Aethlabs microAeth AL30 Quick Start Manual page 3

Important Information Before Getting Started
1) Always make sure that a filter strip is installed in the microAeth AL30 when it is
operating.
2) The microAeth interface webpage is a locally hosted webpage that can be accessed
using any web browser when connected directly to the microAaeth hosted WiFi network or
when connected to the common local WiFi network that the microAeth is also connected
to. The microAeth interface webpage can be used to modify all instrument settings, control
the instrument, and download data,
3) Timebase:
The microAeth AL30 can acquire data on timebase settings of 1, 10, 30, 60, 150, or
300 seconds. The 1 and 10 second timebases should only be used under special
circumstances where a decreased signal-to-noise ratio is acceptable. At these settings,
instrumental noise is larger and typically requires the highest flow rate and/or post-
processing.
4) Flow Rate:
The AL30 pump can operate at flow rate settings of 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225,
or 250 ml/min. A higher flow rate can contribute to greater measurement sensitivity but will
use more filter tape and more power.
5) Measurement Wavelength: IR (880 nm)
6) Spot Size: 3mm diameter
7) Protect the instrument and the inlet and outlet ports from water and other
contaminates.
8) Verify flow rates using on-board test flow menu and external flow calibration kit before
calibrating flows. The instruments are initially calibrated at sea level. Only calibrate the
flow system if there is an error in the measured flow when using the test flow menu. If
sampling at a high elevation compared to sea level then a calibration may be required to
compensate for the change in altitude.
9) To get the best data from the microAeth AL30, we highly recommend that the
instrument warm up for approximately 30 minutes so that it can equilibrate.
10) If you change sampling settings, you must stop the instrument measurement before
being allowed to make a change.
AL30 Quick Start Guide
microAeth
®
4
Installation & Environmental Considerations
The microAeth instrument is specifically designed to be used in a wide range of
measurement scenarios. Each research deployment will require its own specific
considerations for protecting the instrument and ensuring the integrity of your data. The
included sample tubing assembly with threaded insert should be installed into the inlet of
the instrument. Obstruction of either the inlet or outlet port should be prevented as this
will affect the flow of air into the instrument.
IMPORTANT: Be sure that the aerosol inlet to the microAeth is at atmospheric pressure
and that there is no differential pressure between the aerosol inlet and the operating
environment of the microAeth. For example, if sampling from a plenum or chamber,
the plenum or chamber must be at the same pressure as the instrument itself. If
other instrumentation is measuring in parallel, we always recommend that microAeth
instruments have their own sampling line so there is no impact from other devices that
might have large flow rates. Failure to meet this requirement may cause sampling and/or
measurement errors.
In personal monitoring applications, the included lapel clip can assist in positioning the
sampling inlet near to the person's breathing zone, care must be taken to ensure the inlet,
or microCyclone inlet, are free from obstruction.
For outdoor deployments, protection of the instrument and the inlet and outlet ports
must be considered.
The AL30 requires protection from rapid temperature changes and moisture /
precipitation. In addition to potentially having signal-to-noise impact on your data, rapidly
changing environmental conditions can harm your instrument without proper protection.
The instrument should be shielded from solar radiation to reduce impact of rapid heating
from the sun.
Temperature:
The AL30 is specified to operate between 5 ~ 40 °C. Furthermore, rapid changes in
temperature can impact data. Such effects are inversely proportional to timebase and
flow rate settings.
Humidity:
As with many other types of particle measurement instrumentation, changes in relative
humidity can change the size and optical properties of particles. For locations with high
RH variability, an external sample dryer or heater may be used to condition the sample.
AethLabs offers a portable aerosol dryer for this application. Moving between a dry, air
conditioned environment, to a high humidity environment can impact the data while the
device equilibrates. Selecting a higher flowrate and longer timebase will help to reduce
these effects.
Contamination:
Preventative maintenance for your deployment and sampling apparatus are important
for protecting your instrument. Keeping the microAeth and its air passageways, internal
AL30 Quick Start Guide
AethLabs microAeth
®
AethLabs
5