Enhancing Safety & Efficiency in Hazardous Areas with XP3i Bluetooth Pressure Gauges
One of AMETEK’s clients had considerable difficulty when testing processes that produce hazardous chemicals.
Image Credit: AMETEK - Crystal Engineering.
During testing, their technicians need to conform to stringent safety protocols; wearing complete personal protective equipment (PPE), specialized protective clothing, respirators, and similar. While essential for safety, this is a time-consuming process, particularly when multiple test setups called for repeated entry into and exit from high-risk zones.
The introduction of XP3i digital pressure gauges has transformed this process. Equipped with Bluetooth connectivity and an Intrinsically Safe (IS) rating, the gauges allowed technicians to carry out tests remotely. Using the CrystalConnect mobile app, data could be accessed and transmitted without entering the hazardous area each time.
This eradicates those PPE repeated steps, reducing operational downtime and simultaneously improving worker safety.
Customer Challenge
Where settings have been classified as Intrinsically Safe (IS), or those with hazardous chemicals, workers have to comply with stringent safety protocols. This is for their own safety, as well as general lab safety. For this particular AMETEK client, the testing process needed extensive PPE, such as protective gear, to comply with safety standards.
Their testing process, designed to monitor pressure across various use cases, relied on XP2i gauges, highly accurate and reliable, but as part of a labor-intensive routine. The procedure previously looked like this:
- Suiting up: Workers donned full PPE before entering the hazardous area.
- Setting up: Inside the IS zone, they installed and configured the gauge to begin logging data.
- Running the test: Once back in a safe zone, the test was conducted while the gauge collected readings.
- Making adjustments: If changes were needed (such as modifying pressure ranges) technicians had to suit up again and re-enter the area.
- Retrieving the gauge: After testing, a final entry was needed to stop logging and remove the equipment.
This cycle was repeated for each test, making the process even more time-consuming and increasing exposure risk with every re-entry.
Benefits Attained
XP3i digital pressure gauges with Bluetooth technology are a game-changing solution.
Built to be used in hazardous settings, they have an Intrinsically Safe (IS) rating. The Bluetooth function facilitates remote data collection and tracking through the CrystalConnect app.
Using the XP3i with Bluetooth, the client’s technicians only had to enter the hazardous zone on one occasion to assemble the gauges. Following the initial setup, the team was able to oversee the test, collect data, change parameters, and begin and stop recording runs, all remotely, getting rid of the need for repeated suit-ups. This greatly diminished time, labor, and safety risks.
Upgrading from XP2i to XP3i digital pressure gauges brought several key advantages for AMETEK’s client, transforming how they carried out tests in hazardous environments:
- Time Efficiency: Thanks to Bluetooth connectivity, data could be collected wirelessly. This meant only one initial entry into the hazardous zone was needed, significantly cutting down overall testing time.
- Improved Safety: Every trip into a hazardous area carries risk. By reducing the number of required entries, the XP3i gauges helped minimize exposure to dangerous conditions and enhanced worker safety.
- Cost Savings: Less time spent gearing up and entering the zone meant lower labor costs and less wear on expensive protective equipment.
- Boosted Productivity: Tests were completed more efficiently with quicker setup and fewer interruptions. This enabled faster data collection and quicker decision-making.
Overall, the switch to XP3i gauges allowed the client to streamline operations without compromising safety.
Conclusion
The IS-rated digital pressure gauge with Bluetooth connectivity is helping to improve safety and efficiency in hazardous work environments.
The XP3i gauge, used by a client in Western Canada, allowed technicians to collect pressure data remotely using the CrystalConnect mobile app. This reduced the need for repeated entries into high-risk areas, cutting down on both time and potential exposure to danger.
The technology proved especially valuable in streamlining testing procedures, lowering safety risks, and improving overall productivity. For industries working in challenging conditions, the XP3i offers a practical solution that supports both safety and operational goals.
The client’s experience highlights how the XP3i is well suited to hazardous applications where accuracy, efficiency, and worker protection are critical.
To read a PDF copy of this article, click here. For further information on the XP3i Digital Pressure Gauge, please refer to AMETEK's webpage here.
This information has been sourced, reviewed, and adapted from materials provided by AMETEK - Crystal Engineering.
For more information on this source, please visit AMETEK - Crystal Engineering