Picarro G2301-M User Manual

G2301-m Flight-Ready Analyzer

for CO2/CH4/H2O

User’s Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Conventions 5
Safety 6
Getting Started 8
Installation 10

Basic Analyzer Setup..................................................................................11

Basic Operation 13

Shutdown Procedure ..................................................................................15

In Case of Electrical Power Outage ............................................................17

Appendix A - Status Log Messages 18

Normal Start Up Messages.........................................................................18

Appendix B - List of GUI Functions 19

Additional Tools and Information.................................................................19

Settings, Tools and Help Menus: ................................................................19

Alarm Panel ................................................................................................21

Digital Readouts..........................................................................................21

Start / Stop Data Log Button.......................................................................22

Data Log Filename and Path ......................................................................22

Data Window...............................................................................................22

Instrument Status........................................................................................22

Data Source and Data Key Pull Down Menus.............................................22

Precision Pulldown Menu............................................................................23

Status Log Window.....................................................................................23

Reset Data Buffer Button............................................................................23

Data Buffer Level Meter..............................................................................23

Graph Zooming...........................................................................................23

File Management ........................................................................................24

Setup Tool...................................................................................................26

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Appendix C – EXTERNAL VALVE SEQUENCER 27
Appendix D – REMOTE DATA ACCESS 32
Appendix E – CALIBRATION 35
Appendix F – SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE 37
Appendix G – TROUBLESHOOTING 42
Appendix I – TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE 45
Appendix J – LIMITED WARRANTY 46

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INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing a Picarro product. Your Picarro Analyzer has been
designed and manufactured to provide the highest quality data, easily and
reliably.

This manual is an important part of your purchase as it will help familiarize you
with the system and explain the numerous features. Please read this manual
thoroughly before starting the installation and using your instrument.

Please don’t hesitate to contact Picarro or your authorized Picarro distributor
should you have additional technical or applications questions. We provide web­based as well as direct e-mail and telephone support.

Contact Information

Website access to user forums: www.picarro.com
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone] direct or 1 [phone],

extension 3950

Picarro, Inc. reserves the right to change or update the contents of this manual
and to change the specifications of its products at any time without prior
notification. Every effort has been made to keep the information in this document
current and accurate as of the date of publication or revision. However, no
guarantee is given or implied that this document is error free or that it is accurate
with regard to any specification. Please comment on any aspects of this manual
to [e-mail]. Your input is very helpful.

Picarro and the Picarro Logo are trademarks of Picarro, Inc.
 2010 Picarro, Inc. All rights reserved.

480 Oakmead Parkway
Sunnyvale, California
CA 94085
USA.
Phone: [phone] (main) Fax: [phone]
Website: www.picarro.com

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CONVENTIONS

Throughout the manual you will see graphic icons representing important
information in the text. The purpose of these icons is to provide a visual
convention to alert you of a stop in the flow of the manual, where an important
note or safety hazard alert is posted.

NOTE is an important procedure of which you should be aware of
before proceeding.

CAUTION alerts you of a potential danger to equipment or to the
user.

WARNING indicates an imminent danger to the user.

REMINDER is a helpful hint to procedures listed in the text.

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SAFETY

The Picarro Analyzer complies with the following safety standards:
CE: IEC EN61010-1:2001 (safety) and EN61326-1:2006 (EMC)

requirements for electrical equipment for measurement,
control and laboratory use.

FDA/CDRH 21 CFR Parts 1040.10-11

LASER SAFETY: The Picarro Analyzer is classified as a Class 1
Embedded Laser Product

WARNING: CLASS 3B INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION WHEN
OPEN. AVOID EXPOSURE TO THE BEAM.

There are lasers used inside the analyzer, emitting a maximum of 50 mW of CW
light in the near-infrared. There are no user serviceable components within the
analyzer enclosures and so you should not open any of these enclosures within
the analyzer. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS INSTRUCTION COULD RESULT IN
EXPOSURE TO CLASS IIIB LASER RADIATION, which can permanently
damage eyes and skin.

Safety Labels: The following label is affixed to the main lid of the cavity

enclosure.

CAUTION

1”

CLASS 3B INVISIBLE LASER

RADIATION WHEN OPEN

AVOID EXPOSURE TO THE BEAM

2.125”

WARNING: DO NOT OPERATE IN AN EXPLOSIVE
ATMOSPHERE! DO NOT OPERATE IN THE PRESENCE OF
FLAMMABLE GASSES OR FUMES.

WARNING: DO NOT OPERATE IN A WET ENVIRONMENT.

