AIRY TECHNOLOGY P311 Operation Manual

1

Handheld Laser Particle Counter

Model: P311

Operation Manual

Ver: 1.50

AIRY TECHNOLOGY INC

2

Warranty

AIRY TECHNOLOGY INC warrants to the original user that this instrument shall be free from

defects in material and workm anship for one year from the dat e of shipment.
Airy's obligations under thi s warranty , and the sole reme dy for its breach, are limited t o repair or, in
Airy's sole discretion, replacement of the instrument or any of its parts. Should it become
necessary to return the instrument for repair during or beyond the warranty period, user shall
contact Airy Technology, Inc. (USA). E-mail: [e-mail]

. User is responsible for
shipping charges, freight, insurance and proper pac kaging to prevent damage in tr ansit.
This warranty shall be void in the event of user actions including misuse, improper wiring,
operation outside of specification, improper maintenance or repair, unauthorized modification, or
any other defect caused b y the user' neglect or accident.
This warranty is the sole and exclusive warranty for this instrument, and no other warranty,
whether written or oral, is expressed or implied. Airy specifically disclaims any implied warranties
of merchantability or fitness for a specific purpose and will not be liable for any direct, indirect,
incidental, consequential, or punitive damages. Airy’s total liability is limited to repair or
replacement of the product.

3

Safety information

This section gives instruct i ons for promoting safe and proper handling of the P ar t icl e Counter .

Laser Safety

The Handheld Laser Particle Cou nt er is a Class I laser- based instrument.

 During normal operation, you will not be exposed to laser radiation.
 Precaution should be t aken to avoid exposure to haz ar dous radiation in the form of intens e,

focused, invisible light.
 Exposure to this light may cause blindness.
Take these pr ecautions:
 DO NOT remove any parts fro m the p article co unter unle ss you are specifically told to do so in

this manual.
 DO NOT remove the hous ing or cover s. There are no user serviceable components insid e the

housing.

DANGER

 The use of control s , a djustments, or procedures other than those
specified in this manual m ay result in exposure to hazardous optic al
radiation.

Precautions for power use

 AC Adapt or
The AC adapter accommodates voltage of AC 100~240V and frequency of 50/60Hz.
 Batteries

Use four AA B atteries.

DANGER

 Driving voltage should be kept within specified range.

Failure to follow this instruction may cause electric

shock and instrument damage.

CAUTION

 Do not start sampling when the instrument is connected to a personal

computer.
Failure to follow thi s i nstruction may cause
the instrument to work abnormally.

PROHIBITION

WARNING

WARNING

4

Product Overview

Carefully unpack the Handheld Laser Particle Counter from the shi pping container and v er ify that
all the items shown in the photos below and listed in the following tables are present .
Contact us immediately if any items are missin g or broken.

Handheld Laser Particle Counter parts l i st :

Qty. Item Description Reference Picture

1 Handheld Laser Particle C ounter

1 Isokinetic inlet

1 Probe for tubing

1 Cap

1 AC Power adapter

1 Zero filter

or

1 USB cable USB type A to mini USB-B

1 Battery Charger

1 Application CD

1 Quick Start Guide
1 Calibration Report
1 Carry ing Case

5

Getting Started

The Handheld Laser Particle Counter (particle counter) is a light w eight, handheld part icle counter
with a TFT LCD display. It operates on bat tery or AC power. This model has a 0.1 CFM (2.83 L/ min)
flow rate and counts in user-adjustable bin siz es o f 0.3/0.5, 0.5/1.0/2.0/2.5 and 5 microns (channel
1 and 2 are selectable). Up to 8000 data s ets can be stored and dow nloa ded for analy sis and
reporting using the utility inclu ded with the device.

 Inlet nozzle:

User can replace the Inlet nozzle between the isokinetic inlet and the probe for tubing. The

isokinetic inlet is used for ambient air sampling. To use the isokinetic inlet, detach the red

cap from the inlet nozz le and att ach t he is o kinetic pr obe. After all the samples are completed,

please detach the isokinetic inlet and put the red cap back before placing the unit into the

carrying case. If you are planning to use a tube for samplin g, plea se cont a ct Airy Technology

or your local distributor.
 Zero filter

The zero filter cleans the sensor after your sampling at contaminated places. The zero filter

also checks whether the part icl e counter is counting electrica l noises. To use the zero filter:

1. Detach the is okinetic inlet from the main unit

2. Connect the zero filter to the main unit using the tube (There is a tube in the plastic bag
containing the zero filter)

Key Pad

Inlet nozzle

LCD display

USB Port

6

3. Start sampling

4. Wait until the counter doe s not det ect any particles

5. Stop sampling and detach the zero filter

If the counter keeps detecting particles after 1 minute of sampling, please contact Airy
Technology or your local distributor.

