13
CLEARING OVERLOADS
If your PAS is overloaded, it will take a few minutes to recover.
1.
Turn on the flashlight to activate the fuel cell heater. This speeds recovery.
2.
Turn off the PAS Sensor. This also speeds recovery.
3.
After 5 minutes, check the unit with an alcohol-free air sample. If within
approximately 20 seconds, bars still light up in the display, repeat steps 2 and
3 as necessary until the overload has been completely cleared.
4.
Your unit is now ready for use.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Q.
What if the PAS V detects alcohol, but seems to be giving low
readings?
A
. This problem is usually caused by using the PAS V too far from the
subject's mouth, or with the inlet port off to one side (inaccurate
positioning). It can also be caused by a blocked inlet or outlet port,
perhaps by your own fingers. Your unit might need recalibrating.
Q. Why does the display light up several bars with no alcohol present?
A.
This can be due to background levels of alcohol vapor in the air, but it is
more likely that the fuel cell has not recovered from the previous positive
reading. If the problem persists when you check a sample of fresh air,
follow the procedure for clearing overloads (see above). Also, frequently
switching the sensor on without a brief waiting period of a few seconds
between switching may result in bars lighting up.
Q. Why does my PAS V appear to be too sensitive?
A.
You might be using the instrument to close to the subject's mouth, or it
might need to be recalibrated. Certain mouth washes or freshly applied
perfume or cologne may give high readings temporarily. Alcohol from
these sources dissipates rapidly. Also, always allow the sensor fuel cell to
rest a few seconds between sampling to clear itself of any residual
electrical activity.
