Reviews and Ratings 7 species best alcotester: how to choose the characteristics, pros and cons

Alcotesters - special devices for determining the concentration of alcohol (ethanol) in human blood by taking air samples on exhalation.

The device and principle of operation

All alcohol testers have a similar principle of operation and design. In fact, they are microcomputers. The main elements are:

• housing with a hole or a special device for exhausting air;
• sensor (sensor);
• a microprocessor for processing the test results;
• display system for issuing digital test result.

The principle of operation of all types of alcotester also united:

• exhalation air through the hole;
• reacting air with the sensor;
• receiving the induced electrical signal by the microprocessor;
• processing of the results;
• output test results on the display device.

The electrical signal is produced in different types alcotester differently.

The performance and technical capabilities Breathalyzer produced today are divided into 4 main types:

• Individual. Are used in short-term inclusion of self-control of one person (usually the owner), designed for 1-2 tests a day.
• Professional. Breathalyzers are called, are designed for frequent use (up to 150-350 times a day). Have a high measurement accuracy, the ability to connect the printer to output the result on paper, require calibration 1-2 times a year.
• Special. For a small number of inspections (5-30 a day), used in small enterprises.
• Club. Middle option between special and professional. The name they got from the use in clubs, cafes, restaurants and other establishments of this type.

Breathalyzer classified according to various criteria.

By type of installed sensor:

• electrochemical;
• semiconductor;
• photometric.

According to the type of device for exhausting air:

• with a mouthpiece;
• without mouthpiece.

According to the display method:

• digital;
• LED;
• turnouts;
• sound.

By the presence of the printer:

• a printer;
• without a printer.

According to the results of registration in the Russian Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation:

• health;
• non-medical.

Registration in the State Register of measuring instruments:

• recognized by the measurement means to be checked regularly with the issuance of the relevant documents;
• unrecognized.

The security certificate ensures safe use of the device in terms of:

• electrical safety (electric shocks during operation);
• Medical security (for human health - non-irritating upon contact with the mucous membrane of the device and the skin of the test);
• Electromagnetic Safety (does not interfere with other working devices and equipment).

Purpose and functions

Designed to control the content of ethanol in human blood.

It applies to:

• transport companies for testing of drivers emerging in flight;
• for official controls traffic police personnel;
• enterprises with hazardous production requires maximum limit of attention in the process.

How to choose a breathalyzer

Before choosing should determine:

• assignment (target acquisition) - for individual use or mass in the enterprise;
• the number of people passing daily monitoring;
• Measurement accuracy;
• Operating conditions;
• connectivity to peripheral devices;
• the amount to be spent on the purchase of the instrument.

Important parameters:

• Breathalyzer type;
• the number of allowed daily testing procedures;
• measurement range;
• measurement error;
• Warm speed sensor;
• functionality;
• calibration frequency (an average of no less than every 250 checks).

Correctness of evidence depends on several factors:

• Body temperature test (at elevated temperature component content of alcohol in blood increases);
• presence in the zone of alcohol chemicals (vapors paint products);
• Some models require adjustment at ambient temperature;
• Physiology of the test (in people with diabetes alcohol component content increases substantially);
• violation of the calibration frequency.

Secondary parameters:

• design;
• maintainability;
• price.

Best Breathalyzer keyrings

Rating:

• Led Breath (200 tests between charges, China);
• Alcostop AT-197 (200 tests, China);
• AL-005 (200 tests, China);
• Ritmix RAT-201 (test 200, China).

It refers to an individual type of instrument. According to the construction is a conventional key ring, combined with the function breathalyzer.

The design includes:

• housing;
• semiconductor sensor;
• 2 AAA alkaline batteries (1.5 V);
• LEDs (green, yellow, red).

Additionally, it may be:

• built-in flashlight;
• automatic shutdown.

Characteristics:

• measuring range - 0-2 ppm;
• allowable error - 0.1 ppm;
• the preparation for the operation of the sensor - up to 10 seconds.

During exhalation air on the housing lights up one of the indicators:

• red - with an ethanol concentration of more than 0.5 ppm;
• yellow - 0,2-0,55 ppm;
• green - less than 0.2 ppm.

Pros:

• compact size;
• It is always on a bunch of keys from the car;
• self instant in case of unforeseen feasts;
• a small price.

Minuses:

• a small error in the readings compared to professional devices;
• require periodic replacement of old batteries.

Best Breathalyzer without mouthpiece

It refers to the type of personal devices. Exhale made in the hole on the body.

