Gaseous fuels, liquefied petroleum gas (lpg) & natural gas are one of the most reliable energy solutions, thanks to their ease of use, and they find applications in the domestic as well as professional and industrial sectors.
For the safe operation of a gas, domestic or industrial network, the appropriate safety devices are required, which are described in detail in Greek Government Gazette 1257b / 2003 "Technical Regulations of LPG Installations in Buildings" and in Government Gazette 963 "Regulation of internal natural gas installations up to 1 bar ".
In order to increase the Safety Factor of the gas installation, it is often necessary to use Gas Leak Detectors and Gas Electromagnetic Valves (although in most cases their use is not mandatory by technical legislation). When a gas leak occurs, the detector signals to the electrmagnetic valve so that the gas supply is interrupted in the leaked space.
Technical Legislation on Gas Leak Detectors
As described in Government Gazette 1257b / 2003 "Technical Regulation of LPG Installations in Buildings" (Greek Languange only) it is mandatory to install a gas leak detection system:
For the installation of propane bottles in internal business premises, according to EN 50244. (§ 6.3.5.3 Government Gazette 1257b)
If the installation site or the boiler room is in the basement. (§ 10.5.4.3.3 Government Gazette 1257b)
This leakage detection system will give an audible signal (alarm) and through a suitable arrangement (gas electromagnetic valve) the gas flow will be interrupted in the spaces detected by the leakage.
For the natural gas networks the relevant legislation concerns the Government Gazette 976B Technical Regulation of internal gas installations with a working pressure up to 500mbar (Greek Languange only) and Government Gazette 963 "Regulation of internal gas installations with a working pressure up to 1 bar" (Greek Languange only) which provides in § 8.5.4.3 additional security measures with the installation of a suitable gas detection system or an automatic leakproofness control device.
However, because LPG and natural gas are explosive and toxic gases it is recommended to use Detection System and Electromagnetic Valve in all installations.
Typical gas grid layout. (Marked the Gas Detector and Electromagnetic Valve positions)
LPG & Natural Gas Detectors
The gas detector is the device that detects the presence of explosive and toxic gases in the space and gives the appropriate alert signal in a timely manner with acoustic or other means and at the same time activates the electromagnetic gas valve which interrupts the supply of gas to the leaked areas.
In particular, the LPG Detector contains a sensor made specifically to detect propane and butane (which of consists the LPG).
While Natural Gas Detectors contain a sensor designed specifically to detect methane (the main component of natural gas).
Gas Detector Types
There are 3 basic categories of gas detectors:
- Domestic Gas Detectors - with IP42 sealing index. According to EN50244 / EN50194. Suitable for domestic and small gas networks
- Gas Detectors for Boiler Rooms and Commercial Applications - with IP54 sealing index. According to EN50054, EN50057. Suitable for applications in boiler rooms of LPG networks and commercial-craft applications
- Industrial Gas Detectors - IP65 sealing index. According to EN60065, EN50081-1, EN50082-2. Heavy-duty gas detectors suitable for industrial installations
Electromagnetic Gas Valves
Electromagnetic Gas Valves are devices responsible for interrupting gas supply when leakage of explosive and toxic gases into space is detected through the Gas Detector.
Types and Functions of Electromagnetic Valves
Important features in the operation of Electromagnetic Gas Valves are:
- Operating Voltage: 12V or 24V DC / 230V AC
Describes the required electrical voltage for the operation of the Electromagnetic Valve with DC (DC) or AC (AC).
- Reset type: Manual or Auto
It concerns whether the resetting of the gas supply after the shutdown is done manually or automatically when the leak is eliminated.
- Default Setting - Initial Status: Normally Open or Normally Closed
t refers to the state in which the valve is in standby mode.
In Normally Open Electromagnetic Valves, the valve remains open until an electrical signal is received from the detector to interrupt the flow.
In Normally Closed Electromagnetic Valves, the valve is closed as long as there is an electrical signal while it opens the flow when the electrical signal is interrupted.
- Connection type: Screwed or Flanged
Describes how the electromagnetic valve is connected to the gas network piping. For dimensions from 1/2 "to 2" the electromagnetic valves are available with screw connections, and over 2 "are available with flanged connections
Since 1994, ANDRIANOS, based on modern perception, knowledge and infrastructure, has signaled the expansion of LPG in Greece.
