oxygen sensors show significant responses to atmospheric pressure changes

Pressure variation is a critical environmental factor that directly impacts the accuracy of detection results and the reliability of gas detectors，which is often overlooked. Significant pressure fluctuations frequently occur in environments such as drilling platforms, wellheads, and compressor stations in the petroleum and chemical industries, as well as inlets, pump stations, and sedimentation tanks of wastewater treatment plants. In these settings, oxygen monitoring is often essential, and the lead-based oxygen sensors (galvanic cell type) commonly used are highly sensitive to pressure changes.  

For example, oxygen sensors operating on the principle of two-electrode lead-based galvanic cells (such as models like 4OXV, O2-A2, and S+4OX) experience an instantaneous increase in output current signal when subjected to a sudden pressure surge. This results in a rapid rise in oxygen readings to 23–30% vol, triggering high-level alarms. When abnormal oxygen readings (such as sudden spikes) occur in gas detection equipment, the sensor’s operating principle and product design should be considered. Additionally, aside from environmental pressure influences, such situations often arise when the equipment is subjected to severe shaking, impact, or accidental blockage of the sensor’s inlet/outlet ports (particularly in pump-assisted sampling structures). It is important to note that this behavior is an inherent physical characteristic of the sensor and not a product quality defect. Typically, readings return to normal within seconds after pressure stabilizes.