What does an LEL meter detect?

An LEL Detector or LEL Meter detects dangerous levels of a combustible gas or solvent vapor in air, expressed in percent Lower Explosive Limit, or LEL. An LEL Detector is an integral part of a complete gas detection system and can be referred to as a Gas Detector or just a fixed gas detection system.

How do you read a gas meter LEL?

In other words, 100\% LEL = 5\% volume. When methane concentration levels reach 100\% LEL, the gas will explode if an ignition source is present. For propane, 100\% LEL = 2.1\% volume, and for hydrogen, 100\% LEL = 4.0\% volume. So the \%LEL scale is based entirely on explosive limits.

How do you test for LEL?

To compute the LEL of any gas in air, divide the unknown concentration by the LEL listed in the NFPA Handbook. 100\% LEL’s for 9 of Gasco’s more common gasses are shown in the table to the left. For example, if you take 2.5\% Methane in air and divide it by 100\% LEL of methane (5\%), the result is 50\% LEL.

Is a higher LEL safer?

Atmospheres with a concentration of flammable vapors at or above 10 percent of the lower explosive limit (LEL) are considered hazardous when located in confined spaces. However, atmospheres with flammable vapors below 10 percent of the LEL are not necessarily safe. Such atmospheres are too lean to burn.

What is lower explosive limit LEL?

The Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) is the lowest concentration of a gas or vapour that will burn in air. The Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) varies from gas to gas, but for most flammable gases it is less than 5\% by volume.

What is the acceptable level of LEL?

Atmospheres with a concentration of flammable vapors at or above 10 percent of the lower explosive limit (LEL) are considered hazardous when located in confined spaces. However, atmospheres with flammable vapors below 10 percent of the LEL are not necessarily safe.

What does LEL mean in gas?

Lower Explosive Limit
The Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) is the lowest concentration of a gas or vapour that will burn in air. The Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) varies from gas to gas, but for most flammable gases it is less than 5\% by volume.

What substances can poison your LEL monitor?

LEL Sensor Poisoning The most serious poisons are silicon compounds, such as silanes, silicones and silicates. Just a few parts per million (ppm) of such materials are sufficient to degrade the sensing performance.

What is the level of LEL in confined space?

One of the many requirements for entering confined spaces is the measurement for flammable gases. Prior to entry of a confined space, the level of flammable gases must be below 10\% of LEL.

What does LEL mean in OSHA?

Lower explosive limit
Lower explosive limit (LEL) means the minimum concentration of vapor in air below which propagation of a flame does not occur in the presence of an ignition source.

What is acceptable LEL?