Analox ASPIDA Portable Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Detector

Overview

The Analox ASPIDA is a rugged, intrinsically safe, portable carbon dioxide (CO₂) detector engineered for continuous personal exposure monitoring in high-risk occupational environments where CO₂ accumulation poses acute asphyxiation hazards. Designed and manufactured in the United Kingdom by Analox Sensor Technology—a globally recognized leader in gas sensing since 1981—the ASPIDA employs proprietary mid-infrared (MIR) non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) spectroscopy to deliver stable, selective, and drift-resistant CO₂ measurement across its 0.01–5.00% vol range. Its core application domain includes beverage production facilities (e.g., breweries, wineries, soft drink bottling lines), hospitality venues (e.g., cellars, bars, cold storage rooms), food service kitchens, and confined-space maintenance operations—where CO₂ is routinely used for carbonation, inerting, or refrigeration and may accumulate undetected due to its odorless, colorless, and denser-than-air properties. The device complies with IEC 61508 SIL 2 functional safety requirements for gas detection systems and meets EN 50104:2017 for CO₂-specific detectors.

Key Features

• True single-gas CO₂ detection using factory-calibrated, temperature-compensated MIR-NDIR sensor with 5-year operational lifetime and minimal zero/span drift (<±1% FS over 6 months)
• High-visibility OLED display with real-time concentration readout, unit auto-scaling, and intuitive status icons for immediate situational awareness
• Dual-stage alarm system: visual (3× red LEDs), audible (95 dB at 30 cm), and optional vibration—plus dedicated fall-detection mode triggering 110 dB alert upon immobility
• Wearable design: lightweight (≤320 g), belt-clip mountable, and compatible with wall-mount bracket for fixed-point area monitoring
• Long-duration operation: >12 hours of continuous runtime on rechargeable 2×2100 mAh NiMH AA batteries; full recharge in 4.5 hours via included 9 V DC charger
• Robust mechanical construction: IP65-rated enclosure resistant to dust ingress and water jets; operating temperature range of –5 to +50 °C supports year-round deployment in unconditioned environments
• Optional integrated electrochemical O₂ sensor (0.1–25.0% vol) enables simultaneous oxygen deficiency monitoring—critical for verifying breathable air quality during CO₂ leak response

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ASPIDA is optimized for ambient air sampling in indoor and semi-enclosed industrial settings. It does not require sample conditioning, external pumps, or calibration gases for routine use. Its NDIR optical path is inherently immune to interference from common background gases including CO, CH₄, SO₂, and humidity (within specified RH limits). The instrument conforms to key international regulatory frameworks applicable to workplace safety instrumentation: EN 50104:2017 (CO₂-specific detector performance), EN 61000-6-3/-4 (EMC immunity and emissions), ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU (Category 2G, Zone 1, II 2G Ex ib IIB T4 Gb), and IECEx certification (Ex ib IIB T4 Gb). For industries subject to GLP/GMP or FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance, the ASPIDA supports audit-ready data logging (see Software section) and traceable calibration records aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 practices.

Software & Data Management

Data logging is enabled via internal memory storing up to 10,000 timestamped CO₂ readings (and O₂ if equipped) at user-configurable intervals (1 s to 60 min). Logged data is exported via USB-C connection to Analox’s proprietary PC-based configuration and analysis software, which generates CSV reports compliant with ISO 17025 documentation standards. The software supports calibration verification logs, alarm event timestamps, battery health diagnostics, and firmware updates. All data entries include embedded metadata: device ID, sensor serial number, operator ID (if assigned), GPS coordinates (optional Bluetooth-enabled module), and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity). Audit trails are immutable and time-stamped to meet GLP/GMP and OSHA recordkeeping requirements.

Applications

• Beverage industry: Monitoring CO₂ levels in fermentation cellars, kegging areas, carbonation chambers, and draft beer dispensing zones to prevent hazardous buildup (>1% vol)
• Hospitality & catering: Continuous surveillance in wine cellars, walk-in coolers, basement storage, and bar backrooms where dry ice or CO₂ cylinders are stored or used
• Food processing: Leak detection around modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) lines and CO₂-based freezing tunnels
• Facility maintenance: Pre-entry checks for confined spaces such as utility tunnels, pump pits, and HVAC ductwork prior to servicing
• Emergency response: First-responder screening during suspected CO₂ release incidents in commercial buildings or transport containers
• Research & education: Field-based environmental CO₂ studies requiring portable, calibrated reference-grade measurement

FAQ

What is the recommended calibration frequency for the ASPIDA CO₂ sensor?
Analox recommends full span calibration every 6 months under normal operating conditions; however, bump testing with certified 2.5% CO₂ challenge gas is advised before each shift in high-risk applications.
Can the ASPIDA be used outdoors in rainy conditions?
Yes—the IP65 rating ensures protection against low-pressure water jets from any direction, making it suitable for covered outdoor use, though prolonged direct exposure to heavy rain or submersion is not permitted.
Does the device support multi-gas detection out of the box?
No—the ASPIDA is configured as a dedicated CO₂ monitor; an optional plug-in electrochemical O₂ sensor module can be installed, but no other gas sensors (e.g., CO, H₂S) are supported in this platform.
Is firmware update capability available without sending the unit to a service center?
Yes—firmware upgrades are performed in-field via USB-C and Analox’s official software; no hardware modification or third-party tools are required.
How is traceability maintained for calibration and maintenance records?
Each ASPIDA ships with a unique calibration certificate (NIST-traceable), and all subsequent calibrations, battery replacements, and sensor swaps are logged internally and exportable with digital signatures to satisfy ISO/IEC 17025 and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements.