Alcohol Interlock ALC-308
Vehicle alcohol interlock ALC-308 with fuel cell sensor, ready in 180 seconds at -40°C, RS-485/RS232 communication, and 12-month calibration interval.
Product Overview
What the ALC-308 Is For
The ALC-308 is a vehicle alcohol interlock system that prevents a vehicle from starting if the driver's breath alcohol concentration exceeds a set threshold. It uses a premium fuel cell sensor to measure ethanol specifically, ensuring results are not affected by acetone, tobacco smoke, or fuel vapour. The system consists of a handheld unit and a control box mounted in the vehicle. The control box handles the sensor, power management, and communication with external systems. The handset displays results and prompts the driver through the test sequence. Ready time varies with temperature: approximately 1 second at 25°C, 120 seconds at -20°C, and 180 seconds at -40°C. The unit is designed for compliance and monitoring programmes on shared or pooled vehicles where access control and audit trails are required.
Key Benefits
Why Buyers Pick This Model
- Prevents vehicle start if breath alcohol exceeds the set threshold
- Premium fuel cell sensor ensures accurate ethanol-specific readings
- Ready time of 180 seconds at -40°C allows operation in cold climates
- RS-485 and RS232 communication enables integration with fleet management systems
- Calibration every 12 months maintains traceability and compliance
- Handset and control box design allows for secure installation and remote monitoring
- Clear visual and audible prompts guide the driver through the test sequence
Application Scenarios
- Preventing vehicle start in shared or pooled vehicle fleets where drivers are not assigned to a single vehicle
- Enforcing compliance with occupational safety policies in logistics and transport operations
- Monitoring driver alcohol use in cold climate regions where vehicle start conditions are extreme
- Integrating with fleet management systems via RS-485 or RS232 for remote log access
- Supporting internal audits and legal defensibility through documented test records
- Deploying in mining, construction, and oil and gas operations where vehicle safety is critical
- Using in public transport or municipal vehicle fleets requiring strict alcohol control
Who It Is For
- Fleet and logistics operators managing shared or pooled vehicles
- EHS managers implementing alcohol monitoring programmes with audit requirements
- Mining and construction contractors enforcing zero alcohol rules at site access
- Public transport and municipal vehicle operators needing defensible compliance records
- Oil and gas site managers requiring vehicle interlocks in remote or cold environments
- Distributors of safety instruments seeking a fuel cell interlock with external communication
- Organisations requiring integration with fleet or access control systems via RS-485 or RS232
The Case for Buying It
Problems It Solves
- Consumer semiconductor testers drift and cannot be recalibrated, leading to unreliable results
- Interlocks without temperature compensation fail in cold climates, especially below -20°C
- Lack of external communication ports prevents integration with fleet monitoring systems
- No clear audit trail or log access makes compliance difficult to prove during audits
- Inconsistent alarm thresholds across models prevent standardised deployment
- Manual log retrieval is slow and error-prone in large vehicle fleets
- No support for retesting during a journey leaves gaps in monitoring for long trips
How It Works
Technical Features
- Premium fuel cell sensor for ethanol-specific detection
- Ready to test in 1 second at 25°C, 120 seconds at -20°C, 180 seconds at -40°C
- Measurement range: 0.000 to 0.500 %BAC, 0.00 to 5.00 ‰, 0.00 to 2.50 mg/L
- Calibration every 12 months to maintain accuracy
- RS-485 and RS232 communication for external data logging and monitoring
- UART communication between handset and control box
- Power supply: 9 V or 36 V DC
- Operating temperature: -20°C to 65°C
- Handset dimensions: 59 x 140 x 35 mm, weight 120 g
- Control box dimensions: 100 x 75 x 30 mm, weight 300 g
Specifications
Published Specification
These are the figures published for this model. Nothing is carried across from another model in the range.
