Gas Detector and Monitor FAQs

Ammonia (NH3) Gas Detector

1. Ammonia Gas Detector for Soil Samples
Q: I don’t what Ammonia concentration to expect in soil gas samples. Maybe I should get the 0-100ppm instrument since it has the same resolution and sensitivity as the 0-50ppm instrument? I would like to see +/-0.1ppm at 1ppm levels of Ammonia.
A: For our Handheld Ammonia (NH3) gas detector, range 0-50ppm, resolution: 0.01ppm; range 0-100ppm, resolution: 0.1ppm. Please confirm whether you choose the range of 0-100ppm or 0-50ppm. The specific measurement range still needs to be confirmed according to the concentration of NH3 in the soil.
Please note that to measure the NH3 gas concentration in the soil, you cannot directly insert the gas detector into the soil for measurement, you need to put the soil into the bag first, and then measure the Ammonia concentration in the bag.

2. NH3 Gas Detector Installation
Q: We are currently trying to install the NH3 gas monitor that we purchased at GasDog a few weeks ago. I am contacting you because the detector does not seem to detect any Ammonia and I would therefore like to ask for some clarifications. We would like to connect the sensor to a line in which a mixture of Hydrogen and a few ppm of Ammonia are flowing. What is the suggested flow rate for the detector to be able to correctly take a sample of gas?
A: If there is water in the pipeline, it will affect the detection of the NH3 gas detector. If there is Ammonia in the pipeline, the NH3 gas detector will read. We recommend a flow rate of 750ml/min.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Gas Detector

1. Handheld CO Gas Detector in Hydrogen-rich Environments
Q: I was wondering if the handheld Carbon Monoxide (CO) gas detector would work in a Hydrogen-rich environment.
A: Generally, H2 and CO gases interfere with each other, and all sensors in the market can not do measurements without some little interference. However, our gas detector sensor is of high quality, and the relative interference will be much smaller.

Hydrogen (H2) Gas Detector

1. Hydrogen Gas Detector Continuous Monitoring
Q: For your Hydrogen gas detector, Does it continuously check the hydrogen leakage automatically or do we need to check it manually? Can we use this device for continuous monitoring of the hydrogen leakage 24x7?
A: Yes, it continuously checks the hydrogen leakage automatically. And, you can use this device for continuous monitoring of the hydrogen leakage 24x7.

2. Detecting Hydrogen Leakage in Natural Gas Systems
Q: I am involved with a project where we are researching blending a small percentage of Hydrogen into a natural gas distribution system. I found your portable Hydrogen sensor while looking for a Hydrogen detector that could help us confirm whether or not Hydrogen is leaking out of joints where natural gas is not. Could you help me confirm if this would be a suitable use for the detector? If it is, do you have a recommendation on a measuring range?
A: Yes, you can use our portable Hydrogen (H2) gas detector to measure H2 leakage, and the recommended range will be: 0-1000ppm.

3. Will CH4 Interfere with H2 Gas Detection?
Q: I am interested in a Hydrogen gas detector (portable Hydrogen (H2) gas detector, 0 to 500/1000/2000ppm) for characterizing leaks from a mixture of Methane and Hydrogen. Will the CH4 interfere with H2 gas detection? We will be mixing methane and H2 at ratios from 5% to 25% H2. We will be using the detector to look for the presence of Hydrogen (leaks, etc.). We will be using separate equipment to measure the level of methane.
A: CH4 will not interfere with H2 gas detection, and you can use our (H2) gas detector 0-1000ppm (accuracy 1ppm), to measure H2 leakage, with No problem.

4. Hydrogen (H2) Gas Detector Cross Sensitivity
Q: Would like to know what cross-sensitivity this model has. We work in a facility where we use acetone and ipa to clean parts and our current LEL monitor is picking this up and not instilling confidence in our measurement of H2 around the special atmosphere furnace.
A: If you want to measure H2 gas in your below gas environment, then yes, we recommend using model SKU: GD200-H2 with a 0-1000ppm measuring range, which has no interference with other gases and will not interfere with others.

5. Interaction of Hydrogen (H2) and Ammonia (NH3) in Gas Detection
Q: We get surprising results when using our Gas Dog H2 gas detector in an atmosphere where NH3 is present. Is there a known interaction of the H2 measures provided by the sensor in the presence of NH3? For instance, if we have 1ppm of H2 and 1ppm of NH3, which value will the sensor read?
A: Under normal circumstances, H2 and NH3 gases will not interfere with each other. Are there other gas components in your use environment? For example, H2 and CO, H2S and other gases will react and interfere with each other.

6. Mounting for Gas Detectors in Pressurized Gas Systems
Q:I am considering the GD300-N2 and the GD300-H2. Can the sensor be placed in line tubing with pressurized gas? or is this for atmosphere detection only? or is there a way to mount the detection point in line with the gas flow?
A: In this case, you need to reduce the gas pressure in the pipeline to 1Bar±10% before it can be used normally, such as installing a pressure regulating device on the pipeline.

