TSI Instruments PORTACOUNT 8020 Addendum

Download

Page 1

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

www.tsi.com

ORTA

OUNT

Plus Model 8020

Technical Addendum

(includes the N95-Companion™ Model 8095)

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 1

Page 2

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

INTRODUCTION

This document is a addendum to the PortaCount Plus® Model 8020 Operation and Service Manual (TSI p/n 1980092). It contains detailed technical information

that is not normally needed by persons using the PortaCount Plus for respirator fit testing. Persons who will find this document of interest include respirator manufacturers, respiratory protection researchers, and persons conducting general ultrafine particle studies not related to respirator fit testing.

The most recent version of this document as well as the PortaCount Plus Model 8020 Operation and Service Manual can be obtained from the TSI Web site www.tsi.com.

Dip Switch Settings.............................................................. 3

Serial Interface Output......................................................... 7

Data and Accessory Port Pin Assignments........................ 10

Computer Interface Cables................................................ 10

Remote Control via Computer............................................ 12

N95-Companion................................................................. 23

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 2

Page 3

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

DIP SWITCH SETTINGS

LASER CAUTION This instrument is a Class I laser device. Adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure.

There is a bank of 8 DIP switches located inside the P

ORTACOUNT

Plus. To gain access to the switches you must separate the top and bottom halves of the enclosure. Follow the instructions below:

1. Turn the P

2. Turn the P

ORTACOUNT

Plus off.

Plus over so that it is face down and locate the four screws on the bottom that hold the two halves of the enclosure together. Remove all four screws.

3. Turn the P

ORTACOUNT

Plus right side up while holding the two halves of the

enclosure together so they do not separate.

4. Gently lift the top half of the case and set it down just to the left of the unit. Notice that there is a ribbon cable connecting the top and bottom half together. Try not to pull on the ribbon cable. You do not need to disconnect the ribbon cable from the circuit board.

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 3

Page 4

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

5. The DIP switches are located

towards the bottom of the circuit board just to the left of center. Make sure the

ORTACOUNT

Plus is always off when

changing DIP switch settings.

There are 8 DIP switches. The top switch is number 1 and the bottom switch is number 8. A switch is considered to be "ON" when the right side is pushed down and "OFF" when the left side is down.

As shipped from the factory, the DIP switches are set as follows:

Switch Number Factory Setting

1ON 2OFF 3ON 4ON 5ON 6ON 7ON 8ON

The function of each of the DIP Switches is as follows. Factory settings are shown in BOLD type:

DIP Switches 1, 2 and 3: Baud Rate

Switches 1, 2 and 3 control the Baud rate used by the RS-232C Data Port. The factory setting is for 1200 Baud. If you change the Baud rate of the P

ORTACOUNT

Plus, you must also change the Baud rate of devices that communicate with the instrument such as a printer or computer. You should leave the Baud rate set at 1200 unless you have a good reason to change it. The switch settings for various Baud rates are:

Baud Rate Switch 1 Switch 2 Switch 3

300 ON ON ON 600 OFF ON ON

1200 ON OFF ON

2400 OFF OFF ON 9600 OFF ON OFF

All Baud rates use 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit. Switch combinations not shown are undefined.

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 4

Page 5

ORTACOUNT

DIP Switch 4: Memory Lock

Switch 4 allows you to lock the P

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

ORTACOUNT

Plus memory so that the internal settings for

the sampling times, fit factor pass level and number of exercises cannot be changed from

ORTACOUNT

the P

Plus Keypad or by using the MODIFY program software supplied with the instrument. The reason you might want to lock memory is to prevent unauthorized persons from altering the fit test protocol. The factory setting for switch 4 is ON which means that memory lock feature is OFF and the internal settings can be changed using the Keypad or software. The FitPlus software is not affected by DIP switch 4.

Memory Switch 4

Unlocked ON

Locked OFF

DIP Switch 5: Factory Checkout

Switch 5 is used by TSI when performing factory checkout of the P

ORTACOUNT

Plus and

should always be in the ON position for normal use.

Mode Switch 5

Checkout OFF

Normal ON

DIP Switch 6: Reset Factory Settings on Power Up

Switch 6 should always be left ON unless you want to reset all the internal settings back to the way they were when the P

When switch 6 is OFF, the P

ORTACOUNT

Plus was new.

