 ppm
15 minutes
(10 minutes x 35 ppm) + (5 minutes x 5 ppm) = 25 ppm
15 minutes

ALTAIR 2X 13
Description
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Time Weighted Average (TWA)
The TWA alarm is calculated over an eight-hour exposure.
TWA calculation examples:
1 hour exposure of 50 ppm:
4 hour exposure of 50 ppm and 4 hour exposure of 100 ppm:
12 hour exposure of 100 ppm:
Ifthedevice isONforless than 8 hours (480minutes),thebalance of the minute
ppm values is set to zero.
(1 hour x 50 ppm) + (7 hours x 0 ppm) = 6.25 ppm
8 hours
(4 hours x 50 ppm) + (4 hours x 100 ppm) = 75 ppm
8hours
(12 hours x 100 ppm) = 150 ppm
8 hours

ALTAIR 2X 14
Description
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2.2 On-Screen Indicators
Fig. 2 Display
Only displayed for two gas detectors. The label above this bar
shows which gas concentration is currently displayed
Sensor life Symbol – Indicates the end of sensor life
Bump Check Symbol – Indicates successful bump test or cali-
bration
Alarm Symbol – Indicates alarm state.
No Gas Cylinder – Indicates cal gas should not be applied and
device must be exposed to fresh air
Cal Gas Cylinder – Indicates cal gas must be applied
PEAK Symbol – Indicates a PEAK reading or high alarm
Minimum – Indicates a minimum value or low alarm
Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) Symbol – Indicates a
STEL alarm
Time Weighted Average (TWA) Symbol – Indicates a
TWA alarm
GAS 1

ALTAIR 2X 15
Description
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2.3 Sensor End of Life Warning
If a sensor is nearing its end of life, the device will warn the user following a
sensorcalibration.Thesensorisstillfullyfunctional atthispoint,butthewarning
gives the user time to plan for a replacement sensor and minimise downtime.
The symbol will be continuously displayed.
2.4 Sensor End of Life Alarm
If a sensor fails two calibrations in a row, a sensor End of Life Alarm condition
is present. The symbol will flash continuously.
Hourglass – Indicates user should wait
Device confidence indicator
Flow check symbol - Indicates that a flow check is being
prepared or should be executed
Battery condition - Indicates the battery charge level
Indicates a battery alarm when flashing
Electronic pulse check symbol - Indicates a currently running
electronic check of the sensor
Indicates required interaction
Gas concentration
Volume percent
Parts per million
mg/m3
% Vol
ppm

ALTAIR 2X 16
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2.5 Backlight
The backlight can be manually activated with a quick push of the button. The
backlight remains ON for a certain time, depending on the instrument settings.
2.6 Fresh Air Setup (FAS)
This check eliminates background contaminants, reducing the possibility of
inaccurate readings.
The Fresh Air Setup zeroes toxic gas sensors. The Fresh Air Setup will not func-
tion if it is activated in a non-fresh air environment. If a dangerous level of gas
is present, the device will ignore the Fresh Air Setup and go into alarm.
2.7 Bump Test for Sensors with XCell Pulse Technology
Sensors with XCell Pulse Technology can be bump tested with a combination
of a pulse check and a flow check.
First,thedevicecarries out an electronic pulse check of the sensor. Second, the
user executes a flow check by exhaling onto the face of the device.
3Use
3.1 Environmental Factors
A number of environmental factors may affect the gas sensor readings,
including changes in pressure, humidity and temperature.
Temperature Changes
The sensors have built-in temperature compensation. However, if temperature
shiftsdramatically,thesensorreadingmay shift.Zerothedeviceattheworksite
temperature for the least effect.
3.2 Settings
Any changes of the device settings can only be carried out using the MSA
Link™ software. Ensure that the latest version of the MSA Link software is used.
The MSA Link application is available free on www.msasafety.com.

ALTAIR 2X 17
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3.3 First Use
When switching on the device for the first time and after a battery replacement
the device will initialize the battery. During a battery initialisation, BATT INIT is
shown on the display followed by a sequence of LED illuminations and activa-
tion of the vibration motor. The device then continues the start-up as described
in section 3.4.
Calibrate devices with XCell Pulse Technology before first use to ensure
optimal sensor performance.
3.4 Turning ON the Device
(1) Press the button.
-All display segments are activated
-Audible alarm sounds
-Alarm LEDs light
-Vibrating alarm is activated.
The device displays the following for a few seconds each:
-MSA
-Software version
-WAIT (Displayed for up to 20 seconds during sensor discovery)
-If enabled: individual alarm indication settings
-Gas type
-Low alarm icon with low alarm setpoint
-High alarm icon with high alarm setpoint
-STEL alarm icon with STEL alarm setpoint
-TWA alarm icon with TWA alarm setpoint
-Calibration gas settings
(2) If the LastCalDate page is enabled, the display will show the last cal date
of the installed sensor (DD-MMM-YY).
Before the device can be used for monitoring possible toxic gases in the
atmosphere, it must be commissioned (Fig. 3 and Fig. 4).

ALTAIR 2X 18
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Fig. 3 Startup
LCD Test
MSA
Version Number
Individual Alarm
indications
disabled?
LEDS
OFF
Startup continued
Y
N
Depending on individual
instrument settings
HORN
OFF
VIBE
OFF
Alarm Info Pages
(Low, High, STEL,
TWA)*
* Depending on individual
instrument setup
Calibration Gas
Info Pages*
Last Cal Date*
DD-MMM-YY
Button press to
turn instrument ON
Gas Type
WAIT

ALTAIR 2X 19
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(3) Fresh Air Setup prompt (FAS?)/Pulse Check start screen (PULSE) is
displayed, depending on the sensor installed.
Fig. 4 Startup, continued
WARNING
Only carry out the Fresh Air Setup/bump test in fresh, uncontaminated air;
otherwise, inaccurate readings can falsely indicate a hazardous atmosphere
as safe. If the quality of the surrounding air is uncertain, do not carry out a
Fresh Air Setup/bump test. Do not use the Fresh Air Setup/bump test as a
substitute for daily calibration checks. The calibration check is required to
verify span accuracy. Failure to follow this warning can result in serious
personal injury or death.
XCell Pulse
Technology?
Is FAS
Enabled?
Startup
FASeuDlaC Pulse Check
Y
N
N
Y
Pulse Check
Start Screen
PULSE
Sensor Warmup
Screen
WAIT

ALTAIR 2X 20
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FAS
FAS? is displayed.
To start the FAS press the button while FAS? is displayed.
The display will show the results of the setup, PASS or ERR.
Bump Test for Devices with XCell Pulse Technology
This test will start automatically.
-PULSE is displayed shortly.
-The electronic pulse check icon and a countdown are displayed.
-At the end of the countdown, the results of the electronic pulse check are
displayed (PASS or ERR).
If ERR:
Press the button to return to normal operating mode and perform a calibra-
tion.
If PASS:
-The display shows the Flow check icon and WAIT for followed by a count-
down.
At the end of the countdown, the display will show FLOW and the green LEDs
near the sensor will flash.
Exhale into the device.
Holddevicecloseto mouth(5 cm/2 inchesdistance)andblowforcefully
onto the sensor opening for 2 seconds.
The results of the test are then displayed (PASS or ERR).
The fresh air setup has limits.
If a hazardous level of gas is present, the device displays ERR.
Press the button to acknowledge the error and perform a calibration.