AlphaLab Precis-Ion AIC3Pro User manual

I O N P R E C I S
Air Ion Counters
™
MODEL AIC3Pro QUICKSTART GUIDE & FAQ
by AlphaLab, Inc.

Key Features:
The Precis-Ion™AIC3Pro Air Ion Counter
measures ions over a wide range without
sacrificing precision by providing two operational
scales:
•10 to 2 million ions per cubic centimeter (for
measuring low-level and ambient conditions)
•20,000 to 200 million ions per cubic centimeter
(for measuring air ion generators)
Dual-Read Mode with SUM:
•displays both positive and negative ions at the
same time
•SUM displays the total number of ions present
Long-term Recording of ion levels directly on to
included, easily accessible, external MicroSD
card.
Rechargeable LiPol Battery charges via USB-C
port with included charger, or from any laptop or
PC or external USB power pack.
Durable, Aluminum, Lighweight Handheld Case:
•measures 6.5” x 3” x 1.5”
(165mm x 76mm x 38mm)
•weighs less than 13oz. (368 grams)
Peak Hold Feature displays the highest ion level
until reset or power down.
Selectable Averaging can be set to none, or from
1 to 15 seconds for stable readings.
Selectable Automatic Re-zeroing for long-term
unattended operation and data capture.
Data Streaming, Recording and Display via
AlphaApp Windows PC software.
Versatile 3-in-1 combo accessory:
•easily slides on as a fold-out kickstand
•mounts to a standard tripod
•or attaches to a wall with included hardware
On-board temperature and humidity sensors, data
included on display and when streaming/recording.

Introduction:
The Precis-Ion™ Air Ion Counter Model AIC3Pro
is a true ion density meter, based on the Gerdien
Tube condenser. During operation, a fan draws air
(and the ions in that air) in through the top intake
grill. The AIC3Pro counts and displays the number
of air ions and the air exits from the bottom outlet.
Do not block the air
intake. This will affect
meter function!
Do not block the air
outlet. This will affect
meter function!
Do not use plastics,
adhesives, labels or
stickers above this
point. These Insulating
materials may hold a
static electric charge
and repel ions,
especially at higher
ion concentrations.

Charging the AIC3Pro:
Grounding the AIC3Pro:
Always Connect the AIC3 meter to Earth Ground
unless held in the hands (the body grounds the
meter) especially when reading high air ion
concentrations emitted from air ionizers.
Connect the USB-C cable end at this point near the
fan outlet at the base of the meter. Connect the
USB-A cable end to the included quick charge USB
charger and plug into a 110-240V wall outlet (mains).
The Precis-Ion™ Air Ion Counter Model AIC3Pro
features a 2,000 mAh battery. The meter fully
charges in 4-5 hours with included 6ft. USB-C to
USB-A cable and fast, 2A charger. Operating
battery life is 6-7 hours with the backlight on, 7-8
hours with the backlight turned off, and 37 hours
in standby mode.
Warning! Be sure static electricity is
removed by properly grounding the meter
prior to connecting to desktop or laptop
PC. Failing to do so may damage the
AIC3Pro and/or the computer!
A 10ft. (3 meter)
ground cable is
included, with
connectors for
grounding (earthing)
to standard wall
outlets(mains), ESD
matts, or metal water
pipes.

Reading the Dual Display:
Reading the Main Display:
Peak Ion
Count
Humidity Percentage
Temperature
°C/°F
Polarity
Indicators
Battery Life
Indicator
Selected Count Range,
(2 million or 200 million selectable)
Averaging
Interval
Real-Time
Ion Count
Real-Time
Positive
Ion Count
Real-Time
Negative Ion
Count
Real-Time
SUM Count
MicroSD Card Installed
Positive/Negative
Read Cycle
Dual-Polarity Indicators
The AIC3Pro Air Ion Counter features a crystal
clear, brightly backlit,128x128 pixel display that
displays the following:
This mode allows for the measurement and
display of both ion polarities side-by-side, with the
same scale setting. At the same time, the SUM
feature adds the total number of positive and
negative ions and displays the number in real time.

