• By Chris Dodds : estimated reading time 2 minutes 

Crowcon Clip

Crowcon Clip is a portable gas detector  – a robust, easily transportable gas monitor specifically designed for detecting hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), carbon monoxide (CO) or oxygen (O₂) gases.

The Crowcon Clip is maintenance free, reliable and provides durable fixed life monitoring in a compact and maintenance-free package.

Easy to maintain, the Crowcon Clip portable gas detector has changeable alarm levels to ensure compliance with changing regulations or ever-changing company procedure.

C-Test bump solution with configuration update keeps the Crowcon gas detectors correctly configured to ensure the monitor is consistently up-to-date without the need for a service or technician team.

The Crowcon Clip is portable and lightweight and has a single button operation making the gas detector very user friendly and easy to use in hazardous areas and confined spaces. The portable gas monitor is extremely efficient working within a wide temperature range and is effective in many harsh environments.

The Crowcon Clip gas detector is also water and dust resistant to IP66 and IP67.

Portable Gas Detection

in confined spaces

Portable gas detection equipment provides lightweight, constant protection against hazardous gases and vapours for any personnel carrying or wearing the Crowcon Clip detector. The lightweight nature of the detector makes it suitable for clipping onto clothing near the users breathing area to provide instant detection and notification of gas.

More gas detection Reading

• Methane CH4 Gas Detection – See How Crowcon Detects CH4 Gas Levels
• Gas Detection In The Food Processing Industry Using Portable Gas Detectors

Flame, Heat, Gas Detectors & Detection Systems

Hazardous area industries including offshore oil/gas platforms and FPSOs, onshore oil refineries, processing plants, pipelines, storage farms and LPG/LNG plants all utilise or produce a wide range of hazardous flammable liquids and gases that can be detected using correctly specified flame and gas detectors.

Detecting toxic and flammable gases requires the detectors to be classified and certified according to the specific IECEx or ATEX standard – we distribute flame and fire detectors manufactured by Spectrex to operate in the harshest environmental conditions including self-contained stand-alone devices designed for direct connection to control and alarm systems or automatic fire extinguishing systems.

Our range of Hazardous Area Fire & Gas Detection System products also includes Explosion Proof Warning Systems & Hazardous Area Lighting – comprehensive range of intrinsically safe, flameproof and explosion proof alarm sounders, sirens, bells and horns, loudspeakers and beacons.

♦ LV Power Products | Junction Boxes & Enclosures ATEX | Plugs ATEX | Control Stations ATEX | Isolators ATEX

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Experts in Equipment

for Explosive Atmospheres

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FOLLOW US

Follow our Showcase Page on LinkedIn to receive hazardous area product innovations, industry news, whitepapers, videos, technical tips and training webinars for professionals involved in the explosive atmosphere industries.

High Current | High Temperature | Explosion Proof | Multicontact Connectors

• uploaded by Chris Dodds | Thorne & Derrick Sales Marketing Manager
  

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Improve Electrical Safety & Power Reliability

Inertia and a resistance to change prevents progress even where the allure or reason for the initial attraction has long since past.

Working with Marechal, a world-leading manufacturer of industrial plug-socket assemblies, Thorne & Derrick can provide increased safety and improved reliability compared to the traditional “hard-wiring” approach to low voltage power distribution.

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The decontactor

DECONTACTOR = PLUG + SOCKET + integral switch disconnector

Marechal Decontactors can be disconnected under full electrical load for planned maintenance or rapid change out of equipment during plant shutdowns and turnarounds.

• Load Break Release Button & Safety Shutter

Marechal plugs feature a safety button placed on the upper section of the safety socket enabling the user with a single press of the button to disconnect the equipment up to 250A – no specialist skills or training is required to install the plugs.

Marechal plug-socket assemblies can be removed in complete safety – the power outlet installation is safe and does not represent an electrical hazard guaranteeing operating speed and time savings during installation operations or machine shutdown.

