SenSmart 5000 Series Fixed Gas Detectors - GAS SENSOR TECHNOLOGIES USED

SenSmart 5000 Series Fixed Gas Detectors - GAS SENSOR TECHNOLOGIES USED
by RC Systems

Sensor Technologies Used:

The SenSmart 5000 and 6000 Series of Fixed Gas Detectors accept all latest generation smart sensor technologies manufactured by RC Systems

Catalytic Combustible, Electrochemical, Photo Ionization (PID), and Infrared.
RC Systems offers many sensors to choose from. For a complete list of gases please visit the "Detectable Gases" tab.

Catalytic Combustible Gas Sensor (CAT):

There are two main sensor technologies that are capable of measuring combustible gases, Catalytic Bead and Infrared. When to use either technology? Although much less expensive than IR sensors, the catalytic bead LEL sensor is one of the most susceptible to poisons and inhibitors. This can be avoided by using an IR combustible sensor.

For more information please refer to the following article, "WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SENSOR POISONS AND INHIBITORS"

Catalytic bead combustible gas sensors basically consist of hot filaments (active and reference elements) enclosed behind a sintered stainless steel flame arrestor. The active element is treated with a catalyst to effectively burn or oxidize the gas while the reference element is nonreactive and provides compensation for ambient conditions, temperature and humidity. The two elements are configured in a Wheatstone bridge circuit whereby exposure to combustible gas imbalances the bridge and generates an electrical output directly related to gas concentration. The catalytic gas sensor is non-selective, detecting numerous combustible gases and vapors.

Electrochemical Gas Sensor (EC)

Electrochemical sensing devices basically consist of electrodes surrounded by an electrolyte solution enclosed behind a gas permeable, hydrophobic membrane. Gas molecules diffuse across the membrane to enter the electrode/electrolyte interface where chemical and electrochemical reactions occur to generate measurable electrical current flow. Current flow is directly related to gas concentration over the specified detection range. In the absence of target gas, negligible electrical current flows and consequently, a definite zero is achieved and maintained (no zero drift). A combination of electrodes and electrolyte chemistry largely determines the type of gas detected and provides inherent chemical selectivity.

Photo-Ionization PID Gas Sensor (PID)

Photo-Ionization detectors are based on the principle of ultraviolet (UV) light absorption by a gas sample to produce electrically charged particles (positively charged molecular ions and negatively charged electrons). These charged particles generate measurable electrical current at the sensor electrode grid. PID detectors provide low range detection of many gas and vapor species, including highly toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Selectivity is based on UV source energy and ionization potential of the target gas.

Infrared Gas Sensor (IR)

Infrared detectors are based on the principle of infrared absorption by gas molecules at specific wavelengths in the infrared region. The sensor utilizes an infrared lamp source and dual detectors, active and reference. The active detector is covered by an optical filter that allows transmission of infrared radiation at a specified wavelength where the target gas is known to absorb. The reference element is covered by a filter that transmits wavelengths outside of the absorption band. This arrangement provides compensation for normal changes in lamp intensity over time. The infrared detector can be supplied for hydrocarbon (LEL), carbon dioxide or refrigerant (R134a, R125) measurement. Unlike catalytic sensors for hydrocarbon detection, the infrared sensor is unaffected by catalytic inhibitors and poisons.