Button Functions and Menu:
Selecting Ion Polarity:
Standby/Zero Screen
Standby/Zero Function:
The AIC3Pro Air Ion Counter
comes factory calibrated (gain
and zero-point established) and
ready to use. If some time has
passed, temperature has
changed, or if an offset greater
than .05 is present, re-zero may
be requred. The Standby/Zero
button allows access to this
zeroing process (the zero settings menu also provides
access to this screen). Offsets may be removed manually
by pressing the up or down arrow buttons, and auto-
matically by pressing ‘Reset Peak’. Because the unit is
sensitive during manual and automatic zero, place the
AIC3 on a stable surface away from materials that may
hold a static charge such as plastics and away from any
ion sources like air ionizers when zeroing the meter. (See
‘Menu, Zero Settings’ to see further zero options, such as
setting an automatic zero interval for long-term
measurements).
The AIC3Pro features 12mm, easy-press,
short-cut and navigation buttons:
Press the Ion Polarity button to cycle through positive,
negative or dual-read polarity measurement modes.
Power:
To turn the meter on or off, press the Power button. An
auto-shutoff may also be established under the ‘Display
Menu’ settings to save battery life.
Power
On/Off
Select Ion
Polarity
+, -, or
Dual Read
Mode
Set Meter to
Standby/Idle
to zero any
offset value
Reset or Zero Peak Value
Move
Cursor
Up
Move
Cursor
Down
Menu
(Enter)

Main Menu:
Menu, Start Recording:
Menu, Zero Settings:
Button Functions and Menu cont’d:
Reset Peak Function:
Records can be uploaded later with AlphaApp software
for Windows PC (see AlphaApp section for more detail).
To record air ion measurements press the Menu(Enter)
button, and then press the Menu(Enter) button again to
select recording. A ‘Recording’ sign will appear briefly and
the SD card icon will flash while the meter is collecting
data. To stop recording, double-press the Menu(Enter)
button again.
Main Menu Screen
Zero Settings Screen
The AIC3Pro Peak Mode continuously displays the
highest ion level in real time as well as the highest
ion level measured since the last peak reset. To reset
this number,simply press the Reset Peak button. Peak
Mode is not available during Dual Read mode with SUM
feature.
The AIC3Pro features an easy-access External
MicroSD card slot with a 8gb card pre-installed.
That’s over 110,000 hrs. of data recording (and
the meter supports up to 32gb)!
Press Menu(Enter) Zero Meter to
re-zero the AIC3Pro Air Ion Counter
(see Standby/Zero for more detail).
Zeroing Guidelines provides tips for
zeroing the AIC3Pro ion counter.
Last Zero Details posts date, time,
offset, temperature, and humidity
data at the last re-zero performed.
Auto-Zero Period allows for an automatic re-zero at
regular intervals from none to 3hrs, 6hrs, 12hrs, or 24hrs.
Press the Menu(Enter) Button to
access the main menu. From this
screen, use the up and down arrow
buttons to highlight, select and
change meter settings.
Recording Sign and Micro SD Card Icon

Button Functions and Menu (cont’d):
Menu, Data Settings:
The Data Settings Screen
contains settings to toggle scale
and peakhold, select default
polarity, and set averaging period.
Menu, Data Settings, Toggle Scale:
There are two scale ranges:
1999.99 x10³ (resolution: 10 ions
to 2 million ions max scale) for
low-level, average spaces, and
199.999 x106 (resolution: 20,000 to
200 million ions max scale) for high
ion concentrations.
Menu, Data Settings, Default Polarity:
When the AIC3Pro Air Ion Counter is powered on, the
default polarity is set to “-” negative ions. Use this menu
to change the default to positive ions, dual mode, and
back again.
Menu, Data Settings,Toggle Peakhold:
Select Toggle Peakhold to turn Peak Display on or off.
Peak Hold is not available during Dual Mode with SUM.
Menu, Data Settings, Averaging
Period:
In a typical environment, ions do
not mix well. There can be large
clusters of ions in one area with
almost no ions just a few inches
away. Therefore, it is normal for
the ion level to fluctuate irregularly
as air is drawn into the meter. To
provide more stable readings the
AIC3Pro Air Ion Counter imposes five second averaging
as a factory default. Averaging may be set to none or
from 1 to 15 seconds by selecting the averaging menu
shown here. If averaging is set to none, the meter will be
less stable, displaying true ion activity in real time with
immediate response. If the averaging is set at 15
seconds, the meter is most stable, but response will be
slower and peak ion activity is averaged out.
Averaging Period Screen
Toggle Scale Screen
Data Settings Screen