Plus will reset back to the factory settings when the power is turned on. Once the power is turned back on, you will be able to change the internal settings (unless switch 4 is OFF), but they will be reset to the factory values the next time the power is turned off and then on again.

If you want to reset the internal settings back to the factory values, move switch 6 to the OFF position and then start the P

ORTACOUNT

Plus. Now turn the P

ORTACOUNT

Plus off and change switch 6 back to the ON position. The instrument will be reset and you will be able to permanently change the internal settings. The factory settings are:

Fit Factor Pass Level: 100 Number of exercises: 8 Ambient Purge Time 4 sec Ambient Sample Time 5 sec Mask Purge Time 11 sec Mask Sample Time, All exercises: 40 sec

DIP Switch 7: Reserved

Switch 7 must always be left ON.

DIP Switch 8: Use CTS

When switch 8 is on (the factory setting), the P

ORTACOUNT

Plus will not require a Clear

To Send (CTS) signal in order to send data through the RS-232C Data Port to a

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 5

Page 6

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

peripheral device. When switch 8 is OFF, the CTS signal will be required. The CTS signal is always required when the P

ORTACOUNT

Plus is in External Control Mode

regardless of the position of switch 8.

CTS Signal Switch 8

Not required ON

Required OFF

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 6

Page 7

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

SERIAL INTERFACE OUTPUT

Output in Fit Test Mode

An example of the printout from a eight exercise fit test is shown below. All characters are ASCII. Each line is terminated with both carriage return (0D hex) and line feed (0A hex) characters. The comments to the right side do not print.

COMMENTS

NEW TEST PASS = 100Start of new test Ambient 4750 #/cc Ambient concentration Mask 11.30 #/cc Mask concentration Ambient 4800 #/cc Ambient concentration FF 1 422 PASS Fit factor exercise 1 Mask 5.20 #/cc Ambient 4700 #/cc FF 2 894 PASS Fit factor exercise 2 Mask 9.80 #/cc Ambient 5000 #/cc FF 3 505 PASS Fit factor exercise 3 Mask 4.10 #/cc Ambient 5100 #/cc FF 4 1231 PASS Fit factor exercise 4 Mask 7.90 #/cc Ambient 4900 #/cc FF 5 610 PASS Fit factor exercise 5 Mask 13.50 #/cc Ambient 4800 #/cc FF 6 359 PASS Fit factor exercise 6 Mask 9.80 #/cc Ambient 5000 #/cc FF 7 505 PASS Fit factor exercise 7 Mask 11.30 #/cc Ambient 4800 #/cc FF 8 422 PASS Fit factor exercise 8 Overall FF 612 PASS Overall fit factor

Output in Count Mode

ORTACOUNT

The P

Plus sends ASCII characters through the Data Port in the following format while in 1-Second Count Mode. Each line is terminated with both carriage return (0D hex) and line feed (0A hex) characters. A line of data is transmitted every 2-seconds instead of every second to accommodate slow printers. When in 1-Second Count Mode the Display show 1-second averages updated every second. The Data Port transmits 2second averages updated every 2-seconds.

Conc. xxxxxx #/cc

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 7

Page 8

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

In 15-Second Count Mode, the ASCII output is in the following format. Each line is terminated with both carriage return (0D hex) and line feed (0A hex) characters. A line of data is transmitted every 15-seconds.

Ave. Conc. xxxxxx #/cc

The "xxxxxx" is the numeric particle concentration in particles per cubic centimeter. Concentrations from 100 up to 999999 are formatted as integers, values below 100 have two decimal places. For example, a concentration of 87 would be transmitted as:

Conc. 87.00 #/cc

Output During the 60-Second Warm-up

During the initial 60-second warm-up period, the P

ORTACOUNT

Plus automatically transmits status information that shows the internal memory settings. The settings reflect how the P

ORTACOUNT

Plus memory is set at the moment and can be changed. For

example, when all settings are at the factory settings, the data will transmit as follows:

NOTE: If the optional Model 8095 N95-Companion is attached and active, the

printout will show the timing used with the N95-Companion. These settings are different than those used by the P

ORTACOUNT

alone.

PORTACOUNT PLUS PROM Vx.x COPYRIGHT(c)1991 TSI INC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Serial Number xxxxx FF pass level = 100 No. of exercises = 6 Ambient purge = 4 sec. Ambient sample = 5 sec. Mask purge = 11 sec. Mask sample 1 = 40 sec. Mask sample 2 = 40 sec. Mask sample 3 = 40 sec. Mask sample 4 = 40 sec. Mask sample 5 = 40 sec. Mask sample 6 = 40 sec. Mask sample 7 = 40 sec. Mask sample 8 = 40 sec. DIP switch = 10111111

• Each line is terminated with both carriage return (0D hex) and line feed (0A hex)

characters.