Rating:

• AL-1100 (300 tests without recharging, South Korea);
• Sititek Pro2 (200 tests, Canada);
• Airline ALK-D-02 (China).

The design includes:

• housing;
• semiconductor sensor;
• LEDs or electronic display;
• battery alkyd or 2 AAA batteries;
• adapter for recharging the battery from the mains 220/12 B.

Additional functions:

• timer;
• clock;
• alarm clock;
• thermometer;
• flashlight;
• battery indication;
• automatic disconnection of 15 seconds after the end of the session.

Characteristics:

• capacity - up to 300 tests between charges;
• measuring range - 0-4 ppm;
• the preparation for the test - 10-20 seconds;
• the result of treatment - 3-5 seconds;
• the installation of indications - 2-5 seconds;
• maximum measurements per day - 5.10;
• Working t - 0-50 ° C;
• Preparing for use - 15-20 seconds;

Pros:

• ease of use;
• compact size;
• a light weight.

Minuses:

• small measurement error;
• the need for periodic recharging.

Most household Breathalyzer

It refers to a personal breathalyzer for personal use. It is used to control the content of human blood ethanol in the domestic environment.

Rating:

• AL-6000 (semiconductor, Korea);
• ELAN (semiconductor, Canada);
• Tanita (semiconductor, China).

According to the structure can be:

• a separate device;
• Keychain Breathalyzer.

According to the type of sample collection exhale breathalyzer household may be:

• with a mouthpiece (contact method);
• with a hole on the housing (non-contact).

The design includes:

• housing;
• sensor (sensor) semiconductor;
• electronic display or a color display;
• power supply - 2 replaceable AAA battery 1.5 V.

Characteristics:

• display range - 0-3 ppm;
• allowable temperature - 5-40 ° C;
• relative humidity - no more than 80%;
• the preparation to be tested (countdown) - 10-20 seconds;
• processing result - 2-4 seconds.

The operation is based on the conversion of ethanol vapor into an electric signal using a semiconductor sensor.

C followed by conversion into a digital electric signal, processing it with a special program and terminal information on the screen.

Pros:

• individual control of blood alcohol in the home at any time;
• compact size;
• low cost.

Minuses:

• the measurement results are not legally binding in court;
• afraid of moisture inside the housing.

Most disposable alcohol testers

For single-establishing the fact of blood alcohol content. Refer to the individual controls.

Rating:

• Test & Drive Kemot (glass tube, Poland);
• Alcostat (glass tube, Russia);
• Sims-Test (glass tube, Russia);
• Sims Alkosensor (test strips, Russia).

By design, there are:

• paper test strip coated with a chemical substance;
• indicator glass tube with a catalyst in the form of white crystals.

Characteristics:

• measurement of time - 2-3 minutes;
• accurate readings - 98-99%;
• Operating Temperature - 0 + 40 ° C;
• measurement of latitude - 0-2.5 ppm.

Pros:

• low cost;
• allow you to quickly establish that the presence of ethanol in the blood;
• the minimum measurement error.

Minuses:

• They have no legal force in court.

Best Breathalyzer with Printer

Apply to professional equipment. Distinguished by the presence of a portable printer.

Rating:

• Lion Intoxilyzer 8000 (built-in printer, United Kingdom);
• Alcotest Drager 6810 (Wireless, Germany);
• Dingo E-200B (an external printer connected via Bluetooth, Korea);
• AKPE-01M-03 (embedded, Russia).

The printer can be:

• wired;
• wireless;
• built.

The model type of the sensor are:

• with the electrochemical sensor;
• with spectrophotometric sensor (higher accuracy).

By type of flushing:

• pin (disposable mouthpieces);
• proximity (with a funnel reusable).

Performance:

• breathalyzers (5000-8000 tests / hour);
• alcotesters (up to 3000-4000 tests / hour).

The design includes:

• housing;
• sensor;
• touch screen;
• battery;
• block batteries from the mains;
• mini-printer;
• software;
• Disposable mouthpieces;
• suction funnel;
• Connection cable to the PC;
• adapter for operation in a vehicle;
• keyboard for a set of information about the person being tested;
• briefcase or bag for packaging.

