Manufacturer Information

ISM Deutschland GmbH, Laubach 30, 40822 Mettmann, Germany

Pioneering Gas Sensing Technology.

Website: ionscience.com

Precautions

Use the instrument ONLY on voltage-free and grounded equipment. Failure to observe this rule may cause fatal injury and/or material damage.

The surface you are going to check for leaks must be free of all liquids like oil or water, and coarse dirt. If necessary, wipe it with a cloth before approaching it with the sensor tip. The ingress of liquids will immediately destroy the SmartSensor, while grease and similar substances, even in small quantities, will obstruct the sample inlet.

Measuring Principle

An advanced high-voltage ionization detector (NIC® - Negative Ion Capture) is used which has been optimised in consideration of the following:

• Sensitivity
• Precision
• Service life
• Reliability

Through miniaturisation, it has been possible to accommodate the sensor directly in the measurement tip, thereby attaining excellent response and recovery timings.

Usage in Practice

Owing to the practice-oriented design of the instruments, work with these is simple and reliable when observing the following:

P1 XT Menu System

From the main screen seen during measurement, the menu system is invoked by clicking the symbol in the upper right corner of the screen. This will bring up the menu selection screen.

Available Options:

1. MEASUREMENT

This section contains all settings related to actual measurement. From here, the following menu items are available (greyed out options are disabled and reserved for future use):

1.1 Display Units

By clicking on "cc/s", "ppm", or "gm/yr", the corresponding units are selected for measurement. Concentration measurement (ppm) is calibrated independently, while leak rate modes (cc/s, gm/yr) share a common calibration.

To exit, use "BACK" to continue with the menu system, or "ESC" to return to measurement.

1.2 Set Alarm Value

Define your maximum allowable leak rate or concentration here. All alarm outputs (light signals, vibration alarm, audible alarm) are referenced to this value. The 0-100% scale on the available measurement screens is adjusted such that 100% equals the selected alarm value.

To exit, use "BACK" to continue with the menu system, or "ESC" to return to measurement.

1.3 Gas

Select the gas used in your components:

• SF6
• C4-FN

C4-FN allows selection of the used concentration if desired. The displayed value is corrected to reflect concentrations lower than 100% to give a direct readout of the calculated leak rate.

1.4 Calibration

User Adjustable Zero Tracking: The measurement of electron-capturing substances is based on a very small current flowing through ionised air. In the presence of SF6, this current exhibits a minute drop, from which the quantity of the substance is derived. The current flowing in the absence of such substances is considered a virtual zero line for measurement. Since it is subject to slow fluctuation in the SmartSensor and changes induced by ambient air, it is necessary to constantly maintain and update this virtual zero. For leak detection in sniffing mode, which often takes place in an environment potentially contaminated with SF6, the medium setting "NORM" is generally suggested.

Try "HIGH" if you experience frequent false alarms due to changing background levels of detectable gas. For lab environments, the setting "LOW" is suitable in most cases and also recommended for concentration measurement if you are not looking for very small concentrations (< 2ppm). In the latter case, or when experiencing strange behaviour like a slowly rising readout after a measurement, switch to "OFF". This freezes the Zero Tracking entirely. On this setting, it is mandatory to manually zero the instrument immediately before taking a measurement.

A minus sign leading the readout indicates that a manual zeroing is required when it is shown permanently. When it does not show up or flashes, this indicates that the virtual zero is right on spot. To set up the Zero Tracking mode, pull up the menu system, then select "Measurement" / "Zero Tracking", and use the arrow keys to set the desired modes (OFF/LOW/NORM/HIGH) for leak rate and concentration measurement respectively. To exit, use "BACK" to continue with the menu system, or "ESC" to return to measurement.

1.5 How to Conduct a Calibration Check

The response of your SF6 Leakcheck instrument can be tested using the CalCheck (p/n A-21500). Push the gas bottle into the top of the CalCheck. This will release the gas, and the dial should move into the white area. If it remains in the red, you need to replace/refill the gas bottle. Push your SF6 Leakcheck instrument into the CalCheck, as shown in the image. The SF6 Leakcheck will detect the leak and display a reading. If this reading is incorrect, the SF6 Leakcheck will need to be recalibrated.

2. APPEARANCE

In the current firmware version, options other than "Volume" are disabled and reserved for future use.

Click "Volume" and adjust the slider to the desired volume level.

To exit, use "BACK" to continue with the menu system, or "ESC" to return to measurement.

3. TECHNICAL

This menu comprises the following options:

3.1 Radio

Each P1 XT instrument comes with a dedicated USB Radio Stick. It will not connect to a different Radio Stick.

This option is only used if you need to connect the instrument to a different USB Radio Stick by entering the Radio Stick's MAC address. To change it, clear the entire entry field and enter the MAC address of the new USB Radio Stick as per separate instructions. When done, turn the instrument off and on again to transfer the new address to its permanent memory; it will from now on connect to the new USB Radio Stick.

3.2 Serial Number

Displays the instrument's serial number.

3.3 Standby

This sets the desired idle time before the instrument enters standby. This saves battery power and SmartSensor life time. The recommended time is 5 minutes; adjust the slider to the desired time. Setting it to the extreme left position will deactivate the standby option entirely.

The instrument will wake up from standby when it is being moved.

To exit, use "BACK" to continue with the menu system, or "ESC" to return to measurement.

3.4 Technical Data

Here you can read out the SmartSensor's and instrument's hours of operation.

Please observe that for the sake of reliable operation, SmartSensors are considered unusable when their run time exceeds 300 hours. When this limit is reached, the instrument will no longer work with this SmartSensor.

To exit, use "BACK" to continue with the menu system, or "ESC" to return to measurement.

