PCE Americas PCE-PCO 1 User Manual

Manual

Dust Measuring Device PCE

-PCO 1

Version 1.0

Date of creation: 16.12.2015

Date of last change: 10.0

4.2017

PCE Americas Inc.
711 Commerce Way
Suite 8
Jupiter
FL-33458
USA
From outside US: +1
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]

www.pce-instruments.com/english

www.pce-instruments.com

PCE Instruments UK Ltd.

Units 12/13

Southpoint Business Park

Ensign way

Hampshire / Southampton

United Kingdom, SO31 4RF

From outside UK: +44

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

[e-mail]

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Contents

1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 3

2 Safety notes ............................................................................................................. 3

3 Specifications .......................................................................................................... 4

3.1 Delivery ....................................................................................................................................... 4

4 System description ................................................................................................. 5

4.1 Switching on / off ........................................................................................................................ 5

4.2 Menu structure ............................................................................................................................ 6

4.3 Symbols explanation .................................................................................................................. 6

5 Instructions .............................................................................................................. 6

5.1 Photo recording function ............................................................................................................. 6

5.2 Video recording function ............................................................................................................. 6

5.3 Particle Set ................................................................................................................................. 7

5.3.1 Sample Time .................................................................................................................................. 7

5.3.2 Start Delay ..................................................................................................................................... 7

5.3.3 Channel Display ............................................................................................................................. 7

5.3.4 Environment Set ............................................................................................................................. 8

5.3.5 Sample Cycle ................................................................................................................................. 8

5.3.6 Sample Mode ................................................................................................................................. 8

5.3.7 Interval ........................................................................................................................................... 9

5.3.8 Level Indication .............................................................................................................................. 9

5.4 File Browser ................................................................................................................................ 9

5.5 System Set ................................................................................................................................. 9

5.5.1 Date / Time ................................................................................................................................... 10

5.5.2 Font colour ................................................................................................................................... 10

5.5.3 Language ..................................................................................................................................... 10

5.5.4 Brightness .................................................................................................................................... 11

5.5.5 Auto Power Off ............................................................................................................................. 11

5.5.6 Display Timeout ........................................................................................................................... 11

5.5.7 Alarm Select ................................................................................................................................. 11

5.5.8 Memory Status ............................................................................................................................. 11

5.5.9 Factory Settings ........................................................................................................................... 12

5.5.10 Units (°C / °F) ............................................................................................................................... 12

6 Cleaning ................................................................................................................. 12

7 Disposal ................................................................................................................. 13

8 Contact ................................................................................................................... 13

8.1 PCE Instruments UK ................................................................................................................ 13

8.2 PCE Americas .......................................................................................................................... 13

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1 Introduction

Thank you for purchasing a PCE-PCO 1 from PCE Instruments.
This instrument is a universal particle counter for detecting the particles concentration in the air. The
particle counter can measure six different particle sizes. Furthermore, the device has got sensors for
temperature and relative humidity; this makes it a really versatile device. The integrated camera allows
connecting the measurement data with image / video material. This particle counter is designed to
accurately determine the degree of air contamination. The pollution is caused mainly by combustion,
industrial manufacturing, power generation, vehicle engine emissions and the construction industry. With
the help of this device the exact amount of dirt particles in the air is measured.

2 Safety notes

Please read this manual carefully and completely before you use the device for the first time. The device
may only be used by qualified personnel and repaired by PCE Instruments personnel. There is no
warranty of damages or injuries caused by non-observance of the manual.

- The device may only be used in the approved temperature range.

- The case should only be opened by qualified personnel of PCE Instruments.

- The instrument should never be placed with the user interface facing an object (e.g. keyboard side on a
table).

- You should not make any technical changes to the device.

- The appliance should only be cleaned with a damp cloth / use only pH-neutral cleaner. Do not use
abrasives or solvent based cleaners.

- If the device is not used for an extended period, please remove the batteries.

- This device may only be used in the way described in this manual. If the device is used otherwise, this
may lead to dangerous situations.

- Do not expose the device to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, extreme humidity or moisture.

- Never use the device with wet hands.

- The device may only be used with optional accessories offered by PCE Instruments or equivalent
substitutes.

- Please check the housing for visual signs of damage before each use. If any visible damage occurs, the
device must not be used.

- In addition, this device must not be used if the ambient conditions (temperature, humidity ...) are not
within the limits stated in the specifications.

- The device must not be used in an explosive atmosphere.

- If the safety instructions are not followed, it may cause damage to the device and injury to the operator.

