Carbon Monoxide (CO), is often called the “Silent Killer” because of its ability to poison human and animals quickly and quietly when its victims never even knew they were at risk. FIS CO sensor SB-500-12 or factory calibrated FIS3051 module can protect you from dangerous levels of CO.
This is an archive article published 05/16/2017. Some information may no longer be up to date and in line with the current state. Please contact us in case of interest.
Short information about Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, but highly toxic gas. Carbon monoxide poisoning is the most common type of fatal air poisoning in many countries. CO combines with hemoglobin in blood more readily than oxygen and produces carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) which is unable to carry oxygen to bodi-ly tissues. Concentrations as low as 667 ppm may cause up to 50% of the blood hemoglobin to convert to carboxyhemoglobin. A level of 50% carboxyhemoglobin may result in seizure, coma, and fatality. In the United States, the OSHA limits long-term workplace exposure levels above 50 ppm. [Source: Wikipedia] CO concentration is measured in ppm (Parts per Million) or in mg/m3. mg/m3 (mg of CO in 1m3 of air) 1mg/m3 = 0.873 ppm.
The list below summarizes some health effects due to prolonged exposure to various concentrations of CO, as well as WHO and European Commission recommended limits.
• 8.73ppm (10mg/m3) - max 8-hour average CO level allowed by WHO and the European Commis-sion.
• 26.19ppm (30mg/m3) - max 1-hour average CO level allowed by WHO
• 100ppm - Slight headache after 1-2 hours
• 200ppm - Dizziness, nausea, fatigue, headache after 2-3 hours of exposure.
• 400ppm - Headache and nausea after 1-2 hours of exposure. Life threatening in 3 hours.
• 800ppm - Headache, nausea, and dizziness after 45 minutes; collapse and unconsciousness after 1 hour of exposure. Death within 2-3 hours
Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, but highly toxic gas. Carbon monoxide poisoning is the most common type of fatal air poisoning in many countries. CO combines with hemoglobin in blood more readily than oxygen and produces carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) which is unable to carry oxygen to bodi-ly tissues. Concentrations as low as 667 ppm may cause up to 50% of the blood hemoglobin to convert to carboxyhemoglobin. A level of 50% carboxyhemoglobin may result in seizure, coma, and fatality. In the United States, the OSHA limits long-term workplace exposure levels above 50 ppm. [Source: Wikipedia] CO concentration is measured in ppm (Parts per Million) or in mg/m3. mg/m3 (mg of CO in 1m3 of air) 1mg/m3 = 0.873 ppm.
The list below summarizes some health effects due to prolonged exposure to various concentrations of CO, as well as WHO and European Commission recommended limits.
• 8.73ppm (10mg/m3) - max 8-hour average CO level allowed by WHO and the European Commis-sion.
• 26.19ppm (30mg/m3) - max 1-hour average CO level allowed by WHO
• 100ppm - Slight headache after 1-2 hours
• 200ppm - Dizziness, nausea, fatigue, headache after 2-3 hours of exposure.
• 400ppm - Headache and nausea after 1-2 hours of exposure. Life threatening in 3 hours.
• 800ppm - Headache, nausea, and dizziness after 45 minutes; collapse and unconsciousness after 1 hour of exposure. Death within 2-3 hours
Common Sources of CO
CO is produced by the incomplete burning of carbon based fuels (for example wood, coal, oil, kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel, natural gas, or propane). Typical sources of CO include vehicles, portable generators, gasoline-powered tools (for example, chainsaw, lawn-mower), fires and explosions, natural gas space heaters, furnaces, and boilers, welding, cigarette smoking. Tobacco smoke contains 4–6% of CO (40,000–60,000 ppm). This CO is diluted in the mouth and upper airways, but approx. 400 ppm that is inhaled is still a very large amount.
CO is produced by the incomplete burning of carbon based fuels (for example wood, coal, oil, kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel, natural gas, or propane). Typical sources of CO include vehicles, portable generators, gasoline-powered tools (for example, chainsaw, lawn-mower), fires and explosions, natural gas space heaters, furnaces, and boilers, welding, cigarette smoking. Tobacco smoke contains 4–6% of CO (40,000–60,000 ppm). This CO is diluted in the mouth and upper airways, but approx. 400 ppm that is inhaled is still a very large amount.
How to detect CO
The SB-500-12 12 is a semiconductor CO sensor. Sensor uses a tin dioxide mini-bead (0.3x0.5mm) type sensing element with a periodic temperature change. In presence of CO sensing element decreases its resistance. Platinum heater coil is used to heat sensing element. To heat sensing element coil requires only voltage 0,9V/5sec and 0,2V/20sec, which translates into typical average power consumption 25mW only. Sensor is suitable for CO concentration range 30 to 600ppm which is optimal range for gas alarm devices.
Sensor itself is not calibrated, its resistance varies from 4.5 to 40KΩ at 1000ppm CO. It is up to producer to calibrate his device.
FIS also offer FIS3051-00NC, factory calibrated module with built-in compensation for temperature and humidity changes. It provides 5V CMOS and open collector alarm output. Output is active if CO concentration > 300ppm. Threshold is set by manufacturer, but can be customized on request.
In case of interest in any products from FIS please contact us at fis@soselectronic.com.
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