Gas sensors: Introduction and types

A gas sensor is designed to detect a specific gas and measure whether the gas is present in the environment near the sensor, or its content in the air. Therefore, gas sensors are often indispensable in safety systems. There are many different types of gas sensors that can measure different gases. There are sensors that measure non-toxic gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, as well as sensors that detect toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, TVOC and ammonia. Sensors are often used in flammable, explosive and toxic places to protect workers.

gas sensors
What is a gas sensor?

Gas sensors use physical or chemical reactions to convert the concentration of various gases into electrical signals, and output values after calculation. Widely used to detect toxic and harmful gases and natural gas leaks.

The gas sensor is a device used to monitor the presence or level of gas in a stationary environment. Commonly used in coal mines, petroleum, chemical, municipal, medical, transportation, family, and so on. Sensors can measure the presence and concentration of combustible, flammable, toxic gases, or oxygen consumption.

Electrochemical gas sensor
Gas sensors types

There are many sensors types, in order to choose the most suitable sensor, we need to understand the various sensor characteristics. For example: Which sensor can measure toxic gases? Which sensor is convenient to carry? Which sensor measures more accurately? If you know enough about the sensor, you can definitely make the right choice.

According to different gas types: it can be divided into combustible gas sensors (often using catalytic combustion gas sensor, infrared gas sensor, thermal conductivity, semiconductor gas sensor), toxic gas sensors (generally using electrochemical gas sensor, metal-semiconductor gas sensor, photoionization gas sensor, flame ionization gas sensor), Harmful gas sensors (often infrared, ultraviolet, etc.), oxygen (often paramagnetic, zirconia) and other types.
According to different usage methods: it can be divided into portable gas detectors and fixed gas detectors.

Semiconductor gas sensor

According to different sampling methods: it can be divided into diffusion sensors (the sensor is directly installed in the measured environment, and the measurement gas is in direct contact with the detection unit through natural diffusion), pumping sensors (through the suction pump, etc., the gas is sucked into the detection unit. According to whether the gas needs to be diluted, it is divided into complete inhalation and diluted inhalation).

According to different functions: it can be divided into a single gas sensor (only one gas can be detected) and a composite gas sensor (can detect multiple gases at the same time).
According to the different detection principles: it can be divided into semiconductor gas sensor, electrochemical gas sensor, NDIR gas sensor, catalytic gas sensor, thermal conductivity gas sensor, magnetic gas sensor and so on.

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