Precautions for use

Cautions for Safe Use of Electrochemical-type Gas Sensors

Applied voltage

Do not use the gas sensor if higher than the rated voltage is applied. If higher than the rated voltage is applied to the sensor, breakage may occur, or sensor characteristics may be irreversibly impaired even if no physical damage or apparent breakage is noticeable.

Operating temperature

Do not use the sensor under higher temperature than the rated conditions. If the gas sensor is exposed to higher than rated temperature, the sensing membrane may deteriorate, resulting in an irreversible change of sensor characteristics.

Environmental conditions

• ・Avoid contamination by alkaline metals. Sensor characteristics may be significantly changed if the sensor is contaminated by alkaline metals, especially salt water spray.
• ・Sensor characteristics may be irreversibly changed by exposure to high concentrations of base gases such as ammonia. Please consult with Figaro for additional information.
• ・Avoid exposure of sensor where adhesives or hair grooming materials containing silicone, or silicone rubber/putty may be present. Silicone vapors may cause clogging of the gas diffusion route.
• ・If severe dew condensation occurs for a long period inside the sensor or on the sensor’s surface, it may cause clogging of the gas diffusion route or deterioration of the sensing membrane. Mild dew condensation which occurs in normal indoor air would not cause any problem.
• ・If the sensor is exposed to hydrogen sulfide or sulfuric acid gas, sensor components such as the gas diffusion film, can, and cap may be corroded, resulting in sensor damage.
• ・If the sensor is exposed to organic vapors such as alcohols, acetone, or volatile oils, these gases may adsorb on the gas sensing layer, resulting in temporary but reversible sensor drift.
• ・Extremely high concentrations of dust or oil mist may cause clogging of the sensor's internal structure. When such conditions are expected to be encountered, installation of an external filter is recommended.
• ・If freezing of the water in the reservoir were to occur very rapidly (i.e. as would happen only under artificial conditions), water leakage may occur inside the sensor, irreversibly changing its characteristics. This risk greatly increases if the sensor is positioned with the cap (working electrode) facing down.

Storage

Do not keep the sensor in a completely sealed container such as a sealed bag. Due to ambient temperature change, dew condensation may occur inside the sensor if the sensor is stored in this manner.

Handling

• ・Sensor characteristics may be changed due to soaking or splashing the sensor with water.
• ・Vibration and mechanical shock may cause an open or short circuit inside the sensor.
• ・Under no circumstances should the sensor be disassembled, nor should the sensor can and/or cap be deformed. Such action would void the sensor warranty and would cause irreversible change in characteristics.

Application

When subjected to temperatures below 0˚C, it is possible that the water in the reservoir may freeze. Since water volume will expand when freezing, the sensor can may undergo some deformation. Care should be taken in the design of the detector to ensure that the sensor is not placed too close to other components or the circuit pattern on a printed circuit board, as such deformation may cause the sensor to come in contact with these items.

Mounting process

• ・Manual soldering is recommended since high concentrations of flux may affect sensor characteristics when the sensor is wave soldered. When wave soldering is used, a test should be conducted before production starts to see if there would be any influence to sensor characteristics.
• ・When a resin coating is applied on a printed circuit board for improved resistance to moisture and corrosive gases, the chemical solvent contained in coating material may affect sensor characteristics. Sample testing should be conducted to see if this process would adversely affect sensor characteristics.