• The mask sample times are transmitted only for the number of exercises set.

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 8

Page 9

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

• DIP Switches are considered ON if set to 1 and OFF if set to 0. DIP Switches are

numbered 1 - 8 from left to right on the printout and 1 - 8 from top to bottom on the circuit board.

Output When a Battery Runs Low

ORTACOUNT

The P

Plus will turn itself off when a battery runs out of power. Just before it

turns off the following message is transmitted:

Low Battery

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 9

Page 10

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

DATA and ACCESSORY PORT PIN ASSIGNMENTS

ORTACOUNT

The P directional RS-232C communications through the Data Port. The Accessory Port is used to interface with the N95Companion accessory.

ORTACOUNT

The P modular RJ-45 connector with 8 contacts. The contacts are numbered 1 through 8 from left to right when viewed as shown.

ORTACOUNT

The P "ACCY" is a 6-pin MMJ modified modular connector. Contact 1 is on the left when viewed as shown.

Plus features bi-

Plus Data Port uses a

Plus Accessory Port

Data PortACCY Port

Data Port Pin Assignments

Contact Number Function Direction

1 Not used 2 R ead y (DTR) From P 3 Receive data (Rx) To P

ORTACOUNT

Plus

Plus 4 Not Used 5 Transmit data (Tx) From P

ORTACOUNT

Plus 6 Not Used 7 Signal Ground (G) 8 Clear to send (CTS) To P

ORTACOUNT

Plus

PortaCount Accessory Port Pin Assignments (use TSI cable 1303522)

Contact Number Function Comment

1 Ground (-) 2 + 5 VDC Supply voltage for all circuits

except solenoid valve

3 N95 Attach Sense Pull to ground to signal that

N95-Companion is attached

4 + 5 VDC Solenoid valve

voltage feed

High current supply for solenoid valve only

5 Solenoid valve control 0.0 VDC = sample from

sample tube

5.0 VDC = sample from ambient tube

6 Not used

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 10

Page 11

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

COMPUTER INTERFACE CABLES

The diagrams below show how to connect an IBM-PC compatible RS-232C serial interface to the P female. Serial interface connectors on the back of the computer are always male. Pin 1 on the P

The P

ORTACOUNT

For 25 pin RS-232 connectors P

ORTACOUNT

Plus Data Port. The computer end of these cables are always

plus Data Port is on the left as you look at the Data Port connector.

Plus Data Port uses a standard RJ-45 Modular Connector.

Plus Data Port Pin Computer 25 Pin Connector

18 25 32 46 53 622 77 820

For 9 pin RS-232 connectors P

ORTACOUNT

Plus Data Port Pin Computer 9 Pin Connector

11 28 33 46 52 69 75 84

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 11

Page 12

REMOTE CONTROL via COMPUTER

This section describes in detail, how to operate the P

ORTACOUNT

Plus in External Control Mode through the Data Port. This information will be useful to those who want to write their own control program.

The following nomenclature is used in this section:

x Single character ASCII numeral (0 - 9) v Single character ASCII numeral (0 - 9) <cr> ASCII carriage return character (OD hex or 13 decimal) <lf> ASCII line feed character (OA hex or 10 decimal)

Notes on External Control Mode

• All characters sent to the P

ORTACOUNT

Plus are ASCII.

ORTACOUNT

Plus and all characters returned by the

• Commands are case sensitive. Be sure to use only uppercase as specified.

• All commands sent to the P

ORTACOUNT

Plus must be terminated with an ASCII

carriage return <cr> character.

• All responses returned by the P

ORTACOUNT

Plus will be terminated with both an ASCII

carriage return <cr> and a line feed <lf> character.

• When the P

ORTACOUNT

Plus receives a command that is not understood or has values that are outside the allowable range, an ASCII E (for Error) is returned followed by and echo of the misunderstood command.

