Crowcon Vortex Gas and Fire Control Panel

Name: Crowcon Vortex Gas and Fire Control Panel – Manual & Quote
Brand: Crowcon
SKU: Vortex

A modular control panel for gas and fire detection

The Crowcon Vortex is a modular gas and fire detection system. It monitors remote 4-20 mA detectors and conventional loop-powered fire detectors, and drives flexibly assigned and voted relay outputs when preset gas levels are exceeded or smoke or fire is detected. Those relays operate audible and visible alarms, while a built-in RS485 Modbus port lets several Vortex systems report to industry-standard control and monitoring systems.

It accepts 2-wire sink, or 3-wire sink or source, 4-20 mA detectors, including Crowcon flammable, toxic and oxygen detectors and, per the manual, detectors from other manufacturers. Up to twenty conventional fire detectors and manual call points can share one loop with a maximum loop current of 60 mA, one fire loop per Quad Channel Input Module. Crowcon states Vortex has been tested with the Apollo range of conventional smoke and heat detectors.

Technical specifications

Parameter	Specification
System type	Modular gas and fire detection control system
Detector inputs	2-wire sink or 3-wire sink/source 4-20 mA; conventional loop-powered fire detectors and call points
Input modules	Quad Channel Input Module, 4 channels each, maximum 3 modules
Output modules	Relay Output Module, 8 channels each, maximum 4 modules; up to 32 fully voted relay outputs
Fire loop	Up to 20 devices, maximum 60 mA, one loop per Quad Channel Input Module
Communications	RS485 Modbus port; RS232 configuration port on the Node Controller Module
Configuration software	Panels Pro or Vortex PC, running under Windows
Enclosure options	Vortex (wall-mounted with display), Vortex Rack (19 inch), Vortex Panel, Vortex DIN (no display)
Ingress protection	IP65 for the standard Vortex enclosure; other options depend on the enclosure used
Power supply	20-30 V dc 5 A; 110-120 V ac 60 Hz 3.2 A; 220-240 V ac 50 Hz 1.6 A
Backup batteries	Two series 12 V, 2 Ah batteries (standard Vortex); larger capacity available
Operating temperature	-10 to +40 degC
Storage temperature	-25 to +55 degC
Humidity	0 to 99 percent RH, non-condensing at 40 degC
Standards listed	EN 61010-1 (low voltage); EN 50270 (EMC)
Hazardous areas	The control system is not intended for use in hazardous areas; intrinsically safe detectors need the earthing described in the manual appendix

Choosing a Vortex configuration

The module count sets the capacity. A standard wall-mounted Vortex takes up to three Quad Channel Input Modules with up to three Relay Output Modules, or two input modules with four relay modules. The DIN, Rack and Panel versions take three input modules with four relay modules, which gives 12 detector channels and 32 relays. Systems can be supplied pre-configured, with the configuration summarised on a specification sheet. State the detector types (flammable, toxic, oxygen or fire loop), the number of channels, the relay logic you need, and whether battery backup is required. Crowcon detectors that suit it include the Crowcon Xgard Bright. More panels are listed under logic controllers and fire and gas control.

Documents and quotation

The attached Crowcon Vortex manual (issue 9, September 2019, 80 pages) covers system overview, installation, calibration, relay configuration, operation and appendices. Confirm the current module set and firmware options with the supplier before ordering, because the manual notes some functions may not be available on all units.

Crowcon portable detectors listed here

The Gasman is a single-gas personal detector, worn by one person to warn of one hazard such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, flammable gas or low oxygen. The Gas-Pro is a multi-gas detector for confined space entry that monitors up to five gases and can be ordered with an internal pump for pre-entry sampling. In both cases the sensor fit is chosen at the time of order.

Ordering Crowcon detectors: what we need

Send the gases and ranges you need, the alarm levels if they differ from the manufacturer's defaults, and for a Gas-Pro if the pumped version is wanted. For spare sensors, send the detector model, serial number and the gas. Add chargers, sampling kits or test accessories to the same inquiry. Contractors in the GCC should state the approval marking their site permit system asks for.