CO2 Monitor (USB & Battery)
Brand: FORENSICS DETECTORS
Model: CO2000
User Manual: Click Here
Blog Article: Click Here
Features
- 🏠 USES: Classrooms, business, retail, restaurants, home, and car. AB841 compliant.
- 🔬 ACCURATE: Employs advanced NDIR sensor technology with 10-year life.
- 🔋 BATTERY: Li-Ion battery-powered with USB recharge for up to 8 hours of cordless operation. Also powered with direct USB power.
- 👪 SIMPLE: Easy to use, not complex, basic, and accurate CO2 monitor. Product stable on table or mounted to the wall.
- 🕵️ TRUSTWORTHY: ** 1-year limited warranty ** 100% quality guaranteed **
Technical Specifications
CO2 Sensor Specifications
Sensor: Non-Dispersive Infrared NDIR CO2 sensor
Carbon dioxide (CO2) detection: 0 - 5000 ppm with 1 ppm resolution
Accuracy: ± 70 ppm or ± 5% of reading (larger of the two)
Temperature compensation: ± 0.1% of reading per F
Response time: < 1 minute
Warm-up time: 20 seconds
Temperature Sensor Specifications
Operation temperature: 32F - 195F
Resolution: 0.1F
Accuracy: ± 5% of reading
Response time: < 1 minute
Monitor Specifications
Operation temperature: 32F - 122F, < 95% RH
Expected sensor life: 10 years
Operating voltage: Li-Ion battery 1000 mAh
Dimensions: 120 mm x 90 mm x 35 mm
Weight: 170 g (3.6oz)
Voltage input: USB DC 5V via mini USB B type input connector (USB charging cable included)
Humidity Sensor Specifications
Range: 5 - 95% RH
Resolution: 1%
Accuracy: ± 5% of reading
Response time: < 1 minute
Video Tutorial
In the Box?
- CO2 Monitor
- English user manual
- USB charging cable
- USA Technical Support
- CO2 Work Occupational Exposure
- CO2 for Wine Cellars
- CO2 Monitoring for Schools and Classrooms
- CO2 for the Home and Office
-CO2 for Restraurants, Breweries, Hydroponics, Grow Rooms
Best CO2 Monitor
We present a simple but very precise CO2 monitor that meets AB841 standards and includes an alarm for 1100 ppm and a max feature. This versatile product is designed to monitor indoor CO2 levels and is suitable for use in homes and light industrial settings such as coffee shops, fitness gyms, restaurants, grow rooms, incubators, beer, hydroponics, airplanes, cars, and transport vehicles. The monitor can operate for up to 8 hours when fully charged using any USB charger. Additionally, it detects humidity, temperature, and time. The CO2 monitor comes pre-calibrated, so all you need to do is turn it on and start using it. The monitor features an advanced NDIR sensor that can detect with 1 ppm resolution, ensuring high-quality CO2 monitoring.
CO2 Monitor Comparison Chart
This CO2000 is a desktop and/or wall-mounted CO2 monitor. However, we also offer other CO2 detectors for various applications which are compared below.
- CO2 Monitor (Wall Mount 110v)
- CO2 Meter for Personal Protection (PPE)
- CO2 Meter for IAQ Inspectors
- CO2 Monitor for Headspace (Food Packaging)
Why is CO2 important for Indoor Air Quality?
Ensuring proper monitoring of carbon dioxide levels is a crucial aspect of general air quality hygiene. This is because CO2 is exhaled along with aerosols that may contain pathogens from infected individuals.
As research from the University of Colorado and Harvard School of Public Health has demonstrated, measuring CO2 levels can serve as an indicator of indoor virus concentrations.
To minimize the risk of pathogen infection, various government bodies such as California State and professional organizations, including ASHRAE, recommend monitoring CO2 indoor air quality.
The Technical University of Berlin has also found that increasing the amount of uncontaminated air can help lower indoor concentrations of CO2 and other aerosols, ultimately reducing the risk of infection. Therefore, adopting a strategy of continuous CO2 monitoring and alarming with action such as fresh air ventilation can be an effective way to mitigate the spread of pathogens in an indoor environment.
CO2 Accuracy Comparison
Breathairsafe has undertaken independent studies and show excellent accuracy performance compared to 3 times more expensive CO2 monitors.