| Sensor | Premium Fuel Cell Sensor |
|---|---|
| Measurement Range | 0.000 ~ 0.500 %BAC, 0.00 ~ 5.00 ‰, 0.00 ~ 2.50 mg/L |
| Accuracy | +/-0.005 %BAC at 0.050 %BAC, 25 ℃ |
| Accuracy | +/-0.05 ‰ at 0.50 ‰, 25 ℃ |
| Accuracy | +/-0.025 mg/L at 0.25 mg/L, 25 ℃ |
| Ready to Test | 25 ℃: approx. 1 s, -20 ℃: approx. 120 s, -40 ℃: approx. 180 s |
| Power Supply | 9 V or 36 V DC |
| Operating Temperature | -20 ~ 65 ℃ |
| Calibration Period | Every 12 months |
| Communication | UART between handset and control box |
| External Communication | RS-485, RS232 |
| Handset Dimensions | 59 x 140 x 35 mm |
| Control Box Dimensions | 100 x 75 x 30 mm |
| Handset Weight | 120 g |
| Control Box Weight | 300 g |
How It Is Built
Materials Process and Quality Control
Materials
- Impact resistant plastic housing for handset and control box
- Internal components designed for long-term operation in vehicle environments
- Wiring and connectors rated for automotive electrical conditions
Manufacturing Process
- Fuel cell sensor conditioning and burn in
- PCB assembly and firmware loading
- Gas calibration against a certified ethanol standard
- Configuration of calibration interval and alarm threshold
- Functional test of handset and control box communication
- Final system test under temperature extremes to verify readiness time
- Packaging and labeling for shipment
Quality Control
- Every unit is gas calibrated before shipment
- Ready time verified at 25°C, -20°C, and -40°C during final test
- Communication between handset and control box tested for signal integrity
- Calibration interval of 12 months documented in user guide
- External communication ports tested with RS-485 and RS232 signals
Configured Before Shipment
Customisation Options
- Alarm threshold set to 0.02, 0.05, or 0.08 percent at service centre
- Communication protocol configured for RS-485 or RS232 integration
- Branding on handset and control box subject to order confirmation
- Fleet-specific configuration including log retention and test sequence
Comparison
How It Compares With the Alternatives
| ALC-303 alcohol interlock | Same sensor platform, accuracy, and calibration interval; model selection confirmed with sales team, no functional difference |
|---|---|
| ALC-605 screening terminal | The ALC-308 is a vehicle interlock that prevents engine start, while the ALC-605 is a fixed terminal for access control and screening at site entrances |
| Handheld testers like ALC-213 | The ALC-308 is installed in a vehicle and controls access to the engine, while handheld units are used for pre-shift screening by an operator |
| Semiconductor-based interlocks | The fuel cell sensor is selective to ethanol and can be recalibrated, unlike semiconductor sensors which drift and cannot be recalibrated |
Running the Test
Use Guide
- Install the control box in a secure, accessible location within the vehicle
- Connect the handset to the control box using the UART interface
- Ensure the power supply is 9 V or 36 V DC and properly grounded
- Allow the system to warm up before the first test; readiness time depends on ambient temperature
- Prompt the driver to blow steadily into the handset for the required duration
- If the result exceeds the threshold, the engine will not start and the log will record the event
- For retesting during a journey, follow the system prompt and wait for the next test cycle
- Send the unit for recalibration every 12 months or after 500 tests, whichever comes first
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Background Reading Before You Specify
FAQ
Questions About the ALC-308
Can the ALC-308 be used in cold climates?
Yes. It is designed to be ready to test in 180 seconds at -40°C, making it suitable for use in extreme cold environments.
How often does the ALC-308 need recalibration?
Every 12 months. This interval ensures the device remains within specification for compliance and audit purposes.
Can the alarm threshold be set to our national limit?
Yes. The alarm point is selectable between 0.02, 0.05, and 0.08 percent and is set at the service centre before shipment.
How does the system handle retesting during a journey?
The system allows for retesting after a failed test. The driver must wait for the next test cycle and blow again when prompted.
What communication ports are available for external systems?
The ALC-308 supports RS-485 and RS232 communication for integration with fleet management or monitoring systems.
Who reads the log from the interlock?
The log is stored in the control box and can be accessed via RS-485 or RS232 by a fleet manager or EHS officer using a connected device.
What is the minimum order quantity and lead time?
Both are confirmed per order because they depend on alarm point configuration and any branding. Send your quantity and destination market to [email protected] or by WhatsApp and we will confirm in writing.
Quote the Alcohol Interlock ALC-308
Send the quantity, the destination market and the alarm point you need. Configuration is set before shipment, so it is worth agreeing at order time.