Common Gas Detector Problems and Troubleshooting Tips

The gas detector is a device to protect life, but it can also go wrong. Don’t panic when you run into trouble, many problems can be handled by yourself. Let’s talk about the most common situations and coping methods.

Zero reading or slow response

Put the instrument in a place with gas, but the screen shows zero, perhaps the value climbs very slowly. This is mostly because the sensor is “blocked” or “old”.

The filter membrane of the air inlet is simply stuck by dust, oil pollution and water vapor, so the gas can’t get in, and the reading naturally won’t come up. If the electrochemical sensor is left for too long, the electrolyte will dry and the activity will decrease. Battery failure can also lead to unstable power supply and affect reading.

First, check whether the air inlet is dirty or not, gently sweep it with a soft brush, and replace the filter membrane when it is black. Fully charge the instrument and try again. Do an impact test, blow it with standard air, and see if there is any response. If there is still no movement, the sensor can basically determine that the life is up, so change it.

The value is jumping or unstable

The reading fluctuates up and down like an electrocardiogram, does not return to zero in clean air, and is unstable under constant concentration.

Strong wind blowing directly into the air inlet, the temperature changing from cold to hot, and the condensed water caused by too high humidity will make the reading drift. The baseline of the sensor will also be unstable after aging. Some sensors will be “poisoned” when they encounter silicone and sulfide, and their readings will be chaotic.

First, take the instrument to a clean, windless place with suitable temperature, and let it stand for a few minutes to see if it can return to zero. Check the air inlet for water drops, and a hydrophobic filter can be installed in wet environment. Try calibration and reset the zero point. The sensor may have been poisoned or damaged, so it can only be replaced.

False alarm (false positive)

There was obviously no dangerous gas around, but the instrument suddenly called the police. If there is more than one false alarm, people will be paralyzed, but if it is really dangerous, it will not be taken seriously.

Many sensors are not “focused”. Those who measure carbon monoxide may react to hydrogen, and those who measure combustible gases may be sensitive to the gases volatilized from alcohol, hair gel and detergent. Close to high-power radio equipment may also be disturbed by electromagnetism to trigger false alarm.

See if there are people around you who use solvents, spray paint, disinfect alcohol, and maybe there is vehicle exhaust when calling the police. Check the “cross-disturbance list” in the manual to confirm whether the guideline gas will be disturbed by other substances. Electromagnetic interference is far away from radio equipment. Excluding environmental factors and false positives, it may be necessary to adjust the alarm threshold, or change the sensor with stronger anti-disturbance, such as changing from catalytic incineration to infrared.

Unable to turn on or turn off automatically

Press the power button and there is no response. Maybe it needs a sudden black screen.

It’s probably the battery. The battery can’t store electricity when it is aging, and the oxidation contact of the contact is poor, so the performance of the battery decreases in the extremely low temperature environment. In a few cases, the internal circuit board is damp or damaged.

Make sure to use the original factory or designated battery with sufficient power. Wipe the battery contacts with an eraser to remove the oxide layer. When used outdoors in cold weather, put the instrument next to your body and keep warm with your body temperature. If you can’t start the machine with a new battery, it is an internal hardware failure. Send it for repair.

Calibration failure

If the school fails on time, the instrument may fail.

Expiration of standard gas or lack of pressure will lead to failure. The flow rate of the pressure reducing valve is not right, neither too big nor too small. Air leakage in the connecting pipeline can also cause problems. When the sensor fails completely, the guideline value cannot be calibrated.

Check the gas cylinder pressure gauge to make sure that the gas is sufficient and has not expired. Confirm that the flow rate of the pressure reducing valve meets the requirements of the instrument, which is generally 0.5 liters per minute. Check all the connecting pipes, and deal with any cracks or looseness. You can test the leakage points with soapy water. The gas path and gas are fine, but the sensor reading is forbidden, which is more than 20%. Stop messing around and change the sensor directly.

Daily protection tips

Maintenance at ordinary times is like repairing it when it is broken.

Wipe the shell with a damp cloth every time you use it, and don’t block the air inlet. Store in a dry place with suitable temperature, and prevent direct sunlight.

Take a minute to do an impact test before use every day, and most potential problems can be found early.

Pay attention to the changing trend of instrument readings. The reading of a sensor is drifting more and more simply, so spare parts should be prepared in advance even if it is not broken.

Don’t disassemble the instrument shell by yourself except changing the battery and filter membrane. The explosion-proof structure will be destroyed and the warranty will be invalid.

The gas detector is an “electronic nose” and a “lifesaver”. When something goes wrong, you’d rather be more careful-before confirming that the instrument is completely normal, assume that the environment is in danger, evacuate to a safe area, and then recheck it with another normal instrument. Don’t force the use of problematic detectors in order to catch up with the construction period. Safety is more important than progress.