Hydrogen detectors are essential to keep workers in confined spaces safe. The gas can be a deadly hazard if it’s in high concentration, since it displaces oxygen and causes asphyxiation. It’s also a fire hazard, and it can cause corrosion, explosions, or other damage to equipment in a confined space. Hydrogen can also displace air and ignite combustible vapors, such as carbon monoxide. Unlike other gases, hydrogen doesn’t have a distinct smell that can help workers identify it.

There are several types of hydrogen detection sensors available, each designed for specific environmental conditions and applications. The type of sensor you choose should depend on your needs and the limits of the space where it will be used. Find out www.gasleakdetector.com

Hydrogen Safety 101: Understanding the Role of Hydrogen Detectors

Pellistor hydrogen detectors (sometimes called catalytic combustion) use a bead coated with a special catalyst that reacts with hydrogen molecules and burns them to produce heat, a measure of the amount of flammable gas present. The bead is connected to one leg of a Wheatstone bridge circuit and is referenced to a passivated bead that does not contain the catalyst, which serves as a background standard. When hydrogen is present, the bead’s resistance increases and changes the balance of the bridge to produce an output voltage value.

Electrochemical hydrogen gas detectors use a metal oxide semiconductor to detect the presence of the gas. They’re inexpensive and portable, making them ideal for mobile confined space safety applications. However, they’re susceptible to interference from other combustible gases and have a shorter shelf life. A more durable, longer-lasting alternative is the solid-state palladium hydrogen detector. This technology uses a highly sensitive and selective material to detect the presence of hydrogen without being affected by other combustible gases or carbon monoxide. It can be calibrated to specific sensitivity levels for different gas mixtures and operates over a wider temperature range.