Recently, disasters caused by heavy rain and flooding during the flood season have occurred frequently in many countries, seriously threatening people’s lives and property. Safety hazards in the industrial sector are even more serious. Gas detectors, as “safety sentinels” that prevent flammable/toxic gas leaks, fires, and explosions, face severe challenges in maintaining their performance and stability in humid and rainy environments.
Direct Physical Damage and Circuit Failure
Prolonged exposure to rain can corrode the casing of a gas detector, causing wear, thinning, and cracking, affecting its accuracy and sensitivity and potentially causing damage.
Extended exposure to rain or if the instrument’s glass cover is opened and not securely secured, rainwater can flow into the instrument. If the instrument is not powered off, this can directly create an unintended current path between the circuit board, components, and terminals, causing a short circuit, instantly burning out delicate chips and resistors, and permanently damaging the device.
Even if moisture doesn’t immediately cause a short circuit, it can reduce the insulation resistance of circuits and components, creating hidden faults that could lead to unstable operation or premature device failure.
Core Sensor Performance Degradation and Failure
The sensor is the heart of the gas detector, and its delicate structure is highly sensitive to humidity. Water ingress can dramatically reduce sensor sensitivity, resulting in false alarms (alarms when no gas is present) or missed alarms (no alarms when gas is present).
Structural Corrosion and Malfunction
Impurities and ions in water can accelerate electrochemical corrosion of metal components such as circuit board copper foil, component pins, and housing fasteners, leading to broken circuits and poor contact, shortening device life. Furthermore, humid environments can blur the display and cause button malfunctions, compromising routine monitoring.
Loss of Safety Protection Level (The Most Critical Danger)
In flammable and explosive environments, such as the petroleum, chemical, and mining industries, gas detectors typically carry explosion-proof certifications (such as Ex d and Ex ia). Their explosion-proof capabilities rely on specially designed flameproof enclosures or intrinsically safe circuitry, along with rigorous sealing structures. Once water enters, the seal is compromised, and the explosion-proof certification is immediately invalidated. Sparks generated by equipment failure could directly ignite an explosive atmosphere, causing a catastrophic accident. Furthermore, safety devices interlocked with the detector, such as exhaust fans and emergency shut-off valves, could fail to activate due to a detector failure, paralyzing the entire safety system.
Protection Measures During Heavy Rain
Installation and Site Selection: Avoid Risks at the Source
Avoid installing gas detectors in low-lying areas, areas with poor drainage, or near building drains or dripping eaves. It is recommended to install them at a high altitude or in a well-ventilated, dry environment, away from steam, fumes, and areas with high air flow (such as air inlets and exhaust fans).
In environments with high levels of interfering gases, adjust the installation location according to the recommendations of a professional gas engineer to eliminate cross-gas interference. For example, chemical companies need to locate detectors away from sources of corrosive gas releases.
Physical Protection: Building a Waterproof Barrier
Attach a rain cover to the gas detector to prevent rainwater from directly hitting critical areas such as the sensor and wiring ports. In areas prone to water accumulation, a waterproof case can be used for dual protection.
Regularly check that the glass cover is securely fastened. If no water has seeped in, tighten it. If liquid has seeped in, immediately stop using the device and allow it to dry. If calibration data is abnormal after powering on, repair it promptly. Also, check the integrity of components such as the seals and four-way valve to prevent water intrusion.
Maintenance and Care: Extending Equipment Life
Before heavy rain arrives, conduct a comprehensive inspection of the gas detector, including circuit board dryness, sensor sensitivity, and explosion-proof performance.
Regularly wipe the gas detector housing and sensor surface with a clean, soft cloth to remove dust and dirt. Keep the device clean and avoid using chemical cleaners. In humid environments, the calibration cycle should be shortened (recommended every three months) and sensor parameters adjusted by a professional.
Use a wireless or wired remote monitoring system and place the gas detector in a relatively dry environment to minimize the direct effects of moisture. Also, regularly back up test data for easy tracing and analysis in the event of an anomaly.
Emergency Measures: Scientific Responses to Water Intrusion
If water enters a gas detector, first disconnect the power supply to prevent short circuits and further damage. Use a desiccant or natural air drying device; avoid using hot air to dry the detector, as this can damage the components.
After drying, power on the detector for testing. If calibration data is abnormal or the device fails to start, immediately contact the manufacturer or a professional repair team. Do not disassemble the detector yourself to avoid damaging the explosion-proof structure or causing secondary damage.
For detectors older than 3-5 years or with lower-level protection, it is recommended to replace them with higher-level protection equipment before the rainy season.
As a provider of gas environment safety monitoring products and system solutions, Chicheng Electric specializes in the research and development, production, sales, and service of gas environment safety monitoring products. Its main products include intelligent instruments and meters, alarm control systems and accessories, and smart sensors for gas environment safety monitoring. These products are primarily used in a variety of industrial sectors, including the petroleum, chemical, gas, metallurgy, power, pharmaceutical, and food industries, as well as in urban public spaces, homes, and underground utility corridors.
Adhering to the principle of “Your safety is my responsibility,” Chicheng Electric meticulously crafts each instrument, each featuring high-level protection, including dustproof, waterproof, and explosion-proof, and capable of withstanding heavy rainstorms. In the event of water intrusion in extreme situations, Chicheng Electric can quickly respond to user needs and provide emergency maintenance services, truly offering a comprehensive safety service chain from product design to after-sales maintenance, building a solid defense for gas detection.
In heavy rainstorms, the risk of gas detector failure can be significantly reduced through strategic site selection, physical protection, regular maintenance, and emergency response. Selecting reliable, high-level protection equipment and establishing a professional maintenance team are key to ensuring gas safety. Chicheng Electric always responds to the needs of users and goes all out to fulfill the entrustment!