Button Functions and Menu (cont’d):
Menu, About:
Selecting About from the Menu
provides information on the
AIC3 Model Revision, Firmware
Version, Date of Manufacture,
and Factory Calibration Data.
Display Settings Screen
Record Settings Screen
About Meter Screen
Using the Electric Field stability
(ESD special plastic) cap:
Use the included electro-static
discharge cap to shield the meter
from electric field interference for
the most stable readings of ions at
very low levels (1999.99 x10³ or 2
million scale). Simply slide the cap
over the top 1/2” of the meter until
it seats firmly and proceed to
measure. Remove the cap when
measuring high ion concentrations
(199.999 x106 or 200 million scale).
Menu, Record Settings:
In this menu, Recording Rate
intervals can be set in normal
mode to single, or from 1 second
up to 60 seconds. In Dual-Read
with SUM, the interval is always
set at 10 seconds.
Select Set Time/Date stamp to change the time and date
shown in records. SD Card Info contains all relevant info
on the removable MicroSD data card.
Menu, Display Settings:
Press Menu(Enter) to view the
display settings, where the
Backlight can be turned on or off,
Temperature Units selected, an
Auto Shutoff interval set from 5 to
60 minutes, or a Dark Theme
enabled.

Spec Table:
AlphaApp Windows PC Software Utility:
Ion Polarity
Ion Scale Range
Ion Resolution
Ion Accuracy
Averaging
Peak Value
Temp. Sensor
Meter Zero
Environmental
Display
Battery
USB-C Charger
Accessories
3-in-1 Kickstand, Wall Mount, and Tripod Mount
110-240V, 50-60Hz, .35A, Output: 5VDC, 1A or more
6.5625” x 3” x 1.5” (166.7mm x 76.2mm x 38.1mm)
ESD stability cap, Earthing ground cable w/ connectors
12" x 10.6" x 2.7" (305mm x 269mm x 69mm), 1.1 lbs. (.5kg)
12.9 oz. (366 gr)
Dual Read with SUM (AIC3Pro Only)
Positive or Negative Ions - Selectable
+/-0.2 °C, Displayed in Celcius or Fahrenheit - Selectable
+/-2% Relative Humdity
4-5 hr charge time
+/-20%, repeatability 5%
10 ions/cc (2 million scale), 100 ions/cc (200 million scale)
Maximum 2 million or 200 million ions/cc - Selectable
None or 1-15 seconds - Selectable
Continuously saved, peak reset - Selectable
Zero reference verification and Self-test
Humidity Sensor
-1°C to 43°C, 0-85% RH Non Cond, Wind, <15km/hr (9mph)
128x128 pxl LCD, Backlight, Dark Theme - Selectable
2,000mAh rechargeable lithium-ion, UN38.3 certified
Carry Case Size/Wt.
Meter Wt.
Meter Size
To download the AlphaApp data logging software
utility, go to: https://www.alphalabinc.com/alphaapp
Once the software is installed, connect the AIC3Pro
Air Ion Counter via the included USB-C to USB-A
cable. With AlphaApp, measurements can be
streamed directly, recorded at selectable intervals and
displayed visually or numerically with expandable
graph or table.

Clip into
Tripod
Mark and drill
4 holes in wall
Using included hardware:
Clean holes and
tap in plastic
sleeves
Need more Precis-Ion™ AIC3Pro accessories?
visit www.alphalabinc.com
To use as a Tripod Mount:
To use as a Wall Bracket:
The Combination
Accessory comes
with a standard
1/4” threaded
insert on the back
to mount on any
tripod Rear View
2
3
Slide Meter
into Frame
Pull Out Kickstand
1
To use as a Kickstand:
Align Combination Accessory
with plastic sleeved holes.
Screw 4 screws to wall, being
careful not to overtighten.
C.
3-in-1 Accessory:
Kickstand,
Tripod Mount,
or Wall Bracket
B.
B.
A.
A.
Screw the tripod
removable plate
adapter into 1/4”
threaded insert

