Ventis MX4 User manual

1
Multi-gas Monitor
Product Manual
Set-up
Operation
Service
Part Number: 17152357-1
Version 11

Ventis™ MX4 Product Manual
© 2014Industrial Scientific Corporation 2
Table of Contents
COPYRIGHT NOTICE ...................................................................................................................................................3
WARNINGS AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS ........................................................................................................3
General ...................................................................................................................................................................3
Personnel ...............................................................................................................................................................3
Hazardous Conditions, Poisons, and Contaminants ..............................................................................................3
General Usage .......................................................................................................................................................4
Agency-issued Conditions of Use and Warnings ....................................................................................................4
Recommended Practices .......................................................................................................................................5
VENTIS MX4™ RESOURCES.......................................................................................................................................6
VENTIS MX4 CAPABILITIES........................................................................................................................................6

UNPACKING THE MONITOR .......................................................................................................................................7
Contents..................................................................................................................................................................7
Reporting a Problem ..............................................................................................................................................7
MONITOR OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................................................8
Hardware Features and Functions..........................................................................................................................8
Display Screen........................................................................................................................................................9
Alarms...................................................................................................................................................................11
MONITOR SET-UP ......................................................................................................................................................13
Battery Properties and Monitor Compatibility .......................................................................................................13
Charging the Lithium-ion Battery Packs ...............................................................................................................14
Instruction ......................................................................................................................................................14
Power-on and –off.................................................................................................................................................15
Configuration.........................................................................................................................................................16
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................16
Instructions ....................................................................................................................................................16
Configuration Process....................................................................................................................................17
MONITOR USE AND SERVICE ..................................................................................................................................24
Zero, Calibration, and Bump Testing ....................................................................................................................24
Procedures ....................................................................................................................................................24
Recommendations.........................................................................................................................................25
General Information ..............................................................................................................................................25
Instructions ...................................................................................................................................................26
Recommended Practices for In-field Air Sampling ...............................................................................................32
Cleaning ...............................................................................................................................................................32
Service..................................................................................................................................................................33
Battery Packs.................................................................................................................................................33
Monitor Conversion .......................................................................................................................................36
Sensor, Sensor Water Barrier, LCD, and Vibrating Motor Replacement........................................................38
Pump Module.................................................................................................................................................40
Ventis MX4 Three-Dimensional View Diagrams ............................................................................................41
PRODUCTS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATIONS ........................................................................................44
Ventis MX4 Accessories and Parts .......................................................................................................................44
Monitor Specifications...........................................................................................................................................46
Operating Conditions ............................................................................................................................................46
Storage Conditions ...............................................................................................................................................47
Sensor Specifications ...........................................................................................................................................47
Toxic Gas Sensor Cross-Sensitivity Table ............................................................................................................47
LEL and LEL Correlation Factors for Combustible Gases ....................................................................................48
Certifications .........................................................................................................................................................49
WARRANTY ................................................................................................................................................................50
Limitation of Liability..............................................................................................................................................50
INDUSTRIAL SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION GLOBAL LOCATIONS.....................................................BACK COVER

