Carbon monoxide detectors measure the concentration of the gas in the air using electrochemical sensors, metal oxide sensors, or hemoglobin-based sensors. These devices warn you of the presence of the invisible killer that can kill you in minutes. Learn more about the types, installation, and safety tips from NIST. When carbon monoxide is detected, the strip turns black, the light shining onto it is absorbed and little or none is reflected. The electronic eye detects the lack of reflected light and a shrill, piercing alarm sounds. Metal-oxide detectors have open chambers containing sensors made of metal (tin or platinum) oxide. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous, colorless, odorless and tasteless gas. Although it has no detectable odor, CO is often mixed with other gases that do have an odor. So, you can inhale carbon monoxide right along with gases that you can smell and not even know that CO is present. October 04, 2023. A CO2 gas detector uses a built-in carbon dioxide sensor to measure CO2 levels in the air. It can display real-time CO2 levels and initiate audible and visual alarms if CO2 levels are too high. CO2 gas detectors are at the heart of CO2 detection systems used by businesses and industrial processes that create, store, or use CO2. BEST HARDWIRED: Kidde Firex AC Hardwired Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Alarm. BEST COMBINATION: First Alert SCO5CN Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detector. BEST SMART UNIT: Google Nest Protect Smoke and Carbon How does a carbon monoxide detectors work? A silicon microchip, housed in a plastic shell, sends an electrical charge to a small detection chamber that contains a CO sensor. This sensor can detect and measure CO concentration in the atmosphere. If the sensor detects high levels of CO, the microchip will trigger an alarm. wAMTclG.
