There are two very common sensor types used in gas detectors today: catalytic diffusion sensors, and electrochemical sensors.
In this article, we'll be discussing the four main types of gas detectors: electrochemical sensors, catalytic sensors, infrared sensors and photoionization sensors.
The most significant for risk reduction are gas detection systems, since they give the earliest warning of hazardous situations. Infra Red (IR), line-of-sight or point type detectors which identify an accumulation of gas and acoustic leak detectors, are also used.
Carbon Monoxide and Explosive Gas Detector. The best option to detect harmful gas leaks is a hybrid alarm that detects both carbon monoxide and other explosive gases, such as methane, propane, and other natural gases. The First Alert Combination Explosive Gas and Carbon Monoxide Alarm can be plugged into any AC outlet.
Gas leaks FAQ
Will a carbon monoxide detector detect a gas leak? Technically speaking, a carbon monoxide detector is not designed to detect the presence of gas. Instead, these devices alert for elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the air that could be the result of toxic gases or air quality issues.
Ultimately, no, a carbon monoxide detector cannot detect a natural gas leak. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic gas created when fuel is burned in the presence of low levels of oxygen. Carbon monoxide is very different from methane and cannot be detected with the same sensor.
Pellistor/Catalytic Bead (CB) Industrial Gas Detectors
This type of sensor has been in use for nearly a century and works by measuring the temperature difference between two beads – one inert one and one coated in a chemical catalyst. As they are heated, the one with the catalyst will heat more.
Generally, there are two types of home smoke alarms: photoelectric and ionization.
The four most common detectors are ionisation, photoelectric, combination ionisation/photoelectric, and heat.
Catalytic diffusion sensors are the most widely used devices for the detection of combustible gases and vapors.
CO alarms only detect the poisonous, odourless by-products from burning processes called carbon monoxide (CO). CO gas is created when flammable gas is burned without enough oxygen. CO detectors cannot detect flammable gases.
Point gas detectors have a single detector location requiring the gas cloud to interact with the sensor. Point detector types include catalytic, electrochemical, solid state, and infrared (IR). Catalytic and IR detectors are most widely used in the industry and are discussed in detail in the paper.
A flammable gas sensor monitors the percentage of ambient gas in the air determining if the concentration is rich enough for the mixture to burn. When a high concentration is reached, best practice is to replace the air with fresh and/or shut down equipment and evacuate personnel from the area.
Using a 4 gas monitor can protect your workers in any environment by assessing the four main gases Oxygen (O2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), Methane (CH4), or other combustible gases you're checking for.
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are two of the most important safety devices in your home. Bottom line, you need both smoke detectors AND carbon monoxide detectors to keep you and your family safe.
The four types of fire detectors are ionization/photoelectric, photoelectric, ionization, and heat. The differences in these four types are found in how they detect a fire – heat is obviously triggered by temperature while the other three are from smoke.
The device responds to convected thermal energy radiated from a fire. There are two main types of heat detectors on the market: rate-of-rise heat detectors and fixed temperature detectors.
It is best to install a gas detector in every room where gas-consuming appliances are installed.
LEL, short for Lower Explosive Limit, is defined as the lowest concentration (by percentage) of a gas or vapor in air that is capable of producing a flash of fire in presence of an ignition source (arc, flame, heat).
Install your natural gas detectors in locations close to sources of natural gas. This includes, placing them in any room with windows or a gas appliance such as your kitchen and your basement. When adding to a room with windows, be sure to position natural gas detectors higher than all doors and windows.
No. Carbon monoxide detectors will not detect gas from stoves. Carbon Monoxide sensors and natural gas detectors are not interchangeable; each is respectively designed to detect different types of gases that are present in different situations.
Some people are under the impression a CO detector will also detect natural gas, but that's simply not the case. Merts recommends gas detectors in all homes but especially in homes with multiple gas appliances. This includes fireplaces, stoves & ovens, clothes dryers, and water heaters.
Will a Methane Gas Leak Detector Detect Natural Gas? Yes. Natural gas is mostly composed of methane gas. Other combustible gases are also included, therefore a gas leak detector using a pellister sensor or non-specific semiconducting oxide material will detect all combustibles within the natural gas.