 AC power, USB port, and USB cable

1. AC Power

When using AC power, must use the affiliated AC adapter, shown below.
Connect Mini USB-B plug to the instrument.

2. Data Communicat ion

When using the USB cable to transfer data records to a PC, set it up as follows:
Connect Mini USB-B plug to the instrument.
USB type A plu g to the type A receptacle of PC.

 Battery

Loading the batteries:

1. The batteries have to be loaded before use.

2. Remove the battery cover on the back of the shell.

Mini USB-B

USB type A

7

3. Insert four AA of Ni-MH type or alkaline batteries.

4. When using Ni-MH batteries, charge the battery fully before use.

Q u i c k S t a r t

The best way to start quickly is to refer to the printed “Quick Start Guide” that comes with the
instrument. It will help you to quickly set up the instrument and start sampling. Refer to the
sections below for more detailed information on configuring and running the instrument.

Operation

 Key Pad

The instrument is controlled by key pad and its functions are shown as follows:

KEY Function

ENTER Enter a menu or execute

START/STOP Start or stop sampling

PREV Return to previous screen

Or Start or stop sampling

POWER

Power On/Off

Regulate backlight

UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT Move the cursor or change the values

OK Execute

PREV

POWER

ENTER

START/STOP

UP

LEFT

DOWN

RIGHT

OK

The battery cover

8

Use the up and down keys to highlight a menu or a menu option. Use the left and right keys to
enter the sub item or leave the s ub item.
Use the up and down keys to perform o per at i ons such as increasing a value. Use the right key
and left keys to move right and left.
The PREV key always brings you back to the pr evious screen.

 Power On/ Off

Press the POWER key to turn on the instrument.
Press the POWER key to regulate backlight of LCD.
Press the POWER key for more than one second, and the message “Power off…” will appear on
the bottom of current scre en.
Press the POWER key for more than two seconds, power will be off.

 Splash Screen

To turn the instrument on, press the Power key. A splash screen will appear f or t hr ee seconds,
displaying the company logo, model number , ser ial number , and firmware version nu mb er ( see
below).

Splash Screen

The default screen will appear. The instrument is ready for operation.

Default Screen

AUTO

0001/8000

10:05

START Stopped MENU

LOC. 001 CYCLES 00/01

STIME 01:00 INT 01:00

0.3μm

1.0μm

5.0μm

0
0

0

0
0

0

CNT ∑ △

Handheld Laser Particle Counter

Model : P311

Version : 1.00(00.00.00.00)

Serial Number : 000000

9

The parts of the de fau lt s creen are explained as follows:

【AUTO 】 Measure mode ( AUTO , MANUAL, ISO)
【0001/8000】 Current number of data records indicated (Max 8000)
【10:05 】 Current time indicated (hour& minute)
【▲▼ CNT 】 Change the measurem ent unit by the pressing the UP/DOWN key (CNT, m3, cf)
【 ∑ 】 Cumulative count - the number of a ll the particles equa l or larger than selected

particle size

【 △ 】 Differenti al count - the number of p arti cles betwee n the sel ected s iz e and th e next

selected size

【0.3um 】 Particle size (Channel 1 0.3μm, 0.5μm）
【0.5um 】 Particle size (Channel 2 0.5μm, 1.0μm, 2.0μm, 2.5μm)
【5.0um 】 Particle size （Channel 3 5.0μm）
【LOC. 】 Location/site number
【STIME】 Sampling time (Setting range is 1sec~99min 59sec)
【CYCLES】 Cycle co unt (1~2000)
【INT 】 Interval time (Setting range is 1sec~99min 59sec)
【Stopped】 Operating status (Stopped, Sampling, Waiting, Holding)
【START】 Sampling start or stop by using ENTER or START key
【MENU 】 Pressing PREV key to go to Main Menu

 Main Menu

Main Menu Screen

1. Use the UP/DOWN key to select an item, the ENTER/OK key to select a sub item and the PREV
key to return to the default screen.
From the Main Menu you can se lect ot her me nus:

Menu Description

Measurement Setting Set measure mode, sample time, interval time, cycle count,

particle units, and channel size.
Data Process Display data records, clear data records and transmit the data.
System Setting Set time and date, screen settings and location number.
Utility Setting Set delay time, key sound and pump speed

Each of these menus is described i n the remainder of this chapter.

