USERGUIDE

VideoParticleCounterwithbuiltinCamera

ModelVPC300

Introduction

ThankyouforselectingtheExtechInstrumentsModelVPC300ParticleCounterwithCamera.

TheVPC300hasaColorTFTLCDdisplay,a74MBinternaldatastoragebank,amicroSDmemory
cardslotforcapturingimagesandvideoforviewingonaPC,andabuiltin320x240pixelcamera
for capturing stills/video of test locations. The VPC300 offers quick and accurate readings for
particle count, air temperature, most surface temperatures, and relative humidity. The VPC300
also offers a Dew Point and Wet Bulb temperature calculation geared for energy efficiency and
environmentalprotectionapplications.SuppliedPCsoftwareallowstheusertogeneratereports
basedonrecordsdata,images,andvideo.

This device is shipped fully tested and calibrated and, with proper use, will provide years of
reliableservice.Pleasevisitourwebsite(www.extech.com)tocheckforthelatestversionofthis
UserGuide,ProductUpdates,andCustomerSupport.

Features

2.8TFTColorLCDdisplay
Convenientkeystrokemenustructureformeasurements,setup,andotherprogramming
320x240pixelbuiltincameraforstillandvideoimaging
JPEGimagesand3GPvideo
Metersinternalmemory74MB.
Meter can store 5000 records (date, time, counts, humidity, temperature, sample
volumes,andlocationlabel)and20minutesofvideotointernalmemory.
MicroSDmemorycardslot(8GBmaximum);cardnotincluded.
SelectableTestsampletime,countdata,andprogrammabledelay
Simultaneouslymeasureanddisplay6channelsofparticlesizes(downto0.3m)
Airtemperatureandrelativehumidity
DewpointandWetbulbtemperaturecalculations
MIN/MAX/AVG/DIFrecordwithdate/timestamp
Autopoweroff
LanguageselectionforEnglish,French,German,andSpanish
MeterisshippedNISTcalibratedwithcalibrationcertificate
Tripodmountingoption
Includes universal AC adaptor/charger with a variety of plug options, USB cable, PC
software, tripod, Zero count filter, 7.4V Lithiumion polymer rechargeable battery, and
protectivecase

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MeterDescription

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Isokineticprobe
TemperatureandRHSensor(noteitsprotectivecoverthatslidesupanddown)
ColorTFTLCD
CompartmentforUSBinterfaceportandACAdaptor/Charger
FunctionF1,F2,F3buttons
Controlbuttons:PageUp/Down,Enter,Run/Stop,andESC
ON/OFFbutton
BatteryandMicroSDcardcompartment(SDcardslotunderneathbattery)
Tripodmount
Cameralens

10
3

9
5
6

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Operation

PowerONOFF
PressandholdthepowerbuttontoswitchtheinstrumentONor
OFF.

ImportantNotes
Note:Operatingtheparticlecounterwiththeisokineticprobecapin
placewilldamagethepumpandotherinternalcomponents.
Note: Electrical noise, sensor leakage, or other interference may
causetheVPC300toshowincorrectparticlecountdata.

GettingStarted
WhenthemeterpowersON,theParticleCountericonisdisplayedatthecenteroftheLCDand
thedate,time,andbatterystatuscanbeobservedonthetoprowoftheLCD.Threebottomrow
optionsarealsodisplayedandcanbeselectedusingtheFunctionkeys(F1,F2,andF3)asshown
below.Theseareexplainedingreaterdetaillaterinthisuserguide:
Memory(wheredata,images,andvideoarelocated)
SystemSetupParameters
HelpFile

SymbolGlossary

Cumulativemode
Concentrationmode

Differentialmode
Testisrunning

Videomode

Testispaused

CAM(Camera)mode

VideoRecordstart

Color coded particle scale (green is

low, yellow is moderate, and red is
highparticlecount)
AlarmON

BatteryStatus
Particle Count Setup

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SequenceofOperation
To ensure that you measure the amount of particles accurately, perform this sequence of
operation.
1. Zerotheparticlecountsensor
2. Setupyourcounterforproperoperation.Sampletime,mode,cycle,andinterval.
3. Runyourtestcyclesandevaluatetheresults.