For example, if a command is sent to the P

ORTACOUNT

Plus that attempts to change the

ambient purge time to an out of range value such as 3 seconds with the command:

PTPA003<cr>

ORTACOUNT

The P

Plus will respond as follows, without changing the ambient

purge time:

EPTPA003<cr><lf>

• When the P

ORTACOUNT

Plus receives a command that attempts to alter a setting that is locked because DIP switch 4 is OFF, it will return an ASCII W (for Write protected) followed by an echo of the illegal command. See the Appendix on DIP switch settings for details on locking memory with DIP switch 4.

For example, if DIP switch 4 is OFF and an attempt is made to change the mask sample time for exercise 3 to 30 seconds with the command:

Page 13

ORTACOUNT

The P time:

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

PTM0330<cr>

ORTACOUNT

Plus will respond as follows, without changing the mask sample

WPTM0330<cr><lf>

• If a low battery condition occurs while the P

ORTACOUNT

Plus is in External Control

Mode, the following characters are transmitted just before the unit turns itself off:

Low Battery<cr><lf>

The following table describes each of the available external commands and responses in detail.

COMMAND DESCRIPTION

J<cr>

Invoke External Control

This command puts the PORTACOUNT Plus into External Control Mod e . All characters sent are ignored until the first J<cr> is received.

Response from PORTACOUNT Plus:

OK<cr><lf>

When External Control Mode is invoked, certain parameters are automatically set as follows:

• The internal valve is set to OFF. This position forces air to be drawn through the

Sample Tube.

• The PORTACOUNT Plus Display is cleared.

• The External Control indicator on the Keypad is turned ON.

• Count Mode and Fit Test Mode indicators are turned OFF.

• Continuous transmission of concentration data is enabled as if the ZE<cr>

command had been received.

G<cr>

Q<cr>

Release from External Control

This command puts the PORTACOUNT Plus back into Local Mod e so it can be operated from the keypad.

Response from PORTACOUNT Plus:

G<cr><lf>

Test to see if N95-Companion is attached

QN<cr><lf> (Response if N95-Companion IS NOT attached)

QY<cr><lf> Response if N95-Companion IS attached:

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 13

Page 14

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

COMMAND DESCRIPTION

VN<cr>

Switch Valve ON (sample through Ambient Tube)

This command switches the internal valve to the ON position which forces the sampled air to be drawn through the Ambient Tube. The valve is automatically set to OFF when the External Control Mode is first invoked.

Response from PORTACOUNT Plus:

VN<cr><lf>

VF<cr>

ZD<cr>

ZE<cr>

Switch Valve OFF (sample through Sample Tube)

This command switches the internal valve to the OFF position which forces the sampled air to be drawn through the Sample Tube. The valve is automatically set to OFF when External Control Mode is first invoked.

Response from PORTACOUNT Plus:

VO<cr><lf>

Disable Continuous Data Trans miss ion

This command tells the PORTACOUNT Plus to stop sending continuous particle concentration data.

Response from PORTACOUNT Plus:

ZD<cr><lf>

Enable Continuous Data Transmission

This command tells the PORTACOUNT Plus to continuou sly transmi t particle concentration data in 1-second intervals.

Response from PORTACOUNT P lus is to echo:

ZE<cr><lf>

and then begin sending concentration data in units of particles per cubic centimeter. The data values are in the format:

xxxxxx.xx<cr><lf>

All values are right justified with leading zeros as needed to send 9 characters including the decimal point.

Example:

Concentration Transmitted Particles/cm3 Characters

0.60 000000.60<cr><lf> 100 000100.00<cr><lf>

4756.5 004756.50<cr><lf> 23941 023941.00<cr><lf>

496720 496720.00<cr><lf>

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 14

Page 15

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

COMMAND DESCRIPTION

R<cr>

Request Runtime Status of Batt ery and Signal Pulse

This command forces the PORTACOUNT Plus to report the battery condition and the sensor pulse condition. Three characters are returned by the PORTACOUNT Plus. The first character is always an R. The second character is the battery condition and the third is the sensor pulse condition. When the AC Adapter is in use, the first character indicates the condition of the power supply voltage rather than a battery.

Possible responses from PORTACOUNT Plus

RGG<cr><lf> Battery Good, Pulse Good RGB<cr><lf> Battery Good, Pulse Bad RBG<cr><lf> Battery Bad, Pulse Good RBB<cr><lf> Battery Bad, Pulse Bad

S<cr>

Request Settings

This command forces the PORTACOUNT Plus to transmit all current settings for sample times, fit factor pass level, serial number, Hours of ope ratio n and da te last serviced. Each item is described below in the order it is transmitted.

