Below are step-by-step instructions for setting up your TSI DustTrak series sensor. For instructions on setting up your Thiamis, see Setting Up Your Thiamis. For general sensor setup and configuration, see How to Add & Configure Sensors in Environet.
NOTE: The images in this article show an older Thiamis, but the setup is the same for modern Thiamis devices. The only difference is that all USB-A ports have been replaced with USB-C ports on the modern devices.
Setup Instructions:
Connect power to the Thiamis. There are two options:
Connect a 12V power supply to the 3-pole Euroblock connector
Connect a 5V power supply to either of the USB ports.
Plug the USB-to-RS-232 adapter cable into the DustTrak's USB port, on the side of the device.
Connect the other end of the cable directly to the RS-232 port on the Thiamis or to a 3-to-1 splitter cable.
Note: When using a splitter cable, note which sensor is connected to each letter port for configuring in Environet when Adding Sensors.
IMPORTANT! When the DustTrak is the only device attached with an adapter cable, it must be configured for port A.
Errors
If the DustTrak is not reporting, check the Thiamis configuration page for any listed Errors. Errors can be found in Sensor Configuration section of the Thiamis Configuration Page, and will be highlighted in RED.
To read more about specific errors, click to expand the sections below.
Timeout Error
Timeout Error
The DustTrak has not responded to the requests made by the Thiamis and has timed out. It will continue to attempt communication but you can run through the general Troubleshooting Sensors steps to address common problems.
Filter Error
Filter Error
If a Filter Error is indicated on front screen of your DustTrak or on Environet, it means that the Filters need to be replaced. To make this Error go away, you must replace the filters per the instructions in the maintenance section of the device user manual. Make sure to reset the filter mass and date once the filters have been changed.
Note: This is only a warning. The unit will continue to operate normally until the increase in pressure drop across the filter is so high that the pump can no longer maintain the set flow rate.
Replacing the Internal Filters - Handheld Model
Turn the instrument off.
Use the enclosed filter removal tool (P/N 801668) tool to unscrew the two filter caps located on the bottom of the instrument.
Pull the old filters out of the two filter wells (see Figure 4-5 below). If filter wells are visibly dirty, blow out with compressed air.
Put two (2) new filters (P/N 801666) into the filter wells and screw filter caps back into place.
NOTE: Replacement filters were shipped with the new instrument. Order
additional filters from TSI® under P/N 801666.
Replacing the Internal Filters - Handheld Model
Turn the instrument off.
Open filter access door on the back of the instrument.
Use the enclosed filter removal tool (P/N 801668) to unscrew filter cap.
Pull out single cylindrical filter from filter well (Figure 4-6 below). If filter well is visibly dirty, blow out with compressed air.
Put new filer (P/N 801673) back into filter well and screw filter cap back into place.
Open blue retention clip by pinching ends inward and pushing down (Figure 4-7 below).
Remove 37-mm filter cassette by pulling downward and outward (Figure 4-8 below).
Open filter cassette using enclosed tool P/N 7001303. (Figure 4-9 below).
Remove screen mesh from filter cassette and blow out using compressed air. Blow in reverse direction to remove captured particulate.
Replace mesh in filter cassette and press halves together (figure 4-10 below). Make sure filter has been fully closed. The filter tool P/N 7001303 can be used to ensure the filter is fully closed.
Place filter cassette back into position and close blue retaining clip. Make sure retaining clip snaps back into place.
NOTICES
Replacement filters (HEPA and 37-mm Filter Cassette with mesh filter) were shipped with the new instrument. Order additional filters from TSI® under P/N 801673.
TSI® DOES NOT supply any filter media for the filter cassette. Any commercially available 37-mm filter media may be used with the DustTrak™ II or DRX desktop instruments to collect gravimetric reference samples
Reset Filter Counter
It is important to reset the instruments filter counter after replacing filters. Resetting the counter will clear the filter error condition shown on the main screen. Reset the counters by the following:
Turn on the instrument.
Press the Setup button to go into the setup screen.
Touch the Cum Filter Conc: (live key) to reset the aerosol mass. (see screenshot below)
Replace user serviceable filters? dialog will appear. Press OK.
Reset filter concentration? dialog will appear. Press Yes to reset the cumulative filter concentration to zero.
The Setup screen will not show zero for the Cum Filter Concentration and the current date for the Filter Time.
Flow Error
Flow Error
If a Flow Error is indicated on front screen of your DustTrak or on Environet, there are a few different possible causes:
Problem: If sampling from a duct, instrument may have problems overcoming pressure differences.
Solution: Attach both the input and the exhaust port into the duct.
Problem: Flow Obstruction
Solution: Remove obstruction if still present. Press any key to bypass.