This user's handbook is published by PCE Instruments without any guarantee.
We expressly point to our general guarantee terms which can be found in our general terms of business.
If you have any questions please contact PCE Instruments.

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3 Specifications

General:

Ambient conditions

0 … 50 °C, 10 … 90 % RH (non-condensing)

Display

2.8“ / 320 x 240 pixels / backlight / color

Battery

rechargeable / life ~ 4 hours

Memory
Internal

80 MB

Optional

Micro SD-card up to 8 GB

Dimensions

240 x 75 x 55 mm

Weight

420 g

Particle counter:

Measurable particle sizes

0.3 / 0.5 / 1.0 / 2.5 / 5.0 und 10 µm

Flow rate

2.83 L / min

Coincidence error

<5 % at 2,000,000 particles per ft³

Counting efficiency

50 % at 0.3 µm;
100 % with particle size >0.45 µm

Data storage

5000 records

Counting modes

cumulative, differential, concentration

Air temperature and humidity

Air temperature
Measuring range

0 ... +50 °C

Accuracy

±0.5 °C at +10 ... +40 °C; otherwise ±1.0 °C

Dew point
Measuring range

0 ... +50 °C

Accuracy

±0.5 °C at +10 ... +40 °C; otherwise ±1.0 °C

Relative humidity

Measuring range

0 % RH ... 100 % RH

Accuracy

±3 % RH at 40 ... 60 %
±3.5 % RH at 20 ... 40 % and 60 ... 80 %
±5 % RH at 0 ... 20 % and 80 ... 100 %

3.1 Delivery

1 x particle counter PCE-PCO 1
1 x zero filter
1 x battery
1 x charger
1 x USB cable
1 x user manual
1 x tripod
1 x hard carrying case

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4 System description

1. Display

2. Function buttons

3. Arrow up

4. Enter

5. Start / Stop button

6. ESC button

7. Arrow down

8. On / Off button

9. Particle sensor

10. Temp. / RH sensor

11. Camera sensor

12. CO Sensor

13. USB Interface

14. AC / DC connection

15. HCHO Sensor

16. Battery compartment

4.1 Switching on / off

• To turn the device on, hold the ON / OFF pressed till the start screen is visible.

• To turn the device off, hold the ON / OFF pressed till the screen darkens.

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4.2 Menu structure

Particle measurement
Memory set controller

System settings

Help

4.3 Symbols explanation

Symbol

Description

Symbol

Description

Cumulative mode

Differential mode

Concentration mode

Start measurement

Pause measurement

Alarm active

Camera mode

Video mode

5 Instructions

 Select the menu item "particle measurement" and confirm

with Enter. The following image (picture on the right) appears
on the display. The device measures the air temperature,
dew point and relative humidity continuously; they are
displayed in the lower part of the display.

 Press Start / Stop to start the particle measurement. The

measurement ends automatically after the preset
measurement duration, alternatively, you can stop the
measurement with the Start / Stop button any time.

 After completion of the measurement process, the data are

automatically saved.

5.1 Photo recording function

 Press the F1 key while you are in the menu item “particle counter“ to start the photo recording

function.

 Press F2 to take a picture.
 Press ESC to terminate the function.

5.2 Video recording function

 Press the F2 key while you are in the menu item “particle counter” to start the video recording

function.

 Press RUN/STOP to start the measurement simultaneously with the video recording. The file is

automatically saved as soon as the measurement is completed.

 Press ESC to terminate the function.

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5.3 Particle Set

 Press F3 while you are in the menu item

„particle counters“ to enter the settings
menu.

 Use the arrow button to navigate and

confirm your choice by pressing Enter.

 Press ESC to terminate the function.

5.3.1 Sample Time

 Start the input with Enter.
 Use the arrow keys to adjust the

measurement time.

 Confirm your entry with Enter

5.3.2 Start Delay

 Start the input with Enter.
 Use the arrows to adjust the start delay.
 Confirm your entry with Enter.

5.3.3 Channel Display

In this menu you can set which particle sizes you
want to be displayed.

 Use the arrows to choose between the

particle sizes.

 Use the Enter key to switch on / off the

selected particle sizes.

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5.3.4 Environment Set

In this menu you can set whether or not the
temperature and humidity are displayed. Select
Enable to display the air temperature and humidity
or Disable to switch this function off.

5.3.5 Sample Cycle

In this menu you can set the number of
measurements.

5.3.6 Sample Mode

In this menu you can adjust the display mode of the
particle counter.

