A310-022701-C

MODEL A310

CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)

MONITOR AND ALARM FOR
COMPRESSED AIR TESTING

FOR OPERATION FROM

115 AC POWER
 A316-011305-1

MODEL A310 CO MONITOR - AC TYPE

I INTRODUCTION

This Model A310 Carbon Monoxide (CO) Monitor and Alarm is a 115 V AC dust-
resistant instrument that can be surface-mounted as close as possible to the air
supply but outside any classified hazardous area.

It continuously monitors a compressed air sample connected to its sample inlet and it
gives an alarm when:

. the CO in the sample exceeds a preset level (adjustable, initially set at 10 PPM).

. there is a discontinuity in the detector circuit

It indicates CO concentration on a digital display, and has a pilot light to verify that
the instrument is on and operating properly.

The instrument is assembled into a powder-coated sheet metal housing 4" x 6" x 3½”
overall. A c” FPT opening for introducing the sample gas is located in the right hand
side of the flow block at the bottom of housing. Visible through windows in the front
face are the LCD display showing ppm CO, plus pilot and alarm lights. The 3-wire
power cord plugs into a RF-filtered socket on the upper right side, and the alarm
buzzer extends through the top.

II. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

When the hinged and gasketed front door is opened after releasing the latch on
the right hand side, the interior is visible and accessible. Each major component
is described in this section.

A. Main Circuit Board

The electronic circuit board occupies the main part of the housing, toward the
front. It is secured by two slotted bars, and it can be removed if necessary by
taking out two screws holding the lower bar. Electrical connections are by cables
which connect to sockets on the rear. On the front face are these components of
interest to the user:

1. Display is a liquid crystal type which reads from 0 to 199 PPM of CO in steps
of one digit.

2. ZERO potentiometer, the lower of the group of three multi-turn

potentiometers directly to the right of the display. It is used to set reading to
00 while known CO-free air is passing through the system.
 A3 10-011305-2

MODEL A310 CO MONITOR

3. SPAN potentiometer, directly above the ZERO potentiometer, is used to set

the reading to a correct value while a known calibrating sample is passing
through the system.

4. ALARM potentiometer, directly to right of SPAN potentiometer, is used to set

the level at which the alarm is activated. Generally this is initially set at 10
PPM.

5. 20 mA potentiometer, directly below the SPAN potentiometer, is used to set

the 100 ppm signal output to 20.0 mA. This is a factory adjustment and is
intentionally not marked.

6. 4 mA potentiometer, directly below the 20 mA potentiometer, is used to set

the zero signal output to 4.0 mA. This is also a factory adjustment.

7. NORMAL light, green, shows that power is being provided to the circuit and
that the system is in normal operation.

8. ALARM light, red, comes on and glows steadily when CO is detected above
the alarm point level. It also indicates a sensor failure or disconnection by
blinking on and off.

In normal operation, a slight flicker can be seen in the red light, a little faster
than once per second, as a confirmation of normal operation.

B. Power Supply

The instrument internally operates from 12 V DC. This is supplied by a modular

115 AC to 12 V DC power supply. The built-in power supply is supported on a
rectangular printed circuit board mounted to standoffs at the rear of housing.
When the AC power cord is plugged in, AC power flows to the AC end of the
power supply, and 12 volts DC flows from the DC end of the power supply to the
main board.

AC power enters the housing through an EMI filter socket in the upper right hand
corner of case. The AC power cord has a standard grounding-type plug for a
normal 115 AC power outlet and the instrument end mates with the filter socket.

C. Flow System

The air to be analyzed passes through the instrument under its own pressure.
The components it flows through, in sequence are:

1. Sample inlet, c” FPT size, to accommodate any suitable tubing fitting having
a c” male pipe connection.
 A3 10-011305-3

MODEL A310 CO MONITOR - AC TYPE

2. Flow block, a bored aluminum block with a cavity for receiving and sealing
the CO sensor, is secured to the outer bottom of the case. A porous metal
flow restrictor reduces the pressure of the compressed air to atmospheric
pressure before it reaches the sensor.

The CO sensor seals to the block by means of an O-ring seal against the
bottom of the cavity.

3. CO sensor, a three-electrode electrochemical device in a cylindrical plastic

housing, responds to any CO that is present in the atmosphere passing over
the lower face. CO diffuses through a permeable membrane and enters into
an electrochemical reaction, producing a current directly and linearly
proportional to the CO content.

Sensor plugs into four sockets on the face of a small circuit board which
connects by three wires to the main circuit board.

This small circuit board is held down by two screws which provide pressure
against the O-ring seal to prevent leakage around the sensor.

E. External Connections

Two terminal blocks are installed on the lower crossbar. The one on the left has
three screw terminals, for connection to the internal alarm relay, and the one on
the right has two screw terminals for a 4-20 mA signal circuit. Wires to each of
these two external circuits can enter the housing through the ½" conduit opening
in the left hand side of the case. Connections are as follows.

