Humans are not capable of detecting carbon monoxide (CO) since it is an invisible and odorless gas. Hence, in the event of a leak, you might not be able to notice it right away, leaving you completely exposed and vulnerable to poisoning. That’s why carbon monoxide detectors are necessary in all homes, as the alarm will go off as soon as the sensors detect that there is a CO buildup in the space. So, how do carbon monoxide detector work?
Even if regular people can’t really detect carbon monoxide, detectors take advantage of certain properties of the gas, such as the fact that it alters the appearance or color of certain materials and their electrical resistance. These mechanisms and reactions allow CO detectors to detect the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air and react accordingly.
Hundreds of people die due to carbon monoxide poisoning every year. You should make sure that you and your loved ones are protected with one or multiple CO alarms throughout your household. If you’re not sure of how these devices work, here’s what you need to know about them.
The internal components of a carbon monoxide detector
Carbon monoxide detectors are equipped with certain parts that comply with their function. The sensor detects the presence of CO in the area. This sensor is connected to a microchip, which sends a signal to the rest of the detector’s components when the concentration of carbon monoxide has reached dangerous levels. CO detectors measure carbon monoxide in parts per million.
This is essentially how carbon monoxide detectors work. However, depending on the type of detector you’ve purchased, the whole process might have slight differences. There are biomimetic, metal oxide semiconductor and even electrochemical sensors. All of these devices fulfill the same purpose in different ways, although they may have different requirements. For example, a CO detector with a metal oxide semiconductor sensor requires to be plugged into a wall outlet instead of relying on batteries.
Hence, as you can see, detecting carbon monoxide takes a lot of work. You might not be able to learn about a leak unless you directly see that there is damage on the pipelines, for instance – and even then, you can’t really know for sure if such a thing is happening. Carbon monoxide detectors are a must-have device at homes – and it’s actually required by law in several areas.
When does carbon monoxide become dangerous?
As mentioned above, CO detectors will measure carbon monoxide in ppm. Even at a concentration of 50 ppm, you might still experience symptoms, especially with prolonged exposure. At higher concentrations, such as 200 ppm or above, the risk of experiencing symptoms will increase significantly and will become life-threatening. Without a CO detector, you might not know that a leak is actually happening.
Even at low levels, carbon monoxide can be dangerous and may put your health and safety at risk. If your CO detector goes off, be sure to leave the premises immediately and seek fresh air. Contact the emergency services for assistance, and don’t re-enter your home until the professionals have deemed it safe. Carbon monoxide exposure can have serious consequences, meaning that it is crucial to take any indications of elevated CO levels seriously and respond accordingly to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Where to place a CO detector
It’s always recommended to buy more than one CO detector. Doing so may grant you more protection in the case of a leak, allowing you to evacuate the area more promptly. It’s important to think of strategic places when it comes to placing it in your home for effective detection of CO or gas.
You may also want to place one in the living areas or near fuel-burning appliances, as the risk of a leak in those areas is higher than everywhere else.
We also recommend following the manufacturer’s advice and instructions. Read more: Where to Place Carbon Monoxide Alarm?
Wrapping Up
Carbon monoxide detectors are essential items that will help you keep yourself and your loved ones protected against CO leaks. Learning how they work may help you understand how the gas itself behaves and the steps that you should take as soon as your alarm goes off. It’s also important to test your CO detectors regularly and replace the batteries as needed to maintain their effectiveness.
If you suspect that a carbon monoxide leak is happening in your home at the moment, please leave the house immediately and call the emergency services. Please wait until the professionals have inspected the area and deemed it safe to enter again.
