Do odour meters and gas detectors serve different purposes ... YES!
Odor meters and gas detectors, while both used for environmental monitoring, have some key differences.
Odour Meter
An odour meter is designed to measure the intensity of odours in the air. It quantifies the perceived odour intensity and is commonly used in environmental monitoring, particularly in industries where odour control is important. Typically, the odour meter uses human sensory perception as a basis for measurement, or they may use (e-noses) equipped with sensors that detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with odours. It Measures the concentration of odours, which can arise from various sources including gases, volatile organic compounds, and other substances with distinct smells. It is commonly used for environmental monitoring in waste management facilities, petrochemical plants, wastewater treatment plants, agriculture, and other industries where odour control is critical.
Gas Detector
A gas detector on the other hand is used to detect the presence of specific gases in the air depending on the sensors within the unit. It is commonly used in industrial settings, laboratories, and areas where the presence of certain gases poses a risk to health or safety. They are Specifically designed to detect and measure the concentration of gases such as carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulphide (H2S), methane (CH4), oxygen (O2), etc. They are generally used in industrial environments, confined spaces, laboratories, mines, refineries, chemical plants, and other workplaces where the presence of specific gases needs to be monitored for safety and compliance with regulations.
In summary, while both odour meters and gas detectors are used to monitor air quality, they differ in their detection mechanisms, target substances, applications, and the output they provide to the end user. Odour meters focus on assessing the intensity of odours, whereas gas detectors are designed to detect specific gases for safety and regulatory compliance purposes.
The SHINYEI Handheld Odour Meters OMX series are a simplified range of monitors that have been designed to check odour strength collectively, it, therefore, does not need calibration. To make the strength value more accurate, we recommend zero-point adjustment instead of calibration for simplified measurements.
