All You Need to Know About Breathalyzers

All You Need to Know About Breathalyzers

Thinking about buying a breathalyzer? Whether you wish to purchase such a device for commercial, personal or legal use, there is no doubt that you will have quite a few questions. In this post, we deliver some key information that you need to know about breathalyzers by answering three of the most frequently asked questions.

What Are The Different Types?

There are several types of personal breathalyzers, which are usually small portable devices. There are even key chain breathalyzers and breathalyzer attachments for i Phone’s and smart-phones that are perfect for the everyday consumer. Professional breathalyzers are more expensive but tests have proved them to be more accurate. They use a different type of mechanism to the personal breathalyzer. You can also get tabletop breathalyzers that are suitable for use in the home or workplace. These are larger devices that aren’t ideal for lugging around in your car.

How Do They Work?

Personal breathalyzers generally use semi-conductor oxide sensors. These sensors are designed to measure the internal reaction of ethyl alcohol into acetic acid and water. The reaction is that of an electric current and the strength of this current is supposedly relative to the BAC level of a person.

Professional breathalyzers use fuel cell sensors to measure results, as it is a more detailed and accurate method. Professional breathalyzers have two platinum electrodes inside the sensor of the device, with an electrolyte between them. When ethyl alcohol passes through each of the sensors, the platinum oxidizes it into acetic acid, protons and electrons and the electrons generate a current. The strength of this current is measured to determine BAC levels.

Why Would I Need One?

Workplaces are where accidents are rife as machinery is operated and extreme precision and attention to detail is required. You may need a breathalyzer to provide you with the ability to test employees for inappropriate blood alcohol levels.

For your own personal use, before you ever get into a car, either as a passenger or a driver, you need to ensure that the person behind the wheel is under the legal alcohol limit. The cost of a breathalyzer is far less than the cost of a DUI fine and ban or an accident.