Electronic Combustion Testing.
A smart, simple and safe alternative.
The good news is there are electronic analyzers available
today that utilize gas sensor technology. These instru-
ments allow you to precisely measure the components
of combustion. There is no guesswork involved. No
charts, tables, slide rules or calculators.
Electronic gas analyzers measure the products of combus-
tion continuously. Only with this data can you properly
test and adjust a heating appliance or show an appliance
needs replaced. Once an appliance is properly adjusted
it will burn fuel more efficiently, which means less fuel
will be used to satisfy the heat demand. Toxic gases, if
present will be detected, smoke will be minimized, and
the appliance will operate better.
See the difference for yourself…
When you weigh your options, it’s clear that measuring
combustion efficiency electronically is the better way.
Let’s consider each test method…
Visual Test or “Eye-Balling the Flame”
A visual test is quick, but does not serve your customer
unless you observe flame ro l l o v e r. It re q u i res no combus-
tion analyzer. However, a visual test also offers no con-
c rete data, no precise flue gas measurements nor can a
visual test detect harmful, toxic emissions. There f o re ,
when it comes to servicing a heating appliance, there ’s
a lot of guesswork involved. And, because human error is
i n h e rent in this test method, problems will go undetected.
Mechanical Tests
Mechanical tests involve the use of individual draft
gauges, thermometers, CO Stain length tubes, and CO
2
Fyrite wet chemical absorption instruments. To compute
combustion efficiency the individual “snapshot” mea-
surements are entered on a slide rule calculator. This 70
year old method is accurate but slow, and subject to
more measurement rules than electronic analyzers.
Electronic Tests
An electronic test is conducted with the aid of an electro n i c
combustion analyzer. Speed, ease of use, automatic
sampling, automatic calculations and automatic re p o rt
generation are all advantages of electronic combustion
analyzers. Electronic analyzers also provide individual
displays of O
2
, CO, temperature, draft, etc. which allow
immediate and independent analysis of each adjustment
made on a combustion appliance. The continuous re a d-
ings make adjustment easier and lets you identify light off
and regulating problems. Test results appear on the units
display and can be instantly transferred to an infrare d
printer so that the test data can be re c o rded on paper.
Because the test data is accurate and there is no human
e rrors, the before and after print outs can show the value
of your service. The time saved is
money in your pocket.
The chart below illustrates the
differences between the more
traditional combustion testing
methods and electronic combus-
tion testing. See for yourself
how you, your business and
your customers can benefit
from testing combustion
efficiency with an electronic
gas analyzer.
More reasons to test electronically.
•
Accuracy and Improved Customer Relations. When
you work with precise data, you’ll service appliances
properly the first time. What’s more, with a print out
of test results, you can better educate your cus-
tomers. In the end, you’ll be saving your customers
time and money with a better test method – and ser-
vice record.
•
Greater Productivity. When you test with an electronic
device, you’ll get accurate test data quickly. You’ll be
able to service appliances thoroughly, and immediate-
ly, which can significantly reduce the rate of call backs
you experience.
•
Protection against liability. Because electronic devices
often offer optional printer interfaces, you are able to
capture and document test results for immediate and
future use. These records can prove to be invaluable
should liability issues arise.
•
Enhanced Professionalism. When you use an elec-
tronic testing device, you give your customers greater
peace of mind knowing that the data you are work-
ing with is accurate. And when you share a print out
of that data, customers will have more confidence in
you and your analysis – something your competition
might not offer.
Eyeball Analysis
Mechanical Tests
Electronic Analyzers
(Fyrite Pro)
Reliability
poor
good
excellent
Accuracy
poor
good
excellent
Accurate/Safety
Measurements (CO)
no
no
yes
Ease of use
n/a
no
yes
Method of Test
blind
snapshot
continuous
Speed
moderate
slow
fast
Documentation Capability
no
no
yes
Cost of Ownership
(3 years)
n/a
moderate
low
For more information about electronic gas analyzers, call 1-800-736-4666 or contact your local Bacharach distributor.