BasicOperation
PressandholdtheON/OFFbuttonfor3to5secondsuntilthedisplayilluminatestopoweron
themeter.
Presstheenterbutton( ) togettosetupmode.
PressF3toentersettingsmode.
SeteachparametertoyourpreferredsettingbypressingENTERtoentereachparameter.Then
pressENTERtoenableeditingofeachparameter.PressESCtoexitparametersetup.

SampleTime:Lengthoftimeeachtestruns(3to60seconds)

StartDelay:DurationoftimefromRUNtoactualstartoftest.(3to100seconds)

ChannelDisplay:Particlesizesdisplayedduringtest.

AmbientTemp/RH:Allowsthedisplayoftheairtempand%RHvalues

SampleCycle:Numberoftestcyclestorun(1to100)
SampleMode:Cumulative,differential,concentration

Interval:Testcycledelaymeasuredinseconds.

LevelIndication:Particlelevelselection(highlightedondisplay)
PressESCtoreturntotestingscreen
PressRUN/STOPtostarttheautomatedtestsequence.

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TakingMeasurements
Afterpoweringthemeter,presstheEnter( ) buttontoaccess
theParticleMeasurementscreen.Thenopenthe
temperature/RHsensorbyslidingitsprotectivecover
downward.
Whenmeasuringparticlecounts,these
correspondtothefunctionkeys(F1,F2,F3).
icons
F1istoenterCameraandvideomode,F2istoviewyoursaved
data,andF3isforSetupmode.
Thedisplaywillshowtheparticlecountchannelswithreadings,
airtemperature(AT),Dewpointtemperature(DP),Wetbulb
temperature(WB),andRelativeHumidity(%RH)asshownin
accompanyingdiagram.
PresstheRUN/STOPbuttontostarttheairpumpandtheparticlecountmeasurement
process.Whentheprogrammedsamplingtimehaselapsed,theparticlemeasurementcycle
willautomaticallyendandthemeasurementdatawillbeautomaticallystored.Tosetthe
samplingtime,refertotheParticleCountSETUPMODEsection.Ifdesired,pressthe
RUN/STOPbuttonandstopthesessionmanually.
Whenmeasuringparticlecounts,theseicons
correspondtothefunctionkeys
(F1,F2,F3).F1istoenterCameraandvideomode,F2istoviewyoursaveddata,andF3isfor
Setupmode.

CapturingImages
Whilemeasuringparticlecounts,pressF1toenterthecameramode.PressF1tocapturea
Stillimage.ThenpressF1toSavetheimageorF3todeleteit.PressESCtogetbacktoexit
thismode.

CapturingVideo

Whilemeasuringparticlecounts,pressF1toenterthecameramode.PressF3toenterthe
videomode.TheLCDwillshow
.NowpressF2tocapurevideoandpress
F2 again to stop the video capture. The video file will be automatically stored. The System
Setup modesection allows the user to store video to the meters internal memory or to an
installedMicroSDcard.PressESCtoexitthismode.

ParticleCounterSetupMode
Whenmeasuring,thesedisplayicons
arevisible.Press
F3toentertheSetupmode.Usetheupanddownarrowkeystoselect
anoptiontoeditandpressENTER( )toaccesstheselection.

SAMPLETIME(TestCycleTime)
Select Sample Time. Press the Enter ( ) button to enter the option
and Press Enter again to activate the setting for editing. Use the arrow buttons to set the
samplingtime/gasvolume(3to60seconds).UsetheEscbuttontosave
andreturntothemenu.
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STARTDELAY
Theteststartdelaytimeisadjustable(3to100seconds).FromtheParticlesetupmenu,use
theUpandDownarrowstoselectStartDelay.PresstheEnter( ) buttontoentertheoption
and Press Enter again to activate the setting for editing. Use the arrow keys to select the
desire delay time. The test will not start until the programmed delay time has elapsed. Use
theEscbuttontosavethesettingandtoreturntothemenulist.

CHANNELDISPLAY
Selectchannelsthataretobedisplayed.FromtheParticlesetupmenu,usetheUpandDown
arrows to select Channel Display. Press the Enter ( ) button to enter the option. Use the
arrowkeystoselectthechannelandpresstheEnterkeytoselectordeselectthechannel.
UsetheEsckeytosavethesettingandtoreturntothemenu.