Breathairsafe reported that upon calibrating the Aranet4 and Forensics Detectors CO2 Monitor in the same environment, they yielded almost identical measurements for the next hour. Although there were a few readings that varied significantly, these deviations fell within the margin of error for both devices (± 30ppm for the Aranet and ± 50ppm for the Carbon Dioxide Monitor).
Breathairsafe continued the following week tesitng and Breathairsafe kept both monitors on the desk to continue monitoring their readings. Breathairsafe observed that they frequently read within ten parts per million, and sometimes even displayed the same concentration.
"I was impressed by the accuracy of the Forensics Detectors Carbon Dioxide Monitor, especially considering its lower cost."
Apart from the carbon dioxide sensor, the product also features temperature and relative humidity (RH) sensors. During the Breathairsafe testing, they found the temperature sensor accurate to within one degree Celsius and the RH sensor within 3%.
CO2 Features?
- Designed with desktop functionality in mind, this device is meant to be a convenient addition to your home or office. Its user interface is thoughtfully designed to be clean and easily readable. Thanks to its size and shape, you can spot it from several meters away.
- To power the device, simply connect it using the provided mini USB cable. However, if you prefer a different setup, Forensics Detectors also offers an alternative version that can be mounted directly into a power socket. This wall-based option lacks the mini USB connection but comes with built-in prongs for easy installation.
- Looking at the front of the device, you'll find four LEDs on the left-hand side bezel. The first LED serves as a power indicator, while the other three are color-coded in green, yellow, and red to provide real-time air quality status. These LEDs are especially useful for quick glances during nighttime or from a distance.
- Unlike some other monitors, the Forensics Detectors Carbon Dioxide Monitor does not use an E-ink screen. This design choice allows for the screen to be backlit. With just a press of a button, you can instantly illuminate the screen for better visibility.
CO2 Air Circulation Vents
It is imperative for any CO2 monitor to have abundant air vents and openings to allow for the surrounding CO2 molecules to quickly reach the CO2 sensor. This design mechanism has a direct impact in how fast your CO2 monitor will be able to reliably react and stabilize the CO2 readings that approximate the same CO2 one is inhaling. The back of the unit also has the ON / OFF button.
What is it Lacking?
- NO CO2 DATALOGGING: To reduce costs we did not include CO2 data logging features. We see less than 5% of customers want data logging and therefore it does not make sense to us to have the rest of the 95% pay for a feature they do not want. Added costs reside in more microchips for memory functionality.
- CO2 LIVE GRAPHING: This feature makes the front screen cluttered and NOT clean. Thus making it complicated to read. In other words, it is very distracting. We have found that although it may be a "novel" and "neat" feature, this rubs off and you will notice all you care about is quick and easy CO2-level reading. We prefer the extra real estate for larger CO2 digits.
- NO DIGITAL COMMUNICATION: The CO2 meter does not have Bluetooth or WiFi communication capability. Again, we see this feature requested by less than 3% of our customers and therefore did not make sense for us to include it. Again, extra costs are incurred to add Bluetooth and WiFi chipsets. We went without it to save you money.
- NO USB CHARGER: To save on packaging, size, and cost, this unit does NOT arrive with a USB charger (only USB cable). We all have USB block chargers (adapters) at home, and within our computer ports. It simply does not make sense to include another useless USB charger within the CO2 Meter. If you really do want one, reach out, and we will send you one, or go online and purchase one for $2 (no big deal). In the meantime, we prefer to save chargers and save the dolphins 🙂
- NOT a Long-Life Battery: The CO2 monitor has a battery rated for 8 hours (but most people see it lasting for 24 hours). Ok, so this unit was NOT made to be a continuous battery-operating CO2 meter like the Aranet4. However, we include a small battery for those to use it for travel and moving around. There is plenty of battery to last you one day of travel, testing, or monitoring without having to plug the CO2 detector into the USB power. We made it specifically for desktop, continuous USB plug-in operation.
- NO PUMP: This unit does not have a built-in pump to force the air to the sensor. Unlike CO2 analyzer units that are made with a built-in pump with the probe, this CO2 monitor is made as a desktop unit to provide an indication of indoor CO2 levels.
