Alco-Sensor IV – The Dependable Workhorse of Breath Alcohol Testing
With more than 100,000 instruments manufactured over the past 20 years the Alco-Sensor IV is used throughout the world in a wide variety of settings: workplace, law enforcement, corrections, and more. While the all Alco-Sensor IV instruments look identical on the outside, there are in fact many different versions of the instrument designed to meet customers’ unique needs. Intoximeters uses the convention of placing a colored dot on the front of each instrument to identify the version of each instrument. Here’s a look at the features all Alco-Sensor IV instruments have in common, as well as a few of the most popular versions of the instrument.
Features found in all Alco-Sensor IV instruments:
- Automatic breath sampling ensures precise results, eliminates operator error.
- Manual breath sample capability allows testing of uncooperative and breathing impaired subjects.
- Last test recall redisplays the most recent test.
- Micro-processor controlled calibration adjustment for more accurate calibrations.
- Mouthpiece ejector button eliminates operator contact with used mouthpiece.
- Auto-on when operator inserts mouthpiece.
Unique Versions of Alco-Sensor IV
Alco-Sensor IV (green dot)
This is our “go to” instrument that meets the needs of most testing applications. This generic version of the Alco-Sensor IV is used in corrections, law enforcement, and substance abuse treatment programs. A distinguishing feature of the instrument is the “sensor blank” it performs prior to each test to ensure there is no alcohol remaining from previous tests. Most green dot Alco-Sensor IVs are used without printers.
Alco-Sensor IV (blue dot) / RBT IV (blue dot)
The blue dot Alco-Sensor IV / RBT IV is programmed with the Dept. of Transportation workplace test protocol; it is one of the most widely used instruments in the US for workplace testing. The instrument starts a 15 minute waiting period after screening test results that are 0.020 and above; prompts the operator to perform an Accuracy Check for confirmation test results of 0.020 and above; and notifies the operator when Accuracy Check results are out of tolerance. The Alco-Sensor IV communicates with the RBT IV printer to print test results as well as store results in memory on the RBT IV printer.
Alco-Sensor IV with Memory (black dot)
The Alco-Sensor IV with Memory behaves quite differently than all other versions of the Alco-Sensor IV. Whereas most of the “brains” in the RBT IV system are located in the RBT printer, the “brains” for the Alco-Sensor IV with Memory are in the instrument. The Alco-Sensor IV with Memory displays a unique test number for each test and displays the date and time prior to each test. The instrument stores this information along with the test result in internal memory that can hold anywhere from 75 to over 1,000 records.
We offer the Alco-Sensor IV with Memory in two versions: The Dept. of Transportation workplace version counts down a 15 minute waiting period after a screening test of 0.020 or higher; the generic version simply does a breath test and records the results in memory, along with the test number, date, and time.
Want to know more? Confused? Give us a call at 800 227-9890 and our knowledgeable customer service staff will explain what you need to know.