7. H2 Gas Detector with a Lower Detection Range
Q: Can you provide an H2 gas detector with a lower detection range and high resolution 0.001 and high accuracy +/-2% full call?
A: Yes, we can but the price will be higher than the existing on the website, just state the requested specs, so can check and quote.

8. Measuring H2 Gas in Air
Q: Can we use your Hydrogen gas detector to measure Hydrogen in Air by selecting the 0-100%VOL option?
A: No, the range 0-100%VOL is usually used to measure the purity of H2 in a single gas, so it is not suitable for measuring H2 in an air mixture.

9. Measuring H2 in Oxygen-Free H2/N2 Mixtures
Q: I need to verify that your Hydrogen (H2) gas monitor with 0-100% LEL will work when measuring against only a two-gas mixture of H2/N2 and does not require the presence of Oxygen.
A: Yes, and we recommend a Hydrogen (H2) Gas Detector with 0-100% LEL option, SKU: GD200-H2. Only H2 can be measured, and N2 does not affect the measurement.

10. Interference of CO in Hydrogen Gas Detection
Q: I have a technical inquiry regarding your portable H2 gas detector (0-2000ppm): what other gases can cause interference with the detection of Hydrogen in this sensor? For example, we'd like to monitor Hydrogen (0-2000ppm) in an exhaust gas stream that contains 73% N2, 12% O2, 10% H2O, 5% CO2, 2000ppm CH4, 500ppm CO, 500ppm NO and 750ppm NO2. Would the detector foul with these gases present?
A: CO will interfere with the H2 detection. If there is 500ppm of CO in the environment, then even if no H2 exists, the H2 gas detector reading will show 2000ppm.

11. Portable H2 Gas Detector for Industrial Use
Q: I found your portable Hydrogen gas monitor while doing some research online and I believe it will be a good fit for our needs, but I have a few questions to confirm. I’m a technician for an industrial gas company and I service liquid and gaseous Hydrogen tanks and equipment at our customer sites. I’m looking for a portable detector that I can use intermittently while at a site with Hydrogen equipment that will not require a bench calibration before each use. The monitor would be used outdoors to detect possible leaks on our systems either for leak detection or continuous monitoring during work in proximity of the Hydrogen system. I can be reached by email or by phone at the number in my signature below.
A: If it is only used to measure leaks, we recommend portable H2, 0-500ppm, SKU: GD200-H2. Our gas detector has been calibrated with H2, you don't need to calibrate it every time you use it.

12. GasDog H2 Gas Monitor Calibration
Q: I have two questions about the H2 gas detector. The first issue is that I am using a 400ppm gas standard to do my set point calibration, the highest H2 level the meter detects varies from 46ppm to 57ppm. The concentration the meter detects is much lower than the one in my gas standard. The second issue I am having is that the manual SET VALUE does not allow me to go passed 166ppm.
A: 1. Please confirm whether the unit of the meter is ppm or mg/m3. If it is mg/m3, it cannot be calibrated, and the unit must be set to ppm. If the unit of meter is ppm, please change it to 400ppm.

13. GD200-H2 Detection Limits and Measurement Frequency
Q: A few questions about GD200-H2:

1. What is the expected battery lifetime on a full charge?
2. Can you please explain how I can transfer data from the sensor to a computer with the data-logging capability?
3. For the 0-10ppm detector, what is the minimum detection limit?
4. What is the frequency at which successive measurements are taken/recorded? Is this adjustable?

A:

1. The expected battery lifetime on a full charge was 15-20 hours.
2. If the instrument has a storage function, the monitor can store historical data and export it to the computer through our host computer software.
3. For the 0-10ppm detector, the minimum detection limit is 0.01ppm.
4. The frequency of successive measurements taken/recorded can be adjusted. The storage interval can be 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds, etc. The highest interval is 1 hour.

14. Interpreting Hydrogen Monitoring Readings
Q: I have a question about the reporting range for this instrument. The unit is marked % LEL and is designed for Hydrogen monitoring. The LEL for Hydrogen is about 4% by volume. If I get a reading of 0.1% on the meter, how much ppm of Hydrogen does this equate to? Is this 0.1% of the LEL (400ppm), or is it 0.1% by volume Hydrogen (1000ppm), or is it 1/10 of the LEL (4000ppm)? Or is it something else?
A: The H2 gas detector you purchased has a range of 0-4%VOL. For Hydrogen, 4%VOL=40000ppm=100%LEL. So, 0.1%VOL=1000ppm.

15. H2 Detector Measurement Ranges and Alarm Settings
Q: I am writing to inquire about the GasDog H2 monitor on your website. I wanted to know what is the difference between the measurement ranges 0-40,000ppm, 0-4% volume, and 0-100% LEL. Aren't these three ranges the same?
For my application, I need a sensor to operate in the air as a warning safety sensor. Which would be the correct range selection when ordering such a sensor? Does the 0-100% LEL display a percentage value range from 0% to 100% on the screen? Can an alarm be set on the unit to sound at 50% LEL for example?
A:

1. 0-40000ppm, the display unit is ppm, and the maximum display is 40000ppm;
2. 0-4%VOL, the display unit is %VOL, and the maximum display is 4%VOL;
3. 0-100%LEL, the display unit is %LEL, and the maximum display is 100%LEL;
4. 0-40000ppm and 0-4%VOL versions use electrochemical sensors; 0-100%LEL versions use catalytic combustion sensors.

