The short answer is “no, all carbon monoxide (CO) sensors are not the same.” CO sensors are found in gas monitors used by workers conducting their jobs in environments where toxic CO gas might be present. With CO being a result of incomplete combustion, it can be found in the majority of industries and poses a big threat to workers today. While most CO sensors are based on the same electro-chemistry, there are many different types of CO sensors. Understanding the different types and the specific advantages and disadvantages of each is critical to selecting the proper CO sensor for your application.
If you’ve been in the market for a gas detector that monitors for CO, you’ve probably come across the following CO sensor names; CO, CO high, COSH, CO/H2 low, and CO/H2 null. What’s the difference, you ask? In this article, each type of CO sensor will be defined, followed by applications in which the use of a particular kind is ideal.