Ventis™ MX4 Product Manual
3 © 2014 Industrial Scientific Corporation
►Copyright Notice
Ventis MX4™ and Ventis™ are trademarks of Industrial Scientific Corporation.
All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
These help materials or any part thereof may not, without the written consent of Industrial Scientific Corporation, be
copied, reprinted, or reproduced in any material form including but not limited to photocopying, transcribing,
transmitting, or storing it in any medium or translating it into any language, in any form or by any means, be it digitally,
electronic, mechanical, xerographic, optical, magnetic, or otherwise.
The information contained in this document is proprietary and confidential and all copyright, trademarks, trade names,
patents, and other intellectual property rights in the documentation are the exclusive property of Industrial Scientific
Corporation unless otherwise specified. The information (including but not limited to data, drawings, specification,
documentation, software listings, source or object code) shall not at any time be disclosed directly or indirectly to any
third party without prior written consent.
The information contained herein is believed to be accurate and reliable. Industrial Scientific Corporation accepts no
responsibility for its use by any means or in any way whatsoever. Industrial Scientific Corporation shall not be liable
for any expenses, costs by damage that may result from the use of the information contained within this document.
Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the specifications of this product and the content herein are subject
to change without notice.
►Warnings and Cautionary Statements
General
IMPORTANT
Failure to perform certain procedures or note certain conditions may impair the performance of this
product. For maximum safety and optimal performance, please read and understand the Ventis MX4
Product Manual available online at the Ventis MX4 Resource Center at
www.indsci.com/ VentisMX4resources.
Personnel
CAUTION: For safety reasons, this equipment must be operated and serviced by qualified personnel only.
Read and understand the product manual completely before operating or servicing.
Hazardous Conditions, Poisons, and Contaminants
WARNING: Servicing the unit, replacing or charging battery packs, or using the communications port must only
be done in an area known to be nonhazardous. Not for use in oxygen-enriched atmospheres.
WARNING: Power-off the monitor before servicing the unit or replacing the battery.
WARNING: Substitution of components may impair intrinsic safety and may cause an unsafe condition.
CAUTION: High off-scale readings may indicate explosive gas concentration(s).
CAUTION: Any rapid up-scale reading followed by a declining or erratic reading may indicate gas
concentration(s) beyond the upper scale limit which may be hazardous.
Silicone compound vapors or other known contaminants may affect the combustible gas sensor and cause
readings of combustible gas to be lower than actual gas concentrations. If the monitor has been used in an
area where silicone vapors were present, always calibrate the monitor before next use to ensure accurate
measurements.

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© 2014Industrial Scientific Corporation 4
General Usage
Oxygen-deficient atmospheres may cause combustible gas readings to be lower than actual concentrations.
Oxygen-enriched atmospheres may cause combustible gas readings to be higher than actual concentrations.
Sudden changes in atmospheric pressure may cause temporary fluctuations in the oxygen reading.
Verify the calibration of the combustible gas sensor after any incident where the combustible gas content has
caused the monitor to display an over-range condition.
Sensor openings, water barriers, and the pump inlet must be kept clean. Obstruction of the sensor openings or
pump inlet and/or contamination of the water barriers may cause readings to be lower than actual gas
concentrations.
To avoid the potential of liquid being pulled into the sample tubing and pump assembly, it is recommended that
Industrial Scientific filter (P/N 17027152) be used on the sample tubing when drawing samples using the
aspirated monitor.
WARNING: INSERT THE ALKALINE BATTERIES WITH THE CORRECT POSITIVE “+” AND NEGATIVE “-“
ORIENTATION. WARNING: The Ventis MX4 is only approved for use with AAA battery types Energizer EN92
and Duracell MN2400. Do NOT mix battery types.
WARNING: The use of leather cases can produce inaccurate readings with diffusion (non-aspirated) gas
detection instruments for specific monitoring applications. Leather cases should be used ONLY as carrying
cases, and NOT for continuous monitoring, with diffusion instruments configured to measure gases other than
O2, CO, CO2, H2S, and combustible gases (LEL/CH4).
Agency-issued Conditions of Use and Warnings
Ensure all part-use restrictions (e.g., battery) meet any agency-mandated conditions of use.
Ensure all instrument-configurable settings (e.g., always-on setting) meet any agency-mandated conditions of
use. When using instrument-compatible Industrial Scientific docking stations, maintain mandated settings
through the software (e.g., iNet Control or Accessory Software) or by manually configuring the instrument
settings after docking.
The Ventis MX4 is CSA certified according to the Canadian Electrical Code for use in Class I, Division 1 and
Class I, Zone 1 Hazardous Locations within an ambient temperature range of Tamb: -20°C to +50°C. CSA has
assessed only the %LEL combustible gas detection portion of this instrument for performance according to
CSA Standard C22.2 No. 152. This is applicable only when the monitor is used in the diffusion mode and has
been calibrated to 50% LEL CH4, and when the monitor is used in the aspirated mode with an extended range
lithium-ion battery and has been calibrated to 50% LEL CH4.
CAUTION: CSA C22.2 No. 152 requires before each day’s usage, sensitivity must be tested on a known
concentration of pentane or methane equivalent to 25% or 50% of full scale concentration. Accuracy must be
within -0% to +20% of actual concentration. Accuracy may be corrected by referring to the zero/calibration
section of the Product Manual.
The equipment complies with the standards IEC 60079-29-1 and EN 60079-29-1 for methane, propane, and
hexane with the following exception: as for the methane (mine) detector, the battery run time was verified to be
seven (7) hours rather than the eight (8) hours recommended by the standards, respectively.
MED-certified instruments may be used only when configured and maintained to disallow power-off when the
unit is in alarm.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has approved the Ventis MX4 as a Permissible Multi-Gas
Monitor with the following warnings:
MSHA approved for use with either the P/N 17134453-X2, 3.7 volt, lithium-ion battery or P/N 17148313-2,
3.7 volt, lithium-ion extended battery pack assembly only. The battery pack is not user-replaceable. The
monitor battery and the lithium battery on the main PCB are technician replaceable only. Charge battery
pack with an ISC battery charger designed for use with this monitor in fresh air locations only.

