Fieldpiece ACM4 Operator's Manual

Fieldpiece

Quick Start

1. Install 9V battery (included).
2. Connect ACM4 to Fieldpiece Meter.
Carbon Monoxide
3. Select the mVDC range on DMM.
4. Slide the power switch to ON and
Accessory Head
allow the warmup to complete.
Note: Green and red LEDs will light
OPERATOR'S
solidly for 10 seconds.
MANUAL
5. If necessary, ZERO the ACM4 to
atmosphere with no carbon mon-
Model oxide (CO).
ACM4 6. Carbon monoxide (CO) above nomi-
nal levels will be displayed in parts
per million (ppm).
7. Power ACM4 off by sliding the power
switch to the OFF position.

Certifications

ACM4
01 02

How to Use

Zero Adjust

1. Connect COM and Volts jacks using As needed, set the reading to zero in
Fieldpiece deluxe test leads. For a known zero CO atmosphere and in a
Fieldpiece "stick" meter, slide the temperature similar to the sample air
head directly over the meter. to be tested. Zero only when ambient
2. Select the mVDC range. air is within specifications and probe
3. Power ACM4 on by sliding the power is in equilibrium (temperature and
switch to the ON position and allow relative humidity) with ambient.
warmup to complete. To zero, removing the protective
4. Take the instrument outside and rubber cover to access the calibration
adjust it to zero. Then bring inside screw. Using the calibration Tool
to take measurements. provided, turn the calibration screw
5. Expose sensor to a still, stable air until the display reads ZERO. (Note:
sample (see precautions). The dis- For safety reasons the ACM4 will not
play reacts to the presence of CO zero if reading is above 5ppm.)
in seconds. Take final reading when

"Walk Around" Test

reading stabilizes.
6. For initial tests, walk around the
building, watch for the readings T h e AC M 4 r e s p o n d s a l m o s t
to go up to determine where instantly to changes in CO levels in
maximum concentrations of CO the air. If you see a difference in CO
are present. To measure air from levels from outside to inside, you
register, use a pump or measure need to find the source of the CO.
out of the air stream. Hot blowing Walk around and watch the display.
air can adversely affect the reading. By constantly going towards the
The temperature of the sample must area of higher concentration, you can
be near ambient.
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Description

The ACM4 carbon monoxide
accessory head measures carbon
monoxide in parts per million (ppm).
It is intended to measure levels
of CO in still, ambient air. The most
practical application of the ACM4 is
to determine if the indoor CO levels
are higher than outdoor levels and to
determine the source. In many cases,
it can help locate a source of CO.
The ACM4 uses a fast reacting,
electrochemical sensor that does not
consume chemicals and can easily be
replaced in the field if needed. Sensor
Life is primarily determined by the
type of exposure.
C-Tick (N22675)
CE
WEEE
RoHS Compliant
03
determine the source of the CO.
Persistent sources of CO, such
as malfunc tioning combustion
equipment in occupied spaces, must
be serviced immediately. These can
be life threatening.
When searching for sources of CO,
make sure that you never put yourself
or anyone else in danger of excessive
exposure to CO. Overexposure to CO
can have long-term health effects and
can be fatal.

Average Switch

The average switch averages the
reading over the last two or three
seconds. This allows the user to read
more stable measurements.
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Precautions

1. Do not measure gas engine
WARNING
exhaust or other high CO or highly
contaminated gases. High levels of
Evacuate areas of significant CO concentration immediately. See the CO Exposure Effects section of this manual.
CO and other contaminants can ruin
the sensor and be a health hazard.
2. Do not take readings directly in
CAUTION
stream of air at register or in a flue.
3. Allow enough time for ACM4 to
reach ambient temperature and
Detectors and Cracked Heat Exchangers" section.
%RH.
to the corrosive nature of this compound. These sensors also contain platinum, ruthenium, gold, silver, carbon
4. The sensor has built-in permanent
some of which are toxic.
non-replaceable filter to filter
out trace concentrations of SO ,
of water. Obtain medical advice.
2
NO , and most hydrocarbons. If
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exposed to high concentrations of
substances as detailed above. Provided these sensors are used only for their intended application they do not
represent a chemical hazard.
harmful chemicals such as methanol,
ethanol, or dirt, the filter can
not be exposed to organic vapours which may cause physical damage to the body of the sensor, for example 1,
deteriorate and/or impede diffusion
2 dichloroethane.
of CO to the sensor.
should be adopted.
04 05

