TSI Instruments AeroTrak 9110 Series - User Manual

AEROTRAK
®
PORTABLE AIRBORNE
PARTICLE COUNTER
MODEL 9110
QUICK START GUIDE
P/N 6004346, REVISION K
MARCH 2018

Summary

Safety

Laser Safety

Precautions for avoiding hazardous laser radiation exposure to prevent blindness.

Labels

Power

Running the Particle Counter

Using the Onscreen Keyboard

Select Language

Set up Time;Date

Collecting Samples

Zones, Locations, and Recipes

Setup Options

Zone Configuration

Setting up specific zones, locations, and associated recipes for sampling.

Recipe Configuration

Defining sampling strategy, sample length, alarms, and volume for recipes.

Reviewing Data

Instrument Configuration

Software

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Maintenance Features

The AEROTRAK® Portable Airborne Particle Counter Model 9110 is a sophisticated instrument designed for measuring airborne particles, primarily used in environments where air cleanliness is critical, such as cleanrooms. This quick start guide provides essential information for quickly setting up and operating the device, along with important safety and maintenance considerations.

Function Description

The Model 9110 is a Class I laser-based instrument that detects and counts airborne particles. It provides real-time data on particle concentrations across multiple size channels, allowing users to monitor and classify air quality according to various standards, such as ISO 14644-1:2015. The device organizes collected data by "Zones" and "Locations" within these zones, which helps in structuring measurements for compliance with classification standards or for general air quality monitoring. Each zone can be associated with a "Recipe," which defines the sampling mode, timing, alarm thresholds, and display preferences. This structured approach facilitates systematic data collection, reporting, and analysis, making it a valuable tool for maintaining controlled environments.

Usage Features

The particle counter is controlled via a user-friendly touch screen display, which responds to a plastic stylus or fingertip. Upon powering on, the device boots up its Windows® CE operating system and presents a "Main" screen, showing the current status and latest sample values.

Key operational screens include:

• Main: The default screen displaying real-time sampling data and instrument status.
• Setup: Allows configuration of various parameters, including data display, system settings, device-specific options, and "Recipes."
• Data: Provides access to review collected data, allowing users to scroll through records and view detailed information for each sample.
• Reports: Enables the generation and viewing of standard reports, which can also be printed.

The device supports multiple language and date/time formats, configurable through the "Setup | Device | Regional" menu. Sampling is initiated from the Main screen, where users can select a specific Zone and Location. If no specific zone is selected, a "Default" Recipe is used, providing a 60-second sample. Recipes are highly customizable, allowing users to define:

• Start Delay: The time before the first sample is taken, crucial for allowing the pump to reach its flow set point and prevent data errors.
• Sample Time: The duration for each individual sample.
• Hold Time: The pause duration between consecutive samples.
• Cycles: The total number of samples to be collected. A cycle value of 0 enables continuous sampling until manually stopped.
• Volume: The total volume of air to be sampled, selectable in cubic feet, cubic meters, or cubic liters.

The "Zones" setup screen allows users to define, edit, or delete zones and associate them with physical locations. This feature is particularly useful for classification sampling, where guidance on sampling strategy is provided based on selected standards. For non-classification sampling, zones help in grouping data by physical areas.

The device also features an onscreen keyboard for data entry in setup screens, which automatically switches to a numeric keypad when numeric input is required. Data can be exported to a flash drive via a USB A port or printed using an optional printer.

Maintenance Features

The AeroTrak® Model 9110 is designed with minimal user-serviceable parts, emphasizing that all repair and maintenance should be performed by a qualified factory-authorized technician. Users are explicitly warned not to remove any parts of the particle counter housing or covers to avoid exposure to hazardous laser radiation and to prevent damage to the instrument.

Important maintenance-related instructions include:

• HEPA Filter: Before connecting power, it is crucial to attach a HEPA filter to the top inlet, especially when operating outside a cleanroom, to prevent contamination of the optics. For zero checking in dirty environments, two filters in series may be necessary.
• Battery Installation: The device operates on battery power, with slots for up to four batteries accessible by removing the battery door. The battery icon bar on the display indicates the charge level.
• Power Off Procedure: To turn off the instrument, users must hold down the power switch, which brings up a dialog box offering options to turn off or enter standby mode for battery charging. It is critical not to disconnect the power cord directly, as this may lead to data loss.
• Optics Cleaning (Service Screen): The "Service Screen" is specifically for cleaning the optics. It displays the current laser level relative to its factory-measured level (100% being the factory level) and allows the user to turn the pump on and off during this process. This feature helps in maintaining the instrument's performance by ensuring the optics remain clean.
• Packaging Retention: Users are advised to retain the original shipping containers and packaging for future service or calibration needs. Using alternative packaging may result in damage to the instrument during transit.
• Software and Drivers: The instrument comes with a TrakPro™ Lite Secure Software CD, which includes data transfer utilities and user manuals. Proper installation of this software and drivers is necessary for communication between the particle counter and a computer. Users are reminded to connect the particle counter before running the software.

The device also provides an "Information Screen" accessible via the Setup tab, which displays critical system details such as model, serial number, copyright, manufacture date, last and next calibration dates, firmware version, and IP addresses. This information is valuable for tracking the instrument's history and ensuring timely calibration.

TSI Instruments AeroTrak 9110 Series Specifications