1. The internal relay has 10 amp SPDT contacts, which are brought to the
marked terminals C, NO and NC.

2. The 4-20 mA signal circuit is brought to the two terminals marked + and -.
Output signal is 4.0 mA at 0 ppm, 20.0 mA at 100 ppm.

F. External Components

1. Buzzer, a solid-state sounding device on the top of the case.

2. Flow block, described above, is secured to the outside bottom of the case,
and an opening in the case allows the sensor to be inserted from inside the
case.
 A3 10-120905-4

MODEL A310 CO MONITOR - AC TYPE

3. Calibration gas inlet fitting, on left-hand end of flow block, is a hose barb with
internal orifice that restricts flow of calibration gas as it enters the block
during calibration. A second opening on the rear of the block provides for
exhaust of the calibration gas to prevent pressure buildup during calibration.

4. Alarm cutoff switch, a toggle switch on the right hand side, when turned off
prevents the internal buzzer from sounding. It has no effect on the external
alarm circuit.

III. OPERATION

A. Placing in operation

Note: This procedure presumes the availability of a calibration kit similar to

the # 81-1231K. If one is not already available it should be purchased at the
time the system is activated.

1. Install the instrument in the desired location, close to the air supply and to a
source of power, and where it will be reasonably protected but readily seen.
Mount the housing by means of #10 screws through the flanges top and
bottom.

2. Make external relay and/or 4-20 signal connections as desired, referring to

II.E. above.

3. Connect the air supply to be monitored, to the c” FPT opening in the outer
face of flow block, using appropriate tubing and fittings.

CAUTION: This Carbon Monoxide Monitor is intended to sample

clean dry air as distributed in hospital systems. If used
for other purposes, install a suitable filter unit
providing clean air, free of oil, water and dust.

4. Using the flowmeter and tube supplied with the calibration kit, attach the inlet
end of tube to the calibration fitting on left side of flow block. Turn on air
pressure.

5. While holding a finger over the small hole in rear of flow block, observe
reading on flowmeter. It should read at least 0.3 while held in vertical
position. This confirms that sample flow system is working.

6. Connect power cord to the nearest AC power source.

 A3 10-011305-5

MODEL A310 CO MONITOR - AC TYPE

7. When connected, the green light should come on and the red light and
buzzer may also come on momentarily. The green light should flash for
about 15 seconds. Display should then show a reading of 00 or close to it.

8. Open case by pulling forward on latch. Turn ZERO potentiometer clockwise

to bring display to the desired alarm setting, for example 10 ppm. If the
alarm does not come on, or comes on too soon, adjust it using the ALARM
ADJ potentiometer. Clockwise rotation decreases the alarm level. Then set
reading back to 00.

9. Connect a source of nitrogen or CO-free air to calibration gas inlet, using the
flowmeter supplied with calibration kit, and set flow to 1.0.

10. If reading is other than 00, then turn the ZERO potentiometer to obtain a
zero reading; clockwise rotation increases reading.

11. Disconnect the air sample from calibration inlet, connect a known sample of
10 ppm of CO in air or nitrogen, and again set the flow to 1.0.

Note: The alarm buzzer can be silenced by pressing the silence button on
lower right hand side. This will lock the audible alarm out for 4 minutes.

12. Verify that the display reading increases and the alarm light and buzzer
operate.

13. If reading does not reach the desired level corresponding to the known gas
concentration, adjust it using the SPAN potentiometer. Clockwise rotation
will increase reading.

14. Remove the CO sample and be sure the air line sample is connected to the
sample inlet.

15. Instrument is now in operation, and will actuate an alarm if CO concentration

rises above the preset alarm level.

Note: The above steps are needed only for the first operation and
periodically during the life of the instrument.

B Normal Operation

1. Instrument will analyze the sample and show CO content on the display, in
parts per million (PPM). The green NORMAL light will glow continuously and
the red ALARM light will flicker about once a second.
 A3 10-011305-6
MODEL A310 CO MONITOR - AC TYPE

2. When the CO concentration exceeds the alarm point (initially set at 10 PPM)
the red ALARM light will come on steady, the green NORMAL light will go out
and the buzzer will sound a steady tone. The internal alarm relay will
activate, and any connected external circuits will respond accordingly.

3. When the CO concentration drops below the alarm setting, the indicators will
automatically return to normal.

C Abnormal Indications

Detector open circuit:

If there is a discontinuity in one of the detector leads, the indicator lights will show
as follows:

1. Working Electrode (WE) line (red wire) - - red and green light blink on and off,
accompanied by buzzer. Display goes to SC.

2. Counter Electrode (CE) line (black wire) - - red and green light blink on and
off, accompanied by buzzer. Display goes to SC.