Ventis™ MX4 Product Manual
5 © 2014 Industrial Scientific Corporation
The monitor is to be calibrated according to the procedures in the instruction manual only.
The aspirated version of the Ventis MX4 is only approved for use with the extended battery pack.
The monitor must display methane in the percent-by-volume mode (0-5%) for compliance determinations
required by 30 CFR Part 75, subpart D.
SANS 1515-certified units may be used only as follows:
Diffusion applications
Configured and maintained to disallow power-off when the unit is in alarm
The Methane alarms are set as follows: low alarm = 1%vol and high alarm =1.4%vol
With approved Lithium-ion battery packs (see Ventis MX4 Accessories and Parts in this manual).
Recommended Practices
Industrial Scientific Corporation recommends the monitor be fully charged (when equipped with a rechargeable
battery pack), configured, and calibrated before first time use. If the lithium-ion battery is deeply discharged, it
can take up to an hour for the instrument display to indicate that the battery is charging. Monitors used
infrequently should be fully charged every four months.
No part of the unit should be covered by any garment, part of a garment, or other item that would restrict the
flow of air to the sensors or impair the operator's access to the audible, visual, or vibration alarms.
Industrial Scientific Corporation recommends a full monitor calibration be performed monthly (at a minimum),
using a certified concentration(s) of Industrial Scientific calibration gas(es) to help ensure monitor accuracy.
Industrial Scientific Corporation recommends the monitor be zeroed and bump tested before each use with a
certified concentration(s) of Industrial Scientific calibration gas(es).
Battery contacts are exposed on battery packs when they are removed from the monitor. Do not touch the
battery contacts and do not stack battery packs on top of one another.
When reassembling the instrument or installing a battery pack, maintain ingress protection by tightening each
fastener to its stated torque value (see the “Ventis MX4 Monitor three-Dimensional Diagram” and its key in this
manual).
Contact your service representative immediately if you suspect that the Ventis MX4 is working abnormally.
Industrial Scientific recommends the “2 & 2 Sampling Rule” when sampling with a motorized pump and tubing,
one should allow for 2 minutes plus 2 seconds per foot of tubing used, prior to noting the monitor readings.
This allows time for the gas to reach the instrument and for the sensors to adequately react to any gases
present. Industrial Scientific recommends that clear urethane tubing, part number 17065970, be used with the
pumped versions of the Ventis MX4 when sampling for the following gases: Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Sulfur
Dioxide (SO2).