Problem: Internal pump failing, indicated by inability to adjust flow rate to full range.
Solution: Factory service may be required.
Problem: Filter Cassette clogged or has mass loading
Solution: Replace the filter cassette. See the maintenance section of the manual.
Problem: External pump module (for Model 8530EP only) is not connected to the DustTrak monitor
Solution: Make sure both the External Pump cable and the flow tubing connector are connected to the DustTrak monitor and the External pump module. Lock the External Pump Cable in place by rotating the connector clockwise until you hear it snap in place.
Make sure the tubing between the DustTrak monitor and the External pump module is not kinked and is free of any sharp bends.
Make sure the exhaust adapter is connected to the exhaust of the DustTrak monitor.
Make sure the External Pump module filters are not clogged. If found dirty, replace the two HEPA filters.
System Error
System Error
If a System Error is indicated on front screen of your DustTrak or in the sensor errors section on Environet, it will require you to check the instrument's screen for more info. The DustTrak may continue to operate and report data. Restarting the instrument may resolve the error if it's a software issue otherwise it may require service.
System Error Cause
The processor did not receive the input it expected. This can also happen if the optics chamber is saturated with light, or the External Pump Cable is accidentally disconnected during the middle of sampling.
Solution
Reboot the instrument. If the error does not go away, factory service is required.
General Technical Details
DustTrak Data Measurements
The DustTrak's reported measurement is an average of readings from the instrument's over the reporting interval. For example, with a 1 minute reporting interval, each reported data point is the average of 60 samples over that minute.
Environet Controls
Some controls are available on Environet, when connected using a Thiamis. For mor information about those controls, visit this article: Configuring Sensors. Additional controls specific to DustTrak devices are listed below.
When you're running the DustTrak in program or manual mode, and toggled it off/on through the controls on Environet (Status Enabled/Disabled), it will cancel that mode and return it to survey mode.
When you're running the DustTrak in program or manual mode and use the Auto Zero command, it will restart the timer for that mode.
Auto Zero Interval
For the "Auto Zero Interval" setting, the Thiamis sends the command to run a zero cycle at a set time. The timing is indexed to Unix Epoch time and calculates the next time to trigger as multiples of the interval.
If the interval happens to be divisible into 24 hours then it will appear regular and trigger at the same UTC time every day.
If the interval does not divide into 24 hours, then it will appear irregular and trigger at different times each day.
For example:
For 24h, it will run at 00:00 UTC
For 12h, it will run at 00:00, 12:00 UTC
For 6h, it will run at 00:00, 06:00 12:00, 18:00 UTC
Notes
If sensor not available at the given time, it will skip the zero cycle. When STEL Alert is enabled, the Auto Zero will be not performed.
Auto Zero settings are available in Thiamis/Sensor settings on Environet.
Tips on Specific Models:
DustTrak DRX Series (8533, 8534)
DustTrak DRX Series can simultaneously measure both mass and size fraction providing you with mass concentration total as well as PM1, PM2.5, PM4 and PM10 measurements. The Mass Concentration Total includes a count of everything up to 15 microns and the other parameters are subsets of the total.
DustTrak DRX 8533 - Auto Zero Settings
On the DustTrak™ DRX Aerosol Monitor 8533, the Auto Zero settings are only available when a Zero Module is installed. The settings for the Zero Module are only available in Program / Log Mode.
DRII Series (8530, 8532)
DustTrak DRII series units can only report mass concentration total as a parameter. You can install a physical PM1, PM2.5, PM4 or PM10 impactor on the instrument, but the instrument is not aware of the accessory and therefore will still only report mass concentration total.
The parameters can not be renamed since that's exactly what's reported by the machine. If you need a parameter with the actual PM fraction, then consider using a DRX series DustTrak.
Size-Selective Impactors
Size-selective impactors can be attached to the inlet of the DustTrak II instruments. Size-selective impactors can be used to pre-condition the size range of the particles entering the instrument. PM₁, PM₂.₅, PM₄ (Respirable) and PM₁₀ impactors are available. The instrument must run at the factory default setting of 3.0 L/min for the impactors to achieve the correct cut points.
The size-selective impactor is composed of three parts: the cap, impaction plate, and bottom. Selection of the cap will determine the cut size of the impactor. Each cap is labeled with the particle cut size (1 µm, 2.5 µm, 4.0 µm, or 10 µm). The same impaction plate and bottom are used on all impactor sizes.
The impactor assembly is attached to the instrument in place of the inlet cap. The inlet cap does not need to be used if an impactor is being used. See Chapter 4, “Maintenance,” of the user manual for instructions on how to add oil to the impaction plate.
List of Supported Models:
Click on names for links to manufacturer user manuals.