Breath Alcohol Tester ALC-215
ALC-215 fuel cell handheld for roadside and checkpoint screening at night, one handed operation and a result in under 10 seconds.
Product Overview
What the ALC-215 Is For
The ALC-215 is a handheld fuel cell breath alcohol tester designed for traffic police, road safety agencies, and checkpoint operators conducting high-volume screening of drivers in open air at night. It uses an electrochemical fuel cell sensor to detect ethanol specifically, avoiding false positives from mouth alcohol, tobacco smoke, or fuel vapour. One-button operation allows a single hand to manage the device while holding a torch. The 4 digit LCD display shows results in extended accuracy format within 10 seconds after a 6 second blow at approximately 10 L/min. The unit warms up in 10 to 15 seconds and displays HI if the reading exceeds the range. Accuracy is established at 0.008% and 0.032% BAC, with a tolerance of +/-0.005% at 0.05% BAC. Results are stored in a rolling memory of the last 5 tests and the cumulative test counter is visible. The alarm point is selectable at 0.02%, 0.05%, or 0.08% and is set at the service centre before shipment.
Key Benefits
Why Buyers Pick This Model
- One-button operation allows a single hand to manage the device while holding a torch during night checks
- Crisp 4 digit LCD display is readable in low light conditions at a distance
- Electrochemical fuel cell sensor responds only to ethanol, not to acetone, tobacco smoke or fuel vapour
- Result appears in under 10 seconds after a 6 second blow at 10 L/min, keeping queue throughput high
- Alarm point is set at the service centre to match local legal limits of 0.02%, 0.05%, or 0.08%
- Audible alert and LCD colour change flag a positive result without requiring the operator to read digits
- Recalibration every 500 tests or 12 months maintains traceability and defensibility of results
- Runs on two AAA batteries so no charging infrastructure is needed at roadside checkpoints
Application Scenarios
- Nighttime roadside checks by traffic police during holiday periods and enforcement campaigns
- High-volume screening at border crossings and entry points during peak travel times
- Mobile checkpoints on highways and rural roads where power is unavailable
- Festival and event site access control where drivers must be screened before entry
- Road safety agency patrols conducting random testing on commercial and private vehicles
- Emergency response units screening drivers at accident scenes for alcohol involvement
Who It Is For
- Traffic police and road safety agencies running high-volume roadside screening operations
- Highway patrol units needing a reliable handheld device for night enforcement
- Border control and customs agencies conducting alcohol checks on incoming drivers
- Event security teams managing access to large public gatherings with vehicle entry
- EHS and safety auditors verifying compliance with alcohol screening procedures at mobile sites
- Distributors of safety instruments seeking a fuel cell unit with police-grade accuracy
The Case for Buying It
Problems It Solves
- Consumer semiconductor testers drift after a few hundred blows and cannot be recalibrated, leading to unreliable results in legal disputes
- Multi-step menu systems slow down screening at checkpoints and increase error rates under pressure
- Poor visibility in low light conditions makes it hard to read results during night operations
- Lack of a fixed alarm threshold means a single model cannot be deployed across different markets
- Instruments without a documented recalibration interval cannot prove they were in specification at the time of a test
- Devices that require two hands to operate hinder use while holding a torch or other equipment at night
How It Works
Technical Features
- Electrochemical fuel cell sensor selective to ethanol
- 4 digit LCD display in extended accuracy format
- Warm up in 10 to 15 seconds from power on
- Blow detection at approximately 10 L/min over about 6 seconds
- Cumulative test counter showing the number of tests performed
- HI indication when the reading is above the display range
- Rolling memory of the last 5 test records
- Repeat test possible in under 60 seconds
- Selectable alarm point of 0.02%, 0.05%, or 0.08% set at the service centre
- Audible alert and LCD colour change flag a positive result
- One-button operation for rapid testing
Specifications
Published Specification
These are the figures published for this model. Nothing is carried across from another model in the range.
