Gas sensors are devices that use the scaling system to detect harmful gasses. They respond to the concentration of gasses in the environment where they are installed. This article introduces us to the various types of gas sensors:
As the name suggests, gas detection refers to the identification of potentially hazardous levels of gas through gas detection.
In healthcare, automotive, transportation, utilities and energy industries, gas detectors are use in a broad scope of practices. Gas detectors rely upon sensors to sense or detect the presence of dangerous gasses and provide ample warning to those in charge. Gas sensor detect the presence and concentration of various hazardous gasses such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
Common gas sensors include photoionisation (PID) sensor, semiconductor sensor, electrochemical sensor, infrared sensor, and so on. These sensors come in various formats for meeting the unique demands of different gas monitoring applications. In this article, we will look at the types of gas sensor in use, how they work.
What are gas sensor?
The human nose has natural sensors that detect over 1 trillion distinct odors. However, it is still not sufficient to label or identify gasses in the atmosphere. We need gas sensors to identify the concentration of different gases in a specific area.
They help detect toxic gasses and prevent mishaps due to them. There are several type of gas sensor based on the detection of different gases. The most common ones are useful for detecting oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and methane.
- photoionisation (PID) sensor
- semiconductor sensor
- portable gas sensor
- Electrochemical gas sensor
- infrared sensor
How do gas sensors detect gas?
Gas detectors typically use the scaling system to detect harmful gasses. As a dangerous gas exceeds its base level and reaches the threshold limit of the scale, the alarm triggers. Combustible and toxic gasses are the main types that gas sensors detect.
Catalytic sensors can identify combustible gasses. As the concentration of gas at a place increases and it touches the catalytic surface, it causes a change in resistance and thus the alarm sounds off.
Furthermore, an infrared sensor, which is also a light detector, can identify the kind of gas if it travels into the light pathway between the transmitter and receiver. An infrared sensor also detects combustible materials.
Electrochemical sensors are primarily employe to find harmful gasses by producing signals on the electrode. The sensors are tremendously sensitive and are use explicitly for detecting carbon monoxide. These sensors come with a digital display to give the output.