As an additional feature a safety shutter protects the user according to IP4X/IPXXD – the live contacts are inaccessible behind the closed shutter.

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Anatomy Of The Decontactor  

The Marechal decontactor is a plug and socket with an integral load-break switch – this unique design offers various benefits :

• contact quality
• safe disconnection
• automatically watertight
• cost reduction due to dual-voltage
• robust and reliable

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Make The Switch!

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Whatever The Weather, Wherever The Zone

Sockets & Plugs Protecting Your Plant, People & Reputation

We think we can meet any power challenge.

Automatic IP66/IP67 dust and liquid tightness – check. Hazardous area Zone 1 and Zone 2 – yes, compliant with ATEX and IECEx. Signal and control options – yes, up to 37 contacts. High current capability – got it covered, connect up to 700amps. Handle heat – we can cope, withstand 400°C.

See our series of industry sector Blogs below.

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EXPERTS IN EQUIPMENT FOR EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES

Thorne & Derrick are leaders in the development and distribution of Product Innovations that deliver significant improvements to clients plant, people and operational safety in the explosive atmosphere industries.

Your proactive problem solvers experienced in succession planning for the replacement of obsolete, non-conformant and legacy equipment in hazardous areas.

Your first-choice provider of innovative and competitive solutions to ensure ATEX & IECEx Compliance for Hazardous Area Electrical, HVAC & Process Instrumentation Equipment to UK and international projects.

Control Panels | Plugs | Isolators | Enclosures & Junction Boxes | Lighting | Control Stations | Motor Starters | Heat Trace | Gas Detection | Flame Detection | Process Instrumentation | Process Heating | Ventilation Fans | Security Access Control 

FOLLOW US

You can Follow our Showcase Page on LinkedIn to receive updates about more hazardous area product innovations, industry news, whitepapers, videos, technical tips and training webinars for professionals involved in the explosive atmosphere industries.

• By Chris Dodds : estimated reading time 5 minutes
  

ATEX Solenoid Valves by ASCO

ASCO provide a wide range of solenoid valve solutions with all major hazardous area certifications including ATEX, GOST, UL, CSA & NEPSI.

Below are a small selection of frequently asked questions concerning ATEX certified solenoid valves from ASCO Numatics.

Can I mount accessories on the ATEX certified valves?

Yes. ASCO Numatics have a wide range of compatible accessories which have been the subject of risk analysis. For all other accessories, risk analysis must be performed on a case-by-case basis.

Can I assemble ATEX-certified valves?

Yes. For example, a pneumatic valve and a CNOMO interface solenoid valve, a cylinder and an electro-pneumatic valve etc as long as the following rules are respected:

• Each product involved in the assembly must be individually ATEX-certified.
• Take into account the least favourable category and temperature class and make sure that they are compatible with the hazardous area of use.
• Check the continuity of the earth connection to allow dissipation of static electricity. This continuity must be ensured on all equipment requiring assembly, whatever the hazardous area of use.

Can ATEX valves be traced?

Traceability of ATEX valves is mandatory from their manufacture through to their end use. ASCO Numatics archives information such as customer identification, product code, serial number, date of manufacture and order number.

I want to replace non-ATEX equipment certified according to the previous method on an existing installation.

What should I do?

T&D advise you to replace the old existing valve products with ATEX certified equipment.

Can I repair ATEX equipment?

You can buy spare parts kits for ATEX valves and carry out maintenance subject to some conditions:

• You must comply with instructions contained in the installation and start-up guide delivered in the spare parts kit.
• You must ensure traceability of the repaired ATEX valve.
• The technician performing the repair must have received sufficient training concerning the ATEX directive and the risks of explosion.
• The conformity of the markings must be checked (manufacturer’s markings, modification/repair markings).
• You must change the existing ATEX label:

1. either by replacing it with a new label, called a modification/repair label
2. or by adding a specific identification mark (e.g. addition of the letter “R”)

T&D are specialists in hazardous area solutions servicing oil, gas and petrochemical industries worldwide.