AMBIENTTEMPERAURE/%RH
EnableorDisabletheambienttemperatureandrelativehumiditydisplays.FromtheParticle
setupmenu,usetheUpandDownarrowstoselectAmbientTemp/RH.PresstheEnter( )
buttontoentertheoption.UsethearrowkeystoselectEnableorDisableandusetheESC
buttontosaveandreturntothemenu.

SAMPLECYCLE
Setthedesirednumberoftestcyclestorun.FromtheParticlesetupmenu,usetheUpand
Down arrows to select Sample Cycle. Press the Enter ( ) button to enter the option and
PressEnteragaintoactivatethesettingforediting.Usethearrowkeystoselectthenumber
ofcyclestorunthetest(1to100).PressESCtosavesettingandtoreturntothemenulist.

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SAMPLEMODE
Concentration).FromtheParticle
Selectdesiredmode( Cumulative, Differential,or
setupmenu,usetheUpandDownarrowstoselectSampleMode.PresstheEnter( ) button
toentertheoption.UsethearrowbuttonstoselectdesiredmodeandthenuseESCtosave
andtoreturntothemenulist.
CumulativeModemeasuresallparticlesthataregreaterthanorequaltotheparticlesize
selectedintheSampleVolumefield.

DifferentialModemeasuresallparticlesthataregreaterthanorequaltotheparticlesize
selectedintheSampleVolumefield,butlessthanthenextlargestparticlesize.

Concentration Mode used to take a quick sample of airborne particulates, performed

especially in areas where the particulate levels are unknown and may exceed the operating
levelsofthiscounter.

INTERVAL(TIMEBETWEENREPEATEDTESTCYCLES)
Setthetimebetweentestsfortestswithmorethanonecycle(1to100seconds).Fromthe
Particlesetupmenu,usetheUpandDownarrowstoselectIntervalTime.PresstheEnter( )
buttontoentertheoptionandPressEnteragaintoactivatethesettingforediting.Usethe
arrow buttons to set the desired interval time. Use the ESC button to save setting and to
returnto themenu.Note:TheINTERVALsettingisonlyforprogrammingthetimebetween
testcycles,notbetweenindividualmeasurements.

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LEVEL(ALARMLIMIT)INDICATION
Select the Alarm Limit (Level) of the corresponding particle size. When the selected particle
sizeisexceeded,theinstrumentalertstheuser.FromtheParticlesetupmenu,usetheUpand
DownarrowstoselectLevelIndication.PresstheEnter( ) buttontoentertheoption.Use
the arrow buttons to select the desired alarm limit and then press ESC to save setting and
returntothemenu.

MemoryStorageBrowser
WhenthemeterisswitchedON,theseLCDiconsare
visible
.PressF1toenterthedatamemory
section.Therearethreeoptionsavailableinthememorymode,
Picture,Video,andParticleLogs.
UsethearrowbuttonstoselectoneandthenpressENTER( ) to
accesstheselection.
Whenbrowsingimages,data,andvideousethearrowbuttonsto
navigate,usetheEnterbuttontoselect,andusetheESCorF3
buttontoreturntothemenu.
PressESCagaintoexittothepoweronscreen.

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SystemSetupParameters
WhenthemeterisswitchedON,theseLCDiconsarevisible
.ClickontheF2
keyandthemenulistwillappear.Detailedexplanationsareprovidedbelowforeach
parameter.UsetheArrowkeystochoosethedesiredparameter.

Set the Date and Time. Press the Enter ( ) button to open the
selectionforediting.Usethearrowkeystochangeavalue,anduse
theEnterbuttontogotothenextitem.PresstheESCbuttontosave
thesettingreturntotheSetupmenu.

FONTCOLOR

SelectthecolorfortheDisplayfont.PresstheEnter( ) button to
opentheselectionforediting.Usethearrowkeystoselectacolor
and use the ESC button to save the setting and return to the Setup
menu.

DATE/TIME

LANGUAGE

Select the desired language for menu text. Press the Enter ( )
buttontoopentheselectionforediting.Usethearrowkeystoselect
alanguageandusetheESCbuttontosavethesettingandreturnto
theSetupmenu.

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BRIGHTNESS

AUTOPOWEROFF

Adjust the display to the desired brightness level. Press the Enter
( ) buttontoopentheselectionforediting.Usethearrowkeysto
selectalevelandusetheESCbuttontosavethesettingandreturnto
theSetupmenu.