Ventis™ MX4 Product Manual
© 2014Industrial Scientific Corporation 6
►Ventis MX4 Resources
The Ventis MX4 Product Manual is the primary resource, within a full suite of learning tools, developed for the monitor
user. Its step-by-step “walk through” format covers everything from unpacking to set-up, operation, and service. All
Ventis MX4 users should read and understand the Product Manual prior to unpacking or using the monitor.
A companion to the manual, the Ventis MX4 Reference Guide ships with the monitor. It serves to announce all
warnings and cautionary statements relevant to general monitor use. The guide also features process charts that
provide an overview of four fundamental tasks: operation/start-up, configuration, calibration, and functional “bump”
testing. These charts are tools for the user who is both familiar with the manual and proficient in the performance of
the given task.
Ventis MX4 product-specific resources are part of the organization’s broader training line-up, featuring online training
modules and face-to-face classroom programs for technicians, operators, first responders, trainers, and distributors.
Courses combine theory with hands-on learning, and can be tailored to the customer’s unique requirements and gas
monitoring applications.
The organization’s customer and technical support call centers provide product and order information, how-to product
assistance, and guidance for in-depth technical applications. Its service centers offer comprehensive factory repair
and maintenance services.
Industrial Scientific Corporation provides a full suite of resources to aid customers in the competent and safe use of
its products and services. With 19 manufacturing, support, and service centers and hundreds of distributors
worldwide, Industrial Scientific serves the globe’s gas detection needs.
►Ventis MX4 Capabilities
The Ventis MX4 is a portable multi-gas monitor. Offered as a diffusion monitor, it detects and measures gas(es)
present in open space. To enable monitor use within confined space locations, the Ventis MX4 is also offered as an
aspirated monitor. A pump module and battery accessories enable the conversion of either monitor for dedicated use
in either confined or open spaces.
Based on the customer’s monitor order, up to four sensors are factory installed enabling the monitor to continuously
and simultaneously detect and measure the presence of up to four specific gases.
Sensor
Category
Number available per
monitor
Gases Monitored
Oxygen 1 O2(Oxygen) only
Combustible 1 Monitor can be configured for sensor to measure ONE of the following:
LEL (Pentane)
LEL (Methane)
CH4(0%-5%)
Toxic 2 Each sensor detects and measures only ONE of the following:
CO (Carbon Monoxide)
CO/H2 Low (Carbon Monoxide with low H2interference)
H
2S (Hydrogen Sulfide)
NO2(Nitrogen Dioxide)
SO2(Sulfur Dioxide)
Equipped with a multi-mode (audible, visual, and vibration) and multi-level alarm system, the Ventis MX4 monitor is
capable of notifying its user of potentially hazardous gas concentrations.
The monitor performs continuous datalogging at 10 second intervals. It can store approximately 90 days of data for a
four-sensor configuration. Its date- and time-stamped event log records and stores data for the following: 60 alarm
events, 30 error events, and 250 manually performed calibrations or bump tests. The memory, when full, overwrites
the oldest data as the newest readings and events are logged.

Ventis™ MX4 Product Manual
7 © 2014 Industrial Scientific Corporation
The Ventis MX4 monitor functions as an independent device to monitor the environment for hazardous gas
concentrations. It is also part of the Ventis System including products that charge, calibrate, bump test, datalink,
protect, and otherwise enable or enhance use of the monitor and its data. (Datalink refers to capabilities that enable
access to the download and use of monitor datalogs, reports, and other information.) For a complete list of the Ventis
MX4 system of products, please refer to the manual section, Products and Parts.
►Unpacking the Monitor
CONTENTS
The monitor box contains the following items including, when ordered, those marked optional. Each item ordered
should be accounted for in the unpacking process.
Quantity Item Notes
1 as ordered Ventis MX4 Portable Multi-gas
Monitor
The monitor type is indicated on the box label.
Options:
Ventis MX4 Diffusion
Ventis MX4 Aspirated
Ventis MX4 Aspirated with Conversion Kit
1 Ventis MX4 Reference Guide A companion to the Ventis MX4 Product Manual.
1 installed as ordered
Battery Pack One of three battery types is factory installed as
indicated on the box label. Options:
Rechargeable Lithium-ion
Rechargeable Extended Range Lithium-ion
Alkaline
1 as ordered Charger Universal power cord. AC charger products include
interchangeable plugs (US, UK, EU, and AUS).
0 or 1 Calibration Cup Diffusion – 1 included
Aspirated – 0 included
1 Calibration and Bump Test
Tubing
Diffusion – two feet of clear tubing
0 or 1 In-field Sampling Tubing Diffusion – 0 included
Aspirated – Ten feet of black tubing
1 Final Inspection & Test Report Contains the following factory set* information:
Monitor Set-up Date
Monitor Part Number (P/N)
Monitor Serial Number (S/N)
For Each Sensor*:
P/N
S/N
Type
Location
Alarm level values
Span gas values
Span reserve values
*Some factory set sensor values subject to user changes.
1 Warranty Card --
REPORTING A PROBLEM
After unpacking, if any item is missing or appears to have been damaged, contact a local distributor of Industrial
Scientific products or Industrial Scientific Corporation (for contact information, please see the manual’s last page).

