Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions ApexZ User manual

Operators Manual
ApexZ
AIRBORNE PARTICLE COUNTER

Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions ApexZ Operators Manual
Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions
ApexZ3 and ApexZ50
Airborne Particle Counters
Operators Manual

Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions ApexZ Operators Manual
Copyright ©2018 by Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be
reproduced by any means except as permitted in writing by Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions.
The information contained herein constitutes valuable trade secrets of Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions. You
are not permitted to disclose or allow to be disclosed such information except as permitted in writing by
Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions.
The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions is not
responsible for any damages arising out of your use of the LMS program.
LMSTM, LMS XChangeTM, ApexZTM, ApexZ3TM , ApexZ50TM are trademarks of Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions.
Microsoft®, Microsoft WindowsTM are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Manufactured by:
Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions
300 West Antelope Road
White City, Oregon 97503
LWS Part Number: 248083466-1 R12

Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions ApexZ Operators Manual
Table of Contents
Safety......................................................................................................................................................................... 2
About this Manual ................................................................................................................................................. 2
General Safety ....................................................................................................................................................... 2
Installing the battery ............................................................................................................................................. 5
Compliance .............................................................................................................................................................. 10
FCC Notice ........................................................................................................................................................... 10
Introduction............................................................................................................................................................. 11
Overview.............................................................................................................................................................. 11
Specifications....................................................................................................................................................... 12
Enclosure and Ports – ApexZ3 ............................................................................................................................. 13
Enclosure and Ports - ApexZ50............................................................................................................................ 14
Optional Printer ................................................................................................................................................... 15
LED Handle........................................................................................................................................................... 17
Operating ApexZ...................................................................................................................................................... 18
Sample Settings Dashboard................................................................................................................................. 19
Manual Sample.................................................................................................................................................... 20
Sample Settings ............................................................................................................................................... 20
Channel Settings.............................................................................................................................................. 20
Save Manual Sample ....................................................................................................................................... 21
Start Manual Sample ....................................................................................................................................... 21
Preset Samples .................................................................................................................................................... 22
Assign Preset to Location ................................................................................................................................ 22
Start Preset Sampling ...................................................................................................................................... 23
Sample Plans........................................................................................................................................................ 24
Select a Sample Plan........................................................................................................................................ 25
Select a Location.............................................................................................................................................. 25
Save Sample Plan............................................................................................................................................. 25
Certification Sample ............................................................................................................................................ 26
Quick Certification ............................................................................................................................................... 28
View Options ....................................................................................................................................................... 29
Data Table View............................................................................................................................................... 29
Sample Grid View ............................................................................................................................................ 31

Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions ApexZ Operators Manual
Histogram View ............................................................................................................................................... 35
Graph View ...................................................................................................................................................... 36
Environmental View ........................................................................................................................................ 37
Sampling with Data Tags ................................................................................................................................. 38
Data Records Screen................................................................................................................................................ 40
View Data Records............................................................................................................................................... 40
Status Bar............................................................................................................................................................. 42
Data Tags ............................................................................................................................................................. 43
Export Data Records ............................................................................................................................................ 44
Make Report from Data Records......................................................................................................................... 45
Filter Data Records .............................................................................................................................................. 48
Delete all data records ........................................................................................................................................ 54
Reports .................................................................................................................................................................... 56
Report Screen ...................................................................................................................................................... 56
Filter Report List .................................................................................................................................................. 58
Export Report ...................................................................................................................................................... 60
Delete a Report.................................................................................................................................................... 61
Audit Trail ............................................................................................................................................................ 62
Settings .................................................................................................................................................................... 66
Instrument Settings ................................................................................................................................................. 67
Network Time Protocol ................................................................................................................................... 68
Set Current Date.............................................................................................................................................. 68
Set Current Time.............................................................................................................................................. 71
Audio/Visual ........................................................................................................................................................ 72
Volume ............................................................................................................................................................ 72
Brightness ........................................................................................................................................................ 72
Language.......................................................................................................................................................... 72
Decimal Mark................................................................................................................................................... 72
Digit Grouping.................................................................................................................................................. 72
Options ................................................................................................................................................................ 73
Channel Options .............................................................................................................................................. 73
User Options .................................................................................................................................................... 75
Sample Options ............................................................................................................................................... 76
Zero Count Options ......................................................................................................................................... 76

Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions ApexZ Operators Manual
Zero Count on the Home Screen ..................................................................................................................... 77
Data Tags Options............................................................................................................................................ 78
Audit Trail Comments Options ........................................................................................................................ 83
Output ................................................................................................................................................................. 84
USB .................................................................................................................................................................. 84
Print – On-Board Printer.................................................................................................................................. 84
Print – Network Printer ................................................................................................................................... 85
CIFS .................................................................................................................................................................. 86
Output Formatting - Print................................................................................................................................ 86
Output Formatting - .csv/.xlsx ......................................................................................................................... 90
Output Formatting - .pdf ................................................................................................................................. 93
Configuration....................................................................................................................................................... 97
Save ApexZ configuration file to USB key........................................................................................................ 97
Load ApexZ configuration file from a USB key ................................................................................................ 98
Connectivity........................................................................................................................................................... 100
Special Note: ..................................................................................................................................................... 100
LMS XChange Software 2.x................................................................................................................................ 100
Network - Ethernet............................................................................................................................................ 101
Network - Wi-Fi ................................................................................................................................................. 103
Active Directory AD/LDAP ................................................................................................................................. 107
CIFS -Common Internet File System .................................................................................................................. 109
Network Printer................................................................................................................................................. 111
3rd Party API - Application Programing Interface .............................................................................................. 112
Locations and Groups............................................................................................................................................ 114
View Locations................................................................................................................................................... 114
Create New Locations........................................................................................................................................ 115
Edit a Location ................................................................................................................................................... 116
Delete a Location............................................................................................................................................... 117
Add a New Group .............................................................................................................................................. 118
Assign Locations to a new Group .................................................................................................................. 119
Edit a Group....................................................................................................................................................... 121
Delete a Group .................................................................................................................................................. 122
Presets ................................................................................................................................................................... 124
Add a Preset ...................................................................................................................................................... 124

Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions ApexZ Operators Manual
Enter Preset Sample Settings. ....................................................................................................................... 125
Edit Channel................................................................................................................................................... 126
Enter Warning and Alarm settings ................................................................................................................ 126
Environmental Alerts..................................................................................................................................... 127
Assign Locations to the New Preset .............................................................................................................. 128
Preset Name .................................................................................................................................................. 128
Locations linked to Presets............................................................................................................................ 129
Sample Plans.......................................................................................................................................................... 130
Add New Sample Plan ....................................................................................................................................... 130
Preset - Sample Settings................................................................................................................................ 136
Delete Sample Plan............................................................................................................................................ 143
Certifications ......................................................................................................................................................... 144
Add a Certification............................................................................................................................................. 144
Certification Types......................................................................................................................................... 144
Edit a Certification ............................................................................................................................................. 153
Delete a Certification......................................................................................................................................... 154
Users & Permission Levels..................................................................................................................................... 156
Users .................................................................................................................................................................. 156
Add a New User ................................................................................................................................................. 157
Edit User ............................................................................................................................................................ 160
Delete a User ..................................................................................................................................................... 161
User Login.......................................................................................................................................................... 162
User Logout ....................................................................................................................................................... 163
Administrator Permission Level......................................................................................................................... 164
Add new Permission Level................................................................................................................................. 164
Permissions.................................................................................................................................................... 164
Users .............................................................................................................................................................. 165
Assign AD Group to Permission Level............................................................................................................ 166
Prioritize Permission Levels........................................................................................................................... 168
Permission Level Name ................................................................................................................................. 168
Edit Permission Level Settings........................................................................................................................... 169
Service ................................................................................................................................................................... 172
Maintenance...................................................................................................................................................... 172
About Screen ..................................................................................................................................................... 175

Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions ApexZ Operators Manual
Service Login...................................................................................................................................................... 176
Calibration ............................................................................................................................................................. 178
Trouble Shooting ................................................................................................................................................... 179
Clean and Disinfect................................................................................................................................................ 180
Terminology........................................................................................................................................................... 181

