Measuring range
The measurement range provided by the breathalyzer. It is indicated from the minimum level of alcohol in the blood that the device is able to detect, to the maximum.
It is worth choosing according to this parameter, taking into account the purposes for which it is planned to use the device, what levels of alcohol they will have to measure. For your convenience, you can use the following table:
— Up to 0.3 ‰ — asymptomatic degree of intoxication. There are no obvious signs of alcohol consumption, it is impossible to detect them without special means. In countries where there is no “zero per mille” rule for drivers, the blood alcohol level allowed for driving is usually within these limits (most often it is 0.2 ‰).
— 0.3 – 0.6 ‰ — a slight degree of intoxication. Some violation of concentration and coordination, disinhibition, talkativeness, the appearance of relaxation and euphoria.
— 0.6 – 1 ‰ — the average degree of intoxication. Dullness of sensations, weakening of self-control, loss of logic in reasoning, memory lapses after sobering up are possible.
—
1 – 2 ‰ — the degree of intoxication is above average. Speech becomes almost incomprehensible, reflexes and coordination are severely impaired, mood swings and manifestations of uncontrolled aggression are possible.
—
2 – 3 ‰ — a significant degree of intoxication: confusion and loss o
...f consciousness, severe motor impairment.
— 3 – 4 ‰ — a strong degree of intoxication: a violation of the heartbeat and breathing, uncontrolled vomiting and urination, the inability to stand and move straight.
— above 4 ‰ — a critical degree of intoxication, a fatal outcome is likely.
Note that for some breathalyzers, the lower limit of the measurement range is indicated as "0". You can estimate the lowest concentration of alcohol that such a device is guaranteed to be able to detect using the maximum error (see below): the lower limit of the range will approximately correspond to the claimed error.Blow time
The blowing time is the shortest time during which you need to blow into the device for effective measurement. The shorter this time, the more sensitive and advanced the breathalyzer is, the simpler the measurement procedure and the less time it will take; the fastest modern appliances purge
in 3 seconds or less. On the other hand, a short blowing time affects the cost. Therefore, if the device is not planned to be used for mass streaming checks, this parameter can be ignored.
Anti-deception
A function that allows the breathalyzer to automatically control the correctness of the measurement procedure. To do this, the device analyzes the volume of actually exhaled air, and if this volume is not enough for effective analysis, it reports that the measurement needs to be repeated. As the name implies, the main purpose of anti-
cheating is to prevent measurement manipulation, when the test person tries to artificially lower the readings by “blowing out” an insufficient amount of air. Although, of course, this function will be useful if the user violates the procedure unintentionally.
Power source
Type of power supplied by the device. The power supply methods used in modern breathalyzers can be divided into two types — replaceable cells of a standard size and original batteries.
The first option is convenient because dead batteries can be quickly replaced with fresh ones — the main thing is to have a supply on hand. At the same time, replaceable elements can be made both disposable and rechargeable, in the form of batteries. On the other hand, batteries usually have to be purchased separately — and either regularly buy more disposable cells, or spend a significant amount on batteries and a charger. Here are the main sizes of replaceable elements found in modern breathalyzers:
— AAA. Cylindrical-shaped batteries, known as "mini finger" or "little finger" batteries. A fairly popular option, especially among entry-level and mid-level breathalyzers: they are small in size, and although the capacity of such batteries is small, it is quite enough for the mentioned devices.
— AA. Classic, known to many "finger" batteries. For a number of reasons (in particular, due to the larger size), they are used in breathalyzers less frequently than the “little finger” AAA.
— PP3. Batteries of a characteristic rectangular shape with a pair of contacts on one of the ends. They are distinguished by a rather high voltage — 9 V. They are used mainly in professional devices with an abundance of additional functions that require a large amount of energy.<...br>
As for the original batteries, such batteries often outperform replacement batteries in terms of performance and do not require additional costs: the battery is purchased immediately with the device and in the future it is enough to periodically recharge it. On the other hand, charging requires time and a power source; it is usually impossible to quickly replace a dead battery. And the mentioned performance advantages are rarely decisive. As a result, this variant is relatively rare in breathalyzers.
