Combustible gas detectors are commonly used to detect combustible gases and sources of VOCs, but many people misunderstand what these instruments actually measure.
In this demonstration, I show how a combustible gas detector responds to:
• Human breath
• Humidity
• Steam from a shower
The sensor does not identify specific chemicals. It responds to changes in the environment, including water vapor.
The key takeaways:
• A meter reading is an observation.
• Understanding what a sensor responds to is critical for correct interpretation.
• Detection does not automatically tell you the cause.