What are Infrared Sensors?
Infrared sensors are optical devices sensitive to IR radiation. The IR energy detected by the sensor is translated to an electrical signal that is further processed by the particular detection system. Point IR gas detectors analyze the presence of a gas by exposing it to IR radiation and measuring the radiation atenuation caused by the gas absorption . The detector comprises an IR light source, an IR sensor and several beam reflectors along the gas cell that provide the optical path for the light beam. The gas enters the cell by natural difussion. The point IR gas detector has proven useful in monitoring flammable gases in the LFL range. It’s chief advantage over the catalytic type is that it is not subject to catalytic poisons. Because it is an optical device, however, care must be taken to prevent fouling of the optics.