Cumulative -
Differential -

Concentration -

5.3.6.1 Sample modes explanation

- Cumulative and differential:
 The recorded numbers of particles are added up per channel (cumulative); starting with the

largest channel

 In differential mode there are the absolute particle numbers per channel
 Example:

Channel [µm]

Cumulative particle number
[PC]

Differential particle number [PD]

Calculation

0.3

1630

1000

= [PC,630]+[PD,1000]=[PK,1630]

0.5

630

350

= [PC,280]+[PD,350]=[PK,630]

1.0

280

200

= [PC,80]+[PD,200]=[PK,280]

2.5

80

50

= [PC,30]+[PD,50]=[PK,80]

5.0

30

20

= [PC,10]+[PD,20]=[PK,30]

10.0

10

10

---

- Concentration:
 Here, you can find the average numbers of the respective particles per channel; also called

particle density.

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5.3.7 Interval

In this menu you can set the pause between two
measurement test runs.

5.3.8 Level Indication

In this menu you can set which particle sizes you
wish to be displayed.

 Use the arrow buttons to choose between

the particle sizes.

 Use the Enter button to switch on / off the

selected particle sizes.

5.4 File Browser

• Press F1 while you are in the home screen to open the file browser.

• There are the following subcategories "Picture", "Video" and "Particle Logs" in the file browser.

• Use the arrow button to navigate in the file browser and confirm your choice by pressing Enter.

5.5 System Set

 Press F2 while you are in the home screen

to open the system settings menu.

 Use the arrow button to navigate in the

system settings and confirm your choice by
pressing Enter.

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Menu item

Description

Date / Time

Set time and date

Font Colour

Set font colour

Language

Set language

Brightness

Set display brightness

Auto Power Off

Set automatic power off

Display Timeout

Set automatic display timeout

Alarm Select

Alarm on / off

Memory Status

Shows (remaining) memory capacity of the
memory card

Factory Setting

Reset the device to factory defaults

Units (°C / °F)

Switch temperature units

5.5.1 Date / Time

 Set the value with the help of the arrow.
 Press Enter to move to the next value.
 Press ESC to save the settings and exit the

menu.

5.5.2 Font colour

 Use the arrow to select a color.
 Press ESC to save the settings and exit the

menu.

5.5.3 Language

 Use the arrow to select a language.
 Press ESC to save the settings and exit the

menu.

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5.5.4 Brightness

 Use the arrow to set the required

brightness.

 Press ESC to save the settings and

exit the menu.

5.5.5 Auto Power Off

 Use the arrow to set the automatic power

off time.

 Select „Disable“ to switch off the function.
 Press ESC to save the settings and exit the

menu.

5.5.6 Display Timeout

 Use the arrow to set the automatic display

timeout.

 Select „Disable“ to switch off the function.
 Press ESC to save the settings and exit the

menu.

5.5.7 Alarm Select

 Use the arrow to switch the alarm function

on / off.

 Select „Disable“ to switch the function off or

„Enable“ to switch it on.

 Press ESC to save the settings and exit the

menu.

5.5.8 Memory Status

 Use the arrow to choose between the

internal memory and the SD card.

 Press ESC to save the settings and exit the

menu.

Formatting

 Press F1 to format the selected memory.
 Press F1 to confirm or F3 to discard.

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5.5.9 Factory Settings

 Use the arrow to choose between „Yes“

and „NO“.

 Press ESC to save the settings and exit the

menu.

5.5.10 Units (°C / °F)

 Use the arrow to choose between „°C“ and

„°F“.

 Press ESC to save the settings and exit the

menu.

6 Cleaning

In order to clean the device, unscrew the standard head.
Now attach the zero filter and carry out a cumulative measurement in measurement mode. If the
measurement value is not 0 for one particle size, you must make measurements until all the values are
zero. The system is cleaned by the pumping. You can now re-attach the standard head.

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7 Disposal

For the disposal of batteries, the 2006/66/EC directive of the European Parliament applies. Due to the
contained pollutants, batteries must not be disposed of as household waste. They must be given to
collection points designed for that purpose.

In order to comply with the EU directive 2012/19/EU we take our devices back. We either re-use them or
give them to a recycling company which disposes of the devices in line with law.

If you have any questions, please contact PCE Instruments.

8 Contact

If you have any questions about our range of products or measuring instruments please contact PCE
Instruments.

8.1 PCE Instruments UK

By post:

PCE Instruments UK Ltd.
Units 12/13 Southpoint Business Park
Ensign Way, Southampton
Hampshire

United Kingdom, SO31 4RF
By phone:

02380 987 035

8.2 PCE Americas

By post:

PCE Americas Inc.
711 Commerce Way
Suite 8
Jupiter
33458 FL
USA

By phone:
561 320 9162