Extech Instruments VPC300 User Manual

14VPC300‐en‐GB_v1.55/15
ParticleCounterConsiderations
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Particlepollutionisamixtureofvariouscomponentsincludingsmoke,dust,chemicals,mold,
andgases.Particleconcentrationscanaffectourhealthandcomfortlevels.Evaluatingthe
qualityoftheairbydeterminingtheconcentrationandsizeoftheseparticlescanhelp to
determineifaproblemexists.Locatingthesourceofthesevariousparticlescanhelpto
determineeffectivemethodsofreducingtheseandimprovingtheIndoorAirQuality(IAQ).

Onewaytodeterminethesourceofairparticula tesinaroomistotesttheairoutsideofthe
roomunderinvestigation.Determinetheconcentrationandsizeofparticulatesat
theairintake
tothatroom.PurgeorZerotheparticlecounterandthenmeasuretheconcentrationandsize
ofparticlesinmultipleareasoftheroomtobetested,todeterminetheeffectivenessofthe
incomingairfiltration.Theairtemperature,relativehumidity,andCO2levelsarealsoan
importantconsiderationforIAQashighhumidityandlowertemperaturescanbringaboutmold
creation.
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IfaroomisclassifiedasanISOcleanroomorcleanzone,thecountsofparticlesizesforthat
classcannotbeexceededwhentested.
RefertotheISOCleanRoomClasschart(ISO
14644‐1:1999)forvalues.

TheVPC300isequippedwithastill/videocameratodirectlyseetheareas undertest.Data,
images,andvideocanbestoredonuptoan8GBmicro‐SDcard(notincluded)orinthemeter’s 
internal74MBmemory.

Thelifeofthemetercanbe
maximizedbytestingonlywhennecessaryandsecurelystoringthe
instrumentwhenitisnotinuse.Continuoususeisnotrecommendedandcanshortenthelifeof
theinstrumentespeciallyindustyenvironments.Settingupacommonsensemaintenance
scheduleandtestingtotheschedulewillgoalongwayinlengtheningthelifeoftheinstrument
sensor.


PCInterfaceandSuppliedPCsoftware

ThismeterhasthecapabilitytoconnecttoandcommunicatewithaPC.AUSBcableissupplied
andconnectstothejackonthemeter’sleftsidecompartment.
To install and use the software, please refer to the instructions provided on the supplied CD‐
ROMand/ortheinstructionsprovidedin
theHELPUtilitywithinthesoftwareprogram.

Checkthesoftwaredownloadpageofthewebsitewww.extech.comforthe latestversionofthe
PCsoftwareanditsoperatingsystemcompatibility.


Extech Instruments VPC300 Specifications

Particle Counter

channels	0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10μm
flow rate	0.1 ft³/min (2.83 L/min)
counting efficiency	50% at 0.3μm; 100% for particles > 0.45μm
coincidence loss	5% at 2, 000, 000 particles per ft³
particle count modes	Cumulative, Differential, and Concentration modes

Air Temperature and Relative Humidity Measurements

air temperature range	32 to 122°F (0 to 50°C)
dew point/wet bulb temperature range	32 to 122°F (0 to 50°C)
relative humidity range	0 to 100% RH
air temperature accuracy	±0.9°F (0.5°C) 50 to 104°F (10 to 40°C); ±1.8°F (1.0°C) all other ranges
dew point/wet bulb temperature accuracy	±0.9°F (0.5°C) 50 to 104°F (10 to 40°C); 1.8°F (1.0°C) all other ranges
relative humidity accuracy	±3% RH from 40 to 60% RH; ±3.5% RH from 20 to 40% RH and from 60 to 80% RH; ±5.0% RH from 0 to 20% RH and from 80 to 100% RH

General Specifications

display	2.8” 320 x 240 pixel TFT Color LCD with backlight
micro‐SD card slot	Accommodates up to an 8GB card
meter internal memory	5000 sample records; 74MB
power supply	Rechargeable 7.4V Lithium‐ion polymer battery
battery life	Approx. 4 hours of continuous use
battery charge time	2 hours approx. with AC adaptor/charger
operating temperature	32 to 122°F (0 to 50°C)
operating/storage humidity	10 to 90% RH non‐condensing
storage temperature	14 to 140°F (‐10 to 60°C)
dimensions	9.4 x 3.0 x 2.2” (240 x 75 x 57mm)
weight	1.26 lbs. (570g)