Additional functions:

• built-in memory to the test 500-4000;
• clock and calendar;
• Sound and color alarm;
• battery indicator and the previous calibration;
• "Anti-cheat" - is offered re-tested at the lack of force of exhalation;
• measurement mode ethanol vapor in the ambient air;
• Forced fence samples from people who are unconscious;

Main characteristics:

• reading range - 0-5 mg / l;
• duration preparation for the first test - 02.03 min;
• duration of follow-up tests of preparation - 10-15 seconds;
• the analysis time - 2-3 seconds;
• work without recharging the battery - 250-3000 tests;
• temperature range - -10 to + 40 ° C.

Pros:

• It allows you to instantly print the survey report;
• protocol is legally binding in court;
• the ability to connect to a PC to create a database;
• operation at temperatures up to -10 ° C;
• Allow multiple testing;
• There are no restrictions on the number of tests per day;
• minimum level of measurement error.

Minuses:

• high price;
• the need for periodic replacement of the thermal paper.

Top Electrochemical Breathalyzer

The most demanded kind alcotester. Named on the built electrochemical sensor, the principle of operation is based on the property of the catalyst emit free electrons upon detection of ethanol molecules.

Rating:

• Drivesafe II (Canada);
• Drager Alcotest 6810 (Germany);
• Dingo C-08 Blue (South Korea);
• Ritmix RAT-730 (China).

The design includes:

• housing;
• electrochemical sensor;
• Lithium-ion battery;
• adapter for operation from the cigarette lighter 12;
• USB-AC cable to charge the battery on line 220;
• interchangeable mouthpieces.

When interacting with ethanol generated free electrons trapped analyzer which provides information on the screen.

Main characteristics:

• measuring range - 0-4 ppm;
• the duration of training to get started - up to 15 seconds;
• testing time - 2-3 seconds;
• working temperature range - + 5 + 40 ° C;
• Calibration regularity - 500-5000 tests

Pros:

• They work in all conditions (at any ambient temperature and gas concentration);
• minimum preparation time for operation (no more than 10 seconds);
• high sensitivity to low concentrations of ethanol;
• complete test automation;
• have the ability to connect to a PC and a printer;
• long service life - up to 6-7 years without having to replace the sensor;
• Verification - 1 once a year.

Minuses:

• high price.

Best Industrial Breathalyzer

It is more productive than the personal and household models. It allows testing of a large number of people every day.

Rating:

• Alert J4Xec (electrochemical, Canada);
• AKPE-01M (spectrophotometric, Meta, Russia);
• PRO-100 Alkotektor (electrochemical, US-China);
• Alkotest 6810 (electrochemical, a printer, Germany).

By referring to the sensor (sensor):

• semiconductor;
• electrical engineering;
• photometric.

According to the type of test:

• with a contact (with the mouthpiece);
• with contactless (using a suction funnel).

The main criteria for selection of professional alcotester are:

• throughput (the number of people checked daily);
• the accuracy of the test results.

Industrial alcohol testers are used to:

• transport companies;
• in traffic control system;
• enterprises whose work involves hazardous substances;
• when performing tasks that require special attention and care.

Main characteristics:

• measuring range - 0-5 ppm;
• number of measurements - 1500 without recharging the battery;
• allowable measurement error - up to 1.8-2%;
• interval training for the first test - 6-10 seconds;
• interval training to the second test - 20-120 seconds depending on the previous readings;
• working temperature range - from -5 to + 40 ° C;
• testing time - 3-4 seconds;
• Analysis of test results - up to 30 seconds;
• memory results - 100 to 5,000 tests.

Frequency of metrological verification depending on the type of sensor:

• electrochemical - 1 every 6 months;
• photometric - 1 time in 12 months.

Almost all industrial models have the ability to connect to a PC to create a database recording the results of tests, as well as to a printer to print out the protocol test results.

A list of the functions performed at the industrial alcotester much wider than the household. These include:

• testing blood alcohol content with the conclusion of the results on the display and the printer together with the date and time of the test;
• rapid test for short breath;
• Testing in conversation;
• human testing in an unconscious state;
• Fiscal memory 250-5000 protocols;
• absolute insensitivity to ambient odors (gasoline, perfumes, acetone) for models with spectrophotometric sensors based on infrared radiation;
• automation of the calibration before each test;
• the ability to analyze the content of alcohol in the ambient air;
• protection device against unauthorized access and changes to the test results.

Pros:

• test results are legally binding in court;
• high throughput;
• highest measurement accuracy;
• the possibility of listing a protocol with all the data about the test (name, surname, patronymic, date and place of the test results).

Minuses:

• larger dimensions than those of personal models;
• high price.