Crowcon IR Plus

Crowcon IR Plus is designed as a fixed infrared gas detector for continuous monitoring of flammable hydrocarbon leaks in heavy industrial applications. Its 316L stainless steel enclosure combines corrosion resistance with high mechanical strength, making it suitable for aggressive process areas and exposed outdoor locations. With a high ingress protection rating, the detector resists dust and powerful water jets, supporting reliable performance on production decks, process skids and utility corridors.

The detector is intended for demanding environments such as oil and gas, petrochemical plants, utilities and other heavy industries. It maintains accurate operation across wide temperature and humidity ranges, including fully condensing conditions, helping to ensure stable performance in both arid and humid climates and in plant areas subject to wash-down or moisture build-up.

Dual IR waveband technology underpins the measurement performance of Crowcon IR Plus, delivering high accuracy and excellent long-term stability. The dual-beam design improves resilience to drift and resistance to common sensor poisons, providing increased confidence compared with traditional catalytic detectors in challenging applications. A T90 response time measured in just a few seconds gives rapid indication of rising gas levels and supports timely intervention before incidents escalate.

High confidence in detection at low gas levels is reinforced by low zero drift, good linearity and repeatability over time. The detector provides consistent, real-time monitoring of methane, propane and a wide range of other hydrocarbon gases, supporting safe operation in areas where even minor leaks can have significant safety or production impacts.

Contaminated or obscured optics are a major cause of false alarms and maintenance call-outs in IR detection. Crowcon IR Plus addresses this through intelligent heated optics and a heated mirror design that actively combats condensation, maintaining measurement stability during cold starts, temperature swings and humid conditions. STAY-CLIR hydrophobic mirror and reflector surfaces repel dust, moisture and corrosive chemicals, reducing signal loss and minimising nuisance alarms.

This contamination-resistant optical design, combined with high stability optics, extends service intervals and reduces cleaning frequency. It supports more consistent performance with fewer site visits and less disruption to operations, particularly in remote, elevated or otherwise difficult-to-access locations where maintenance activity is disruptive and costly.

Crowcon IR Plus is configured to support fail-safe detection and proactive maintenance. Dedicated status currents provide clear differentiation between normal operation, early warning of dirty optics and detector fault conditions. A specific current output for dirty optics at a configurable obscuration level, along with a defined fault current, enables maintenance teams to identify emerging problems before they result in loss of detection or false alarms.

Configurable fault signalling currents allow these states to be integrated cleanly into control logic and safety systems. This supports predictive maintenance regimes, reduces unplanned downtime and helps maintain high availability of gas detection functions, including in safety instrumented systems designed to functional safety levels up to SIL2.

For straightforward connection into existing plant infrastructure, Crowcon IR Plus provides a standard 3‑wire 4–20 mA analogue output that can be configured as current sink or source. This enables direct interfacing with common controllers, PLCs and DCS platforms. RS‑485 Modbus communication supports multi-point networking, centralised monitoring and wider data visibility across facilities.

Optional HART 7, available locally or over the 4–20 mA loop, adds advanced diagnostics and configuration capabilities. This aligns the detector with smart instrumentation practices and asset management systems, helping engineering teams commission and troubleshoot devices more efficiently. An optional remote communication kit with PC software allows configuration, diagnostics and service tasks to be undertaken from a central workstation, further reducing time spent at field locations.

Crowcon IR Plus is designed with real-world installation constraints and site standardisation in mind. Multiple cable and port entry options support different cabling and conduit practices, while a compact yet solid form factor allows installation in confined spaces without compromising robustness. Flexible mounting accessories, including wall, pipe and duct mounting kits, junction box mounting and remote gas boxes, support deployment in open areas, enclosures and hard-to-reach locations using a common detector platform.

Flow adaptors and duct mounting kits enable monitoring of process lines and ducted airflows across a range of velocities, extending gas detection into HVAC systems, vents and other confined pathways. A wide range of approved accessories, such as test caps, mesh filters, sunshades, junction boxes, connecting cables, mirror cleaning kits and dedicated tools, allows engineering teams to tailor each installation to local mechanical and environmental conditions without changing detector type.

Display options further enhance flexibility. Variants without a display suit simple, low-profile installations, while versions with an on-instrument display provide local status indication. Configurations using an intrinsically safe barrier with a remote display allow visual feedback in safe or accessible locations, supporting status checks and diagnostics from outside hazardous zones.

Maintenance on Crowcon IR Plus is designed to be both safer and more efficient. Remote, non-intrusive testing means functional checks and calibration can be carried out without opening the enclosure or exposing personnel to potentially hazardous atmospheres. Test caps, remote gas boxes and associated accessories support remote calibration and bump testing from accessible points while the detector remains installed in difficult or dangerous areas.

This approach can reduce the need for hot work permits and temporary access equipment, shorten maintenance windows and lower labour costs. High stability optics, extended service intervals, long design life and a standard multi-year warranty collectively support a low total cost of ownership and sustained performance over the life of the installation.

Crowcon IR Plus complies with key gas detection and functional safety standards, supporting use in safety instrumented systems where performance and diagnostic coverage are critical. Extensive hazardous area approvals across global schemes confirm suitability for installation in a wide range of regions and regulatory frameworks, while electromagnetic compatibility with industrial EMC standards ensures reliable operation in electrically noisy environments.

Comprehensive documentation, including datasheets, manuals, certificates, bid packs, drawings and HART files, streamlines engineering design, procurement and compliance processes. Drawing on Crowcon’s decades of gas detection experience, Crowcon IR Plus offers a robust solution where stability in harsh conditions, minimal false alarms and long-term operating value are key selection criteria.