Well, I hope this gives some behind-the-scenes information and rationale as to why we went without some features. All in all our objective is to design an easy-to-use, functional, and affordable CO2 monitor ---- yes affordable so we all can have access to this technology.
What is the Lifetime of a CO2 NDIR Sensor and a O2 sensor?
CO2 NDIR (Non-Dispersive Infrared) sensors are robust and solid state, which means they last between 5 to 15 years. The critical factor is the IR source, which degrades or totally blows out (but a rare occurrence). All in all, NDIR sensors are really impressive inventions and have dramatically dropped in price over the past 10 years thanks to micromachining and miniaturization of electronic components.
As a comparison, O2 sensors are electrochemical sensor types. They are not a solid state. It has ionic conduction occurring with a mixture of electroactive solutions. It makes these O2 sensors very fragile and last between 2 to 3 years. Time is the only factor that degrades them, but these sensors also leak acid that can then corrode sensor plug connections and other electronics with your analyzer. The point here is to calibrate often and have your sensors inspected on a regular basis.
When do I Calibrate my CO2 Monitor?
The CO200O CO2 monitor holds its calibration for over 1 year. That being said, we recommend annual calibration which simply means taking the unit out to fresh air and selecting the calibration menu item. Once done, it takes about 5 minutes for it to calibrate.
How long will the CO2 Monitor Last?
The good news is that CO2 monitors boast impressive longevity when compared to other gas sensors, like electrochemical cells. They rely on NDIR (Non-Dispersive Infrared) sensors, which are solid-state electronic components known for their extended lifespan, typically lasting between 5 to 15 years. Among these components, the infrared source tends to be the most vulnerable, as it may gradually degrade over time. Hence why we recommend annual calibration.
What are Healthy CO2 level?
Outdoor CO2 levels in fresh air is 410ppm. However, indoors, this level increases due to human exhalation of CO2 gas.
Various agencies and organizations have put forth recommendations and requirements regarding CO2 monitoring and permissible concentration levels in different settings:
California State Assembly Bill AB841:
- Requirement: Classrooms must have CO2 monitors that trigger an alarm at 1,100 ppm.
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE):
- Recommendation: Indoor CO2 concentrations in schools should be maintained below 1,000 ppm and below 800 ppm in offices.
Washington State:
- Requirement: Restaurants must conduct CO2 monitoring and set an alarm at 450 ppm.
German Federal Environment Agency:
- Recommendation: CO2 levels in classrooms and offices should be kept below 1,000 ppm.
Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA):
- Recommended 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) exposure limit: 5,000 ppm.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH):
- Recommended 8-hour TWA exposure limit: 5,000 ppm.
- Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health (IDHL) level: 40,000 ppm.
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH):
- Recommended 8-hour TWA exposure limit: 5,000 ppm.
-Ceiling exposure limit (not to be exceeded) for a 10-minute period: 30,000 ppm.
- IDHL level: 40,000 ppm.
These guidelines and limits are essential for maintaining safe indoor air quality and protecting the health and well-being of occupants in various environments.
How Should I Store my CO2 Monitor?
For optimal sensor lifespan and precise measurements during operation, it is advised to store the CO2 monitor in a controlled environment with a humidity level of 50% RH and a room temperature of approximately 70°F.
Conclusion
- Air quality monitoring, especially CO2 monitoring, has gained significance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- CO2 Monitors are widely used in various settings like classrooms, gyms, workplaces, and offices to track CO2 air quality levels.
- CO2 monitors serve as an excellent indicator of pathogen transmission risk and are sometimes mandatory for indoor use.
- CO2 monitoring is affordable (less than $100) and has a long lifespan of over 10 years.
- When CO2 levels reach over 2000 ppm they can have physiological effects on humans.
- BEWARE: Do not confuse carbon dioxide (CO2) with carbon monoxide (CO) monitoring. They are both two different gases that require each their unique gas detectors.
Author
This article was written by me, Dr. Koz (no ghostwriters and no AI content here!). I am the President of Forensics Detectors (CA, USA). I am also a subject matter expert on gas sensor technology, gas detectors, gas meters, and gas analyzers. I have been designing, building, manufacturing, and testing toxic gas detection systems for over 20 years.... and still love it.
Email: drkoz@carbondioxidedetector.com
