RKI Beacon 3200 Gas Detection Controller

Name: RKI Beacon 3200 Gas Detection Controller – Datasheet & Quote
Brand: RKI
SKU: Beacon 3200

A 32-channel wall-mount gas controller with a colour touchscreen

The RKI Beacon 3200 is a fixed-mounted, continuous-monitoring controller that can watch up to 32 gas-detection points from one NEMA 4X enclosure. Its 7 inch colour LCD touchscreen shows channel readings, alarm status and location names, and sensors can be direct-connect heads wired straight to the controller, any 2- or 3-wire 4-20 mA transmitter, or Modbus transmitters such as the M2A, T3A, VOC Pro and Air Alert. RKI lists petrochemical plants, refineries, water and wastewater plants, pulp and paper mills, utilities, parking garages and steel works as typical applications.

Technical specifications

Parameter	Specification
Channels	Up to 32 gas channels; 8 card slots, each taking a 4-channel sensor module (57-0168-01) or an 8-relay module (57-0169-01)
Display and controls	7 in colour LCD touchscreen showing all channels; external reset switch; built-in 90 dB audible alarm with silence
Alarm levels	Up to three programmable alarm levels per channel; alarms are latching as factory set
Standard relays	Four common Form C relays (Fail, Alarm 1, Alarm 2, Alarm 3), 6 A at 115/220 VAC or 30 VDC resistive; further relays on optional relay cards
Inputs	Direct-wired LEL, oxygen, CO2 and toxic sensors; 4-20 mA transmitters (24 VDC, 2 or 3 wire), up to 8,000 ft per datasheet (manual: 2,500 / 5,000 / 8,000 ft with 18 / 16 / 14 gauge wire on 2-wire loops; direct-connect LEL heads 500 / 1,000 / 2,000 ft); Modbus transmitters
Outputs	4-20 mA per channel (max 500 ohm load), RS-485 Modbus, Modbus TCP/IP over Ethernet
Power	115 VAC, 220 VAC or 24 VDC nominal; optional battery backup assembly
Data logging	Standard on all channels, one record per second, to SD card; USB drive supplied for transferring logs
Enclosure	NEMA 4X fibreglass/polyester with Lexan window, 9 x 3/4 in NPT conduit hubs
Dimensions and weight	16 x 13.75 x 6.5 in (40.6 x 34.9 x 16.5 cm); 10.4 lb without AC line cord
Operating temperature	-40 to 122 F (-40 to 50 C) per datasheet; manual environmental conditions list -40 to 40 C ambient, 80% maximum relative humidity, not in direct sunlight
Approval	QPS certified to CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1 and UL 61010-1
Warranty	One year, materials and workmanship

The datasheet and the operator manual give slightly different ambient limits (50 C versus 40 C), so confirm the intended installation climate with the supplier before ordering.

Configuring sensors, relays and alarms

Because every slot accepts either a sensor module or a relay module, the channel and relay count is a trade-off. The manual shows combinations from eight sensor modules (32 channels, no card relays) to four sensor and four relay modules (16 channels, 32 card relays) down to eight relay modules (64 card relays, no sensor channels). Common relays can also be assigned as additional per-channel alarm relays, giving three alarm relays per channel.

Preset gas lists carry default ranges and setpoints. For example, hydrocarbons, hydrogen and methane default to 0-100% LEL with alarms at 10, 20 and 50% LEL, hydrogen sulfide to 0-100 ppm with 10, 50 and 75 ppm, and carbon monoxide to 0-300 ppm with 25, 50 and 100 ppm. Custom gases, ranges and units can be created, and sensor current for catalytic LEL heads is adjustable (148 mA standard, 130 mA for hydrogen, 115 mA for the NC-6205, 295 mA for HW-6211 and 385 mA for HW-6213). The Beacon 3200 is a general-purpose controller; detector heads that sit in a classified area must carry their own hazardous-area approvals.

Related RKI controllers

Model	Channels, as listed by RKI
Beacon 110	Single-channel controller
Beacon 200	Two-channel controller
Beacon 410A	Four-channel controller
Beacon 800	Eight-channel controller
Beacon 3200	32-channel wall-mount controller (this page)
AC-7400	Analog controller, 12 channels
MC-6400	Modbus controller, 64 channels

Documents and quotation

The attached datasheet is the RKI Beacon 3200 two-page product sheet; the operator manual (part 71-0435, 170 pages) holds the wiring, setup and calibration procedures. See gas and fire controllers and the Oldham MX 43 for comparison. Send the gas types, number of points, head types and power supply for a quotation.

RKI gas detection range

The range covers portable monitors such as the GX-3R Pro, GX-Force and GX-6100, fixed-system detectors and controllers, wireless gas detection and calibration equipment. Typical uses are confined-space entry, refinery and petrochemical work, water and wastewater, and leak detection, with intrinsically safe approvals on the portable models.

Ordering RKI monitors

Tell us the gases and ranges, whether diffusion or sample-draw is needed, battery type and the approval marking required on site. We check the sensor configuration and calibration gas against the manufacturer datasheet before quoting. Pump-sampling units suit pre-entry checks of tanks and manholes, while compact diffusion monitors suit personal protection.

Frequently Asked Questions