Professional Documents
Culture Documents
How Breathalyzers Work
How Breathalyzers Work
Why Test?
Alcohol intoxication is legally defined by the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level. However, taking a blood sample
in the field for later analysis in the laboratory is not practical or efficient for detaining drivers suspected of driving while
impaired (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI). Urine tests for alcohol proved to be just as impractical in the field
as blood sampling. What was needed was a way to measure something related to BAC without invading a suspect's
body.
In the 1940s, breath alcohol testing devices were first developed for use by police. In 1954, Dr. Robert Borkenstein
of the Indiana State Police invented the Breathalyzer, one type of breath alcohol testing device used by law
enforcement agencies today.
Let's take a look at what these tests are based on.
Principle of Testing
Alcohol that a person drinks shows up in the breath because it gets absorbed from the mouth, throat, stomach and
intestines into the bloodstream.
Alcohol is not digested upon absorption, nor chemically changed in the bloodstream. As the blood goes through the
lungs, some of the alcohol moves across the membranes of the lung's air sacs (alveoli) into the air, because alcohol
will evaporate from a solution -- that is, it is volatile. The concentration of the alcohol in the alveolar air is related to
the concentration of the alcohol in the blood. As the alcohol in the alveolar air is exhaled, it can be detected by the
breath alcohol testing device. Instead of having to draw a driver's blood to test his alcohol level, an officer can test the
driver's breath on the spot and instantly know if there is a reason to arrest the driver.
Because the alcohol concentration in the breath is related to that in the blood, you can figure the BAC by measuring
alcohol on the breath. The ratio of breath alcohol to blood alcohol is 2,100:1. This means that 2,100 milliliters (ml) of
alveolar air will contain the same amount of alcohol as 1 ml of blood.
For many years, the legal standard for drunkenness across the United States was 0.10, but many states have now
adopted the 0.08 standard. The federal government has pushed states to lower the legal limit. The American Medical
Association says that a person can become impaired when the blood alcohol level hits 0.05. If a person's BAC
measures 0.08, it means that there are 0.08 grams of alcohol per 100 ml of blood.
There are several different devices used for measuring BAC.
The OH (O - H) group on the molecule is what makes it an alcohol. There are four types of bonds in this molecule:
carbon-carbon (C - C)
carbon-hydrogen (C - H)
carbon-oxygen (C - O)
oxygen-hydrogen (O - H)
The chemical bonds between the atoms are shared pairs of electrons. Chemical bonds are much like springs: They
can bend and stretch. These properties are important in detecting ethanol in a sample by infrared (IR) spectroscopy.
In this reaction:
1. The sulfuric acid removes the alcohol from the air into a liquid solution.
2. The alcohol reacts with potassium dichromate to produce:
chromium sulfate
potassium sulfate
acetic acid
water
The silver nitrate is a catalyst, a substance that makes a reaction go faster without participating in it. The sulfuric
acid, in addition to removing the alcohol from the air, also might provide the acidic condition needed for this reaction.
During this reaction, the reddish-orange dichromate ion changes color to the green chromium ion when it reacts with
the alcohol; the degree of the color change is directly related to the level of alcohol in the expelled air. To determine
the amount of alcohol in that air, the reacted mixture is compared to a vial of unreacted mixture in the photocell
system, which produces an electric current that causes the needle in the meter to move from its resting place. The
operator then rotates a knob to bring the needle back to the resting place and reads the level of alcohol from the knob
-- the more the operator must turn the knob to return it to rest, the greater the level of alcohol.
Product Description
The AlcoTector Breathalyzer is a state of the art instrument used to detect Ethyl
Alcohol from a valid breath sample. The AlcoTector uses an electrochemical
fuel cell to measure the concentration of alcohol from the exhaled human
breath. Simply put, the AlcoTector is the most accurate hand held breathalyzer
for sale. The AlcoTector has the greatest accuracy of all our breathalyzers. Fuel
Cell technology can detect Ketones in a diabetic, and alcohol based
mouthwash, and will NOT increase the BAC. So a person can NOT use either
of these two excuses when tested with an AlcoTector breathalyzer.
The very easy to use Alcotector Fuel Cell Breath Tester is a highly sensitive and reliable alcohol detector with a 3 digit
display that measures 0.00 to 0.40% of B.A.C. This advance alcohol analyzer detects the level of breath alcohol
concentration from an individual. Just breath into the mouth piece of the Alcotector, and a special accurate sensor will
detect your blood alcohol level. This Breathalyzer is simple to use, and gives you a accurate testing.
If alcohol is present, a corresponding voltage is generated from the fuel cell, which is proportional to the alcohol
content of the sample provided by a human subject. This voltage is then sent to the Micro controller to calculate and
display a subjects %BAC level.
