Three Precautions for Using Portable Gas Detectors
Users shall observe the following three points when operating a portable gas detector:
① Pay attention to the measuring range of the portable gas detector in use Every gas detector has a fixed detection range. Accurate measurement can only be realized within this range; otherwise, the reading will be much lower than the actual gas concentration on site. In addition, long-term measurement beyond the range will damage the sensor, leading to incorrect readings even within the normal measuring range afterwards.
② Pay attention to the service life of the sensor equipped in the gas detector All gas detectors have a limited service life, including portable models. Sensors will age even if the instrument is rarely used. Generally speaking, photoionization detectors have the longest service life of about four years; LEL sensors rank second with a service life of more than three years; dedicated electrochemical gas sensors have a relatively shorter lifespan of one to two years; oxygen sensors can only work for around one year.
Therefore, the user manual must be read carefully before use. The detector shall be operated within the valid period of the sensor, and the sensor must be replaced immediately once it expires.
③ Conduct regular calibration and testing for the detector Portable gas detectors generally adopt the relative comparison method for measurement, as described below:
Calibrate the instrument with zero gas and standard concentration gas to obtain a standard curve stored inside the device.
Compare the electric signal generated by the standard concentration gas with that generated by the target gas, and calculate to obtain the accurate gas concentration value.
