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Understanding LEL and LEL Monitors

Combustible gas and solvents which can form explosive vapor in air when spilled, or are leaking into an area, have a Lower Flammable Limit found on a specific materials MSDS or Material Safety Data Sheet. LFL is synonymous with LEL, which stands for Lower Explosive Limit. Combustible Gases and Solvents also have a UFL, or Upper Flammable Limit, which is synonymous with UEL, which stands for Upper Explosive Limit. LEL Monitors only detect, indicate and alarm at levels between 0-100% LEL of the material it is calibrated to monitor and detect for LEL safety.

Because an LEL Gas Monitor is monitoring combustible gas or solvent vapor in the LEL range as described, the LEL Monitor is operating and monitoring levels in a safe range, before the LEL level reaches 100% LEL, which is the minimum level that is required to support ignition or combustion. An LEL analyzer is a safety instrument and as a fixed gas detection instrument, monitors, indicates and alarms when levels of LEL are above 0%, indicating the presence of combustible gas or solvent vapor, well before a fuel/air mixture that can combust exists where LEL Monitors are located.

An LEL Monitor is typically used wherever a combustible gas or solvent is stored or used in a process, such as oil and gas refineries, chemical plants and industrial manufacturing facilities. Typically, the hazardous areas where these combustible materials are stored or used are regulated by local, state and federal regulations and classified as hazardous locations. LEL Monitors are also classified to be used in the hazardous locations where these materials are stored or used for improved LEL safety. A gas monitor LEL cannot be a source of ignition or explosion should the LEL analyzer be in an area where a combustible gas or solvent vapor reaches a level to support ignition or combustion.

Because an LEL analyzer is a critical part of a facility safety system for better LEL safety, it is essential to discuss the requirements for an LEL Monitor with safety professionals, to understand the characteristics of the combustible gas or solvent vapor that the LEL Monitor is required to detect, so that placement of the LEL Monitor is done correctly, and that the correct alarm levels, number of LEL analyzers and alarm annunciation are provided as part of the complete gas detection system for improved LEL safety that the LEL Monitor is an integral part of.

Contact GDS Corp. Today

For an LEL gas monitor or LEL analyzer you can count on, as well as complete LEL monitoring systems, contact GDS Corp. through our online form or one of the provided phone numbers. Our application engineers are standing by to help you ensure better LEL safety!

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