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CAUTION: The inlet gas connector on the back panel, and its
immediate vicinity, runs hot during operation of the analyzer. Take
care when connecting gas lines or working at the rear of the
instrument to wear protective gloves or avoid contact with these
surfaces.

CAUTION: The analyzer contains HOT SURFACES and utilizes
HIGH VOLTAGES inside the instrument. There are no user
serviceable components except the filter within the analyzer and so
you should not open the analyzer except to replace the filter. Do not
open any enclosures within the analyzer.

CAUTION: Some of the analyzer components are heavy. To avoid
injury, please use proper lifting procedure when moving or installing
the equipment.

NOTE: Although the analyzer components can be optionally
configured for rack mounting, they require supports in the rack, such
as a shelf or side L-brackets, and cannot be safely supported by the
front panel bolts alone.

NOTE: The Picarro Analyzer contains no user serviceable
components except the particulate filter in the analyzer and the
external vacuum pump. Do not attempt repairs; instead, report all
problems to Picarro.

Please contact Picarro if you have any questions regarding the safe operation of
this equipment. Refer to the appropriate section within this document relating to
pump and filter replacement procedures.

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GETTING STARTED

All Picarro products are inspected and tested prior to shipment from the factory.
In addition, the instruments are packed in an inner box which is encased in a
larger outer box. The inner box is equipped with a shock indicator. The shipping
container system has been specially tested and proven to be safe for most
dropping, crushing or spiking events.

ACCEPTABLE Outer Box Condition /Inner Box Shock Indicator Condition

DAMAGED Outer Box Condition /Inner Box Shock Indicator Condition

In the event of severe damage to the outer box or activation (red color in center)
of the shock indicator:

Photograph the damages and contact Picarro (please email pictures if
possible) for consultation on best course of action.

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CAREFULLY unpack the contents from the boxes.
The shipment should contain the following (depending upon configuration,
consult packing list for full details):

Box 1
1 Analyzer Module includes all of the data acquisition, control,

and communications hardware and firmware
to perform all gas handling, spectral
collection and analysis.

2 A/C Power Cables (North America only), one for the analyzer,

one for the pump.

For customers out side of the North America,

power cables will be required. The power
inlets are a C14 male connector which
requires a C13 female connector (same style
as found in most desktop computers). The
equipment automatically switches to the local
line voltage, so the other end can be plugged
directly into a standard outlet.

1 Accessory Bag: assorted accessories:

1 USB flash drive pre-loaded with back-up software
1 Certificate of compliance
1 Hardcopy User Manual

Box 2
1 Pump Module provides vacuum required for sample gas

sequencing into and out of the Analyzer.

If any of these items are missing, contact Picarro for a replacement. Inspect each
item to assure it is not damaged.

It is recommended that you keep the shipping packages. These shipping
packages are also a very good way to ship the system to other labs or field
stations, unless they will get wet. Please contact Picarro for options on
transporting systems to remote labs.

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INSTALLATION

This section describes the setup and installation of the Picarro Analyzer. Please
read and understand this section thoroughly before proceeding with the
installation.

WARNING: Do not attach electrical power to, or start the analyzer
until after attaching and turning on the External Vacuum Pump. Do

not disconnect the vacuum line while the analyzer is running.
Failure to do so could result in damage to the optics.

WARNING: Picarro sells USB enabled devices, such as GPS, which

are approved for use. Please do not connect USB hubs or
unapproved USB devices, other than flash drives to the computer
because they can interfere with the operation of the analyzer.

WARNING: If rack mounted, the Analyzer cannot support itself using
a front rack mount kit alone. The instrument must be supported by a
shelf or additional rails attached to the rack.

CAUTION: It is imperative that the analyzer have adequate
ventilation and/or cooling to maintain the ambient temperature below
35 °C when operating. Failure to provide adequate a irflow, especially
clearance at the front and rear panels, to ensure proper airflow
and/or cooling to the analyzer will result in overheating of the
analyzer causing a shutdown and potential damage. There should
be 4” (10cm) of clearance in the front and back of the analyzer.

Thermal
Specifications

Ambient Operating
Temperature

Min Max Description

10 °C 35 °C

Worst-case environmental limits
(unless otherwise specified)

CAUTION: If the analyzer has been stored at less than 10 °C, allow
the components to equalize to room temperature before starting the
installation process.

NOTE: Take care to ensure that warm air is exhausted from any
enclosure in which the analyzer is mounted.

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Basic Analyzer Setup

1 Remove the Analyzer and the External Vacuum Pump from their respective

shipping containers.

2 Place the Analyzer on a bench top or flat surface. Place the External

Vacuum Pump near-by or on the floor. Don’t push the analyzer into position
yet, there are cables to be installed at the back.

