Semiconductor breathalyzer sensors v. Fuel Cell sensors

Fuel Cell sensor based breathalyzers such as the Alcologic Cellpro, Alcologic Professional and the Lifeloc FC series utilize a different technology than breathalyzers such as the Alcologic Personal breathalyzer. Fuel Cell Breathalyzers are the industry standard for professional alcohol testing where as semi conductor breathalyzers were developed for personal use. There are a number of differences but as a rule Fuel Cell Breathalyzers are vastly superior to semi-conductor sensors. Below are the main differences between the technologies as far as the user should be concerned.

Accuracy

Fuel Cell breathalyzers are more accurate than semi conductor breathalyzers and have a narrower range of sensitivity. Furthermore the manufacturing process of Fuel Cell breathalyzers allows for accuracy to be consistent across large volumes as opposed to semiconductor breathalyzers. This is not to say that users can’t benefit from using Alcologic Personal, provided they bear in mind the margin for error. Purchasers of The Alcologic Personal Breathalyzer should not be concerned as each unit is checked 3 times at the manufacturing plant and Alcologic is the ONLY brand worldwide where EVERY semiconductor breathalyzer is checked just before its despatched. However all users of breathalyzers should be aware that the accuracy of breathalysers can waver over time and that accuracy levels are checked under strict conditions using certified alcohol solution. Various conditions in real life use can affect readings so users are advised never to teeter on a certain limit, in particular with semi-conductor breathalyzers leaving a substantial margin for error to allow for the potential drift. Never ever drink & drive, the only same limit is zero. The user is obliged to read the disclaimer and instructions before using any of our products.

Cost

There is normally a large cost difference with Fuel Cell breathalyzers such as the Lifeloc FC series costing up to €1500 and larger evidential units such as those used by the Gardai in police stations costing up to €20,000. Alcologic is proud to now offer some budget options for Fuel Cell technology such as the Alcologic Cellpro – Fuel Cell accuracy at just € 130. The Alcologic Personal breathalyser cost €89 and is a premium semi-conductor breathalyzer. Consumers should beware as some semi-conductor devices can be found as cheap as €9 is some reputable retail outlets but are grossly inaccurate, have no quality control system and are meant as pure novelty devices.

Alcohol Specificity

Another advantage of Fuel Cell breathalyzers is that they are alcohol specific where as semiconductor breathalyzers are not. In simple terms this means that Fuel Cell breathalyzers will only react to Alcohol where as Semiconductor breathalyzers can react to various different substances ( even bad breath ) that can cause a cross reactivity. It is for this reason strict workplace testing programmes and Garda prosecutions are always built around using a Fuel Cell breathalyzer.

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