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248083466-1 R12 2
Safety
About this Manual
This manual describes the setup, operation and use of the Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions ApexZ family
of Portable Airborne Particle Counters. The word “ApexZ”, “unit”, or “instrument” may be used in place
of a specific model in this ApexZ Operators Manual.
General Safety
Warnings and cautions are used throughout this manual and the reader should become familiar with the
meaning of a warning before operating the particle counter. Most warnings will appear next to the
subject or step to which it applies. Take care when performing any procedures preceded by or
containing a warning. The classifications of warning are defined as follows:
•Laser – pertaining to exposure to visible or invisible LASER radiation.
•Electrostatic – pertaining to electrostatic discharge.
•Network Connection – pertaining to communication ports and instrument damage.
WARNING: There are no user serviceable components inside the particle counter.

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248083466-1 R12 3
WARNING: There are no user-serviceable components inside the particle counter. The use of
controls, adjustments or procedures other than those specified within this manual may result in
personal injury and/or damage to this instrument.
Laser Safety
This product is considered to be a Class 1 LASER product (as defined by FDA 21 CFR, §1040.10 and IEC
60825-1:2014) when used under normal operation and maintenance. Performing service on the internal
sensor can, however, result in exposure to invisible radiation. The particle counter has been evaluated
and tested in accordance with EN 61010-1:2012, “Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for
Measurement, Control and Laboratory Use” and IEC 60825-1:2014, “Safety of LASER Products”. For
further technical assistance, contact our Technical Support Team at 1-800-945-5905 (USA Toll Free), or
1-541-770-5905.
Laser Warning Label

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248083466-1 R12 4
Battery Safety
Battery Type:
National Power Sm-Energy®
Model: SM221
Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery, 14.4V, 6.45Ah, 93Wh
Battery Level Indicator Button
Press here to display blue LED battery charge level 25-50-75-100%
Note: The ApexZ Smart Batteries have a power-saving function
where they will go into a hibernation mode after not being used for a
period of a few weeks. While in this mode pressing the Test button
will not show any charge present on the battery, and the battery will
not power the unit. To “wake” the battery, power must be applied
to it, such as being inserted into an ApexZ unit that has DC power
applied.

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248083466-1 R12 5
Installing the battery
Insert battery 1 into the lower battery slot.
Insert battery 2 into the upper battery bay.
You will feel a slight pressure and clicking as the battery seats down fully
in the battery bay.
Close the battery door.
Tighten down the battery
door screw.
Note: ApexZ has dual battery slots and can operate with either one
or two batteries installed. With two batteries installed both
batteries will self-adjust and drain their charge evenly together.

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248083466-1 R12 6
Hot swapping the batteries
If there are two batteries installed in the unit, the ApexZ will allow the user to remove one battery while the
instrument is powered on and sampling. This allows the user to continue to sample with one battery while
recharging the second battery. A charged second battery may then be reinstalled into the instrument while
ApexZ is still sampling.
Hot swapping allows the user to install a newly charged battery and
then remove a low charge battery while the instrument is sampling
under battery power.
Use the optional battery charger (PN 017789753: Dual Battery Charger)
to charge batteries outside of the ApexZ instrument.
Batteries inserted into ApexZ will always charge while ApexZ is plugged
into the AC power with the AC power adapter and power cord.
Charging the batteries outside of ApexZ
Optional Dual Bay Desktop Charger for charging up to 2 ApexZ batteries at the
same time.Batteries not included.
WARNING: Only use batteries provided with the ApexZ
by Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions. Use of unauthorized
batteries may cause damage to equipment, void
warranty, and pose a threat to safety.
WARNING: DO NOT disconnect the power cord or
remove the battery while the instrument is powering
down. These actions will cause corruption of firmware.

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Power Safety
Start Up
Press the power button to turn on the ApexZ particle
counter.
Shut Down
To shut down press the power button once. DO NOT HOLD the power button down.
Users are not required to logout before ApexZ is shut down. If Users are enabled, shutting down the ApexZ will
logout the current user and will require a user to login when the ApexZ is next started. It is permissible to shut
down the ApexZ particle counter from any one of the user interface screens.
WARNING: Do not press and hold the Power button to shut down.
This will cause a hard reset and is not recommended.
WARNING: If the ApexZ is shut down during a sample,
that sample will not be completed or saved.
WARNING: DO NOT disconnect the power cord or remove the battery while the
instrument is powering down. These actions will cause corruption of firmware.