Main Menu

Measurement Setting

Data Process

System Setting

Utility Setting

PREV ENTER

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 Measurement Setting

Measurement menu

1. UP/DOWN key t o select an item, and press the ENTER key to select a sub item ;

2. UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT key to set and press OK to execute. PREV key to go back to Main
Menu screen.

The following table describes this menu's options and the available parameters.

Option Description

Measure Mode Auto, Manual, ISO
Sample Time Setting range from 1sec to 99 min 59 sec.
Interval T ime Setting range from 1 sec to 99 min 59 sec
Cycle Count 1~2000 times
Particle Unit CNT, /m3, /cf,
Channel 1 Size 0.3μm, 0.5μm
Channel 2 Size 0.5μm, 1.0μm, 2.0μm, 2.5μm
Channel 3 Size 5.0μm

 【Data Process 】
At the data process screen you can view the number of recor ds stored in the instrument, display
data records, and clear t he data. You can also transmit the records to co m puter with a USB cable.

Data Process Menu

Data Process Menu

Show Data Record

Clear Data Record

Transmit Data Record

PREV ENTER

Measurement Menu

Sample Time 01:00
Interval Time 01:00
Cycle Count 0001
Particle Unit < CNT >
Channel 1 Size < 0.3um >
Channel 2 Size < 0.5um >
Channel 3 Size < 5.0um >

PREV ENTER

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【Show Data Record】
Press the Enter key to go to secondar y screen where you can select the record (by sampling
number) to review.

When “Show Data Rec or d” is selected and the data mo de is ISO, the sampling result will be
displayed.
For example:

1. When data # 0001 is selected, the display will show as follows (In this example the total
number of samples is 4):

2. Use the UP/LEFT and DOWN/RIGHT key s t o scr oll through the records, PREV to go bac k to
the select record screen. In this example, data # 0004 is the last sample of consecutive
samplings for ISO mode.

At the bottom right of the screen, “C AL” appears. "CAL" appears only in the last sampling
result of consecutive ISO samplings.

ISO 0004/0004 Unit: /m3

Location 001
Count 0002/0002
Start 2009-09-15 10:26:00
Sample 00:30
Interval 00:30

0.3um 6064951 5985140

0.5um 79811 38140

5.0um 41671 41671

PREV CAL

ISO 0001/0004 Unit: /m3

Location 001
Count 0001/0002
Start 2009-09-15 10:25:30
Sample 00:30
Interval 00:30

0.3um 5694853 5633405

0.5um 61448 24721

5.0um 36727 36727

PREV

0001/0004

Mode: ISO
Start: 2009-09-15
10:25:30

PREV ENTER

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3. Select “CAL” to go to the ISO calculation result sc reen.

This screen shows the average, standard deviation, and UCL. At this calculation results
display, Press “UP” or “DOWN” to select different channel size calculation results. Press
“PREV” to return to the “Show Data Record” screen.

N o t e

If the buffer is filled with more than 7900 data record sets, the instrument still continues to count and
save data but the number of data records shown on the default screen will be red and the buzzer will
beep as an alarm. When the buffer is filled with the maximum capacity of 8000 records, the instrument
will continue to count but the data will not be saved. The user must write down the data and clear the
buffer (if necessary, please download the data to PC to save before deleting data from the instrument).

【Clear Data Record】
Press the Enter key to clear all sa mpled d ata in the buffer. The screen will ask you to confirm your
request.

ISO Unit: /m3

Measured Point s：2
AVG 100470

0.5um SD 38206
UCL 270669

PREV CAL

ISO Unit: /m3

Measured Point s：2

AVG 8985479

0.3um SD 4345502
UCL 28343704

PREV CAL

Do you want to del ete
all data records?

[ENTER] to confirm
[PREV] to cancel

13

【Transmit Data Recor d】
Downloading the data to PC can be performed in the screen below. Please plug the USB cable to
the instrument and your PC.

 【System Setting】

System Setting Screen

1. UP/DOWN key t o select item and press the ENTER key to go to sub item ;

ENTER

Waiting for the computer
to connect now!

[PREV] to cancel and return

PREV

Are you sure you want to delete
all data now?

[OK] to confirm
[PREV] to cancel

PREV

Set Time 11:28:12
Backlight < brighter >
Location 001

PREV ENTER

2010/ 03 /24

Set Date

System Setting

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2. UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT key to set and press OK key to execute; Press the PREV key to
go back to Main Menu.