| Sensor | Electrochemical fuel cell sensor |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | +/-0.005% at 0.05% BAC |
| Established Range | 0.008% to 0.032% BAC |
| Display | 4 digit LCD, extended accuracy format |
| Warm Up Time | 10-15 seconds |
| Testing Time | 10 seconds |
| Blowing Time | About 6 seconds |
| Blowing Flow | About 10 L/min |
| Repeat Test Interval | Less than 60 seconds |
| Memory | Last 5 records |
| Alarm Points | 0.02%, 0.05%, or 0.08%, set by service centre |
| Power | 2 x AAA 1.5V batteries |
| Recalibration | Every 500 tests or 1 year |
| Operating Temperature | 10-40 C |
| Storage Temperature | 0-50 C |
| Included | 5 mouthpieces |
How It Is Built
Materials Process and Quality Control
Materials
- Impact resistant moulded plastic housing sized for one hand operation
- Replaceable hygienic mouthpieces supplied 5 per unit
Manufacturing Process
- Fuel cell sensor conditioning and burn in
- PCB assembly and firmware loading
- Gas calibration against a certified ethanol standard
- Alarm point configuration to the destination market limit
- Functional blow test on every unit before packing
Quality Control
- Every unit is gas calibrated before it leaves the line
- Alarm threshold is verified after it is set at the service centre
- Blow flow and warm up timing are checked on the finished unit
- Recalibration interval of 500 tests or 12 months is documented in the user guide
Configured Before Shipment
Customisation Options
- Alarm point preset to 0.02%, 0.05%, or 0.08% before shipment
- Display unit configuration for the destination market
- Buyer branding on housing and retail packaging subject to order confirmation
- Mouthpiece quantity per carton adjusted to fleet consumption
Comparison
How It Compares With the Alternatives
| Semiconductor breath testers | The fuel cell sensor is selective to ethanol and can be recalibrated, where a semiconductor element drifts and reacts to solvents and smoke |
|---|---|
| ALC-213 | Same sensor platform and specification set, so the ALC-215 is the alternative housing and finish if you want a different form factor for the same test |
| ALC-605 screening terminal | The ALC-215 is portable and battery powered for roadside and gate use, while the ALC-605 is a fixed mains powered terminal that also gates access and reads temperature |
| ALC-303 alcohol interlock | The ALC-215 screens a person, the ALC-303 physically prevents the engine from starting, so an interlock is the choice when nobody is present to supervise |
Running the Test
Use Guide
- Wait at least 15 minutes after the subject has eaten, drunk, or smoked before testing
- Power on and allow the 10 to 15 second warm up to complete before handing the unit over
- Fit a fresh mouthpiece for every subject
- Ask the subject to blow steadily for about 6 seconds until the unit signals
- Read the result on the 4 digit LCD and note the test counter value for your record
- Wait under 60 seconds before running a repeat or confirmation test
- Send the unit for recalibration at 500 tests or 12 months whichever comes first
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Background Reading Before You Specify
FAQ
Questions About the ALC-215
Why does a fuel cell sensor matter if a semiconductor tester is cheaper?
A fuel cell reacts to ethanol specifically, so acetone from a diabetic subject, tobacco smoke and fuel vapour at a depot do not push the reading up. It also holds calibration long enough that a documented 500 test or 12 month interval means something. Semiconductor units drift and generally cannot be recalibrated at all.
How often does the ALC-215 need recalibration?
Every 500 tests or every 12 months, whichever comes first. That interval is what lets you show an auditor the device was in specification on the date of a disputed test.
Can the alarm point 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, so tell us the destination market when you order and the units arrive configured.
How fast can one operator screen a shift queue?
Warm up is 10 to 15 seconds from power on, the blow takes about 6 seconds, the result appears in under 10 seconds, and a repeat test is possible in under 60 seconds. In practice the mouthpiece change is what sets the pace.
What happens if a reading is above the display range?
The display shows HI instead of a number. Treat that as a positive screening result and follow your escalation procedure.
Does it store results for reporting?
It holds the last 5 records and a cumulative test counter. If your procedure needs a full audit trail per employee, the ALC-605 or ALC-608 terminal is the better fit because it stores 20000 test records.
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 Breath Alcohol Tester ALC-215
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.