What is a breathalyzer and how does it work

The device that can detect the amount of alcohol in the blood from the air in the breath is called Alcoholmeter. The unit of measurement in alcohol meter is promil. Diaphragmatic breathing is required for best results with the device.

What is alcohol meter?

The result is obtained by estimating the amount of alcohol in the exhaled breath and the amount of alcohol in the blood. Alcohol detection is made especially at traffic controls and its purpose is to prevent fatal or injury accidents. This device, which is important in detecting the criminal, is used in many areas.

There is a specified amount of alcohol in traffic. Drinking more than this amount of alcohol requires punishment. With the help of alcohol meter, the situation is determined and penal sanctions are applied in case of excessive alcohol consumption. The result of the test comes out in a very short time.

What is the Working Principle of Alcoholmeter?

We said that the unit of measure that determines the amount of alcohol in the blood is promil. The breathalyzer calculates the ratio in the body to the ratio in the breath and reveals a close promil value. For this, even pouring cologne on the hand or wiping the mouth with an alcohol wipe can cause a change in the amount of promil.

Alcoholmeter Parts

  • Light source
  • Potassium dichromate solution
  • Filter
  • Photocell detector
  • Measurement unit and display

The working logic of the breathalyzer is in two ways. First of all, the alcohol that comes out when the breath is blown is converted into acetic acid. Ethanol and acidic acid oxidize, causing orange chromium to turn into green chromium. This color change reveals the measurement result.

In the second method, when blown into the breathalyzer, the electric current passing through the electrical circuits of the device varies according to the amount of alcohol. In this way, the amount of promil is revealed. This is the method used especially in traffic controls.

What is an Oxygen Meter?

The device that determines the amount of dissolved oxygen in an aqueous solution is called an oxygen meter. Oxygen dissolved in measuring devices is referred to as DO. Sea creatures need DO. Otherwise, their lives are at risk. Dissolved oxygen, which is more than the need, can harm living things. For this, the DO level needs to be checked from time to time.