A gas detector probe is used by gas testers to take samples from specific locations when using electronically pumped or hand aspirated instruments. Gas detector probes are designed to work in a number of situations, including; leak tracing, barhole testing and confined space entry. Many probes contain water and dust filters to protect entry of these materials into the gas detector.
What Makes A Good Gas Detector Probe?
As already mentioned, there are many styles of gas detector probes on the market. Some are designed for leak tracing, others for applications such as: road surveys, confined space entry, hot work testing and purging; but all have the same basic design criteria. Careful examination of their basic components leads to a proper understand what makes a good probe and which ones to avoid.
Probe Part
A gas detector probe is used to collect gas atmosphere samples from specific locations. So the actual “probee bit” can be as simple as a rigid piece of tube made from whatever material you can lay your hands on. So in theory, anyone can make their own probe – and often do!
Thee Handle
Purpose made gas detector probes include a handle for comfort and dexterity. The handle provides a housing for pre-filters and a suitable connection to the sample tubing linking the probe to the gas detector pump.
Pre-Filters
These filter out any unwanted materials such as liquids and dust. Why are they needed? Because Ingress of dust and liquids are the most likely cause of damage to any pumped or hand aspirated gas detector and often result in large repair bills. Most modern gas detectors are IP rated to a reasonably high level to ensure protection from liquids and dusts. However, once you turn the pump on, the IP rating disappears as the pump and its accessories are easily damaged by the various contaminants sucked into them.
Sample Tube
The sample tube is a flexible tube connecting the probe and probe handle to the gas detector’s pump inlet. It can be as basic as some clean rubber tubing and is usually about 1 meter long (or the length of your arm.)
Chemically Inert
All the probe’s individual components have to be chemically and physically inert to the gases you intend to sample. A probe that unintentionally filters out the gases you are looking for, is obviously one to avoid. But how do you know? That’s a good question and one we answer in some detail in our training courses. But basically, you either need to check with someone who knows for sure, or you should test your probe out using a known calibration gas.
What Separates the Good From the Bad?
Ask anyone who uses a gas detector probe everyday this question and you will quick find out what makes a good probe and conversely what results in a bad one. Good and bad can be summed up using the following test:
- Does it feel well made?
- How long did it last?
- Are the individual parts suitable for your work conditions?
- How expensive was the probe and its replacement parts?
- Can you check it for leaks easily?
- Can you unblock it when required?
- What happens when you suck liquids into it?
- Can you use it without the filters being present – (resulting in you sucking foreign materials into your gas detectors)?
Where to Find the Best Gas Detector Probe for You?
We decided to manufacture our own probe for our readers to provide a simple solution to this old problem.
The @probe uses a universal handle containing high efficiency, low cost filters. A large range of probes can be inserted into the handle using a simple quick connector. The quick connector even allows users to make their own site specific probes for retro-insertion without the need of any specialist skills or knowledge.
Read our series of articles on the subject to find our more about these devices.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
-Albert Einstein
Don’t make the same mistakes again and again – choose to do something different with your gas detectors. Keep reading and you’ll see how.
The Editor: @gt