T&D in partnership with ASCO offer a range of solenoid valves to suit any fluid control application. To discuss your exact requirements please contact T&D today.

Solenoid Valves

Suitable for Potentially Explosive Hazardous Areas

ASCO are a world leader in fluid power and fluid control and provide a range of ATEX approved ASCO solenoid valves for use within potentially explosive hazardous areas.

For further info about hazardous area heaters for Paint Spray Booths click the links below.

Also: Plugs & Sockets | Lighting | Junction Boxes & Electrical Enclosures

More Hazardous Area Heaters

• Air Warmers | Hazardous Area Zone 1 Zone 2 ATEX 
• Convector Heaters | Hazardous Area Zone 1 Zone 2 ATEX
• Radiators | Hazardous Area Zone 1 Zone 2 ATEX
• Immersion Heaters | Hazardous Area Zone 1 Zone 2 ATEX

Paint Spray Booth Heating

Thorne & Derrick International distribute an extensive range of electrical heaters to provide paint spray booth heating:

Hazardous Area Air Warmers EXHEAT FAW	Hazardous Area Convector Heaters EXHEAT FCR	Hazardous Area Flameproof Radiators EXHEAT FLR
Hazardous Area Fan Heaters EXHEAT FUH	Hazardous Area Air Warmers EXHEAT FWD	Hazardous Area Air Warmer (Adjustable) EXHEAT FWD-T

Trace Heating Systems & Heat Trace Cables

The heat trace cable ranges stocked and supplied by Thorne & Derrick International includes electric heating cables for process temperature maintenance, pipe and vessel freeze protection and roof and gutter de-icing applications where snow and ice removal is required – cables and systems are available for commercial, industrial safe area (non-hazardous area) and hazardous area heating applications with ATEX certification.

Electric heat tracing is a cable based system used to maintain, raise temperature and protect process pipework and vessels against freezing temperatures and associated frost damage – heat tracing cables mitigate and counteract cold weather effects as part of a Winterization strategy for industrial and process applications against low (sub-zero) ambient temperatures on both onshore and offshore locations.

Heat tracing systems utilising self-regulating, constant wattage and mineral insulated (MI) heating cables are available to provide the optimum electrical heating system for your application – we provide a trace heating system design service.

Heat Trace Cables: Ramp Heating | Roof & Gutter Heating | Water Pipework Frost Protection | Hopper Heating | Tank Heating | Hazardous Area Heating | Fire Escapes

Trace Heating & Heat Tracing Cable Systems Specialists | Thorne & Derrick

 

vega level sensors

VEGAFLEX 81

A large butchery requires the measurement of the level of ammonia in the storage room of its meat-packing facility. Level monitoring is required in the low-pressure receiving tank in the system.

The upper part of the tank contains ammonia vapour which is transformed into liquid form in the compressor before being pumped back into the tank.

When pumped back into the lower part of the tank the liquid ammonia passes through the cold storage room where it heats up and becomes ammonia vapour again. It rises to the top part of the tank and the cooling cycle begins again.

Monitoring the level of the liquid ammonia is particularly important for the operation of the system because if the liquid phase in the vessel gets too high, liquid ammonia would be sucked into the compressor, thereby causing serious damage.

The biggest challenges in this application arise from the special properties of ammonia, its relatively low dielectric constant and the process temperature of -30° C.  In a gaseous state, ammonia can diffuse through standard industrial seals and destroy the electronics in the instrument housing within a very short time.

VEGAFLEX 81

The VEGAFLEX 81 level sensor  is used to measure the ammonia effectively.

VEGA VEGAFLEX 81 is an intrinsically safe sensor which can be equipped with a borosilicate glass feedthrough (second line of defense) for ammonia applications. This feedthrough is gas tight and resistant to ammonia vapour.

