Gas Detection

ALTAIR® 5X Multigas Detector - Top Features and Benefits

Rugged durability partnered with sophisticated gas detection technology makes the ALTAIR 5X from MSA the type of unit you want at your disposal in tough, potentially hazardous environments.

In this Frontline Safety guide, we'll walk you through the features, spec and benefits of this multigas detector, ensuring you have all the info you need to make a smart purchasing choice. Click here to see the range of ALTAIR 5X units we have in stock.

MSA ALTAIR 5X - What Are the Features and Benefits?

Right out of the box it's clear what MSA is aiming for with their ALTAIR 5X range of detectors; a sense of dependability.

That's obvious from the design of the units. Housed in rugged polycarbonate, the ALTAIR 5X is built to take a knock, with MSA stating that it'll survive a drop of up to 3m (10 feet), coupled with being rated IP65 against water and dust.

This ensures you're equipped with a gas detector that's designed to endure tough work environments.

For detecting gas any device is reliant on the efficiency of the pump. A huge benefit of MSA's ALTAIR 5X is the integral pump. This ensures the sensors have a consistent flow, something that's harder to achieve with externally-attached components.

The sensors are MSA's fabled XCell which are not only highly efficient at detecting and alerting to hazardous gases, they also last for ages. This is another great benefit; you'll be relying on a gas detector with 100% trust-worthy sensors that aren't going to need to be replaced quickly.

For example, MSA has published the following figures for the XCell sensor life-span:

Typical life greater than four years for combustible, O2, CO/H2S, and SO2 sensors
Typical life greater than three years for NH3, and Cl2 sensors

In the field the unit is designed for ease of use. The tough housing feels good in the hand, and buttons are large and tactile enough for handling when you're wearing glove. The screen is big and bright and the display offers clear and concise read-outs.

It really is a fantastic instrument and the typical applications for it include:

Combustible Detection
Toxic Detection
Oxygen Detection
Confined Space

Ideal, therefore, for anyone working in the oil and gas industry, fire service etc, particularly when you factor in MSA's trademark alerts.

For example, MotionAlert tells others that the wearer of the ALTAIR 5x has become immobile, and InstantAlert provides a manual alarm to warn others of a dangerous situation.

Both are invaluable for teams of people working in tough, potentially dangerous environments, ensuring the safety and well-being of the wearer and their workmates.

MSA ALTAIR 5X - What Is the Spec?

While, as we've seen, the ALTAIR 5X looks rugged, tough and reliable, it's what we can't see that truly matters, namely the workings inside the detector.

We've talked about the quality of the sensors, but what about the gases they'll detect? These include, depending on the unit you're using:

MSA XCell O₂, CO-HC or Two-Tox Sensor
MSA XCell EX Sensor, combustible
MSA XCell SO₂, Cl₂ or NH₃ Sensor
MSA XCell Exotic, CO-HC or Two-Tox Sensor

These sensors cover the following gases: depending on how you chose to configure your unit:

CO/H₂S
CO/H₂S-LC
CO H₂-RES/H₂S NO₂/CO

The ALTAIR 5X can be configured to your exact requirements - contact our Sales Team for a quotation and more information.

The sensors have response and clear times of less than 15 seconds for the most common configurations, and a bump test can be performed in, again, less than 15 seconds. Span calibration takes a little longer, around 60 seconds, but this is still fast and efficient.

Other key features to consider are the wireless USB option which provided connectivity to the Alpha Personal Network. This system is perfect when you - or your team - need to work alone or on large complex sites, perhaps wearing chemical suits. Or when you need to keep an eye on your team members. You'll be able to have full telemetric monitoring of gas alarms, plus pressure and motion for breathing apparatus.

It's also fully compatibility with the MSA Link Software and MSA Galaxy GX2 Automated Test System.

So, in short; it's smart and tough.