Option Description

Set Date System Date( year, month , day )
Set Time System Time (24 hours, hour, minute, second)
Backlight Brighter, Normal, Darker
Location 1~199

 【Utility Setting】
You can set delay time, key sound, pump speed and battery mode in this screen.

Utility Menu

Option Description

Delay Time Period from starting pump to beginning sample ( 5~99s).
Key Sound Sound of key. (On/Off)
Pump Control

Press the Enter key to increase or decrease the pump speed. (The
pump may slow down with age, or it may be necessary to increase
speed if there are flow restrictions – such as long tubing). Use a flow
meter to check the flow.
When taking critical measurements, adjust the pump speed as
necessary. (10~83)

Battery Mode Select the battery mode. (Ni-MH or Alkaline)

 Sample Procedure

Note: when sampling

* press UP/DOWN key to convert the particle unit.

Utility Menu

Delay Time

05 sec

Key Sound < ON >

Pump Control < ** >
Battery Mode < Ni-MH >

PREV ENTER

15

 Manual mode

Press START/ENTER to start sampling.

STOP Waiting MENU

LOC. 001

00:04

DELAY 00:05

0
0
0

CNT ∑ △

0.3μm

1.0μm

5.0μm

0
0
0

MANUAL 0004/8000 09:57

STOP Sampling MENU

LOC. 001

00:12

0.3μm

1.0μm

5.0μm

1640

234
6

1400

228
6

CNT ∑ △

START Stopped MENU

MANUAL

0005/8000 10:01

CNT ∑ △

LOC. 001

04:24

0.3μm

1.0μm

5.0μm

23452

1058
24

22394
1034
24

START

STOP

（

Stop and data are saved automatically）

MANUAL 0004/8000 09:57

16

 Auto mode

AUTO 0005/8000 10:05

CNT ∑ △

0.3μm

1.0μm

5.0μm

0

0
0

0

0
0

LOC. 001 CYCLES 00/01

STIME 10:00 INT 15:00

START Stopped MENU

STOP Waiting MENU

LOC. 001 CYCLES 00/02

00:04

DELAY 00:05

0.3μm

1.0μm

5.0μm

0

0
0

0

0
0

AUTO 0005/8000 10:05

CNT ∑ △

STOP Sampling MENU

LOC. 001 CYCLES 00/02

09:34

STIME 10:00

0.3μm

1.0μm

5.0μm

1427

53
3

1374

50
3

CNT ∑ △

AUTO 0005/8000 10:05

START

Caution: When the

difference between i nt er val
time and sampling time is
longer than 15 sec, the
pump will stop after each
sampling and restart before
the next sampling.

17

 ISO mode

Caution: There are on ly m3/cf units in this mode.

STOP Holding MENU

LOC. 001 CYCLES 01/02

04:28

INT 15:00

0.3μm

1.0μm

5.0μm

27543

1436

67

CNT ∑ △

AUTO 0006/8000 10:15

START Stopped MENU

LOC. 001 CYCLES 00/02

STIME 10:00 INT 15:00

26107

1369

67

0.3μm

1.0μm

5.0μm

27543

1436

67

26107

1369

67

CNT ∑ △

AUTO 0008/8000 10:25

START Stopped MENU

LOC. 001 CYCLES 00/01

STIME 10:00 INT 15:00

ISO 001 0008/8000 10:25

0.3μm

1.0μm

5.0μm

/ m3 ∑ △

0
0
0

0
0
0

The data is saved
automatically after ev er y
sampling. Pressing
“STOP” will finish sampling
at anytime except during
“Waiting” period.

The sampling stops
automatically when
all cycles have
finished.

START

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NEXT Stopped FINISH

LOC. 001 CYCLES 00/01

STIME 10:00 INT 15:00

0.3μm

1.0μm

5.0μm

234645

1453

43

220144

1411

43

/ m3 ∑ △

ISO 002 0012/8000 10:25

ISO Unit：/m3
Measured Points: 2
Sample Time： 10:00

AVG

234645

0.3μm SD 12345

UCL 2134

PREV

After the current
sampling is
finished, press
“ENTER” to start
the next sampling.

Press the “PREV”
key to return to
default screen.
Press UP/DOWN to
select the channel
size shown.

FINISH

The measurement process of ISO
executes as AUTO mode. Please
refer to the above instruction.

Press the “PREV”
key to finish this
measurement. It
will calculate and
run into the ISO
result interface.