3. Reference Electrode (RE) line (blue wire) - - CO reading goes off scale
positive (1----), red lamp comes on steady, green lamp off and buzzer
sounds continuously.

4. Entire detector disconnected, - - same as 1. or 2. above.

IV MAINTENANCE

A. Routine Maintenance

1. Each day or period of operation, verify reading close to 00. Adjust if needed.

2. Every 3 months, check calibration.

3. Replace sensor whenever reading cannot be set high enough, during

calibration.

B. Sensor Replacement

1. Unplug or disconnect power cable.

2. Open instrument cover.

 A3 10-011305-7
MODEL A310 CO MONITOR - AC TYPE

3. Loosen and remove the two screws extending up from the bottom of flow
block, into the threaded nuts of the sensor circuit board. This will allow the
sensor with board to be lifted up and out of the block. Unplug sensor from
board.

4. Install new sensor in the same position, after making sure the O-ring is in
place at the bottom of the cavity. Insert and tighten the screws, which will pull
the sensor down into contact with the O-ring seal.

5. Reconnect power and allow new sensor to stabilize.

6. After two hours of operation, recheck zero and span adjustments as explained
in III. A.

7. Discard old detector cell, keeping in mind that it contains a small amount of
sulfuric acid.

C. Main Circuit Board

The principal electronic components are all installed on the main printed circuit
board, which is retained within the housing by two slotted bars. To remove the
board, take out the two screws holding the lower bar, after which the board can be
pulled out and the wires unplugged at their connectors. Keep track of the proper
position of each connector.

D. Buzzer

Once the circuit board is removed, the buzzer can easily be taken out by
unscrewing the locking ring at the top of case.

E. Power Supply

Once the circuit board is removed, this gives access to the power supply on its
small subpanel board. First take out the EMI filter block by removing two screws,
unplugging the white and black wires and disconnecting the green wire at the screw
post. Then take out the two screws holding the board to the case, pull out the
board and power supply assembly.

F. Flow Restrictor

If sample flow rate as tested under III. A.4 declines below 0.25, the flow restrictor
may have become partially plugged. To replace:

1. Remove sensor.

2. Remove main circuit board.

 A3 10-011305-8
MODEL A310 CO MONITOR - AC TYPE

3. Disconnect incoming air line.

4. Remove two screws holding flow block to bottom of housing. Take off flow
block.

5. Either return the block to the factory for rework, or proceed as follows:

6. Take off calibration gas inlet fitting, and inlet air fitting.

7. Using a 2" long 10-32 screw, inserted into the threaded opening, gradually
tighten the screw until it bears on the flow element and pushes it out through
the inlet air opening. (If it fails to come out as a unit, it will be necessary to
send the block to the factory for rework).

8. Press a new flow restrictor into the same hole. It can be pushed into the
recess in the block, by pressing or by driving with a ¼” brass or aluminum rod
and a hammer.

9. Reassemble in reverse order.

V CALIBRATION KIT

A field calibration kit is offered for use in accurate adjustment of the instrument. It
consists of one compressed gas cylinder containing 100 ppm CO in air, and one
containing 100% nitrogen, all in a carrying case complete with flow adjustment valve,
tubing, a flowmeter and a small screwdriver.

To adjust the reading accurately:

1. Shut off compressed air supply, while instrument is in operation.

2. Connect the tubing to the flow adjustment valve and to the flowmeter. Connect the
flowmeter outlet tube to the flow block hose barb.

3. Install flow adjustment valve on nitrogen cylinder. This will produce a flow which
can be set to 0.6 scfh using the valve.

4. Watch display, and after reading stabilizes set reading to 00 using ZERO
potentiometer.

5. After adjustment, connect 100 ppm CO cylinder in the same way.

6. Set flow to 0.6 and adjust SPAN to give reading corresponding to the value marked
on the cylinder, about 100 ppm.

7. Restore all connections to original state.

8. Accuracy of instrument when calibrated as above, after careful zero adjustment, is

within ± 1 ppm over the range 0-15 ppm, within ± 2 ppm from 0-100.
 A3 10-011305-9

MODEL A310 CO MONITOR - AC TYPE

VI. PARTS LIST

The following is a list of items that may need replacement during the life of the
instrument.

Part No. DESCRIPTION

06-1105 Tubing, ¼”
07-6122 O-ring
17-0282K Cal gas inlet
17-0285K Flow restrictor, porous metal
35-6005K Flow block
47-4120K Sensor cable with circuit board
52-1020 Buzzer, replacement
57-A310 Circuit board, main
65-2400T Cell, CO detector
81-1231K Calibration Kit, consisting of:

1 81-0065K Cylinder 100 ppm CO

1 81-0078K Cylinder 100% N2
1 81-1001K Valve
1 81-1052K Tube with flowmeter
1 20-0110K Carrying case
1 81-1061K Screwdriver