Ambient Purge Time

STPA 000vv<cr><lf> vv is the ambient purge time in seconds. The value will be in the range from 04 to

25. All exercises use the same ambient purge time.

Ambient Sample Time

STA 000vv<cr><lf> vv is the ambient sample time in seconds. The value will be in the range from 05 to

99. All exercises use the same ambient sample time. There are 2 spaced after the STA.

Mask Sample Purge Time

STPM 000vv<cr><lf>

vv is the mask sample purge time in seconds. The value will be in the range from 11

to 99. All exercises use the same mask sample purge time. There is one space after the STPM.

Mask Sample Times

STMxx000vv<cr><lf>

(continued on next page)

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 15

Page 16

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

COMMAND DESCRIPTION

S<cr>

(continued from previous page)

(continued)

13 lines will be transmitted, one for each exercise. xx is the exercise number (01 to

13) and vv is the mask sample time in seconds. Mask sample times will be in the range from 10 to 99 seconds. The 13 used when the number of exercises is set to zero (8010 Mode). The 13 time cannot be changed.

Fit Factor Pass Levels

SP xxvvvvv<cr><lf>

12 lines will be transmitted, one for each of the fit factor pass levels stored in memory. The PORTACOUNT Plus stores 12 fit factor pass levels in memory and allows an ope rator to scro l l through the list using the Keypad. Xx is the memory location between 01 and 12. Vvvvv is the fit factor pass level contained in that memory location. The maximum value allowed for the fit factor pass level is 64000. There is one space after the SP.

Serial Number

line is the mask sample time (60 seconds)

mask sample

The PORTACOUNT Plus serial number is transmitted in the format:

SS vvvvv<cr><lf> vvvvv is the serial number. There are three spaces after the SS.

Run Time Since Last Serviced at the Factory

The run time since the last time factory service was provided is transmitted in the format:

SR vvvvv<cr><lf> vvvvv is the run time in 10 minute increments. There are three spaces after the SR.

For example:

SR 05370<cr><lf>

indicates that the unit has run for 53700 minutes or 895 hours since last serviced.

The timer is reset at the factory when service is performed.

Date Last Serviced

The date when the PORTACOUNT Plus was last serviced at the facto ry is transmitted in the format:

SD 0MMYY<cr><lf>

Where MM is the month number (01 to 12) and YY is the last 2 digits of the year (91 = 1991, 93 = 1993, 00 = 2000 etc.). The character before the month number (MM) is always a zero. There are three spaces after the SD.

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 16

Page 17

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

COMMAND DESCRIPTION

Y<cr>

Turn Power OFF

This command turns the PORTACOUNT Plus OFF. It must be turned ON using the Keypad. There is no way to turn the PORTACOUNT Plus ON using an external computer. When first turned ON the PORTACOUNT Plus is always operable using the Keypad.

Response from PORTACOUNT Plus just before it turns off:

Y<cr><lf>

PTMxxvv<cr>

PTA00vv<cr>

Set Mask Sample Time

Each exercise has its own independent mask sample time. xx is the exercise number between 01 and 12. vv is the mask sample time in seconds between 10 and 99.

For example, to set the mask sample time for exercise 4 to 40 seconds, send the command:

PTM0440<cr>

The PORTACOUNT Plus will respond with an echo of the same command:

PTM0440<cr><lf>

Set Ambient Sample Time

This command sets the ambient sample time for exercises 1 through 12. vv is the ambient sample time in seconds and must be in the range from 05 to 99.

For example, to set the ambient sample time to 10 seconds, send the command:

PTA0010<cr>

The PORTACOUNT Plus will respond with an echo of the same command:

PTA0010<cr><lf>

PTPM0vv<cr>

Set Mask Sample Purge Time

This command sets the mask sample purge time for exercises 1 through 12. vv is the mask sample purge time in seconds and must be in the range from 11 to 25.

For example, to set the mask sample purge time to 15 seconds, send the command:

PTPM015<cr>

The PORTACOUNT Plus will respond with an echo of the same command:

PTPM015<cr><lf>

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 17

Page 18

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

COMMAND DESCRIPTION

PTPA0vv<cr>

Set Ambient Sample Purge Time

This command sets the ambient sample purge time for exercises 1 through 12. vv is the ambient sample purge time in seconds and must be in the range from 04 to 25.

