How to choose a breathalyzer

The tradition to celebrate any of the holidays with the obligatory use of alcohol is characteristic not only for Russians, but also for many nations of the world. And everything would be fine, but not everyone can control the amount of alcohol consumed. Features of the body, metabolism and other factors affecting the absorption of alcohol, are individual, and therefore talk about any particular time during which it is not recommended to get behind the wheel because of the presence of alcohol in the blood, it is impossible. It is for this reason that many motorists prefer to have a device such as a breathalyzer in the glove compartment, with which you can instantly assess the condition of your body and determine whether you can get behind the wheel or else you need to give your body some more time to rest.

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1. The best manufacturers. Alcohol tester which brand to choose?
   
2. The principle of operation and types of breathalyzers
3. Types of breathalyzers
4. Alcohol Tester Selection Parameters

The best manufacturers. Alcohol tester which brand to choose?

To choose a suitable breathalyzer at the present time is not difficult - on the market there are a large number of devices from various manufacturers. All of them are able to perform the functions assigned to them and make measurements with a high degree of accuracy. Preference should be given to those devices that are officially certified and are used in various medical and law enforcement agencies for medical certification. This, of course, is not about full-fledged laboratory complexes, you should choose portable models of the following brands:

1. Alcohunter

2. Dingo

3. Sitytec;

4. Tigon;

5. Drager;

The above manufacturers produce a large number of different devices that differ in functionality and cost. In order to make an informed choice, one should familiarize oneself not only with the characteristics of one or another device, but also with the feedback of users who have one or another device at their disposal.

The principle of operation and types of breathalyzers

We all know that in the process of absorption of alcohol in the blood, a certain amount of it will certainly enter the lungs and be taken out with carbon dioxide. The more a person consumed alcohol - the higher the percentage ratio of ethyl alcohol vapor in the exhalation of a person. Breathalyzer - a device designed to measure the alcohol content in the exhalation of a person. For this purpose, a person for a certain time has to blow on a special sensor, and the device, having processed the received information, displays data on the amount of alcohol. In many countries of the world, 0.3 ppm is considered a permissible limit. If the figure exceeds these figures, then the person is intoxicated with all the ensuing consequences.

Who can use a breathalyzer? First, the driver himself, who wants to assess their own condition before you get behind the wheel.Secondly, caring parents who do not want their children to consume alcoholic beverages - all that is required from their son or daughter, to blow on the breathalyzer, after which everything will fall into place. Well, thirdly, of course, to the head of the company, who assesses the state of the workers, or the doctor who carries out the admission of drivers to the line or to the flight. Such a medical examination does not take much time and clearly shows a sober person or not quite.

Despite the general principle of operation of breathalyzers, to take readings such devices may be different.

Types of breathalyzers

Semiconductor breathalyzer

Most budget and compact sizes that are great for ordinary household use. As a rule, they work on batteries and cope with their tasks with interest. The disadvantages of such devices include the low accuracy of measurements and tangible error. The most budget devices of this kind are, in fact, suitable only to determine whether alcohol is present in the exhaled air or not, as a rule, it is not about its specific quantities.

Electrochemical Alcohol Tester

More advanced devices based on the electrochemical principle of exhaled air analysis. Such devices are almost always equipped with interchangeable mouthpieces for personal measurements and are characterized by high measurement accuracy, as evidenced by the various certificates of conformity issued by certification laboratories. The disadvantage of such devices is one - the high cost.

Photometric breathalyzers

Devices whose principle of operation is considered sufficiently advanced and accurate - the error in photometric devices is minimal. Such breathalyzers are characterized by miniature size, working on batteries or built-in batteries, as well as from the network 12 or 220 volts. The disadvantages also include the high cost and the need for regular service and verification, and therefore such models are popular mainly among the management personnel of enterprises, and they can be found in the use of police and ambulance services.

Alcohol Tester Selection Parameters

In addition to the principle of operation underlying the specific device, all without exception breathalyzers have a set of technical characteristics that directly affect the functionality of the device and are able to impose restrictions on the operation in certain conditions.

Measurement range and units in which measurement is performed

Currently, you can find a variety of devices on sale, the measurement range of which is indicated in milligrams per liter of exhaled air, in ppm or in percentage ratio of the volume of alcohol to the volume of exhaled air. Formulas for converting some values ​​to others exist, but it is not very convenient to use them. It is for this reason that it is best to choose to buy a breathalyzer, performing measurements in ppm. First of all, because the entire regulatory framework of public institutions is “fitted” under this unit of measurement.

Permissible number of measurements in a specific period of time

The device of modern breathalyzers is such that they involve the implementation of a certain number of measurements per day. Exceeding this threshold is fraught with sensor failure and costly repairs as a result. In addition, the greater the number of measurements performed by the device, the more expensive its cost. However, there is a reasonable limit: if the breathalyzer is bought for its own needs, a model capable of making up to 8-10 measurements per day is enough. And on the contrary, when choosing a device for industrial use or for the needs of the police or health care institution, it is necessary to prefer a model that does not have such limitations - who knows how many measurements will have to be performed?

The method of influence on the sensor

For this parameter, contact and non-contact breathalyzers are identified. The former imply the presence of a special disposable mouthpiece, while the latter imply that the user will blow into a special opening. As a rule, contact breathalyzers are completely professional models that provide high quality measurements. And on the contrary, contactless models are great for domestic use and are characterized by low price.

Breathalyzer error

Regardless of the type of specific device and the principle of its operation, all breathalyzers have a certain range of error. It is associated with the characteristics of the sensor itself, as well as with the imperfect measurement conditions. However, even household semiconductor breathalyzers have a relatively small error and are able to provide quite acceptable measurement accuracy. Professional models, which are checked in special calibration centers and laboratories annually, have an error that is completely close to zero - this is due to the specificity of operation, which requires the most accurate and objective results. It is for this reason that the devices at the disposal of the police and ambulance officers are calibrated and calibrated every once and for a certain period of time and can guarantee the utmost accuracy of the results.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.