Breathalyzers use a variety of sensors to calculate your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) also known as Blood Alcohol Content. These sensors used in handheld breathalyzers like the ones sold at Breathalyzershop.com are semiconductor oxide sensor and fuel cell sensors. The later of the two is the more popular choice of sensor for professionals because of the shelf life of the unit between calibration and the higher reading accuracy a fuel cell gives. Then lastly there is a sensor more commonly used in tabletop breathalyzers called infrared spectroscopy.

Semiconductor Oxide Sensor

The semiconductor oxide sensor is used in the lower budget breathalyzers because of its affordability and small size. It retains a certain level of accuracy but not as precipice as the more reliable fuel cell models. The use of these sensors in today ’s breathalyzers is crucial because it keeps the costs lower for consumers and still gives them relatively quick results. For a personal breathalyzer a semiconductor oxide sensor has been proven to give accurate results at a better price.
The following alcohol testers are sold at Breathalyzershop.com and contain the semi-conductor oxide sensors:
AlcoHAWK ABI Breathalyzer
AlcoHAWK Slim Breathalyzer
AlcoHAWK Slim Ultra Breathalyzer
AlcoHAWK Elite Breathalyzer
BacTrack B70 Breathalyzer
BacTrack S30 Breathalyzer
BacTrack S50 Breathalyzer

Fuel-Cell Sensor

The addition of the fuel cell sensors in today is breathalyzers has brought a new level of technology to the everyday consumer. The increased accuracy of personal breathalyzers can now be measured on the same scale as professional police evidential units. The fuel cell uses a reaction of chemicals and then uses an electrical current to measure the alcohol that becomes oxidized.
The following alcohol testers are sold at Breathalyzershop.com and contain higher grade fuel-cell sensors:
AlcoHAWK PT500 Breathalyzer
BacTrack S75 Pro Breathalyzer
BacTrack S80 Pro Breathalyzer
Lifeguard Personal Breathalyzer

Infrared Spectroscopy Sensor

These sensors are most commonly used for table top breathalyzers used in places like police stations. They are some of the most commonly used devices to test a inebriated person after a roadside screening is done with a preliminary handheld breathalyzer. These infrared spectroscopy devices are also used as evidential testing devices because their accurate reading has to be able hold up in a court of law. Currently Breathalyzershop.com does not sell devices using these sensors.

Questions and concerns?

If you have any concerns or feel we are not conducting business following these policy statements please contact us at sales@breathalyzershop.com.