Jeroen Smits
Business Development Manager
Li-COR LI-830 & LI-850 CO₂ / CO₂–H₂O Gas Analyzers
The LI-830 and LI-850 are precision gas analyzers designed for continuous monitoring of CO₂ concentrations in ambient or process air. The LI-850 further integrates H₂O measurement for enhanced accuracy in humid environments. Both deliver dependable performance, user-friendly connectivity and versatile configurations — all with minimal maintenance.
Both models employ non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) technology within a temperature-controlled optical bench to provide reliable and stable readings over the full measurement range. The LI-830 measures CO₂ only; the LI-850 measures both CO₂ and water vapour in the same optical cell and compensates for H₂O effects on CO₂ readings for improved precision.
Available with optional internal pump and local display, they offer analog, current, serial and USB outputs for seamless integration in lab, environmental or OEM setups.
Key Features
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CO₂ measurement range: 0 to 20,000 ppm
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LI-850 also measures H₂O: 0 to 60 mmol mol⁻¹
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Output rate: up to 2 Hz
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NDIR optical bench with low drift, high stability and noise <1 ppm
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Multiple configurable analog and digital outputs (voltage, current, USB, RS-232)
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Optional built-in pump for constant flow; optional onboard display for real-time read-out
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Lightweight, low power consumption — suitable for remote or mobile deployments
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Designed for long-term operation with minimal maintenance
Applications
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Ambient air quality monitoring (indoor & outdoor)
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Environmental and atmospheric research (CO₂ flux, sequestration studies)
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Growth chambers, greenhouses and controlled-environment agriculture
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Industrial process monitoring and OEM instrumentation integration
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Drone/UAV-mounted CO₂ measurement systems
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Leak detection, volcanology and carbon-pool monitoring
Technische specificaties
Technical Specifications
CO₂ Measurements (both models)
Range: 0 to 20,000 ppm
Accuracy: LI-850: within 1.5% of reading; LI-830: within 3% of reading
Zero drift: < 0.15 ppm/°C
Span drift: < 0.03%/°C
Total drift at 370 ppm: < 0.4 ppm/°C
RMS noise at 370 ppm (1-second filter): < 1 ppm
Lower detection limit: 1.5 ppm
Sensitivity to H₂O (LI-850 only): < 0.1 ppm CO₂ / mmol mol⁻¹ H₂O
H₂O Measurements (LI-850 only)
Range: 0 to 60 mmol mol⁻¹
Accuracy: better than 1.5% of reading
Drift at 0 mmol mol⁻¹: < 0.005 mmol mol⁻¹/°C
Span drift at 10 mmol mol⁻¹: < 0.006 mmol mol⁻¹/°C
Total drift at 10 mmol mol⁻¹: < 0.016 mmol mol⁻¹/°C
RMS noise at 10 mmol mol⁻¹ (1-second filter): < 0.01 mmol mol⁻¹
Lower detection limit: < 0.015 mmol mol⁻¹
General
Output rate: up to 2 measurements per second (2 Hz)
Response time (T90): CO₂: < 3.5 s (0 to 375 ppm); H₂O: < 3.5 s (0 to 21 mmol mol⁻¹)
Measurement principle: Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR)
Pressure compensation: 50 to 110 kPa
Maximum gas flow rate: 1 L/min
Power & Environment
Input voltage: 12–30 V DC
Power consumption: Without pump: ~4.0 W (0.33 A @12V); With pump: ~5.0 W (0.42 A @12V); during warm-up: up to ~14 W (1.2 A @12V)
Operating temperature: –20 °C to 45 °C
Relative humidity: 0 to 95% RH, non-condensing
Dimensions: 221 mm W × 146 mm D × 75 mm H
Weight: Without pump/display: ~1.0 kg; With pump/display: ~1.3 kg
Optional Features
Internal pump for consistent sample flow (nominal 0.75 L/min, 1 W consumption)
On-board monochrome display (400×200 px) showing CO₂, H₂O (LI-850), optical bench temperature and pressure
Configurable alarms for threshold triggers via analog or digital outputs