An Overview of the Best Damn Handheld NH3 Detectors

Keep Supply carries a wide range of the best options for handheld ammonia detection. From single-gas, or multi-gas detection, to sulfur sticks, test strips, or detection tape, we've got a full range of options for detecting NH3 out in the field to keep yourself and your co-workers safe.

And to help you stock up, Keep Supply is offering special pricing on select portable ammonia gas detectors.

Single Gas Detectors

Draeger PAC 8000 for Ammonia
With the robust Dräger Pac^® 8000, you'll be well equipped for tough conditions: this non-disposable, personal single-gas detection device is a reliable and precise instrument, which detects hazardous concentrations of twenty-nine different gases, including special gases like NO₂, O₃  or COCl₂. You can count on the Dräger Pac 8000 to give you reliable, precise readings at any time even in extreme conditions. Our powerful sensors with a low t-90 response time ensure quick reactions. In addition to the standard alarms, you can define extra alarm thresholds for TLV® and STEL.

Honeywell BW Solo for Ammonia
Honeywell BW™ Solo is an easy to service single-gas detector with BLE connectivity that provides real-time visibility into the status and safety of hazardous-area workers, helping companies respond faster, more knowingly and decisively to safety incidents. Data from the detector or its docking station is downloadable to a PC, where it can be aggregated and managed through Honeywell’s Safety Suite software platform to automate key compliance tasks like regulatory records management. Can detect up to 15 user-selected common and exotic gases. User-friendly operation, lightweight convenience, and ease of maintenance and serviceability can lower the long-term ownership cost of a gas monitoring system.

Keep Supply Pick: Draeger PAC 8000

If you need something now, we recommend PAC 8000 due to larger quantities of available stock. However, if you can wait and are a little more price-sensitive you can't go wrong with the BW Solo.

Multi-Gas Detectors

Draeger X-am 5000 Portable Ammonia + 4 Gas Detector with Battery and Charger Kit

The Dräger X-am^® 5000 belongs to a generation of gas detectors, developed especially for personal monitoring applications. This 1- to 5-gas detector reliably measures combustible gases and vapors as well as O2 and harmful concentrations of toxic gases, organic vapors, odorant,s and amine.

This Multi-gas detector includes a rechargeable NiMH power supply T4, a charging module, and a single charger (for worldwide use).This detector measures:

• Lower explosion limit (LEL) -- 0-100 % by vol.
• Carbon Monoxide (CO) -- 0-2000 ppm
• Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) -- 0-200 ppm
• Oxygen (O2) -- 0-25% Vol%
• Ammonia (NH3) -- 0-300 ppm

Calibration Technologies (CTI) NH3 Responder Ultra

• Detection range from 0-100% LEL of Ammonia (PID: 0-1,000 PPM NH3) (LEL: 4,500 to 150,000 PPM NH3))
• Includes Oxygen sensor with range of 0-25% O2 (vol).
• Smaller and lighter than competitive instruments.
• Water-resistant design in an integral concussion-proof enclosure.
• Large LCD allows for easy-to-read monitoring.
• Integral motorized pump for remote sampling and fast response.
• Rechargeable lithium polymer battery (14 hours runtime @ -4F)
• 95 dB alarm tone, bright LED alarm bars, & internal vibrating alarm for noisy areas.
• Auto backlight: activates in low light & when in alarm.
• Four alarm levels: instantaneous Low Alarm, High Alarm, TWA and STEL.
• Records TWA, STEL, and max exposures to gas & displays readings on command.
• Datalogger with programmable sampling intervals.
• Available options for additional H2S and CO sensors (call for price and availability).

Includes:

• carrying case,
• rechargeable battery and charger,
• sampling wand and hose (3ft), and
• stainless steel alligator belt clip.