Select elapsed time value before meter switches OFF. Press the
Enter ( ) button to open the selection for editing. Use the arrow
keystoselectthesettingandusetheESCbuttontosavethesetting
andreturntotheSetupmenu.

DISPLAYTIMEOUT

Selectdisplayautooffdelay.PresstheEnter( ) buttontoopenthe
selectionforediting.Usethearrowkeystoselectasettinganduse
theESCbuttontosavethesettingandreturntotheSetupmenu.

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MEMORYSTATUS

Display the memory and the microSD card status. Press the Enter
( ) buttontoopentheselectionforediting.Usethearrowkeysto
selectDeviceorSDCardandthenviewthestatusfortheselected
item.UsetheESCbuttontoreturntotheSetupmenu.

FACTORYDEFAULT

UNITS

Restorefactorydefaultsettings.PresstheEnter( ) buttontoopen
theselectionforediting.UsethearrowkeystoselectYESorNOand
thenusetheESCbuttontosavethesettingandreturntotheSetup
menu.

SelectthedesiredunitofmeasurefortemperatureCorF.Pressthe
Enter ( ) button to open the selection for editing. Use the arrow
keystoselecttheUnitandusetheESCbuttontosavethesettingand
returntotheSetupmenu.

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ZerotheParticlecountSensor

Particles must be purged (removed) from the sensor before and after each use in a high
samplecountenvironment.

Zerothesensor:
1. UnscrewandremovetheIsokineticprobeandattachtheZerocountfilter.
2. TurnonthemeterandintheSetupmode,
a. SettheSamplemodetoCumulative.
b. SettheChannelDisplaytoensureallchannelsareselected.
c. SetSampletimeto60seconds
d. SetSampleCycleto10
3. Startthemeter
4. Allowthemetertorununtilalloftheparticlecountsreadzero.Youmayneedto
runthemetermultipletimestoensurethatallchannelsreadzero.
5. Turnoffthemeter.
6. RemovetheZerocountfilterandattachtheIsokineticprobe.

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ParticleCounterConsiderations

Particlepollutionisamixtureofvariouscomponentsincludingsmoke,dust,chemicals,mold,
andgases.Particleconcentrationscanaffectourhealthandcomfortlevels.Evaluatingthe
qualityoftheairbydeterminingtheconcentrationandsizeoftheseparticlescanhelpto
determineifaproblemexists.Locatingthesourceofthesevariousparticlescanhelpto
determineeffectivemethodsofreducingtheseandimprovingtheIndoorAirQuality(IAQ).

Onewaytodeterminethesourceofairparticulatesinaroomistotesttheairoutsideofthe
roomunderinvestigation.Determinetheconcentrationandsizeofparticulatesattheairintake
tothatroom.PurgeorZerotheparticlecounterandthenmeasuretheconcentrationandsize
ofparticlesinmultipleareasoftheroomtobetested,todeterminetheeffectivenessofthe
incomingairfiltration.Theairtemperature,relativehumidity,andCO2levelsarealsoan
importantconsiderationforIAQashighhumidityandlowertemperaturescanbringaboutmold
creation.

IfaroomisclassifiedasanISOcleanroomorcleanzone,thecountsofparticlesizesforthat
classcannotbeexceededwhentested.
RefertotheISOCleanRoomClasschart(ISO146441:1999)forvalues.

TheVPC300isequippedwithastill/videocameratodirectlyseetheareasundertest.Data,
images,andvideocanbestoredonuptoan8GBmicroSDcard(notincluded)orinthemeters
internal74MBmemory.

Thelifeofthemetercanbemaximizedbytestingonlywhennecessaryandsecurelystoringthe
instrumentwhenitisnotinuse.Continuoususeisnotrecommendedandcanshortenthelifeof
theinstrumentespeciallyindustyenvironments.Settingupacommonsensemaintenance
scheduleandtestingtotheschedulewillgoalongwayinlengtheningthelifeoftheinstrument
sensor.

PCInterfaceandSuppliedPCsoftware

ThismeterhasthecapabilitytoconnecttoandcommunicatewithaPC.AUSBcableissupplied
andconnectstothejackonthemetersleftsidecompartment.
To install and use the software, please refer to the instructions provided on the supplied CD
ROMand/ortheinstructionsprovidedintheHELPUtilitywithinthesoftwareprogram.

