Cerberus
CerGas

Detection of explosive gases

Application

When escaping combustible gases such as natural gases and liquid petroleum gases
combine with air they can form highly explosive mixtures in closed rooms as well as
outdoors. Such gas mixtures can be exploded by ignition sources (sparks or hot ob
jects). Monitoring the hazardous areas allows early detection of events so that serious
harm to human life, infrastructure and the environment can be prevented.
CerGas monitors the concentration of explosive gases in air. The measurement is per
formed by means of suitable gas detectors. When a certain concentration is ex
ceeded, previously defined actions for preventing explosion hazards can be initiated
automatically. For example, the gas supply can be interrupted, the ventilation ad
justed, etc. If there is an acute explosion hazard the fire department can also be
alerted and the evacuation of people initiated.

Fire & Security Products

Siemens Building Technologies

Typical application locations

D School buildings, office buildings, hospitals, hotels
In such building types the heating system is often fueled with natural gas.
D Small and medium businesses
A plant fueled with natural gas is frequently used for generating process and heat
ing energy.
D Industrial bakeries
Large baking ovens are often heated with natural gas.
D Fermentation plants, digestion towers, sewage treatment plants
The decomposition of biologically active materials produces fermentation gas. Such
systems are frequently coupled with a heating burner.
D Tank storage areas for liquid gases such as propane and butane
Such storage facilities can be used for intermediate storage or they are coupled to a
burner for generating process or heating energy.
D Block heating plants
Block heating plants fueled with natural gas are increasingly used for larger residen
tial building projects and heat grid systems.
Characteristic of explosive gases
D Natural gas / Methane (CH4)
Like crude oil, natural gas is extracted from underground deposits. It is principally
used as a heating fuel. Methane is lighter than air, the lower explosion limit (LEL) is
4.4% V/V.
D Fermentation gas (9 60% 85% CH4, 9 15% 40% CO2, 9 1% 6% H2S and
traces of H2, CO, N2 and O2, depending on the substrate)
Fermentation gas is created by the biological decomposition of organic substances.
Because of its methane content it is used as a heating fuel.
Depending on its composition, fermentation gas is lighter or heavier than air. The
relative density of fermentation gas is between 0.8 and 1.2 (air = 1).
D Liquefied petroleum gases (LPG), such as propane (C3H6) and butane (C4H10)
Liquefied petroleum gases are principally obtained from crude oil (lightest fraction
of the distillation process) and are used worldwide in many applications (e.g. camp
ing gas).
Liquefied petroleum gases are heavier than air. The lower explosion limit is 1.7% V/V
for propane and 1.4% V/V for butane.
Planning information
CerGas measures the concentration of explosive gases in air by means of catalytic
sensors (also referred to as pellistors or heat of reaction sensors) or with infraredop
toacoustic sensors.
The measuring principle of a pellistor is based on a heated ceramic pearl, on the sur
face of which the combustible gas is catalytically oxidized. The resulting heat of reac
tion is measured, transformed into an electrical signal, and displayed on the gas
detection system control unit as %LEL.
The measuring principle of an infraredoptoacoustic sensor is based on the capacity
of gases to absorb light energy. In a closed measuring cell, where the gas can be
introduced through a membrane, infrared light at a specific wavelenght (3.4 m) heats
up the gas. Following the ideal gas law this leads to an increase of the pressure in the
cell. When the gas cools down again, the pressure in the cell also drops. A detectable
signal (sound) is obtained if the infrared source is pulsated. The resulting sound is
measured, transformed into an electrical signal, and displayed on the gas detection
system control unit as %LEL.
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Fire & Security Products

Positioning of the detectors For methane gas detectors must be positioned on the ceiling of the rooms to be moni
tored and above any valves and flanges.
For LPG detectors must be positioned on the floor and below any valves and flanges.
For fermentation gas detectors must be installed on the ceiling as well as on on the
floor because the fermentation gas may be heavier than air, depending on the gas
composition.
In addition to the explosion protection and on request, a CO2 and/or H2S surveillance
with appropriate CerGas detectors can be offered. For such cases, the local regula
tions have to be followed or a CerGas specialist consulted.
If no statutory regulations exist a maximum monitoring area of 40 m2 is recommended.
The room architecture must always be taken into consideration. It should also be noted
that in strongly ventilated rooms one detector must in all cases be installed at the vent.
Application limits
Pellistor sensors quickly lose their sensitivity to explosive gases in the presence of sili
cone, chlorine, sulfur and lead compounds in the air. This greatly shortens the life of
the sensors in such an environment.
For installations with biogas it is recommended to use the infraredoptoacoustic de
tector, which is immune to poisoning effects.
Reliability
Under normal operating conditions pellistors have a maximum service life of 5 years
as does the infraredoptoacoustic detector. Their functionality must be checked every
12 months (service interval). Regular maintenance of the detectors by the Siemens
service personnel ensures that the system remains fully operational at all times and
thereby offers the highest possible security.
Evaluation, alarm generation
To obtain a certain safety margin Siemens recommends the following programming
of the response thresholds:

Warning:
Prealarm:
Alarm:

20% LEL
40% LEL
60% LEL

If desired the Cerberus Alarm Concept (CAC) can be used. Depending on the number of detectors and the de
sired control functions the following CerGas system control units can be used.
CC64F/I
Compact system for 1 to 4 detectors, star wired, 220 V, version I including emergency power sup
ply, up to 12 programmable relay outputs.
CC64R
Rack version of the CC64 for 1 to 8 detectors, star wired, 24 V, including emergency power sup
ply, up to 24 programmable relay outputs.
CC60
Gas detection system for 1 to 56 detectors on detector bus, individually addressable, up to 128
freely programmable relay outputs.
The detectors are cabled with multiconductor cable, depending on the distance between the individual detectors.

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Fire & Security Products

Ordering information for systems with gas detection control unit CC64
Type

Part no

Designation

DP6401

8519.0001

Ex gas detector, silicone resistant

DO6102

8506.0001

Infraredoptoacoustic gas detector

for the detection of hydrocarbons

DP6101

8536

Gas detector 100% LEL

(replaces DP6401 and DP6001)

DD6102

8539

Gas detector HC, standard

(replaces DO6102)

Z3I650

499543

Cable entry set

for cable diameters 3.5 8.7 mm

Z3I440

477675

Cable entry set

for cable diameters 8.0 11.7 mm

Ordering information for systems with gas detection control unit CC60
Type

Part no

Designation

DP6001

8501.0001

Ex gas detector, silicone resistant

DO6102

8506.0001

Infraredoptoacoustic gas detector

for the detection of hydrocarbons

DP6101

8536

Gas detector 100% LEL

(replaces DP6401 and DP6001)

DD6102

8539

Gas detector HC, standard

(replaces DO6102)

4
Siemens
Building
Technologies
Document
no. e1706e
Fire & Security Products
Edition 10.2002

Z3I430

477662

Cable entry set

for cable diameters 3.5 8.7 mm

Z3I440

477675

Cable entry set

for cable diameters 8.0 11.7 mm

E Siemens Building Technologies AG

Subject to change
Catalogue CGP CG60
Section

CG64
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