Specifications
Featuring the highly accurate and proven electrochemical fuel cell, the AlcoTector is simple to use with most test
operations completely automated. The AlcoTector Professional is the model of choice for anyone serious about
alcohol use, abuse, detection and prevention. Highly sensitive, the unit can display with a detection range of .000 to .
400 % BAC and field accuracy rate of ± .003 BAC of the control alcohol solution used in BAC calibration. The
AlcoTector exceeds the testing standards for accuracy established by the U.S. Department of Transportation and
other regulating authorities. The AlcoTector Professional model is also ideally suited for zero tolerance alcohol testing
programs where even the smallest amount of system alcohol can be detected.
Operation is fast, with an instant response to negative and positive tests, and a maximum 45 second recovery time.
Microprocessor monitoring of breath flow, unique one-way flow mouthpiece design, and an alcohol specific
electrochemical fuel cell combine to automatically assure the accuracy of alcohol breath testing and analysis. One
button operation, auto calibration, shirt-pocket size, and a host of exclusive convenience features make the
AlcoTector Professional model stand alone in field sobriety testing and analysis. The large graphic LCD display and
high powered internal software give the operator visual and audible prompts and error messages minimizing operator
error and simplifying the test procedure. This evidential quality breath analyzer is recommended for "on the spot"
testing whenever alcohol consumption is planned or intoxication is suspected. The AlcoTector should provide
accurate readings indefinitely as long as the microprocessor and electrochemical fuel cell are not internally damaged.
QUALITY
The AlcoTector housing is constructed of commercial grade, high impact ABS polymers with a scratch resistant high
density crystal acrylic display providing superior protection to the internal microprocessor and computer circuitry.
Each unit comes in an aluminum and steel reinforced heavy duty briefcase for mobile and field use. Electronics are
shock resistant and solid state. Mouthpieces are specially designed to provide one-way breath flow only thereby
eliminating test subject sample manipulation by suck back or under flow. Given simple routine maintenance, the unit
should provide unlimited service in a commercial use environment.
AVAILABILITY
Each AlcoTector professional unit comes in an aluminum and steel reinforced heavy duty briefcase, 4 AA Alkaline
battery pack, 12 volt auto adapter, operation and calibration manual, and four (4) one-way, ultra-trap mouthpieces.
Mouthpieces are high grade abs plastic and non disposable and they can be re-used if washed in hot water between
uses in personal use or lower volume testing applications. Additionally, the AlcoTector unit must be used only with its
specially designed mouthpiece or damage to the fuel cell sensor could occur along with inaccurate test results.
Failure to use AlcoTector mouthpieces in operation of the unit may void the manufacturers warranty.
19. BUTTONS : 5
20. POWER SAVE MODE : AUTO OFF AFTER 2.5 MINUTES IF NO USE
5. USB CABLE : 01 No
Professional alcohol tester the best evidential accuracy "fuel cell sensor" v-1000 - the instrument
utilizes fuel cell to quantify alcohol in the provided breath sample. The v-1000 is an automated hand-
held evidential breath alcohol analyzer. The v-1000 alcohol tester follows a program driven test
procedure. Each function is displayed which provides the operator with step-by-step instructions. The
instrument is without battery and its weight is 240gm.
Breath alcohol detector victory 701d - victory-v701 is a hand breath alcohol detector that reliable
identifies alcohol impaired drivers. Victory-v701 is a hand breath alcohol detector that reliable identifies
alcohol impaired drivers. It is a hand breath alcohol detector that reliable identifies alcohol impaired
drivers and quick measurement of the alcohol level in breath by highly sensitive sensor. Its compact size
and light weight makes it perfectly portable. It has re-chargeable battery operated to carry anywhere and
no recurring cost.
Breath alcohol detector v7 - victory-v7 is a hand held breath alcohol detector that reliable, identifies
alcohol impaired drivers. It automatically tells you when it`s ready for the subject to take a test. Compact
size and light weight makes it perfectly portable. The quick measurement of the alcohol level in breath
by highly sensitive sensor.
Breath alcohol detector v-701 - victory-v701 is a hand held breath alcohol detector. The quick
measurement of the alcohol level in breath by highly sensitive sensor. 3 colour zone green/yellow/red
marked analog meter display for immediate assessment. Its re-chargeable battery operated to carry
anywhere and no recurring cost.
The company also provide another three breath alcohol detector items. These are:
Professional alcohol tester the best evidential accuracy "fuel cell sensor v1100"
Suppliers Name :
Address : 32A, Chittaranjan Avenue, Trust House, Kolkata, West Bengal - 700012