---
title: "What Is Carbon monoxide detector? Electrical Glossary"
description: "A carbon monoxide detector senses CO gas and sounds an alarm before levels become dangerous, since people cannot see or smell the gas."
url: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/carbon-monoxide-detector
publisher: Daniel Electric
phone: +1-817-481-8606
quote: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact
---

Safety devices

# Carbon monoxide detector

A carbon monoxide detector senses CO gas and sounds an alarm before levels become dangerous, since people cannot see or smell the gas.

The CDC says carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that kills without warning. It comes from burning fuel in furnaces, gas ranges, grills and generators. The CDC advises installing battery-operated or battery back-up CO detectors near every sleeping area in your home.

CPSC adds that CO alarms belong on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas. Never run a [portable generator](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/portable-generator) indoors. A [smoke alarm](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/smoke-alarm) does not detect CO unless it is a combination unit. See [smoke and CO detector installation](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/smoke-and-co-detector-installation).

[Daniel Electric can helpSmoke and CO detector installation](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/smoke-and-co-detector-installation)

## Related terms

-   [Smoke alarm](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/smoke-alarm)
-   [Interconnected alarms](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/interconnected-alarms)
-   [Portable generator](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/portable-generator)
-   [Hardwired smoke alarm](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/hardwired-smoke-alarm)

## Sources

1.  [CDC: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning](https://www.cdc.gov/carbon-monoxide/about/index.html)
2.  [U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Carbon Monoxide Information Center](https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Carbon-Monoxide-Information-Center)

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