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WARNING: While the flow path components will not be adversely affected, sampling
reactive gasses such as hydrogen and oxygen can be dangerous. Appropriate precautions
should be taken. Sampling of any pressurized gasses without the use of properly
designed diffuser can cause damage to the instrument and void the warranty.
DO NOT allow water, solvents, or other liquids to enter the instrument, as they can
damage the instrument and void the warranty.
WARNING: The use of controls, adjustments or procedures other than those specified
within this manual may result in personal injury and/or damage to this instrument.
Attempts by untrained personnel to disassemble, alter, modify or adjust the electronics
or optics may result in personal injury and damage to the instrument and will void its
warranty. There are no user-serviceable components inside the particle counter. Only
factory authorized service personnel should repair or service this instrument and its
optical system. Only use the power supply provided by Lighthouse with the ApexZ
instrument. Failure to meet this requirement will void the CE certification, void the
instrument warranty and can result in serious personal injury.
Sampling Safety
Operating Safety
Electrostatic Safety Information
WARNING: Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage or destroy electronic components.
Therefore, any service or maintenance work should be done at a static-free work station.
A static-free work station requires an ESD consultant to evaluate the work environment
and propose the equipment and apparel needed for a work station to be successful.

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Compliance
FCC Notice
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Class A Digital Devices
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance
with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of
this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be
required to correct the interference at his expense.
NOTE: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions could
void your authority to operate this equipment.
FCC RF Exposure Statement
This equipment complies with FCC RF exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This
equipment was verified for RF exposure and found to comply with FCC OET-65 RF exposure
requirements.
WARNING: Making changes to the antenna or the equipment is not permitted. Doing so may result in
the equipment exceeding the FCC RF exposure guidelines. This equipment must not be co-located or
operated in conjunction with any other antenna or radio transmitter.

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Introduction
Overview
This operating manual introduces the Lighthouse ApexZ portable particle counters ApexZ3 and ApexZ50 and
includes instructions for inspecting, installing, using, and maintaining the instrument.
ApexZ3 ApexZ50
Retain the original box that the Apex unit shipped in, to facilitate returns for calibration or service.
Lighthouse also offers a custom ApexZ shipping case to ensure shipping does not impact the
calibration of the unit.
Description
The ApexZ portable particle counter comes standard with 6 particle-size channels (ApexZ3: 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0,
10.0 microns), (ApexZ50: 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, 10.0 microns) and a flow rate of (ApexZ3: 1.0 CFM), (ApexZ50:
100LPM). The instrument uses a LASER diode light source and LASER beam shaping optics to illuminate a cross
section of the air flow path. As particles move along this path, they cross the LASER beam and scatter light. The
scattered light rays from particles cutting through the beam are steered to a photodiode using a system of
collection optics. The photodiode converts the image into a current which is converted to a voltage and
amplified by an electronic circuit. The amplitude of the voltage pulse is proportional to the light scattered,
which in turn is proportional to the size of the particle. The voltage pulses created by the particle are then
processed by additional electronics that analyze the height of each pulse and therefore, the size of each
corresponding particle. The result is that the number of particles of various sizes is determined. The ApexZ is
effective in both ultra-clean areas (such as ISO Class 2 or Grade A) and in more traditional clean zones rated as
ISO Class 3 or higher. Refer to Specifications in this manual for additional instrument information.
Accessories Included
ApexZ Includes: USB flash drive with lanyard (includes ApexZ3/ApexZ5 Read Me First and Operators Manual),
ISO probe (ApexZ3: 1 CFM, ApexZ50 100 LPM), Zero count filter (ApexZ3 1 CFM fittings, ApexZ50 100 LPM
fittings), USB to Micro-B cable, Exhaust Barb, Printed Instrument Read-Me-First, 10ft Bev-A-Line sample tubing,
24 VDC 5.0 amp power adapter and power cord, 1 Li-Ion Smart battery (2 battery slot capacity), 2x rolls of
printer paper (units with printers only), Calibration certificate, Software Download Instructions.
Sampling Techniques and Best Practices
Lighthouse recommends following the guidelines of ISO 14644-21.