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© 2014Industrial Scientific Corporation 8
►Monitor Overview
HARDWARE FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS
The monitor’s case top (front of monitor) has two main sections. As shown below, the upper section contains the
sensor ports. The lower section houses the user interface features, a LCD display screen and two buttons. Each
feature’s general functions are noted below. As shown, the diffusion and aspirated monitors differ with respect to the
location of the air intake mechanism and visual alarm indicators.
The instrument may be used in any orientation when clipped to the user or when used with a compatible carrying
case. Normal instrument orientation for measuring gas concentration is hand held with sensors and display facing the
operator.
Numbe
r
Feature Functions
1 Visual alarm indicator Signals an alarm or warning; frequency varies by alarm level. Also used as a
confidence indicator.
2 Pump inlet (aspirated)
Sensor ports (diffusion)
Air intake; calibration and bump test gas intake.
3 LCD display User interface; backlight flashes when monitor is in system, high, or low alarm
states.
4 Audible alarm ports On when monitor is in system, high, or low alarm states; frequency and tone vary
by alarm level. Also used for warnings and as confidence indicator.
5 On/Off/Mode button Used to power-on and power-off. Also used to bypass a process/step or advance
to a next screen in both gas monitoring and configuration modes. Sets values in
configuration mode.
6 Enter button Used to begin a process/step in a process. Edits values in configuration mode.
7 IrDA interface Indicates infrared light data exchange in-progress.
8 Charging contacts Battery charging.

Ventis™ MX4 Product Manual
9 © 2014 Industrial Scientific Corporation
DISPLAY SCREEN
The Ventis MX4 Boot-up Screen, as shown below, serves to introduce all icons and the alpha-numeric items (e.g.,
8.8.8) that can appear on the display when the monitor is in use, docked, or charging. Each display item is stationary,
communicates unique information, and appears only when relevant to the task being performed.
A sample Gas Monitoring Screen is also shown below, next to the boot-up screen. This illustrates how the icons and
the alpha-numeric characters work together to communicate several points of information to the monitor user.
Boot-Up Screen
All possible screen images.
Gas Monitoring Screen
Sample screen in gas monitoring mode.
NOTE: Display screens featured throughout this manual include the “pump” icon.
Similar in appearance to a fan, it indicates an aspirated monitor is in use. For a
diffusion monitor, the pump icon does not appear on the display.
It is helpful to view the boot-up screen in sections. The top and bottom rows each contain icons. The main function of
the middle section, in gas monitoring mode, is to communicate gas concentration readings. Definitions for all icons,
gas name abbreviations, gas measurement units, and other indicators are provided below. Where applicable, display
variations are noted.
Top Row Icons Definition
Status: indicates no monitor or sensor faults.
Warning: indicates monitor or sensor fault.
Zero: communicates zero status (e.g., zero results, zero in-progress, etc.).
Gas Cylinder: communicates calibration related information (calibration due, calibration apply
gas, etc.).
Clock: indicates a process is in-progress.
Calendar: communicates overdue warnings for service items (calibration, bump testing, etc.).
Alarm: indicates an alarm causing condition.
Low level audio alarm is on.
High level audio alarm is on.
Peak: displayed when peak detection values are viewed.
Alpha-numeric
display values
Definition
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Methane (CH4)
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

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Lower Explosive Limit. Display variations:
“LEL” (English)
“LIE” (French)
“UEG” (German)
Oxygen (O2)
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
COLCO H2/Low
Percentage Volume: O2 and CH4 measurement unit
Percentage unit for combustible gases; display variations:
“% LEL” (English)
“% LIE” (French)
“% UEG” (German)
Parts Per Million: H2S, CO, SO2and NO2measurement unit.
Over-range: for any sensor in over-range, indicates the measured gas concentration is greater
than the measurement range of the sensor. Display variations:
“Or” (English and German)
“Sup” (French)
Negative Over-range: for any sensor in negative over-range indicates the measured gas
concentration is less than the negative measurement range of the sensor. Display variations:
“-Or” (English and German)
“InF” (French)
Bottom Row Icons Definition
Battery level indicator; display variations:
0 black bars = low battery warning
1 black bar < 33% charge remaining
2 black bars = 34% - 66% charge remaining
3 black bars = 67% – 100% charge remaining
Security Code: indicates code is set or to be entered.
Pump: shown anytime an aspirated monitor is in use.
Indicates IrDA communication is in-progress.
Short Term Exposure Limit: communicates STEL values. Display variations:
“STEL” ( English and German)
“VLE” (French)
Time Weighted Average: communicates TWA values. Display variations:
“TWA” (English and German)
“VME” (French)