Checkthesoftwaredownloadpageofthewebsitewww.extech.comforthelatestversionofthe
PCsoftwareanditsoperatingsystemcompatibility.

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BatteryChargingandReplacement

WhenthebatteryiconappearsdrainedontheLCDorifthemeterwillnotswitchON,the
batterymustberechargedusingthesuppliedACadaptor/charger.Thechargerplugconnectsto
thejacklocatedonthemetersleftsidecompartment.
Thebatterycompartmentislocatedontherearoftheinstrument.
Thebatteryisa7.4VLithiumionpolymerrechargeablebattery.

Toaccessthemetersbatteryforreplacement:
1. Ontherearofthemeter,removethePhillipsheadscrewthatsecuresthebattery
compartment.
2. Openthecompartmentbycarefullyliftingthecompartmentcover.
3. Replacethebatterywithoneofthesametype(notethattheMicroSDcardslotis
locatedunderneaththebatteryasexplainedbelow).
4. ClosethecompartmentandsecurethecompartmentcoverwiththePhillipsheadscrew

BatterySafetyReminders
o
o
o

Pleasedisposeofbatteriesresponsibly;observelocal,state,andnationalregulations.
Neverdisposeofbatteriesinfire;batteriesmayexplodeorleak.
Alwaysinstallanewbatteryofthesametype.

MicroSDCardSlot(optional)

ThemicroSDcardslotislocatedinsidethebatterycompartmentunderneaththebattery.
MicroSDcardsupto8GBcanbeinsertedintheslot.

ToaccesstheSDmemorycardslot:
1. TurnoffpowertothemeterandremovetheACadaptercableifconnected.
2. Openthebatterycompartmentasdescribedinthebatteryreplacementsection.
3. Removethebattery.
4. InsertamicroSDcard(8GBmax.)inthecardslotunderneaththebatterybyliftingupon
themetalcardholderandplacingtheMicroSDcardintheconnector.Thepinsfacing
towardsthetopofthemeter.Closethemetalholder.
5. Insertthebatteryandsecurethecompartmentcoverbeforepoweringonthemeter.

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Specifications
ParticleCounter
Channels

Sixchannels:0.3,0.5,1.0,2.5,5.0,10m

FlowRate

3
0.1ft /min(2.83L/min)

CountingEfficiency

50%at0.3m;100%forparticles>0.45m

CoincidenceLoss

3
5%at2,000,000particlesperft

ParticleCountModes

Cumulative,Differential,andConcentrationmodes

AirTemperatureandRelativeHumidityMeasurements
AirTemperatureRange

32to122oF(0to50oC)

DewPoint/WetBulbTemperatureRange 32to122oF(0to50oC)
RelativeHumidityRange

0to100%RH

AirTemperatureAccuracy

o
o
o
o
o
0.9 F(0.5 C)50to104 F(10 Cto40 C)

o
o
1.8 F(1.0 C)allotherranges

DewPoint/WetBulbTemperatureAccuracy0.9oF(0.5oC)50to104oF(10oCto40oC)

o
o
1.8 F(1.0 C)allotherranges

RelativeHumidityAccuracy

3%RHfrom40to60%RH

3.5%RHfrom20to40%RHandfrom60to80%RH

5.0%RHfrom0to20%RHandfrom80to100%RH

GeneralSpecifications
Display

2.8320x240pixelTFTColorLCDwithbacklight

Lowbatteryindication

BatterysymbolappearsontheLCD

MicroSDCardSlot

Accommodatesupan8GBcard

Meterinternalmemory

5000samplerecords;74MB

Powersupply

Rechargeable7.4VLithiumionpolymerbattery

Batterylife

Approx.4hoursofcontinuoususe

2hoursapprox.withACadaptor/charger

Batterychargetime

OperatingTemperature

o
o
32to122 F(0to50 C)

Operating/StorageHumidity

10to90%RHnoncondensing

StorageTemperature

o
o
14to140 F(10to60 C)

Dimensions

9.4x3.0x2.2(240x75x57mm)

Weight

1.26lbs.(570g)

Copyright20142015FLIRSystems,Inc.
Allrightsreservedincludingtherightofreproductioninwholeorinpartinanyform
ISO9001Certified

www.extech.com
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