3 Unpack the analyzer accessories. (gas line, AC power cables, manual,

certificate of compliance, and USB Flash Drive). The Certificate and USB
drive should be stored in a safe place. They may be required if you contact
us with questions about your analyzer.

4 Remove the caps from the Analyzer gas connection inlet and vacuum

connection ports. Save the caps for later use, they should be reinstalled if
the analyzer is stored, moved or shipped.

5 Remove the caps from External Vacuum pump. Save the caps for later use.

They should be reinstalled if the pump is stored, moved or shipped.

6 Attach the gas line between the Analyzer vacuum port and the External

Vacuum Pump. See Figure 1. Hand tighten the nut, then make an
additional 1/4th turn with an 11/16” wrench (not supplied).

7 Connect the AC power cable to the External Vacuum Pump but do not plug

it in.

8 If desired, attach a tube to the External Vacuum Pump exhaust port and

direct to a safe place for venting the mixture of sample gases.

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Figure 1 - Back of Analyzer showing gas supply, electrical and computer connections.

9 Attach a PS2 mouse, PS2 keyboard, Ethernet cable (not supplied), and

VGA monitor display cable to the computer connections on the back of the
Analyzer.

NOTE: The software to operate the instrument will start
automatically after the operating system has loaded.

The user interface will appear a few seconds after the
instrument software starts (see the figure on the following
page).

NOTE: As the instrument is starting up, it is normal for there
to be a delay in reporting data. This can take several
minutes depending on how long it takes for the internal
temperature to reach its operating point, and it is normal
during this time for some concentration readings to be
negative or constant. Additionally, the data selection pull
down menus will not be populated with the appropriate
items until data is actually being reported in the graph. This
is typically less than 30 minutes, but depending on ambient
temperature, the analyzer can take up to 1 hour to stabilize.

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BASIC OPERATION

When the main power is turned on the analyzer will automatically start, including
the Graphical User Interface (GUI). The screen will look like that in Figure 2.

Figure 1 – Mode Switcher.

Icons on the desktop are as follows:

• Controller- Instrument diagnostics and service information

• Picarro Mode Switcher- Restarts analyzer in different measurement

mode. Most analyzer models are configured for one mode and may not
include the Mode Switcher. (Figure 1). If the analyzer has multiple
modes, this allows the user to switch between them easily.

• Start Instrument- Restarts the software if the software has been shut
down (optional on some systems)

• Stop Picarro- Shuts down software (but not computer).

• Coordinator Launcher- Starts the coordinator software which controls

sample introduction to the analyzer. (Some analyzers may not have
this due to their configuration).

The analyzer will not begin producing data until all the measurement parameters
have reached their operational set points. A message will be display in the Status
log window (see Figure 2, bottom panel) when each set point is reached. A full
explanation of each status log message can be found in Appendix A.

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Figure 2 - Layout of the Picarro analyzer GUI, G2000 series. A full explanation of the GUI

functions can be found in Appendix B

Data will be saved automatically once the analyzer starts to produce data. The
data in the GUI is the continuous real time read out from the analyzer. A user
relevant subset of this data is stored in C:\Userdata\DataLog_User
\YYYY\MM\DD, where Y=year, M=month, D=day. Further details can be found
under the file management section in Appendix B.

In order to measure discrete samples (such as individual gas bags) or from
multiple locations (when switching valves draw in ambient air from different
heights) a separate software window (coordinator) is used to control the sample
source and match the corresponding real time read out with the sample source.
Depending on system configuration, coordinator programs may not be included.

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all data

data for

data for

data for

sample A at t=0
sample B at t=1

sample C at t=2

Analyzer

GUI

hardware

software

data file

t=0 to t=3

A B C

Sampling

Coordinator

A

B

C

Figure 3 - Overview generalized schematic of Picarro analyzer system hardware, software,

and data file generation.

The samples A, B, and C are introduced into the analyzer sequentially by a
sampling module, if present. The sampling module could be a set of customer­supplied valves, a valve manifold, a discrete sampling module, or other device.
The timing of sample introduction is controlled by the coordinator or valve
sequencer software. The analyzer measures continuously and reports the data to
the GUI which saves a single file where all data is reported as a function of time.
The coordinator gets data from the GUI and creates a single file, the data is
reported as a function of sample.

Shutdown Procedure

CAUTION: A flow of clean, relatively dry gas should always be

directed through the instrument for several minutes prior to
shutdown. Trapping a high-moisture content gas sample in the
cavity can cause condensation damage to the mirrors as the
instrument cools from its operating temperature.

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