Det-Tronics X5200 UVIR Flame Detector

Overview

The Det-Tronics X5200 is a UVIR flame detector that pairs an ultraviolet sensor with an infrared sensor inside one explosion-proof housing. Both sensors look at the same protected area through a 90 degree cone of vision, and the detector generates a fire alarm only when the two of them register flame characteristics at the same time. That voting arrangement is what makes the Det-Tronics X5200 a common choice in rooms and process areas full of hot equipment, heaters, ovens and turbines, where a single-technology detector would be exposed to frequent false trips. The detector is FM 3260 approved, EN54-10 certified and available in SIL 2 capable versions to IEC 61508.

Seven Star LLC supplies the Det-Tronics X5200 to refineries, petrochemical plants, power stations and defence-related facilities in Oman and across the GCC. As a trusted supplier with engineering support in Muscat, we help safety engineers specify the right sensor variant, enclosure and output for each hazard, and we coordinate spare oi plates and mounting hardware for maintenance teams in the Sultanate.

Operating Principle

Burning hydrocarbons radiate in two widely separated parts of the spectrum: a short-wave ultraviolet component produced by excited radicals in the flame front, and an infrared peak around 4.3 microns from hot carbon dioxide. The Det-Tronics X5200 measures ultraviolet energy in the 185 to 245 nanometre band, which is solar blind, and infrared energy in the 4 to 5 micron band. Each channel has its own signal processing, including arc rejection on the UV side and Det-Tronics TDSA processing, and a fire output is declared only when the two independent channels agree. Lightning, welding arcs and x-ray sources that excite UV alone, or hot pipework and heaters that radiate IR alone, therefore do not cause an alarm.

Depending on configuration, the Det-Tronics X5200 can also be set to alarm on an individual UV or IR channel when an application calls for it, and selected models meet the NFPA 33 requirement for response in under 0.5 seconds. When used with an Eagle Quantum Premier controller and high speed deluge module, a properly configured system can meet NFPA 15 ultra-high-speed requirements. In the very high sensitivity mode the Det-Tronics X5200 specification sheet lists a one square foot n-heptane fire at 85 feet (25.9 m) with a typical response of 14 seconds and a 32 inch methane plume at 65 feet (19.8 m) in 5 seconds.

Engineering Design of the Det-Tronics X5200

The Det-Tronics X5200 housing is supplied in copper-free painted aluminium or cast 316 stainless steel, rated IP66/IP67 and NEMA 4X, with 3/4 inch NPT or M25 entries and an integral terminal compartment. Flameproof Ex db IIC and increased safety Ex db eb IIC versions are certified under ATEX and IECEx. The optics are heated under microprocessor control to resist moisture and ice. A tri-colour LED on the faceplate shows normal, fire and fault status, and a mounting arm lets the installer aim the detector precisely at the hazard.

Three Det-Tronics X5200 sensor options are available. The standard X5200 uses a UV tube with an internal Krypton-85 test source for automatic optical integrity checks; the X5200G version has no radioactive source, which simplifies shipping and site permitting; and the X5200M uses a molybdenum UV element with a wider 185 to 265 nanometre range for fires involving unusual chemistry and some black powders. In all versions the replaceable oi plate and automatic, magnetic or manual oi testing remove the need for an external test lamp.

Key Features

Engineers typically select the Det-Tronics X5200 for these reasons:

• Dual UV and IR voting provides a high level of false alarm rejection in areas with hot machinery or modulated blackbody radiation.
• Arc rejection and TDSA signal processing help the detector ignore welding and other non-fire UV sources.
• Automatic, magnetic and manual Optical Integrity tests verify the optical path and sensors without a separate test lamp.
• Fire, fault and auxiliary relays are standard, with contacts rated 5 A at 30 Vdc.
• An optional isolated 0–20 mA output with HART is available, and RS-485 Modbus is provided for diagnostics.
• Pulse output models allow easy retrofit into existing Det-Tronics controller based systems.
• Class A wiring per NFPA 72 and built-in event logging support high-integrity fire alarm installations.
• Heated optics, IP66/IP67 sealing and an operating range of –40°C to +75°C suit indoor and outdoor locations.

Industrial Applications

Det-Tronics lists munitions, petrochemical processing, turbines and refineries as typical applications for this detector. In the Omani context that includes gas turbine enclosures at independent power and water plants, furnace and fired heater areas inside refineries in Sohar and Duqm, compressor buildings on gas gathering networks, paint and solvent handling rooms, and ammunition or energetic material stores where very fast UV response is valued. Because the Det-Tronics X5200 confirms a fire with two technologies, it is well suited to enclosed spaces where hot exhaust surfaces, heaters and maintenance welding would challenge an IR-only or UV-only device.

Many sites install the Det-Tronics X5200 inside buildings and enclosures with multispectrum IR detectors on open plant, all reporting to a common fire and gas controller. Seven Star LLC can supply the Det-Tronics X5200 and the rest of the detector mix from Muscat, together with mounting arms, replacement oi plates and HART tools, and our engineers can advise on which sensor variant is best for a given fuel and environment in Oman or elsewhere in the GCC.

Technical Specifications

The following Det-Tronics X5200 data comes from specification data sheet 90-1156; the instruction manual 95-8546 contains full response tables.

Related Fire and Gas Detection

Other flame detection options in our range include the Simtronics DM-TV6-T flame detector, the General Monitors FL5000 MSIR flame detector and the Dräger Flame 1500 IR3 detector.

From the same manufacturer, compare the Det-Tronics X3301 multispectrum IR flame detector and Det-Tronics X2200 UV flame detector.

How to Order

For a formal RFQ on the Det-Tronics X5200, current availability and lead time or a copy of the technical datasheet, contact the instrumentation division at Seven Star LLC. Tell us the sensor version (standard, G or M), housing material, entry thread and output type, and our Muscat team will return pricing, lead time and recommended accessories for your Oman or GCC project.