Crowcon IRmax Fixed Infrared Hydrocarbon Gas Detector
Fixed infrared hydrocarbon detector; 4–20 mA, optional RS485/HART, manufacturer states T90 under four seconds and Zone 1/2 options.
Original manufacturer: Crowcon; listed through Prosense as a distributor where applicable.
Manufacturer-approved hazardous-area configurations, including Ex d IIC T6/T4 Gb by ambient rating; exact version controls markings.
Only certified ordering codes are suitable for hazardous locations. Confirm manufacturer’s original ATEX/IECEx certificates, exact gas group, temperature class and installation manual.
Official Technical Source
Crowcon product documentation and approval downloads →
IRmax — infrared hydrocarbon detection limits
IRmax uses an optical hydrocarbon channel and therefore should not be treated as a catalytic sensor or a universal hydrogen detector: hydrogen has no suitable infrared absorption response for ordinary IR hydrocarbon detection. Confirm the target methane/propane or other approved hydrocarbon calibration, installed output choice and heated-optics/environmental options. The manufacturer-listed rapid response applies under specified test conditions. Cable glands, T class and enclosure version must be matched to the delivered Ex documentation.
IRmax — low-power hydrocarbon infrared Ex detector — manufacturer technical specification review
Crowcon’s exact product model and options determine gas range, electrical interface, battery, field application and instrument safety certification. Ratings below are not a universal family promise.
| Attribute | OEM model data | Selection consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Sensing technology | Fixed IR hydrocarbon detection with Stay-ClIR optical surface treatment | Hydrocarbon IR absorption does not mean a hydrogen H₂ detector. |
| Electrical input / power | 12–30 V DC, less than 1 W | Different from high-power heated-window IR sensors; include field cable drop. |
| Output variants | 4–20 mA sink/source, optional RS485 Modbus or HART 7 | Modbus/HART options are not present on every ordered unit. |
| Optical fault levels | 2 mA dirty-window warning at 75% obscuration; 0 mA fault at 90% obscuration, configurable | A 2 mA condition is maintenance/fault logic, not gas concentration. |
| Environment | −40 to +75 °C; IP66; 316 stainless case | Verify actual temperature class at installed ambient and gland type. |
| Cable entry | Single M20 or 1/2-inch NPT; optional remote display and intrinsically safe barrier | Specify the correct remote wiring/IS circuit configuration. |
| Fuel response | 0–100% LEL hydrocarbon configurations with gas-specific calibration | Must not be used as a generic O₂, CO or H₂ detector. |
| Safety use | Vendor describes Zone 1/2 designs and annual proof-test interval | The exact Ex/SIL certificate and proof-test interval depend on implemented safety function. |
Commissioning and risk limits
Site engineering must match the selected fuel gas (methane, propane etc.), %LEL calibration, optic exposure and controller map. Dirty-optics states should not be mistaken for zero gas, while extreme obscuration should trigger independent fault handling. The vendor webpage contains inconsistent copy concerning optional remote display cable maximum (3 m versus 30 m in different rendered text); check the exact datasheet/manual and barrier/accessory before designing a remote display cable. The unit’s source page specifically describes no heated optics and less than 1 W consumption.
Primary technical source: Crowcon original product data, approvals and model resource library. Exact gas-specific detector, current order code and Ex/IECEx schedule must be checked against supplied hardware.
Independent AirAlign technical editorial assessment · 25 October 2026. Information is not a stand-alone Ex/SIL or occupational safety certificate.