Along with a gas detector, as a rule, each plant has an alarm system. It serves as an audible and visible indication to warn people of potential hazards and to take timely action for gas leaks prevention.
While some gas detectors have their own integrated horns with alarm LEDs, in some cases this is not enough to specify a specific alarm situation as detectors can be installed in places where the integrated LEDs are not noticed or the sound is not heard by employees.
EK3X and EK6X alarm modules
To help our customers solve this problem Evikon MCI and Evikontroll Systems jointly developed the EK3X and EK6X alarm modules to achieve the best indication about the actual problems on site.
The modules are designed with simple and multipurpose mounting possibilities, various different control modes, option to pre-select text or pictograms based on client requests. Integrated 90 dB Alarm horn can be controlled separately from the integrated bright LED. Instruments also incorporate its own 1 meter 4-wire cable which allows users to connect it to the RS-485 bus and power it with a 24 V DC power supply. With integrated automatic alarm horn switch off time users are able to configure the instruments to disable the horn automatically after specified seconds.
The instruments are fully configurable with our Plurasens Configurator by selecting the Lights subprogram on the home page. On this subprogram users are able to test the modules functionality or configure its Modbus RTU settings, switch off time and control mode. The subprogram is easy to use and allows users to easily configure the instrument.
EK3X and EK6X series are with various designs which include transparent text, pictogram or double sided text with black background.
EK3X are 300 mm width and 120 mm length and EK6X are 600 mm width and 180 mm length.
Cable connection scheme
| White | 24V |
| Green | RS485-A |
| Yellow | RS485-B |
| Brown | LT GND |
Mounting options
With a convenient round design on the aluminum frame with convenient multi-functional brackets, the EK3X and EK6X series allow users to decide how the alarm signs are going to be installed. As the frame is designed to insert the brackets in various ways it is possible to install the instrument either wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted by turning the bracket over the frame. Mounting kit includes:
• 4 x 3 pole WAGO for connecting + / - for powering and A and B for RS-485 bus
• 2 x Mounting bracket
• 2 x O-ring screw
• 4 x Nut
• 1 x connecting diagram
Wall-mount
Ceiling-mount
Control modes
EK3X and EK6X series have 3 different control modes which can be configured based on the client needs and installation possibilities. The control modes are following:
• Modbus Control Mode
• Wire Control Mode
• Direct Control Mode
Modbus Control Mode
Controlling the EK3X and EK6X series with Modbus Control Mode means that the instrument is fully operable with Modbus RTU protocol through RS-485 bus. Depending on the situation the central system can send a signal to the instrument to switch to a desired alarm mode in various situations. This mode allows users most flexibility in controlling the instrument as depending on the situation users are able to control the instrument as needed by only connecting the instrument into RS-485 bus with its integrated 1 m 4 wire cable.
Modbus control mode has been integrated with Evikontroll Gas and Evikontroll uGas control panels which allow the EK3X and EK6X series to be controlled with the system through RS-485 bus.
Wire Control Mode
Controlling the EK3X and EK6X series with Wire Control Mode means that the instrument can be controlled with 24 V signals instead of Modbus RTU. This means that the instrument has to be previously configured into this mode with the desired control function. After configuring, the instrument will then be put into a function, where A and B wires are going to be used to control the LED and alarm horn independently.
This means that the instrument has to be powered on and when it detects 24 VDC signal on A wire then LED will do the function it was configured to do and when it detects 24 VDC signal on B wire then the alarm horn will do the function it was configured to do. This allows users to control EK3X and EK6X series with relays for example. Because LED and alarm horn can be controlled independently with different wires it allows system integrators to install for example a NC contact button in between relay and B wire which on press opens the contacts which will silence the alarm horn during an alarm.
This is a quite convenient solution which does not require any expensive software development to integrate EK3X and EK6X Modbus control into the existing system, but allows system integrators to control the LED and alarm horn independently by adding a bit of complexity into the overall installation.
* The light module has to be preconfigure with Modbus before using with Wire & Direct Control Mode.
Direct Control Mode
Controlling the EK3X and EK6X series with Direct Control Mode means that the instrument will do the function it was configured to do straight after powering on. This allows the product to be used easily when an alarm situation occurs. In this mode the switch off time functionality also works which allows automatic alarm horn silencing by previously configuring the instrument with the configurator.
Direct control mode is the easiest and allows users to use the instrument to indicate any alarms with a simple relay or a switch by powering the instrument on. Typically this mode is used in environments where alarm situations are critical and need to be switched on straight when an alarm situation occurs. It is possible to integrate EK3X and EK6X series with E26XX series gas detectors by driving 24 VDC from a relay which will turn the LED-sign on.
* The light module has to be preconfigure with Modbus before using with Wire & Direct Control Mode.
Operation functions
The EK3X and EK6X series have various operation functions to choose from depending on the user preference. List of various operation functions are following. Different modes of operation can function with 1 Hz, 2 Hz or 0.5 Hz frequency. This allows system integrators to decide which operation function to use in which situation.
Modbus control allows system integrators to switch between modes on request as opposed to Wire Control mode and Direct Control mode which only allow specifying which function to use in this control mode.
1 Hz Light flash & Horn | 2 Hz Light flash & Horn |
0.5 Hz Light flash & Horn | Light permanent & Horn |
Light flash without horn | Light off with horn |
For more technical information / inquiries, please contact our distributors / sales partners.
