Teledyne Detcon SG50-F-IR3 Triple IR Flame Detector

Overview

The Teledyne Detcon SG50-F-IR3 is a triple infrared (IR3) optical flame detector from the Spyglass™ family, purpose-built to identify hydrocarbon fires within seconds across demanding industrial environments. By simultaneously analyzing three distinct infrared wavelength bands, the SG50-F-IR3 distinguishes genuine flame signatures from background radiant sources such as sunlight, welding arcs, lightning, and hot process equipment – delivering industry-leading false alarm immunity without sacrificing detection speed. Its rugged, explosion-proof enclosure and long-range field of view make it suitable for refineries, offshore platforms, petrochemical complexes, gas compressor stations, and turbine enclosures where early flame detection is critical to protecting personnel and assets.

Seven Star LLC supplies the Teledyne Detcon SG50-F-IR3 flame detector to industrial, oil & gas, and process safety customers throughout Oman and the wider GCC. As an authorized partner for Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection products, Seven Star LLC supports plants in Muscat, Sohar, Salalah, and across the region with genuine hardware, application engineering, and fast local delivery for fire and gas safety projects.

Measurement and Operating Principle

The SG50-F-IR3 uses a triple-spectrum infrared sensing approach, monitoring three separate IR wavelength bands associated with the combustion signature of hydrocarbon fires, including carbon dioxide emission spikes generated during flaming combustion. Onboard signal-processing algorithms continuously compare the ratio and modulation pattern across the three channels, allowing the detector to reject false triggers from non-fire IR sources while responding rapidly to a genuine flame event. This triple-IR method extends usable detection range considerably beyond single- or dual-band UV/IR designs, letting a single unit cover a wider hazardous area with fewer nuisance alarms.

The Detcon SG50-F-IR3 detection response is engineered to be fast enough to support automatic shutdown and suppression sequences, and the unit continuously self-monitors its optical path and electronics, flagging obstructions, contamination, or internal faults through dedicated fault outputs. An optional integrated video module (colour or near-infrared) can capture footage from one minute before an alarm to three minutes after, giving operators visual confirmation of the event and supporting incident investigation and false-alarm analysis.

Engineering Design and Construction

The Detcon SG50-F-IR3 housing is a heavy-duty, corrosion-resistant enclosure rated for hazardous area installation, holding global certifications including ATEX, IECEx, and North American approvals, with SIL 2 capability for use in safety instrumented systems. The optical window and sensor assembly are designed to withstand offshore salt-spray, high humidity, vibration, and wide ambient temperature swings typical of Gulf process environments, while remaining serviceable without disturbing the field wiring.

Multiple output options are supported on a single Detcon SG50-F-IR3 platform, including 4–20mA analogue signalling, Modbus RS-485 digital communication, HART, and dedicated fire, fault, and auxiliary relay contacts – simplifying integration with existing fire and gas (F&G) control systems, PLCs, and DCS platforms. Built-in self-test and status LEDs support commissioning and routine functional testing without removing the unit from its mounting bracket.

Detection Range and Response Performance

Teledyne’s Spyglass IR3 user manual specifies detection of a 1 ft² (0.1 m²) n-heptane pan fire at up to 262 ft (80 m) on the highest sensitivity setting, with a field of view of 90° horizontal by 80° vertical. Response time is stated as approximately 1.5 seconds at 100 ft (30 m) and 7.1 seconds at the 262 ft limit, while a fireball or explosion event is detected in as little as 40 ms – fast enough to drive deluge release and emergency shutdown logic. The published immunity data records no response to sunlight or to the common radiant sources tested at any distance, with arc welding producing a response only at very close range, which is what allows the Teledyne Detcon SG50-F-IR3 to be positioned in open, sun-exposed process areas without degrading the credibility of the fire and gas system.

Key Features

• Triple infrared (IR3) sensing for optimized hydrocarbon fire detection – the core strength of the Detcon SG50-F-IR3 platform
• Long-range flame detection distance suitable for open process areas and large hazardous zones
• Industry-leading false alarm immunity through multi-band IR signal correlation
• Optional integrated colour or near-infrared video with pre- and post-alarm recording
• 4–20mA, Modbus RS-485, HART, and Fire/Fault/Auxiliary relay outputs
• ATEX, IECEx, and North American hazardous area certifications
• SIL 2 capable design for integration into safety instrumented systems
• Rugged, weatherproof enclosure built for offshore and heavy industrial duty

Industrial Applications

The Detcon SG50-F-IR3 is widely applied on refineries, oil and gas production platforms, FPSOs, petrochemical plants, gas compressor stations, turbine enclosures, and marine facilities where hydrocarbon fires present a fast-moving, high-consequence risk. Its long detection range and false alarm rejection make it well suited to open outdoor process units, tank farms, and loading areas where nuisance trips from sunlight or hot surfaces would otherwise compromise a fire and gas system’s credibility.

In Oman and across the GCC, hydrocarbon processing, LNG, and downstream petrochemical facilities rely on triple-IR flame detection to protect high-value assets in Sohar Industrial Port, Salalah Free Zone, Duqm refinery developments, and offshore platforms in the region. Seven Star LLC, as an authorized Teledyne partner, supports EPC contractors and end users in Muscat and beyond with product selection, layout guidance, and delivery of the SG50-F-IR3 for new-build and retrofit fire and gas projects.

Electrical, Environmental and Installation Data

The Teledyne Detcon SG50-F-IR3 operates from a nominal 24 VDC supply over an 18–32 VDC range, drawing approximately 120 mA in standby and up to 180 mA with all functions active, which keeps loop loading predictable when several detectors share a field cable run. Relay contacts for alarm, fault and auxiliary are volt-free and rated 2 A at 30 VDC, alongside the 0–20 mA output with HART and Modbus RS-485. Two cable entries are provided in 3/4 in. NPT or M25 x 1.5 thread forms.

The detector is housed in 316 stainless steel measuring 148 x 118 x 118 mm and weighing about 6.6 lb (3.0 kg), with a tilt mount adding a further 3.3 lb. Ingress protection is IP66 and IP68 (2 m, 24 h), equivalent to NEMA 4X and 6P, and the operating range of -55 °C to +85 °C at humidity up to 99% non-condensing covers Omani summer ambient conditions and offshore salt-laden air. Hazardous-area marking is ATEX II 2 G D Ex db IIC T4/T5 Gb with equivalent IECEx and FM listings, performance approval to ANSI/FM 3260 and EN 54-10, and functional safety to SIL 2 per IEC 61508.

Technical Specifications

The table below summarizes the core Detcon SG50-F-IR3 specifications for engineering review and procurement.

Why Choose Seven Star LLC for the Teledyne Detcon SG50-F-IR3

Seven Star LLC is an authorized Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection partner supplying the Detcon SG50-F-IR3 triple IR flame detector to industrial and energy customers across Oman and the GCC. Contact Seven Star LLC for a formal quotation, technical datasheet, and application support for your fire and gas detection project.

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