For example, to set the ambient sample purge time to 8 seconds, send the command:

PTPA008<cr>

The PORTACOUNT Plus will respond with an echo of the same command:

PTPA008<cr><lf>

PPxxvvvvv<c r>

Set Fit Factor Pass Level

The PORTACOUNT Plus stores a set of 12 fit factor pass levels in memory. The operator is allowed to scroll through and select one of

these values as the current fit factor pass level using the PORTACOUNT Plus Keypad.

This command allows any of the 12 fit factor pass levels stored in t he PORTACOUNT Plus to be permanently changed. xx is the memory location from 01 to 12. vvvvv is the new fit factor pass level between 00000 and 64000. All fit factor pass levels must have 5 characters. Use leading zeros when necessary, such as 000350 for 350 and 02000 for 2000.

For example, to change the 3rd of 12 fit factor pass levels to 350, send the command:

PP0300350<cr>

The PORTACOUNT Plus will respond with an echo of the same command:

PP0300350<cr><lf>

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 18

Page 19

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

COMMAND DESCRIPTION

Dxxxxxx.xx<cr>

Display Concentration on PORTACOUNT Plus

This command clears the entire Display and then displays a concentration value. The PARTICLE/cm3 message is turned ON. xxxxxx.xx is the concentration

to display and can be any number from 000000.00 to 999999.99. The concentration value must be 9 characters long including the decimal point so add zeros as needed on the left. Characters to the right of the decimal point are not displayed if the value to the left of the decimal point is above 100, however, they must be included in this command even if they are both zeros.

For example, to display a concentration of 5375 send the command:

D005375.00<cr>

The PORTACOUNT Plus responds by echoing:

D005375.00<cr><lf>

Lxxxxxx<cr>

Fxxxxxx.x<cr>

Display Fit Factor Pass Level on PORTACOUNT Plus

This command clears the Display and then displa ys a fit factor pass level. The FIT FACTOR PASS LEVEL message is turned ON. xxxxxx is the fit factor pass level to display and can be in the range from 000000 to 999999. The value to display must have 6 characters so add zeros on the left as needed.

For example, to display a fit factor pass level of 1000, send the command:

L001000<cr>

The PORTACOUNT Plus responds by echoing:

L001000<cr><lf>

Display Fit Factor on PORTACOUNT Plus

This command clears the entire Display and then displays a fit factor value. The FIT FACTOR message is turned ON. xxxxxx.x is the fit factor to display and can be any number from 000000.0 to 999999.9. The fit factor value must be 8 characters long including the decimal point so add zeros as needed on the left. The character to the right of the decimal point is not displayed if the value to the left of the decimal point is above 10, however, it must be included in this command even if it is zero.

For example, to display a fit factor of 6240 send the command:

F006240.0<cr>

The PORTACOUNT Plus responds by echoing:

F006240.0<cr><lf>

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 19

Page 20

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

COMMAND DESCRIPTION

Axxxxxx.x<cr>

Display Overall Fit Factor on PORTACOUNT Plus

This command clears the entire Display and then displays an overall fit factor value. The OVERALL FIT FACTOR message is turned ON. xxxxxx.x is the overall fit factor to display and can be any number from 000000.0 to

999999.9. The overall fit factor value must be 8 characters long including the decimal point so add zeros as needed on the left. The character to the right of the decimal point is not displayed if the value to the left of the decimal point is above 10, however, it must be included in this command even if it is zero.

For example, to display an overall fit factor of 740 send the command:

A000740.0<cr>

The PORTACOUNT Plus responds by echoing:

A000740.0<cr><lf>

Nxx<cr>

Ixxxxxxxx<cr>

Display Exercise Number on PORTACOUNT Plus

This command displays an exercise number on the PORTACOUNT Plus Display. xx is the number to display and must be in the range from 00 to 19.

For example, to display the exercise number 5 on the PORTACOUNT Plus send the command:

N05<cr>

The PORTACOUNT Plus will respond with an echo of the same command:

N05<cr><lf>

Display Indicator Message on PORTACOUNT Plus

This command causes selected indicator messages to turn ON or OFF on the PORTACOUNT Plus Display. xxxxxxxx represents an eight-place binary value. Each bit corresponds to a particular indicator message. 1 means ON and 0 means OFF. The left most bit is bit 1 and the bit furthest to the right is bit 8. Each of the 8 bits controls a certain indicator message as described below.

Bit 1: Not Used

Bit one is not used and is ignored by the PORTACOUNT Plus. For simplicity, a zero (0) will always be used for bit 1.