Specifications

CO Detectors and
Cracked Heat
Sensor Type: Electrochemical (specific to CO)
Sensor Calibration: Factory calibrated @ 205 ppm CO
Exchangers
Range: 0 to 1000 ppm;
0 to 2000 ppm (less than 5 minute exposure time)
A CO detector cannot tell you
Initial Accuracy: @ 73°F±9°F, <75% R.H.
0-15ppm ±5% reading ±1 ppm after zeroing
if a heat exchanger is good. A CO
16-35ppm ±5% reading ±2 ppm after zeroing
detector can indicate that a heat
36-1000ppm ±5% reading ±5ppm after zeroing
exchanger may be cracked only if
Long Term Drift: less than 5% per year
all of the following conditions occur
(depending on use)
simultaneously:
CO Air Sample Temperature Range: 32 to 105°F
Operating Environment: 32 to 122°F (0 to 50°C);
1. The flame must generate high con-
15 to 90% R.H., non-condensing
centrations of CO (lack of oxygen,
Storage Environment: 32 to 68°F (0 to 20°C) at
excess fuel, high temp).
<80% R.H. with battery removed from meter.
2. Enough exhaust gases must be emit-
Battery: 9V.
ted from the heat exchanger crack.
Battery Life: 150 hours typical alkaline.
Auto Power Off: After 15 minutes.
3. The exhaust gases from the crack
must not be diluted too much
before coming in contact with the

Storage

sensor. A cracked heat exchanger
To maintain sensor integrity, do may leak CO in a small stream. You
not store in areas containing solvent may measure high concentrations
vapors. This includes aerosols such at one point but low concentrations
as air-freshener, wax polish, window only an inch away.
cleaner, and all organic solvents. 4. The heat exchanger must be the only
possible source for the CO detected.
10 11
!
Extended exposure to even relatively low carbon monoxide concentrations can be hazardous to human health.
!
Do not take measurements directly at a tailpipe, or at a flue. See "Precautions."
Do not rely solely on a carbon monoxide measurement to determine if a heat exchanger is bad. See "CO
The majority of toxic gas sensors contain sulphuric acid electrolyte and the chemical hazard is mainly related
Any skin or eye contact with the contents of these sensors should be washed immediately with copious amount
Electrochemical gas sensors are sealed units containing an aqueous electrolyte and a combination of other
The sensors must not be exposed to temperatures outside the range -50°C to 60°C. Toxic gas sensors should
Should any sensor be so severely damaged that leakage of the contents occurs then the following procedures
a. Avoid skin contact with any liquid or internal component through use of protective gloves.
b. Disconnect sensor if it is attached to any equipment.
c. Use copious amounts of clean water to wash away any spilt liquid. This is particularly important in
equipment where the sensor involved contains sulphuric acid or phosphoric acid because of the corrosive
nature of these electrolytes.
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CO Exposure Effects

Minimal. Max allowable concentration
9 ppm
for eight hours (EPA and ASHRAE).
Max for continuous exposure for one
35 ppm
hour (EPA and ASHRAE).
50 ppm Max for eight hours (OSHA).
Trips installed CO detectors. UL2034
100 ppm
specifies a max exposure of 100 min.
In two to three hours: slight
headache, tiredness, dizziness,
200ppm
nausea. UL2034 specifies a max
exposure of 35 min.
In one or two hours: frontal
headaches. In three hours: life
400 ppm
threatening. UL2034 specifies a max
exposure of 15 minutes.
In forty five minutes: dizziness,
800 ppm
nausea, and convulsions.
800 ppm In two to three hours: death.
1600 ppm In one hour: death.
6400 ppm In fifteen minutes: death.
12800 ppm In three minutes: death.
Note: Effects can vary significantly depending on
age, sex, weight, and overall health.
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