Ion Basics (or How Air Ions Work):
Air Ions are positively or negatively charged atoms or
molecules. Ions are created by energy sources such as
evaporating water, electrical arcs, frictional rubbing or
static, high heat or flame and radioactive isotopes.
Nearly all positive “+” natural ions come from
radioactivity. Natural negative ”-” ions come from
radioactivity and evaporating water. Forest fires,
thunderstorms, and lightning can produce positive “+”
and negative “-” ions, but these ions are not produced
under everyday conditions. Indoors, near ground level
or in a basement, most “+” ions come from radon gas.
Because concentrations of “+” ions can attract “-” ions,
high concentrations of “+” and “-” ions are often found
together.
Will the AIC3Pro measure tourmaline?
No. Non-radioactive minerals such as tourmaline do not
emit ions unless heated.
Do Plastics(Insulators) or other materials affect the
measurement of air ions?
Yes. Avoid using plastic, tapes or adhesives near the
air intake of the AIC3Pro Air Ion Counter. These
materials can charge up and repel ions, leading to
inconsistent readings.
For more information, refer to our article “About Air Ions”
@ https://www.alphalabinc.com/about-air-ions/
What are safe levels of positive or negative ions?
Ions are not harmful. However, if there are high levels of
positive and negative ions indoors with no apparent
source, high levels of radon is likely the cause.
Are there hazards associated with high ion sources?
Sources of high ion activity can be radioactive, high-
temperature or high voltage. Use appropriate safety
measures when taking ion measurements from these
sources.
Does the AIC3Pro Air Ion Counter measure ions from
ionizers or ion generators? Yes.
Are ions effected by temperature and humidity?
No. The amount or life-span of ions are not effected by
temperature or humidity.
If an ion source emits the same amount of negative
and positive ions, don’t they cancel eachother out?
Both positive and negative can coexist for a time,
although at high concentrations their lifespan is
shortened.
Frequently Asked Questions:

What do I do if the meter fails to auto-zero?
This may occur if the sensor is dirty or there is dust or
debris lodged in the sensor chamber. With the meter
turned off, blow out the unit with clean, compressed air.
Then, turn the meter back on and retry zeroing.
Does the AIC3Pro Air Ion Counter read radon gas?
The AIC3Pro Air Ion Counter does not read gases such
as radon directly. However, because radon is radioactive
and emits alpha particles, which create ions, they are
capable of reading these ions. If high concentrations of
ions (typically >1,000/cm³ of both positive and negative
ions) are measured indoors without an apparent source,
radon may be the cause.
Can I connect the AIC3Pro to an external data
logger?
No. Currently, there is no analog support for the AIC3Pro
Air Ion Counter. However, our Windows PC data logging
software, AlphaApp, is available for free to download.
(see AlphaApp in this guide for more information).
When should I use the x103(2 million) and x106
(200 million) scales?
The x103 or 2 million scale is ideal for low-level, average
indoor rooms, evaporating water and radon gas
emissions. Use the x106or 200 million scale for high ion
concentrations from ionizing air filtration systems, air
ionizers, high voltage arcs and radioactive minerals.
Do high concentrations of ions mitigate (destroy)
viruses, bacteria, or air-born contaminants? Will an
air ionizer make the air cleaner?
Very high concentrations of ions have been proven to
remove floating particulates in the air over time. Positive
“+” and negative “-” air ions collide with larger particles
and bond with them, making these particles heavier
and/or more charged until they stick to walls, floors and
other surfaces, slowly cleaning the air. However, study is
still being done to determine to what degree ions directly
impact viruses or bacteria.
What are the factory default settings for averaging,
polarity and scale?
The factory settings are: 5 second averaging, negative
polarity, and scale is x10³ (2 million max).
Does the AIC3Pro Air Ion Counter measure ions from
hair dryers, air ion purifiers or ion filtration systems?
Yes.
Frequently Asked Questions cont’d:

Does AlphaLab, Inc. provide factory calibration with
certificates?
Yes. We provide calibration with certificates by request
on all AlphaLab, Inc. products for a fee. For more
information, visit this webpage on our site:
https://www.alphalabinc.com/calibration/
What is the manufacturer’s warranty?
Every AlphaLab, Inc. meter comes with a one-year
limited warranty from the date of purchase under normal
use and service.
If you have questions about the function of your meter,
please visit www.alphalabinc.com/support or email
us at [email protected]
What if the meter seems to be malfunctioning?
Make sure that the meter is fully charged - a low battery
may cause the unit to malfunction. This also may be
caused by dirt or debris in the sensor chamber, such as
lint, dust or hair (see above instructions - what to do if the
meter fails to zero).
Frequently Asked Questions cont’d:
More Questions?
Go to www.alphalabinc.com
or Call Toll-Free (USA) 1-800-658-7030
(Or Call 1-801-487-9492)
WEEKDAYS 9am-5pm MST
The Precis-Ion™Air Ion Counter Model AIC3Pro is Designed and Manufactured by:
3005 South 300 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84115 ph: 801-487-9492
www.alphalabinc.com email: [email protected]
v 1.3 ©2023 AlphaLab, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Precis-Ion™is a registered trademark of AlphaLab, Inc.