Electronic Carbon Monoxide Detector

The New Zealand company Aviation Safety Limited has begun offering “Pocket CO 300” pocket-portable electronic carbon monoxide (CO) detectors for sale to pilots. Aviation Safety’s director, Lloyd Klee, has been looking for affordable effective CO detectors for some time. He believes the common “card” type of CO detectors—while theoretically effective when new—are frequently ignored or forgotten by pilots. Furthermore, he says the potential exists for aircraft owners to have to spend significant sums to “track down” sources of CO leaks in the event of false readings from inaccurate devices.

The “Pocket CO 300” units, manufactured by KWJ Engineering in the US, weigh less than 28 grams and are genuinely “pocket portable”, measuring only 67.6 x 35.6 x 15.5 mm; they are even small enough to be clipped to a keyring.

They have single-button operation for their two detection modes—either “12-hour” or “Continuous”. In their 12-hour mode, the units take sample readings every 5 seconds and will switch off automatically after 12 hours. In continuous mode, they continue to sample the ambient atmosphere every five seconds until switched off.

In addition to instantaneous readouts, if used in 12-hour mode, the units record dosimetry information allowing users to track total exposure to CO, as well as keeping track of maximum exposure and when it occurred (in relation to when the unit was switched on).

The unit provides audible and vibration alarms as well as a flashing light in response to varying levels of CO presence. The levels at which the alarms activate are based on guidelines set by a number of organisations including the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The alarm/s will sound/flash/vibrate (users can tailor audible and vibration alarms to suit personal preferences) once every second at CO levels between 50 and 124 PPM. From 125–399 PPM, it will activate every 10 seconds, and at exposure above 400 PPM (the considered “death hazard” level), it activates every five seconds.

Battery life for the units is estimated to be in the vicinity of one year for units that are typically operated five days a week.

These CO detectors are equally suitable for anyone needing to guard against CO poisoning such as as boaties, truck drivers, campers and even homeowners using gas appliances.

The Pocket CO 300 retails for $249.