NevadaNano’s line of Molecular Property Spectrometer™ (MPS™) Sensors represent major technological advancement in the industry. These sensors work with modern gas detection systems to ensure worker and customer safety, but they can also be mounted within the same assembly as the electric system that controls the communication and power delivery to the sensor. The MPS sensors are the first completely innovative technology for gas detection in over 40 years and they address the key shortcomings of existing sensors.
The MPS family of sensors that allow for remote connection include:
So long as the sensor is within 20 meters of the electronics, they are able to reliably communicate over short distances of cable. Users can employ a CAT5/5E cable with a known standard connector termination; this is a great off-the-shelf solution that delivers reliable results. These sensors overcome the major areas of concern that arise when remotely connecting sensors and mounted electronic systems by addressing voltage drop of the supply voltage to the sensor, electrical signal degradation, signal crosstalk, and the effects of safety barrier devices. The result is that you get a reliable gas concentration signal every time.
With wired remote connections, operating voltage to the sensor is a big challenge, and it is imperative that the operating voltage at the sensor does not drop below 3.135V or fault conditions will be reported. With the wired remote configuration, provided that the cable length is under twenty meters, the operating voltage will stay within the necessary parameters to deliver a consistent reading every time.
Safety barriers are another challenge when using a wired remote configuration in a hazardous location application. These safety barriers are needed when a sensor is connected by a cable to control electronics that must be placed on the ‘safe’ side of the barrier. However, the MPS sensors allow for safety barriers that have certain characteristics, such as an MTL-7758, to be used safely and easily.
The MPS sensor also provides an analog output option, configured at the factory to support various output voltage levels. When using this sensor with a cable though, users must factor in the voltage drop of the wire carrying the analog output signal and adjust the gas concentrations reported to reflect this voltage drop.
In addition to offering the flexibility of configuring these sensors using either a wired or wireless remote connection, there are many other distinct advantages with the MPS sensors, such as:
- Accuracy: High accuracy and performance, with no false positives.
- Low Power: The average is just 29 mW.
- Multi-Gas: The sensors can accurately measure the concentration of twelve different flammable and combustible gases.
- Real Time Responses
- Low Cost: Durable, and requiring little maintenance, these sensors have a low total cost of ownership.
- Extended Lifetime: The average lifetime expectancy for the MPS sensors is over 5 years.
The MPS sensors have a robust microelectromechanical-system (MEMS) platform. This platform is poison and drift-resistant, enabling for extended calibration intervals. Their built-in environmental compensation delivers reliable and accurate performance even in the harshest of conditions. The environmental compensation takes into account temperature, pressure, and humidity.
As the first innovation in decades to hit the gas detection industry, MPS sensors deliver the most innovative design and configuration options, allowing you to feel confident that your workers and anyone else in the vicinity will be safe from hazardous gases and harmful refrigerants.
If you would like to view the full white paper, please email us [email protected].
Author: Jim Stockdale, Hardware Engineering Manager for NevadaNano