Bit 2: IN PROGRESS Message

1 = Turn IN PROGRESS message ON (it will flash)

0 = Turn IN PROGRESS message OFF

(continued on next page)

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 20

Page 21

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

COMMAND DESCRIPTION

Ixxxxxxxx<cr>

(continued from previous page)

(continued)

Bit 3: FIT FACTOR Message

1 = Turn FIT FACTOR message ON

0 = Turn FIT FACTOR message OFF

Bit 4: SERVICE Message

1 = Turn SERVICE message ON

0 = Turn SERVICE message OFF

Bit 5: LOW PARTICLE Message

1 = Turn LOW PARTICLE message ON

0 = Turn LOW PARTICLE message OFF

Bit 6: LOW BATTERY Message

1 = Turn LOW BATTERY message ON

0 = Turn LOW BATTERY message OFF

The LOW BATTERY message will flash when it is ON.

Bit 7: FAIL Message

1 = Turn FAIL message ON

0 = Turn FAIL message OFF

Bit 8: PASS Message

1 = Turn PASS message ON

0 = Turn PASS message OFF

For example, to turn all messages OFF, all bits would be zero so send the command:

I00000000<cr>

The PORTACOUNT Plus will respond:

I00000000<cr><lf>

(continued on next page)

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 21

Page 22

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

COMMAND DESCRIPTION

Ixxxxxxxx<cr>

(continued from previous page)

(continued)

To turn the FAIL message on only, bit 7 must be a 1, send the command:

I00000010<cr>

The PORTACOUNT Plus will respond:

(continued on next page) (continued from previous page)

I00000010<cr><lf>

To turn the FAIL message OFF and the PASS message ON with one command, bit 7 must be a zero and bit 8 must be a 1, send:

I00000001<cr>

The PORTACOUNT Plus responds:

K<cr>

Bxx<cr>

I00000001<cr><lf> To turn the FIT FACTOR message and the PASS message ON at the same time bit 3 must be a 1 and bit 8 must be a 1, send:

I00100001<cr>

The PORTACOUNT Plus responds:

I00100001<cr><lf>

Clear Display on PORTACOUNT Plus

This command clears the entire PORTACOUNT P lus Display. Se nd the command:

Response from PORTACOUNT Plus:

K<cr><lf>

Sound Beeper inside the PORTACOUNT Plus

This command causes the internal beeper to sound. Xx is the duration of the beep in 1/10 seconds in the range from 01 to 99 (0.1 to 9.9 seconds).

For example, to sound a 5/10 ( = 1/2 ) second beep, send the command:

B05<cr>

The PORTACOUNT Plus beeps for the specified time interval and responds:

B05<cr><lf>

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 22

Page 23

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

N95-Companion Model 8095

The N95-Companion is an accessory for the PortaCount Plus that permits the PortaCount to perform quantitative fit testing on low efficiency disposable respirators such as class-95 (USA) and class-P1/P2 (other countries). The N95Companion is essentially an electrostatic particle classifier (a.k.a. Differential Mobility Analyzer or DMA) that strips off all particle sizes above and below the target particle size of approximately

0.04 micrometers. The target particle size is fixed and cannot be adjusted. Refer to the N95- Companion Operation and Service Manual (TSI part no. 1980308) for operation and maintenance instruction. Visit www.tsi.com to obtain a copy.

To operate with the N95-Companion the PortaCount Plus must have the revision A modifications. The tag on the bottom of the PortaCount Plus will show MODEL 8020A if it is "N95-Companion ready." Revision A modifications can be added to older PortaCounts via factory service.

Sampling Pendant

N95-Companion Theory of Operation

The fundamental assumption made when fit testing with the PortaCount is that any particles sampled from inside the respirator must have entered through a leak since they cannot pass through the filter. This assumption is always true for high efficiency filters, but fails for low efficiency filters. There are enough particle passing through low efficiency media to bias the fit test and cause very low fit factors even when the face seal is perfect. The PortaCount does not know the difference between a particle that entered via a face seal leak and one that passed through the filter media.

