Several issues that need to be noted when using a gas detector
1. Pay attention to regular calibration and testing.
Similar to other analytical and detection instruments, toxic and harmful gas detectors use the relative comparison method for measurement. First, the instrument is calibrated with a zero gas and a gas of standard concentration to obtain a standard curve, which is stored in the instrument. During measurement, the instrument compares the electrical signal generated by the concentration of the gas to be measured with the electrical signal of the standard concentration and calculates the accurate gas concentration value. Therefore, zero - calibrating the instrument at any time and regularly calibrating the instrument are essential tasks to ensure the accuracy of the instrument's measurement. It should be noted that currently, many gas detectors can have their detection sensors replaced. However, this does not mean that a detector can be freely paired with different detector probes at any time. Whenever the probe is replaced, in addition to the necessary sensor activation time, the instrument must also be recalibrated. Additionally, it is recommended that before using various types of instruments, the instrument should be tested for response with a standard gas to ensure that the instrument can truly play a protective role.
2. Pay attention to the detection interference among different sensors.
Generally speaking, each sensor corresponds to a specific detection gas, but no gas detector can be completely specific. Therefore, when selecting a gas sensor, one should try to understand the detection interference of other gases on this sensor to ensure its accurate detection of the specific gas.
3. Pay attention to the lifespan of various sensors:
All types of gas sensors have a certain service life. Generally, in portable instruments, the LEL sensor has a relatively long lifespan, usually about three years; the photoionization detector can last for four years or longer; the lifespan of electrochemical specific - gas sensors is relatively shorter, generally between one and two years; the oxygen sensor has the shortest lifespan, about one year. The lifespan of electrochemical sensors depends on the drying up of the electrolyte inside. So, if not used for a long time, sealing it and placing it in an environment with a relatively low temperature can extend its service life to a certain extent. Since fixed - type instruments are relatively larger in size, the sensors in them also have a longer lifespan. Therefore, the sensors should be tested regularly, and they should be used within their validity period as much as possible. Once they become invalid, they should be replaced in time.