Honeywell BW Technologies BW Ultra Portable 5-in-1 Gas Detector (Ammonia (NH3) + 4)

The BW Ultra utilizes up to 5 sensors for monitoring and detection of a variety of gases. The sensors can be custom-selected with a maximum of 5 gases per unit. This allows the ULTRA to be configured for a multitude of applications. With preset and user-adjustable alarm setpoints, dangerous gas levels are instantly made aware by audible and visual alarms, as well as vibration; ensuring that personnel are aware of potential hazards.
A standard configuration for a facility requiring both confined space and ammonia detection would be comprised of the following sensors:

• LEL Lower Explosive Limit -- 0-100%
• O2 (Oxygen) -- 0-25%
• H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide) -- 0-100 ppm
• CO (Carbon Monoxide) -- 0-2000 ppm
• NH3 (Ammonia) -- 0-100 ppm

Honeywell SPM Flex Chemcassette® Tape-Based Gas Detector

With Honeywell SPM Flex, you never have to worry whether your single-point monitor will stand up to harsh conditions whether a false alarm will lead to a costly shutdown, or whether your workers will be able to correctly operate the device.

Whether you’re responding to an emergency, investigating a suspected leak, or performing routine tool maintenance, you can count on Honeywell SPM Flex for unmatched accuracy, intuitive operation, and flexible integration — even in challenging environments. This portable, single-point Chemcassette® tape-based monitor detects the ultrasensitive gases inherent in your operations — including hydrides, mineral acids, oxidizers, and amines.

Draeger Accuro Pump and Draeger Tubes

Gas detector tubes are one of the classic measurement methods used for gas analysis today. This versatile system can be used in numerous applications in industry, firefighting, and disaster management, in the laboratory, for environmental protection, and in many other areas. Our portfolio ranges from short-term tubes for spot measurements for more than 500 different gases, Dräger sampling tubes and systems measuring complex compounds and mixtures of substances, to manual and automatic tube pumps. We also offer an airflow tester and different Dräger-Tubes test sets.

Draeger Accuro Handpump

Fast measurement with one hand: The Dräger-Tube pump accuro allows you to use the established Dräger-Tubes to take measurements under extreme conditions. The easy-to-use Dräger-Tubes have already been calibrated and form a perfect unit with the Dräger-Tube pump.

Draeger Tubes for Ammonia Detection

The Draeger short-term detector tubes have proven to be a very cost-effective and reliable way to measure toxic gases and vapors in the workplace.

• ​results are directly shown at the end of the measurement process
• spot measurement for more than 500 different gases 
• short measurement time: between 5 seconds to 15 minutes

Ranges available from 0.25 ppm to 10% Volume. 

Other Methods

Sulfur Sticks - 100 Pack

Sulfur sticks are used in industrial ammonia refrigeration systems as a minor-leak ammonia detector. A sulfur stick is made from a wick that contains particles of sulfur. The sulfur stick is lit and smolders, something like the taper that is used to light fireworks. The color of the sulfur smoke is used to find the ammonia leak. When there is no ammonia, the smoke is colorless. When ammonia is present, the combined sulfur and ammonia vapors produce white smoke.

Nitto's Ammonia Detection Tape

• See the Leak: Tape quickly changes color, from white to blue (depending on the percentage of ammonia).
• Safety: Provides an additional safety net for detecting gas leaks and improves detection time by making it easier to find intermittent leaks.
• Long-Lasting Change: Tape will not immediately return to its original color even when the flow of ammonia gas has stopped.
• Easy to Use: Applies as easily as regular pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes.
• Environmentally Resistant: Can be used in most indoor and outdoor environments

Ammonia Test Strips

Ammonia leaks, even small ones, can be detected with the aid of these ammonia test strips. Moisten a strip of paper and pass it around the area in which the leak is suspected. If the paper comes in contact with ammonia, the paper will turn red. Coils submerged in water may be tested for leaks by dipping a strip of paper directly into the surrounding water. If ammonia is present in the water, the paper will turn red.