Monday, January 23, 2017

Carbon Monoxide Detector Systems in NJ

Carbon monoxide is a very harmful chemical compound. It is colorless, odorless and tasteless which makes its detection difficult without specified equipment. It is an extremely poisonous gas that can cause serious problems. That is why we need to use detector systems that make use of different kind of sensors to notify the presence of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere. At T&R Alarm Systems Inc, we want you to be safe and know there are more than a few options when selecting carbon monoxide detector systems in NJ. Here are the four major sensors used to detect carbon monoxide.

Opto-chemical sensors
Opto-chemical detectors detect carbon dioxide by changing color. They consist of a pad of a colored chemical which changes its color when it reacts with carbon monoxide. They only provide a quantitative analysis of the gas being present however. The main advantage of these detectors is that they are extremely low in cost as compared to other detectors but at the same time it is their disadvantage that they do not offer a good level of protection.

Biomimetic sensors
Carbon Monoxide Detector Systems in NJ 
A biomimetic sensor darkens in the presence of CO. The amount of darkness is proportional to the amount of carbon monoxide present in the surroundings. They make use of cyclodextrins, a chromophore, and a number of metal salts. The working is simple; they are connected to an infrared source and monitored using a photodiode. Their battery lasts 2-3 years. However, if a lithium battery is used, there will be no need to change it. Biomimetic sensors were the first to enter the market. Although they more than the rest, the particular technology they use is the only technology free from false alarms. It is highly used in large facilities like hotels, hospitals, and apartments where you cannot afford to have a false alarm. This is their biggest advantage; a minor disadvantage is their high cost.

Semiconductor sensors
The sensor is monitored by an integrated circuit. The element used as the sensor needs to be heated to a high temperature, the temperature is as high as 400 °C and the resistance of the element is monitored. The technology used in these sensors requires a large power supply. Their lifetime ranges from a few months to 10 years. Currently this technology is being used in the far east and in some areas in the USA. However, electrochemical cell technology is now replacing semiconductor sensor technology because of its advantages.

Electrochemical sensors
This particular type of sensor has a heavy presence in the United States and Europe because of its impressive features. They are basically fuel cells that produce signal current instead of producing power. The current is directly proportional to the amount of gas targeted. The amount of current measured gives an estimate of the carbon dioxide present in the surroundings. The design is fairly simple, the cell makes use of a container, electrodes, electrolyte and connecting wires. The working is same as that of an electrochemical cell, here’s what happens- Carbon monoxide is oxidized at one electrode to carbon dioxide while oxygen is consumed at the other electrode. This sensor has its own advantages as it is highly accurate and requires minimal power. It can be operated at room temperature and its biggest advantage is that it has a long lifespan.

We at T&R Alarm have been installing carbon monoxide detector systems in NJ for decades. To learn more about us or if you have any questions about our carbon monoxide detectors, please call us at 800-486-5019.

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