Until you need it professionally, you probably won’t know what a particle counter is. It’s not a common tool in everyday life. However, it’s important to understand it and its use when you do finally need one.
So, how do particle counters work, and why are they such an indispensable piece of equipment for anyone tasked with monitoring air quality or maintaining a tightly controlled environment? Let’s take a closer look!
A particle counter is a precision instrument used to measure the number of specific particles in a room. This is used to spot contamination in the majority of cases.
It’s not something that the average person needs on a daily basis, but it has an important role in many different fields and specialized uses.
Common uses for a particle counter are clean rooms that must not be contaminated, industrial zones that need to monitor how much of certain toxic materials are in the area, and in use cases where contamination can create major issues for human safety or a project at hand.
A particle counter is a fairly advanced piece of equipment, but it’s not too difficult to use a modern one.
In general, a sample of air from the room is forced into a chamber in the device. The counter then pushes deflected light into the chamber, and that light is scattered due to the particles in the chamber.
The counter then analyzes that scattered light and starts categorizing the particles. You get a reading describing what the counter was able to analyze.
Using a particle counter is a little more complicated than a simpler instrument, such as a sound level meter, but it’s not overly complicated.
Before doing your count, make sure the sample inlet is clean. Any debris that makes its way inside can interfere with the device and dramatically skew your results.
Take the large B7501-30 model, for example: it’s a robust instrument built specifically to monitor large particles in demanding environments, such as industrial air quality systems or cleanrooms with strict classifications. Given that level of precision, it’s easy to see why keeping its onboard diagnostic systems clean is so important.
With most models, you’ll need to power the unit and let it heat up just like you would your household oven before using it.
You don’t want to start the reading until you’ve set your parameters. Each model is different, and you’ll need to reference your owner’s manual to know how to navigate each option.
For example, the handheld H8503 model is designed for demanding settings like cleanrooms and industrial sites, and the compact and affordable PCE-PCO 2 particle counter is ideal for monitoring air quality in homes and offices. If you buy one of ours, you’re more than welcome to contact us with any questions!
The rest is automated. Just start the reading as outlined in your owner’s manual. It’s typically done with just the push of a button.
The counter will suck air through the sample inlet, hit it with a laser to scatter light off the particles, mirrors will bounce that light into a photodetector, and the device will organize and count the various particles.
Your reading will be set by your parameters, and you’ll be able to take action. Some even let you print off results for easy recording.
So, what is a particle counter, and why is accurate particle measurement so important? We’ve explored how these advanced instruments measure airborne particles, their central role in industries like cleanrooms and safety compliance, and practical tips for choosing (and using) the right model.
AQ Measurement offers a broad range of top-quality products designed to meet the needs of professionals across many fields. Contact us today to learn more about our products or to speak with someone who can help with your specific needs!
