Guide to Alcohol Detectors
An alcohol detector is a handheld device use to measure the concentration of alcohol in a person’s blood. This device is usually made up of three important components which are the mouthpiece, a section where the examination is being process and the last is the LED which shows the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) value. The process is very simple, a person will just breathe through the mouthpiece and the breath air will go to the examination section of the device where it will be analyze and finally the reading will show in the LED display. You can get the result in just a matter of minutes. This portable device is being operated by batteries.
The Different Kinds of Alcohol Detectors
Breathalyzers
Breathalyzer is the widely accepted alcohol detector in the market today. Individuals as well as police officers use this. Breathalyzers are inexpensive and easy to use and the most important thing is that it keeps you safe on roads. You can check yourself to check the level alcohol in your blood thus you will know whether it is safe to drive or not.
How does this work? Breathalyzer consists of two glass vials and meter where it shows the measurement of the chemical reaction. The user will breathe into the device and the sample goes into one vial which will mix with sulfuric acid, potassium dichromate, silver nitrate and water. The chemical reaction will be revealed in the meter where you will get the BAC value.
Intoxilyzers
Intoxilyzer is an instrument use to measure the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) in a body. It uses an infrared (IR) spectroscopy to spot alcohol on the sample. It worked by looking at the wavelength of the alcohol bond and the absorption of light thus the infrared absorption measures the level of alcohol in the sample and the exact value is viewed in the small LCD screen in the device.
Alcosensors
Alcosensor is an instrument use to measure the Blood Alcohol Concentration in the body. It uses fuel cells to detect alcohol in the sample. This fuel cell is made up of two platinum electrodes with an acid electrolyte in between the two electrodes. When a person breathes in, the breathe flows in to one side of the fuel cell, alcohol oxidizes and it produces electrical current. This electrical current measures the alcohol level. You will see the exact value in a small LCD screen in the device.
Choosing an Alcohol Detector
It is important o choose wisely when you buy an alcohol detector. You have to make sure that your alcohol detector comes with the following feature, a digital LCD screen where you can read the BAC value and has a backlight that will be useful especially if you use the device during night time or in the dark. Also find one that comes with extra five mouthpieces so that you don’t have to spend another for extra mouthpiece.
You will probably get confuse which brand to choose therefore it is important that you do your own research online what product would likely best work for you and your budget. You can do your research online and you can purchase online too if you want. You will be able to compare a lot of brands and prices and you will have a wide choice when you shop online.
Driving while in influence of alcohol is very dangerous and not only that, it can cost you a fortune especially if you get caught or even cost you your life if you meet an accident. So e a responsible driver and thus follow the rule – Don’t drink when you drive or don’t drive when you are drunk.