Ambient

Sample

VALVE

N95-COMPANION

PORTACOUNT

Mask

Sample

Exhaust

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 23

Page 24

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

The N95-Companion is used as a particle conditioner in between the respirator and the PortaCount. The 0.04 micrometer particles that are allowed to pass through to the PortaCount are in the size range that is effectively stopped by low efficiency filter media as well as high efficiency media. By only allowing the PortaCount to "see" particles that can only enter the respirator via a face seal leak, the N95-Companion makes low efficiency media look like high efficiency media to the PortaCount. Since both the ambient and respirator sample pass through the N95-Companion, the ratio of outside concentration vs. inside concentration (fit factor) is valid.

For more information visit the www.tsi.com and review the following documents:

Mechanisms of Filtration for High Efficiency Fibrous Filters (Application Note ITI-041)

PortaCount Theory of Operation (Application Note ITI-048)

N95-Companion Model 8095 Theory of Operation (Application Note ITI-053)

Penetration of Ambient Aerosols Through Respirator Faceseal Leaks (Application Note ITI-055)

Fit Testing Using Size-Selected Aerosol (Application Note ITI-062)

PortaCount Internal Program Configuration

When the PortaCount Plus senses the presence of the N95-Companion it automatically resets itself and runs with special configuration parameters designed to function with the N95-Companion. The changes include:

• Sample timing changes to accommodate the longer N95-Companion sampling

requirements.

Ambient purge = 6 seconds Ambient sample = 15 sec Mask purge = 15 sec Mask sample 50 sec,

• The maximum fit factor that can be displayed is 200. Any fit factor measured to be

above 200 is displayed as 200 with the words "Fit Factor" flashing. The 200 limit was necessary because the particle concentrations output by the N95-Companion are too low to allow accurate fit factor measurements at higher levels.

• The pump inside the N95-Companion runs in addition to the pump inside the

PortaCount.

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 24

Page 25

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

• The valve inside the PortaCount is no longer used and is left un-energized (sample

tube open). The valve control is automatically re-routed to the N-95-Companion valve located inside the Sampling Pendant.

• The minimum ambient particle concentration necessary to allow a fit test drops from

1000 to 70 particles/cm3.

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 25

Page 26

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

• The internal pass/fail settings are reduced by a factor of 10.

Pass/Fail setting for PortaCount alone

Pass/Fail setting with N95-Companion Comment

0 0 Pass/Fail indicator OFF 1 to 10* 1 Minimum pass/fail = 1 50* 5 100 10 200 20 500 50 1000 100 2000 or higher 200 Maximum pass/fail =

200

* Not a factory setting

N95-Companion Front Panel

Sample inlet (approx. 700 cm

/min)

Sample outlet (to PortaCount)

Pendant valve control connector

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 26

Page 27

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

N95-Companion Sampling Pendant

Sample outlet (to N95-Companion)

N95-Companion Back Panel

Factory use only

+ 5 VDC (to hold valve open on ambient sample tube)

Ground (-)

Pendant valve control connector (from N95-Companion)

Particle Classifier Check Button (turns DMA off)

Control Connector (6-pin MMJ to PortaCount) Use TSI cable 1303522

N95-Companion Control Connector

Contact Number Function Comment

1 Ground (-) 2 + 5 VDC (from PortaCount) Supply voltage for all circuits

except solenoid valve in pendant

3 N95 Attach Signal

(to PortaCount)

Jumpered to ground to signal PortaCount that N95Companion is attached

4 + 5 VDC Solenoid valve

voltage feed (from PortaCount)

5 Solenoid valve control

(from PortaCount)

High current voltage supply for solenoid valve in pendant

0.0 VDC = sample from sample tube (normal position)

5.0 VDC = sample from ambient tube (maintain voltage while sampling)

6 Not used

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 27

Page 28

ORTACOUNT

Plus Model 8020 Technical Addendum revised 7-27-2001

TSI Incorporated, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 28

TSI Instruments PORTACOUNT 8020 Addendum

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

(includes the N95-Companion™ Model 8095)

INTRODUCTION

CONTENTS

DIP SWITCH SETTINGS

DIP Switches 1, 2 and 3: Baud Rate

DIP Switch 4: Memory Lock

DIP Switch 5: Factory Checkout

DIP Switch 6: Reset Factory Settings on Power Up

DIP Switch 7: Reserved

DIP Switch 8: Use CTS

SERIAL INTERFACE OUTPUT

Output in Fit Test Mode

Output in Count Mode

Output When a Battery Runs Low

DATA and ACCESSORY PORT PIN ASSIGNMENTS

COMPUTER INTERFACE CABLES

REMOTE CONTROL via COMPUTER

Notes on External Control Mode

N95-Companion Model 8095