Sauermann Combustion Analzyer

Sauermann Combustion Analyzers

Sauermann is a well-known brand in HVAC markets for their indoor air quality products. However, only recently have they ventured into the combustion testing equipment market, and the new line of analyzers they offer is making quite a splash. Whether you need a lower-range residential tester or a high-range commercial/industrial meter, Sauermann has you covered with their innovative new offerings. We'll take a look at three main models of Sauermann combustion analyzer in this article, with a few kit variations, but please be aware that custom sensor configurations are available for jobs that require more versatility, and our team of specialists is happy to assist you with special order. Let's begin with a quick primer on the importance of combustion analysis, and then we'll dig into the analyzers in more detail.

Why You Need a Combustion Analyzer

Many technicians will be aware of the following information, but it never hurts to briefly review why you would need a combustion tester. If nothing else, it justifies the investment and helps clarify what essential features need to be considered when making your purchasing decision. The primary reason to own a reliable and accurate combustion analyzer is for safety reasons. Any device operating on combustion will produce some amount of carbon monoxide (CO), which is a dangerous gas undetectable by the human senses. So for the safety of both the customer and technician, it is important to ensure that CO levels remain virtually non-existent in the atmosphere and within acceptable limits within the flue.

Beyond basic safety concerns, the presence of CO is also a liability for the technician, who often is tasked with ensuring the safety and efficiency of the device they are installing or servicing. To avoid any legal issues, you'll want to be absolutely certain that the devices you service are running properly and in acceptable ranges. A good combustion analyzer helps you perform and document the proper tests.

Another important reason to own a good combustion meter as a technician is for income potential. Hard data on inefficient or potentially dangerous systems equals money for the technician. Customers want to be shown reliable reports before moving ahead with any costly maintenance or repairs, and reports and documentation are an essential sales tool in securing these jobs, whether it be with homeowners or larger plants and facilities. To that end, digital reports that can be emailed on the spot are fast becoming the industry standard. As we'll see shortly in more detail, Sauermann Flue Gas Analyzers let you create these reports with ease.

These two major considerations are met at least adequately by most combustion analyzers, especially when it comes to the safety factor. So, when making a decision to invest in a new analyzer, you'll want to have a look at some of the less obvious features that make one brand stand out from the pack. Sauermann analyzers have a few unique and exciting features that make them well worth your time when looking to select a new meter. Let's dig into what those are.

The Sauermann Si-CA 030 Combustion Analyzer

The first and most affordable analyzer in the series is the Sauermann Si-CA 030 Combustion Analyzer. This analyzer is designed primarily for residential work and will meet the demands of any job in that field.

The most obvious and striking feature of the Si-CA 030 is the platform, or physical design. It resembles a small tablet device but is ruggedized with a heavy-duty rubber boot to protect it against any accidental drop damage or from banging into other tools and devices. The display is full color and operated by 5 buttons below the screen. The analyzer body itself weighs less than one pound (12 ounces), making it the lightest combustion analyzer on the market, as far as we are aware.

One other physical feature to highlight with the Si-Ca 030 is the IP (Ingress Protection) rating. Many combustion analyzers do not offer any rated protection against the elements, let alone a rating as high as IP42 like the Si-CA 030. To put it simply, the IP rating indicates the degree of protection from water and solid particle damage. The first number indicates the degree of protection against solid particles, and the second indicates the degree of protection against liquids. So, the "4" corresponds to protection against objects larger than 1mm, such as very small wires. In essence, the casing of the meter is sealed off from everything but objects smaller than 1mm, meaning dust is about the only thing that could potentially penetrate the casing. The "2" in IP42 corresponds to protection from "dripping water when tilted at 15°". Think light rain or leaking roofs etc. You want to avoid water and fine dust generally, of course, but there's quite a bit of peace of mind in knowing how well this rugged analyzer will hold up to these potential issues as compared to other brands that aren't protected at all.

The most important thing to consider in selecting an analyzer (assuming you've chosen a reliable and accurate brand, Sauermann) is the CO measurement range. The standard range for residential work is 4,000ppm. Some analyzers in the residential market at the price point of the Si-CA 030 actually only read up to 2,000ppm, a range that is quickly becoming outdated. However, this analyzer will read up to 8,000ppm. So, while it is designed for and targeted at the residential market, you could use it just as well in light commercial work. Many lighter commercial systems will not need you to measure above 8,000ppm. So, this excellent, wide range makes the Si-CA 030 a versatile analyzer indeed. Also, to protect your sensor from overload damage, Sauermann has designed this analyzer with an auto shut-off if the CO level exceeds 8,000ppm.

Like most residential analyzers, the Si-CA 030 comes standard with a CO sensor and an Oxygen (O2) sensor. From these measured values, the analyzer's internal algorithm can calculate CO2 (carbon dioxide levels) and provide you with efficiency calculations, an essential value in commissioning and performing maintenance on heating systems. In addition to efficiency calculations, you can also read or calculate flue temperature, ambient CO, air temperature, differential temperature, Pressure/draft, and excess air. All of this data can be recorded and logged using the free Sauermann combustion app.