ISO 001 0008/8000 10:25

0
0

0

0

0

0

0.3μm

1.0μm

5.0μm

/ m3 ∑ △

LOC. 001 CYCLES 00/01

00:04 DELAY 00:05

STOP Waiting MENU

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Data Handling

USB Computer Communication

Mini USB Port

The Model P311 is equipped with a USB-compatible cable for uploading and downloading information
to a PC. Plug the cable into the right side of the instrument as shown below.

Software Installation

The Airy P311 Software (Data Transfer Utility) comes as a CD including software and USB driv ers
for the particle counter.
Note: this version of the softw ar e only guarantee use in the Windows XP (SP2) or Windows Vista
or Windows7 (32bits) OS.
Installation consists of two parts:

 Installation of Airy P311 Software.
 Installation of Custom USB Device.

Downloading Data

Connect a USB cable to the instrument and PC. Go to [Data Process] and then to [Transmit Data

Record]

. Double click [Airy P311 Softw ar e] icon, and the main appl ication screen will show up.

Waiting for the computer

to connect now!

[PREV] to cancel and return

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 【Read Data】
【Read records】

Click Read Records. It takes a few moments to dow nload all the dat a dep endin g on the number o f
samples stored in instrument. W hen it is finished, the main application screen will display as
follows:

 【Save Data】
【Save all records】

After downloading data to PC, the other functions will be enabled. If you want to save all records,
click Save All. You can select the file location and decide the file name.

Channel Size

Data Unit

Save all

21

To save the file, click Save, and then the data will be saved in the selected lo cat ion.
To cancel the transfer, select Cancel.
Data is stored in a .CSV file format that can be opened by most spreadsheet programs
such as Microsoft® Excel®.

【Save selected records 】
When you need to save part of the record s, you can select the data to save.

Click Save Selected

You can specify the record number by t yping in the window.
Note: the start number cannot exceed the finish number.
Click OK to continue and the spe ci fi ed data range will be sav ed.

 【Delete Data】
【Delete Records】

This operation will delete all the records saved in device. Please double-check before
you delete data. When you click Delete Records, the below dialog show s up.

Save Selected

22

Click OK to continue, Click Cancel to stop.

Click OK to continue, Click Cancel to stop.

Click Cancel to stop. Click OK to delete data.

WARNING!

Deleting data is an irreversible operation. Download and save data before deleting in
order to have a copy for future use.

23

Calibration

Please return the Airy Technology P311 to the manufacturer or the authorized service center for
annual calibration.

24

A P P E N D I X A

Specifications

Specifications

Size Range 0.3 -5.0 μm

Channel Sizes

channel 1: 0.3/0.5μm
channel 2:

0.5/1.0/2.0/2.5μm

channel 3: 5.0

μm

Counting Efficiency 50% at 0.3 μm; 100% for particles > 0.45 μm (per JIS)
Concentration Limits 4,000,000 particles / ft3 at 10% coincidence loss
Light Source Laser diode
Zero Count Level <1 count / 5 minutes Meets JIS B9921
Flow Rate 0.1 CFM (2.83 LPM)
Calibration NIST traceable
Sample Probe/Tubing Isokinetic sampling probe, probe for tubing
Sampling Modes Manual, Automatic and ISO
ISO Certification

ISO 5-9

@ 0.3-5.0μm*

Sampling Time 1 second to 99 minutes 59 seconds(Configurable)
Sampling Frequency 1 to 2000 cycles or continuous(Configurable)
Sample Output Internal HEPA filter
Vacuum Source Internal pump
Communication Mode USB
Data Storage 8000 sample records
Status Indicators battery used, over range alarm
Display 3.5-inch 320 x 240 Color LCD
Power DC 5V 0.7A (Mini USB TYPE-B)
Battery 4 x AA

Battery Life

Up to 4.5 hours of continuous use (LCD Backlight low, Included Ni-

MH

Battery)
Dimensions (L x W x H) 178x90x47mm (without isokinetic inlet)
Weight 480g (without battery)
Standards CE, JISB9921, ISO 21501-4
Warranty 1 year limited warranty
Operating Conditions 5° to 35°C 20% to 95%RH non-condensing
Storage Conditions -20° to 50°C Up to 98%RH non-condensing

Included Accessories

AC adapter, Isokinetic inlet, USB cable, Zero filter, Software,

4 x AA batteries with charger, Carrying case

* Exclude ISO 5 @ 5.0 μm