It represents exclusively in Greece and Cyprus the Italian company Tecnocontrol, which is considered a market leader in the global market of detectors and electromagnetic valves for lpg and natural gas.
Gas Detectors & Electromagnetic Gas Valves by ANDRIANOS
Domestic Gas Detectors - IP42 Safety Coefficient
SE230K central gas detector, IP 42, for normally open or normally closed electromagnetics, receives input 230Vac or 12Vdc and generates an output signal corresponding, up to 100 parallel to each other, according to EN 50194, EN50244, capable of connecting to a backup power unit P5 .
Independent catalytic gas detector (SE648K) IP 42, with audible and visual signal without the ability of parallel connection with other detectors, receives input 230Vac and produces 12Vdc signal (no transformer required) suitable for 12Vd 12Vdc electromagnetic, normally open only, according to EN 50194 , EN50244.
Built-in LIFE gas detector, for home use according to EN50194 / 50244, with similar technical characteristics as the SE230K.
Gas Detectors for Boiler Rooms and Commercial Applications - IP54. and IP44. According to EN50054, EN50057.
Catalytic heavy duty sensor (SE192K) in combination with IP44 sensor panel, 12 Vdc input, 10 years duration.
Panel (SE128K) for 1 catalytic sensor (SE 192) IP54 to EN 50054, EN 50057, 230Vac
Panel (SE194K) for 3 catalytic sensors (SE 192) IP54 according to EN 50054, EN 50057, 230Vac, with back-up battery
Wall-mounted panel (SE126K) with a built-in catalytic sensor IP44, 230 Vac, according to EN 50054, EN50057.
Industrial Gas Detectors - IP65. According to EN60065, EN50081-1, EN50082-2.
Catalytic sensors (TS292K) for natural gas / LPG 0 ÷ 20% LEL, 12 ÷ 24 Vdc / 2W, output 4 ÷ 20mA IP65, CE, EN60065, EN 50081-1, EN 50082-2, 12 month warranty.
Autonomous catalytic sensors (SE137K) for natural gas / LPG 12 ÷ 24Vdc / 1,5W, output signal 24V / 2A ALARM 1: 10% LEL, ALARM 2: 20% IP 65, EN60065, EN50081-1, EN50082-2; according to Government Gazette 1257, §6.2.5, §6.3.1.2, 12 months warranty.
Explosion-Proof Gas Detectors for LPG Stations
Catalytic sensors (TS293K) for natural gas / LPG, explosion type, EEx-D, IICT6, II2G, EN50054, EN50057, EN50081-1, EN50082-1, EN50014, EN50018, ATEX94 / 6.2.5 & §6.3.1.2, 12 months warranty.
Standalone Catalytic Sensors (SE138K) for Explosion-Proof Natural Gas / LPG, 12 ÷ 24 Vdc / 2W, Output 24V / 2A, ALARM 1: 10% LEL, ALARM 2: 20% LEL, EEx d II C T6 CE, II2G, EN60079 -10, EN60079-14, 12 months warranty.
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LPG and Natural Gas Electromagnetic Valves
Electromagnetic valves, brass, manual reset normal open, 500mbar, 12Vdc / 230Vac, IP 65
Electromagnetic valves, brass, manual reset normally open, 6 bar, 12Vdc / 230Vac, IP 65
Aluminum electromagnetic valves, manual flame return, normally open, 500mbar, 12Vdc / 230Vac, IP 65.
Aluminum electromagnetic valves, manual flame retarder, normally closed, 500mbar, 12Vdc / 230Vac, IP 65, according to EN 16
Electromagnetic valves, brass, manual reset normally closed, 500mbar, 12Vdc / 230Vac, IP 65
Electromagnetic valves, brass, manual reset normally closed, 6 bar, 12Vdc / 230Vac, IP 65
Anti-Explosion-proof Electromagnetic valves, brass, Manual Reset Normally Open 10 bar, 230 Vac EEx - d IIB T6 IP67 T85 ° C
Anti-Explosion-proof Electromagnetic valves, brass, Manual Reset Normally Closed 10 bar, 230 Vac EEx - d IIB T6 IP67 T85 ° C
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