ALTAIR 4X/4XR Multigas Detector
With MSA XCELL Sensor Technology
Frequently Asked Questions
- The ALTAIR 4X Multigas Detector uses the NEW MSA XCell Sensors. Aren’t all electro chemical and catalytic bead sensors basically the same?
All sensors are not the same. Sensors are the heart of an instrument; sensor performance can vary greatly depending upon manufacturer. Most multigas detector use the same sensors from the same few global suplliers. MSA has designed a superior gas detection sensor platform specially optimized for MSA gas detectors. MSA XCeell Sensor are designed for longer life, faster response and higher performmance when used with MSA’s ALTAIR 4X Multigas Detector.
MSA has designed and manufactured gas detection sensors and instruments for decades. Our experts are three to support you with any product or application concern, allowing you to focus on your core business. - I read that every MSA XCell Sensors is built with an embedded application spesific integrated circuit (ASIC). Wahat is an ASIC and why is it important?
An ASIC is a microchip specially designed for one application. ASIC’s are most commonly associated with consumer electronics that have been greatly reduced in size over the years (i.e. cellular phones). In ASIC development complete electronic circuit with multiple large components is reduced to one tiny microchip dedicated to a specific purpose, such as sensor control.
In recent years MSA has developed its own sensor ASIC. This chip contains a micro processor, all circuits to drive and composate the sensor and a digital signal converter.
Every MSA XCell Sensor contains an ASIC. This chip is much more than a smart sensor; digital XCell Sensors perform real-time environmental correction and provide plug-and-play capabilities, greater RF immunity, and a higher overall performance level. due to digital output, this sensor is not backwards-compatible with older MSA instruments, but instead estabilishes MSA’s future product paltform. - Historically, oxigen (O2) sensor technology is seen as a weak link and the firs to die in every instrument, How does MSA’s XCell O2 Sensor actually achieve a typical lifesp an of more than four years?
Most O2 sensor on the market to day use a consumable chemical reaction where a piece of lead is consmed and converted to lead oxide. These sensors have a very finite life. Once enough lead is gone, the sensor stops working.
The MSA XCell O2 Sensor uses a non-consumable chemical reaction O2 is converted to water and then back to O2. The sensor does not “use it self up” each time it sees O2, generating a much longer sheef-life and overall lifespan.