The Si-CA 030 comes standard with a 50-foot range Bluetooth chip for connecting to the proprietary app. Not only can you remotely view readings using the app, but it also functions as a datalogger, recording and saving all the data you measure under special job-specific folders. From the application then you can convert all the readings to a special report that can be emailed for customer records or internal records. Technicians should not underestimate the income potential that comes from providing customers with professional quality reports that prove to them the value of the service you provide. Take care to explain the data to your customer and compare it to manufacturer and safety specifications, and you'll likely have a customer for life.

The analyzer also features a handy predictive maintenance feature that will display an estimated sensor life for each of your installed sensors, as well as provide calibration reminders.

You can choose from a kit configuration that includes either a soft case or a hardshell one for the standard two-sensor version. It is definitely a ruggedly designed analyzer, but it never hurts to get a hardshell case if budget allows.

Finally, while the two-sensor version is most standard for residential work, for bigger jobs or ones that involve a regulating body, the analyzer will support three sensors, and you can get a custom configuration that includes an NO sensor for reading the gas directly and then calculating NOx values. This is essential for some jobs, especially in some localities and in commercial work. Verify what values you'll need to record and know that you have an affordable option in the Si-CA 030, should you need to measure NOx.

The Sauermann Si-CA 130 Combustion Analyzer

The next analyzer in the series, the Si-CA 130, will build upon the great foundation of the previous analyzer while adding more useful and performance-oriented features.

On the physical design level, the Si-CA 130 is still ultra-lightweight at 12oz and is IP42 rated. However, the display on this meter is a full-color touchscreen interface that is almost twice as big as the previous model, with a single manual on/off button. The touchscreen allows for faster and more intuitive navigation and testing.

The CO sensor range is the same at 8,000ppm, allowing for both residential and light commercial work. However, when it comes time to replace your sensors, the Si-CA 130 supports precalibrated field-replaceable sensors so there is no need to send in your analyzer for calibration. The small upfront investment to get this feature saves a ton of time on the backend and prevents downtime and extra shipping costs for calibration. It is well worth it to consider.

You get all the same measurement capability as before, including combustion efficiency, flue temperature, ambient CO, air temperature, differential temperature, Pressure/draft, and excess air. Additionally, you can measure flue gas velocity using a Pitot tube.

Data streaming via Bluetooth to the app is also standard, but the Si-CA 130 also features an onboard internal memory of 2,000 data points and can connect to a PC. So, if you don't have a smart device available, you can still record all your data for reports. Such redundancies never hurt when it comes to the often hectic nature of working demanding jobs.

Finally, as with the last model, the standard configuration is a two-sensor model with CO and O2 sensors. If any of the situations listed in the last section that require NOx measurements, you can upgrade your order to include an NO sensor, as the meter will support three total sensors.

The Sauermann Si-CA 230 Combustion Analyzer

The most advanced Sauermann Flue Combustion Analyzer in the new line is the Si-CA 230. There are a few surface-level upgrades to this model that are worth a look, but the real difference comes "under the hood", so to speak, in the number of configurations and quantity of sensors it can support.

The interface is the same as the previous analyzer, full touchscreen and single on/off button. The meter is slightly heavier due to its increased size but is still super light compared to any competitors. The weight of the Si-CA 230 is 30oz.

Without going in-depth, all the reporting and wireless features are the same as the last meter, as well as all the measurement capability and field-replaceable sensors. The only differences are upgrades from the previous model. There are two main substantial upgrades in the Si-CA 230.

The first is an internal CO dilution pump. In simple terms, the analyzer will sense when a CO sample is nearing the maximum capacity of the sensor and will activate the dilution pump to add fresh air to the sample from vents on the analyzer. This will protect the sensor from damage and allow still quite accurate CO readings up to 50,000ppm. Even the toughest of industrial jobs should not near that CO value unless something is seriously wrong. Ideally, equipment will be serviced before anything like that level is reached. In any case, your analyzer is equipped to handle those high levels and your sensor is protected.

The second upgrade in the Si-CA 230 is support for up to 6 sensors. You'll not need this kind of capability unless you're doing commercial and industrial work, but it's a nice option to have. You'll need to order a custom configuration for your job. The available sensor options include: O2, CO, NO, Low NO, NO2, Low NO2, SO2, Low SO2, CxHy, and H2S. Get in touch with a knowledgeable sales representative to determine your special order. We are happy to help.

Wrapping Up

While new to the market, Sauermann Combustion Analyzers offer quite a few great benefits at relatively low and competitive prices. Major features to consider are: their extremely light weight, the IP rating, high CO range at 8,000ppm, and Bluetooth reporting and data logging with the free app. Overall, there is a lot to recommend Sauermann analyzers. Check them out for yourself and see!