The temperature range of the sensor, -60 … +150° C, matches the requirements perfectly. The coaxial measuring probe protects the borosilicate glass feedthrough and is ideal for liquids with a low dielectric constant.

The VEGAFLEX 81 guided radar level sensor can be used for all liquids including bitumen and liquefied gas. It can be used for storage containers, standpipes, in a metering tank or in tank farms. The VEGAFLEX 81 measures the level or interface (separation layers) of liquids with great reliability and accuracy.

VEGA VEGAFLEX 81 guided wave radar level transmitter is available in hazardous area options to meet ATEX & IECEx directives.

Approval C: ATEX II 1G, 1/2G, 2G Ex ia IIC T6
Approval D: ATEX II 1G, 1/2G, 2G Ex d ia IIC T6
Approval E: ATEX II 1G, 1/2G, 2G Ex d IIC T6
Approval R: ATEX II 1D, 1/2D, 2D, IP6x T
Approval C: IECEx ia IIC T6
Approval D: IECEx d ia IIC T6
Approval E: IECEx d IIC T6
Approval R: IEC IP6x T tD

For more information click: VEGA Guided Wave Radar Level Measurement

Further Reading

Guided Wave Radar Level Measurement Using VEGA VEGAFLEX Sensors

Radar Level Measurement Using VEGA VEGAPULS Sensors

Process Instrumentation Equipment

for Hazardous Areas & Explosive Atmospheres

Thorne & Derrick International, based in the UK, distribute Explosion Proof & Hazardous Area Process Instrumentation Equipment (ATEX & IECEx Certified): this includes industrial measurement probes, humidity sensors, data loggers, handheld instruments and transmitters for temperature measurement and monitoring of relative humidity. Additionally, hazardous area instrumentation is also available for monitoring carbon dioxide, differential and process pressure, flow, dew point, water activity and analog signals.

• ASCO – Solenoid Valves for Air, Water, Vacuum, Steam, Oil, Acids and Alkali
• Ashcroft – Pressure Gauges
• Deeter Electronics Ltd – Level Sensors & Float Switches
• Fisher – Control Valves (Rotary, Sanitary & Sliding Stem)
• IFM Electronic – Sensors (Temperature, Flow, Pressure & Level Measurement)
• Katronic – Ultrasonic Flowmeters & Flow Measurement
• KROHNE – Hazardous Area Process Instrumentation, Meters & Measurement
• Micronics – Flow Meters (Ultrasonic Clamp-On Fixed & Portable Meters)
• Rotronic – Sensors, Probes, Indicators, Transmitters & Measurement Instruments
• SICK – Temperature, Level, Pressure & Flow Sensors
• Sika – Temperature Calibrators, Flow Meters & Magnetic Flow Sensors (Magmeters)
• VEGA – Level, Point Level & Pressure Measurement Sensors, Instruments & Transmitters
• Hazardous Area Lighting | Junction Boxes & Enclosures | Plugs | Electrical Panels
• Detection Systems for Hazardous Areas | Gas | Heat | Flame | Fire

Invitation – network, engage, promote

Thorne & Derrick are inviting you to join LinkedIn’s fastest growing Discussion Group – Process & Hazardous Area Industries : Heat Tracing, Gas Detection, Fluid Control & Flow Measurement. News, projects, videos, promotions, whitepapers, jobs, webinars, press plus much more.

ABOUT US

Thorne & Derrick International are your single-source supplier of Electrical, Mechanical, Process & Instrumentation Equipment. T&D provide an outstanding service to UK and international customers – we are highly customer responsive and absolutely committed to providing a world-class service.

T&D supply utilities, power, renewable energy, construction, rail, manufacturing, food/beverage, mining, oil, gas and petrochemical industries – distributing 100,000+ products from 100+ manufacturers from multi-million pound stocks. Since 1985 we have established a solid reputation based on service, integrity and trust.