Do I need to zero every time I turn on the gas detector?
Is it necessary to "zero" the portable gas detector every time it is turned on and used. This is actually a great question, so what exactly is the zero adjustment step?
As a standard process, we train instrument users to perform four basic steps in clean air every time they open the instrument:
1. Confirm battery level
2. Zeroing
3. Bump test
4. Clear Peak
Do you need to adjust zero? There are several points to note:
1) The key to zero air is to know that you are in clean air. Unless you know that you are in a clean air environment, you should not zero the instrument. Zeroing the instrument in the polluted atmosphere may lead to confusion of readings, and may even mask the readings of potentially dangerous gas concentrations.
2) If zero is set, but the surrounding environment is near a fire or in a smoky area without clean air, you should use zero air (compressed air to remove impurities) to establish a standard for your detector. Zero air will not damage the functionality of your detector or interfere with the sensor.
In an unclean air environment, if the instrument is turned on and the combustible gas and other gas sensors read 000, and the oxygen sensor reads 20.9, what is the purpose of zeroing the gas detector? Assuming that your gas detector did not intentionally mask negative readings (Industrial Scientific instruments do not do this), it is not good to zero at this point. So, if you turn on your instrument and the reading is normal or within your acceptable range, don't waste time completing the zero adjustment process.
