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1) Why does Intoximeters use Electrochemical Sensors as the primary sensor?
"The fuel cell’s endogenous specificity for alcohol, its linear response to alcohol within the instruments range of detection, its size, the minimal power requirements to operate the sensor, its relative low cost are all features that we believe are attractive to our users."
Sensing Technologies/Fuel Cells More Information
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2) What is the significance of integrating the fuel cell signal?
"Intergrating the fuel cell output is a patented method for interpreting the information generated from the sensor. This technique was essential in solving several of the technical issues that caused many to believe that fuel cell instruments would always remain screening instruments. Integration effectively eliminates the ""slumping"" effect seen in sensing devices that used ""peak"" analysis techniques. As well, integration has allowed for longer term calibrations. "
Sensing Technologies/Fuel Cells More Information
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3) Are fuel cells electrochemical sensors?
Yes
Sensing Technologies/Fuel Cells
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4) Are all fuel cells the same?
"No, each manufacturer has its own technique to build the sensor and the case . Intoximeters uses a patented case design that allows for faster clean up after use."
Sensing Technologies/Fuel Cells
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5) Does Intoximeters make its own fuel cells?
Yes
Sensing Technologies/Fuel Cells
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6) Are fuel cell devices being used evidentially?
"Yes, the EC/IR as well as the Alco Sensor IV and RBT IV are widely used for evidential testing. Most recently the ASIVXL/@Point of Arrest System has been introduced as a roadside evidential system."
Sensing Technologies/Fuel Cells
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7) Are there interfering substances other than alcohol that a fuel cell will respond to?
"Yes, but not on the human breath after a fifteen minute deprivation period."
Sensing Technologies/Fuel Cells More Information
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8) "On average, how long will a fuel cell last?"
3 to 5 years on average
Sensing Technologies/Fuel Cells
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9) When should the fuel cell sensor be changed?
"As a fuel cell ages it will take longer for the sensor to produce the information to calculate the result. The slowness of the cell is not indicative of a sensor that cannot produce consistent and accurate results. However, if the speed to result is an issue for the user the the time to result could be a limiting factor that determines when to change the cell. The best indicator for a user to determine if a sensor requires replacement is if it will not consistently maintain calibration. This is not to say that a sensor that goes out of calibration once should be replaced, but if an instrument proves to be incapable of maintaining its calibration even after a recalibration, the unit should be reviewed by a technician. Average Fuel Cell life is 3 to 5 years. In order to reduce the likelihood that an instrument ever has a fuel cell that goes bad in the field, Intoximeters offers a preventative maintenance program called a ""Recertification"". Click on More Info to learn about this program. "
Sensing Technologies/Fuel Cells More Information
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10) Does Intoximeters employ infrared detection in any of its EBTs?
"We do not use it as a primary sensor at present, but we do utilize the technology as a secondary sensor in the EC/IR. In the past Intoximeters did use the infrared technique as a primary form of analysis (IR 3000) but in the last several years Intoximeters has focused on electrochemical sensors as its primary sensor due to several advantages that this sensor offers for breath testing applications."
Sensing Technologies/Other
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