Efficiency and safety are the two most important factors when making sure that an appliance runs optimally. Household appliances are made to make our lives more convenient, and there’s an emphasis on them running safely and efficiently. To ensure that both conditions are met we use a device called a flue gas analyser. Also known as an EPCGA, an electronic portable combustion gas analyser is a device able to detect if there is a gas leak. Gas leaks are problematic issues as they can’t be noticed without a gas analyser device, which many people haven’t even heard about.
A combustion analyser, as people also call it, can measure three different gasses – carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and oxygen. With the help of a probe, the device samples and then performs various tests to ensure that no unwanted gas is present in the air and that the appliance is safe to use. But not every flue gas analyser is the same and just like power quality analyzers and other similar devices there are certain factors that determine the quality of the device.
What Experts Look for in a Flue Gas Analyzer
Batteries
Something that has become synonymous with handheld devices is the batteries they use to stay operational. All the power of a combustion analyser comes from its batteries. A flue gas analyser can either have li-ion or disposable batteries. A quality portable exhaust gas analyzer on the other hand, will be compatible with both. This makes for an extremely reliant device that you won’t have to worry about running out of juice for a long time.
Sensors
A flue gas analyser relies on its sensors for the testing of gasses. To prevent cross-sensitivity and make for more accurate readings some sensors must be removed with the help of a filter. This means if you’re using a CO sensor, a filter needs to remove the NOx sensor for hydrogen compensation. You should also look for the ability to add certain sensors such as NO2, SO2 and so on. Having this feature will allow you to constantly upgrade your portable exhaust gas analyzer and keep it operational for years to come.
Hose & Probe
You should look for a flue gas analyser with integrated hose and probe connections. Why? Because having both modules made as one makes it a lot easier and simpler to take samples and perform readings.
Bluetooth
Something that more and more devices are using is Bluetooth technology, and flue gas analysers are no different. But why would you want your combustion analyzer to have Bluetooth? Bluetooth allows you to transmit test results directly to your device of choice be it a tablet, smartphone or laptop. This shortens the amount of time you’ll spend exporting and analysing reports and documents. You can also do so on the go.
UI
Something that people often overlook is the user interface of the device itself. A more intuitive user interface will make it easier to use your analyzer and thus, allow you to be better at what you do. It’s a simple yet effective feature that unfortunately many devices miss.
Screen
The screen of your analyser plays an important role since it’s what shows you the results, as well as all the functions and options of the analyser. But you know what’s better than a high-resolution screen? A touch-operated one. These screens allow you to see readings even when you’re a metre away and they make it easy to navigate the UI.
How You Should Take Care of Your Flue Gas Analyzer
When Using it
While using an exhaust gas analyser you should always be able to monitor the CO levels. This is done in order to prevent any damage to the sensor. Some devices will have an audible warning when there are high levels of CO.
After Using It
When you’re done using your analyser make sure to remove the excess condensate from the probe as well as the condensate trap. The trap needs to be resealed and the filter checked for dirt. If necessary, you need to replace the filter.
Calibration
Calibrating the device needs to be done annually. This helps preserve the accuracy and readiness of the device since they tend to drift out of calibration as time passes.
Storage
You need to store your gas analyser properly when you’re not using it. Make sure wherever you place it is away from extreme temperatures, as extremely hot or cold weather can deteriorate its batteries.
What Should Flue Gas Analyser Readings Be?
While there is no definitive answer to this, the maximum ratio reading of a gas analyzer needs to be about 0.004. The maximum CO reading needs to be at 350ppm, and O2 or CO2 readings should be less than 20.6%. A reading with a CO2 of 0.2% is a sign of contamination.