Setup and Operation

Opening the Case

Action: Open the Case.

Description: The instrument is housed in a rugged, wheeled case. The lid opens upwards.

Preparing the Instrument

Action: Press firmly on the top of the P1 XT Handgun to release the docking station to the working position.

Description: The handgun unit is secured in a docking station within the case. Pressing a specific point on the handgun releases it from its locked position.

Action: The instrument will slide out in the working position.

Description: Once released, the handgun unit smoothly slides out of the docking station, ready for use.

Action: Wait for any action until working position.

Action: Take one P1 SmartSensor out of the storage bay.

Action: Attach the P1 SmartSensor into the plug at the handgun before you switch the instrument on.

Description: A P1 SmartSensor probe is removed from its storage location within the case and connected to the handgun unit.

Switching On and Modes

Action: To switch the instrument ON, press the left button on the Handgun shortly.

Description: The instrument powers up when the left button on the handgun is pressed briefly.

The P1 XT will start in "SEARCH MODE" or "MEASUREMENT MODE", whichever was used before.

Action: To change from "SEARCH MODE" to "MEASUREMENT MODE" and back again, swipe your finger over the display from left to right.

Action: To set the measured value to Zero, press the right button shortly.

Instrument Overview

Handgun Controls:

• Setup Button: Accesses setup menus.
• Touch Screen: Displays information and allows interaction.
• Hotkey Left: Function assigned via menu.
• Hotkey Right: Function assigned via menu.

Console Features:

• P1 XT Handgun Part Position: Push down to lock the docking station and secure the instrument by closing the lid.
• P1 SmartSensor Storage Area: Compartment for storing spare SmartSensor probes.
• USB Port: For charging only; no data transfer capabilities for mobile devices.
• Mains Power: Connection for power supply (100...240 V 50/60 Hz).
• Storage Shelf: Located for accessories such as the power cable and user manual.

P1 SmartSensor Service Life

The expected service life of the SmartSensors is approximately 200 to 300 hours of continuous operation under average room air conditions. Based on an active measurement time of approximately 2 hours per workday, this gives a utilisation duration of approximately 6 months.

In case of discontinuous measurement operation, the utilisation duration may be optimised by using the standby option. Through the use of standby modes, the SmartSensor is shut down during breaks and is therefore not subjected to wear.

The limiting factor regarding the service life of the SmartSensor is contamination:

1. Through small particles taken in with the sample flow air, capable of passing through the front filter (Part No. P1:P-100-0024) and entering the ionization chamber.
2. By larger particles which block the filter element, thereby reducing its filtering capacity.

Thus, the service life is strongly dependent on ambient conditions.

Any contamination in the ionization chamber results in a more noisy output signal from the SmartSensor, making itself felt through fluctuations and sudden changes of the Zero line. The SmartSensor must be considered worn out when these fluctuations, compared to the set-up limit, become too great. However, measurement sensitivity is maintained at an unchanged level over the entire utilisation duration. In case of extreme contamination, it can happen that the SmartSensor cannot be initialised anymore when starting the system.

The decaying air permeability of the filter element is compensated for by increasing the operating vacuum within a wide range. However, in case of severe contamination, the vacuum increases to such a level that the discharge within the SmartSensor becomes unstable or is extinguished without any apparent reason. The filter element must be considered worn out when this occurs frequently.

From the 300th operating hour onwards, the operator is reminded upon starting the system that the SmartSensor must be replaced. Up to a maximum of 320 hours, the SmartSensor can still be operated after confirming the reminder. Thereafter, it must be replaced.

Exchanging the P1 SmartSensor

Before replacing the SmartSensor, the instrument must always be switched off first.

To remove the SmartSensor, simply take hold of it at the chequered section of the plug's movable section and pull the sensor straight out of the socket.

When inserting the new SmartSensor, make sure that the marks at the plug and socket line up, and that the movable section of the plug engages in the locking position by resting flush against the outer collar of the socket.

Instrument Firmware Log

Technical Data

EU Declaration of Conformity

According to Decision No. 90/2016 Sb. of the European Parliament and of the Council

SF6 LEAKCHECK P1 XTL

The manufacturer stated below declares that the characteristics of the product meet the required technical standards, directives and specification and that it conforms to the respective European Union harmonisation standards. Furthermore the manufacturer declares the product to be safe whilst adhering to the conditions for its correct installation, maintenance and use. This declaration of conformity is issued under the sole responsibility of the manufacturer.

Manufacturer:

ISM Deutschland GmbH, Laubach 30, 40822 Mettmann, Germany - www.ism-d.de -

Notification of quality assurance:

DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 Certificate No.: DE011836-1

Product description:

SF6 Leak detector is sensitive instrument for determining SF6 or gasmixture with C4-FN leaks.

Conformity assessment procedure:

The product's conformity was assessed with respect to the following requirements:

• EMC Directive 2014/30/EU, LVD Directive 2014/35/EU.
• It was compared with the submitted documentation.
• Issued on fundamentals of declaration of conformity of the producer – it was tested according standards.

List of standards:

• EN 55011 ed. 4:2017 + A1:2017 +A11:2020 +A2:2021
• EN 61000-3-3 ed. 3:2014 + A1:2019 +A2:2022
• EN 61000-4-2 ed. 2:2009
• EN 61000-4-4 ed. 3:2013
• EN 61000-4-6 ed. 4:2014
• EN IEC 61000-3-2 ed. 5:2019 +A1:2021
• EN IEC 61000-4-11 ed. 3:2020
• EN IEC 61000-4-3 ed. 4:2021
• EN IEC 62368-1 ed. 2+ A11:2021

Date and Place of Issue:

Mettmann 12.04.2024

Authorised representative:

Clemens A. VERLEY

CE Mark [symbol]