Gas leakage sensor with alarm: types, characteristics

Almost every day there are explosions and various degrees of fires that occur when gas enters the room. To avoid such situations, it is necessary to use a gas leakage sensor. It serves to establish its content in the air. At critical exponents, the device notifies the surrounding personnel of a serious leak. The gas leakage sensor may have a different shut-off valve in its configuration, which serves to shut off the fuel flow. The simplest models determine the concentration of a specific gas. And if the permissible limit exceeds the norm, it signals this. Outwardly, this compact mobile equipment, which can be installed anywhere. As a rule, it is used for safety in domestic conditions. But other models used in industrial premises are widely used in the market.

What are the leakage sensors?

They are of two kinds. Wired and wireless. Looking at their name, we can say that they differ from each other by a power source. The first type is connected to a household power supply, with a voltage of 200 V. The second type works with the help of special batteries. The latter are placed in the sensor itself.

Also, the gas leakage sensor is classified by the method for determining the concentration of fuel entering the environment. So, there are the following types. Semiconductor, infrared and catalytic.

The first type operates with the help of semiconductors, the principle of which is to absorb the oxide of gas heated to a certain temperature. Appliances of the following type resemble explosive lamps in their design. His work is carried out on the basis of gas combustion, while decomposing it into two components: water and carbon dioxide. Devices of the latter type determine the concentration of the fuel, due to the absorption of the medium, which lies within the infrared spectrum.

Features of leakage sensors

As mentioned before, all sensors are divided into two types - wired and wireless. Now consider in detail their features. Wired gas leakage sensor functions from a conventional consumer electrical network, with a voltage of 220 V. Most people believe that this species is unsafe. If there is a high gas content in the environment, any closure will lead to an explosion. But this thought is wrong. The device is assembled using special technologies. Therefore, the occurrence of an explosion due to a short circuit does not threaten. Gas leakage sensors for a wired house are of low cost, and also quite easy to handle. Their negative side is the high power consumption that is required for the operation of various sensors.

The wireless gas leakage sensor works by using a battery built-in directly into the housing. Thanks to him, you can install devices anywhere. They also consume enough electricity. Therefore, they are not used in industrial spheres. In addition, the cost of devices is quite high.

Gas leakage sensor with valve

At present, devices with a valve or other shut-off valves are used. In their design, a sensing element is provided. If the gas content in the room is high, it transmits the signal of the electrical circuit, and it closes. Then, the valve closes and the fuel enters the room. As a rule, the device is installed before any gas equipment, for example, a filter, a burner, a column, etc. The installation of such elements must be carried out by a special master. He makes the installation of stop valves in the pipe and checks its efficiency. The valve has a long service life and does not require an electrical connection. To return the valve to its original position, it is necessary to turn it by hand. Thanks to the automatism, the gas leak detector for household with the valve has become the most popular.

Characteristics of the device with alarm

In the present devices, wireless communication elements are installed, thanks to which it is possible to use signaling components. If the amount of gas has passed normal values, then the sensing element is triggered. Then the signal goes to the owner on a regular phone. Therefore, the owner can decide on his own to solve this problem. The gas leakage sensor with alarm has a special device. It can be used for the security system of other elements. For example, they are an important element of a cozy home.

How Sensors Work

They are divided into three types: semiconductor, catalytic and infrared. Elements work in different ways, so you need to understand each type.

1. Catalytic. The principle of operation of this type is the splitting of gas into elements such as water and carbon dioxide in the combustion process. A small amount of air with a large amount of fuel passes through the sensor. There is a burning process. The resistance in the coil changes. Also in the device there is another coil, which serves to determine the growth of temperatures. The greater the gas content in the room, the higher the resistance. To the coil is not subjected to any impact, thermal balls are placed on its ends. The latter are covered with a layer of glass. Such a device serves as a compensator. Information about the content of gas in the air comes in a few milliseconds.
2. Semiconductor sensors. Their principle of operation resembles the same as that used in a catalytic instrument. A silicon wafer serves as a sensitive element. On its surface, metal oxide is applied. This method is also used for the production of computer parts. In the event of a gas particle falling on such a surface, a resistance change occurs, which corresponds to the concentration of harmful substances in the ambient air. Such devices are widely used in everyday life. They can not be used for industrial purposes, since the concentration of some fuels is rather difficult to determine. One of the negative qualities is a slow response, as well as a long recovery time, which requires personnel control.
3. Infrared. They are used for industrial purposes to determine the gas content in the room. If we compare it with a catalytic species, then there are significant advantages. Among them, fast turn-on time and low power consumption can be distinguished. The principle of work consists in analyzing gas particles with the help of light. Light waves are located in the infrared range. So, in the analysis, two waves are used: the reference one and the investigated one. Through a certain light source passes two media, and return back. The instrument then analyzes the corresponding signals and shows the amount of fuel in the room.

Installation of gas leakage gauges

Their location depends on the type of gas produced. For example, if its mass is more than air, then the devices are installed in the lower parts of the wall. If natural gas is used, then the location changes to the opposite, that is, the element is mounted under the ceiling. When installing the equipment, you must follow certain rules:

• Do not install sensors near various gas appliances;
• It is not possible to install them on gas appliances;
• Installation takes place in a room where air does not penetrate;
• Do not install near windows and doors;
• Do not install instruments in rooms with a high content of ammonia.

Service

When buying a gas leak detector household is already in the configured form. Therefore, during the installation it is not necessary to make any preparatory work. After installing it, you should observe it for a while.

In addition, it is necessary to carry out cleaning of dust and other contaminants of the nearest areas of the device. In this case, do not overdo it so as not to disable the sensing element.

Another important point - the test of efficiency. For this, it is necessary to apply gas to the sensor. You can do it with an ordinary lighter. After the sensor has worked, you need to pay attention to the alert signal. It should be loud enough to be heard by all the attendants. After the weathering of the gas, the device is automatically restored. If the devices are equipped with a stop valve, then the operability is checked manually.

Cost

The price of the sensor depends on the concentration of the gas to be determined. Also on this indicator affects the type of equipment. Wireless devices are much higher than wired ones. The price for them is in the range of eight hundred rubles to four thousand.

Customer Reviews

Many users of data leakage sensors are satisfied with their work. They react quickly with a significant gas content in the room. The market has a huge number of such devices, which differ in the principle of operation and power source. Therefore, each person can choose the right kind.

Conclusion

To date, most fires are due to gas leakage. Such situations must be prevented. Therefore, many people install leakage sensors. They notify the owner of an apartment or business about the large concentration of gas in the air. Such instruments help to save not only property, but also human lives.

So, we found out what these devices represent.