You can set the alarm value to 50% LEL by yourself, or you can ask us to help you set it directly when leaving the factory.

16. Detecting Hydrogen Tracer Gas Mixtures
Q: I bought a portable hydrogen (H2) gas detector, 0 to 500/1000/2000ppm. Quick question: Can this unit detect a 5% Hydrogen / 95% Nitrogen tracer gas mixture?
A: Yes, this unit can detect a 4% Hydrogen / 95% Nitrogen tracer gas mixture. But please note: The monitor you buy has a range of 0-1000ppm, which can be used to measure leaks, but do not exceed the range.

Ozone (O3) Gas Detector

1. Portable Ozone Detector: Calibration, Detection Range, and Directionality
Q: I have a couple of questions about the Portable Ozone (O3) Gas Detector, 0 to 10ppm to be used for ambient Ozone detection: Is calibration required for the device? How often is it required to be calibrated? What is the price for that? Do you have such a service for your Australian customers?

We are going to use this device to detect Ozone gas in our lab environment. What is its detection board? Can it detect the Ozone gas from a 5m distance? or we should be very close to the area with high Ozone concentration? Is it a directional device? Does it mean can device detect the Ozone gas in all directions or it should be held in a specific direction to detect the gas?
A:

1. The gas detector will be well calibrated before leaving the factory, and you can re-calibrate after 6 months or 12 months based on your usage.
2. The detection range is 15 meters, so there will not be a problem for 5 meters.
3. The gas detector has a suction pump, so it automatically absorbs the surrounding gas, so the device detects the Ozone gas in all directions.

2. Continuous Operation of Ozone Gas Detector
Q: For your Ozone gas detector, does the internal pump work continuously? And what is the pump flow speed?
A: As long as the gas detector is detecting, the pump must be on, and the flow speed of the pump is 700mg/min.

3. Portable Ozone Gas Monitor for Point Source
Q: I am looking for a portable Ozone measuring device that can be used at point sources (exhaust stack duct from a corona treater) to take a sample measurement of the air and display the Ozone ppm concentration.
Can you please advise which model would be best suitable for this application (ppm range between 0.04à 5.8ppm)? Do we need to connect an air hose to the measuring device? How frequently does the device need to be calibrated and do you provide that service? Does the device have any data-logging capability?
A:

1. We recommend portable Ozone (O3) Gas Detector, 0 to 10ppm, the lowest can detect 0.003ppm, see spec and price on: https://gasdog.com/portable-o3-gas-detector
2. It is usually calibrated once a year. If you need us to provide calibration services, you need to return it to our factory for calibration at your own expense, and a certain calibration fee will be charged.
3. This portable gas detector SKU: GD200-O3 can only store historical data on the instrument, and then export the historical detection data to the computer through our host computer software. So you cannot view live data on your computer.
4. Our gas detector can only have a stable flow rate of 450-600ml/min and a pressure of 1 bar. What is your specific measurement environment? Such as flow, temperature, pressure, humidity, etc.

4. O3 Detector Real-time Data Communication Protocol
Q: We need to use your O3 monitor in a closed-loop system and a PC will have to interface with our controller, not a person. What we need is to be able to read the data from your O3 detector in real-time, and to send these data to our system using a PC. Could you please kindly provide us with the communication protocol so that we may interrogate the O3 detector on the measurement it’s taking in real-time?
A: OK, just note that our portable Ozone (O3) gas detector only has the data logging function. But if you want to communicate your PC via RS485 and view data in real-time, it is recommended to use our fixed gas detector RS485 output (optional). We provide RS485 protocol for such purposes.

5. Portable Ozone Detectors for Lab Use
Q: I want a portable Ozone detector to measure the O3 level in our lab, so it's for room condition: T=20 C and P= 1 atm. I found this model on your website: GD200-O3.
Could you please tell me the minimum amount of O3 this device can detect? I've read the safe limit for Ozone is 20 ppb (= 0.02ppm). I was wondering if you have any detectors that can measure O3 at this level.
My question about O2 or H2 sensors was completely unrelated to the abovementioned detector. I have a burner that I'd like to measure the Oxygen and Hydrogen levels at the exhaust of this burner. The exhaust gas temperature is 500 C, and the pressure is atmospheric. I haven't measured the humidity level, but it should be high as water vapor is a product of the reaction happening inside the burner.
A: For O3 Ozone, we recommend GD200-O3, with a range of 0-1ppm, which can detect as low as 0.003ppm. It has a built-in pump suction type and a high-precision sensor with fast response and high precision. For O2 and H2, O2 range: 0-25%VOL, H2 range: 0-40000ppm. For temperatures up to 500°C, we can provide high-temperature probes.