PCE Instruments PCE-MPC 20 User manual

© PCE Instruments
PCE-MPC 20 / PCE-MPC 30 Particle Counter
User Manual
User manuals in various languages (français,
italiano, español, português, nederlands, türk, polski,
русский, 中文) can be found by using our
product search on: www.pce-instruments.com
Last change: 31 August 2023
v1.0
English

© PCE Instruments
Contents
1Safety notes........................................................................................... 1
2Measurement functions........................................................................ 1
2.1 PCE-MPC 30 ................................................................................................................... 1
2.2 PCE-MPC 20 ................................................................................................................... 1
3Specifications........................................................................................2
4Delivery scope.......................................................................................2
5System description............................................................................... 3
6Operation ............................................................................................... 4
6.1 Preparation ...................................................................................................................... 4
6.2 Switch the meter on / off................................................................................................... 4
6.3 Description of the icons.................................................................................................... 5
6.4 Measurement parameter selection................................................................................... 6
6.5 Particle measurement ...................................................................................................... 6
6.6 Formaldehyde measurement (HCHO) (PCE-MPC 30 only).............................................11
7Data storage ........................................................................................13
7.1 File Browser....................................................................................................................13
7.2 PC / USB.........................................................................................................................14
8System settings...................................................................................14
8.1 Date/Time .......................................................................................................................14
8.2 Language........................................................................................................................14
8.3 Auto Power Off................................................................................................................15
8.4 Display timeout................................................................................................................15
8.5 Alarm ..............................................................................................................................15
8.6 Memory status.................................................................................................................15
8.7 Factory setting.................................................................................................................15
8.8 Units (°C / °F)..................................................................................................................16
9Internal help.........................................................................................16
10 Contact.................................................................................................16
11 Disposal ...............................................................................................16

© PCE Instruments
1
1 Safety notes
Please read this manual carefully and completely before you usethe device for the first time. The
device may only be used by qualified personnel and repaired by PCE Instruments personnel.
Damage or injuries caused by non-observance of the manual are excluded from our liability and
not covered by our warranty.
•The device must only be used as described inthis instructionmanual. If used otherwise,
this can cause dangerous situations for the user and damage to the meter.
•The instrument may only be used if the environmental conditions (temperature, relative
humidity, …) are within the ranges stated in the technical specifications. Do not expose
the device to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, extreme humidity or moisture.
•Do not expose the device to shocks or strong vibrations.
•The case should only be opened by qualified PCE Instruments personnel.
•Never use the instrument when your hands are wet.
•You must not make any technical changes to the device.
•The appliance should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. Use only pH-neutral cleaner,
no abrasives or solvents.
•The device must only be used with accessories from PCE Instruments or equivalent.
•Before each use, inspect the case for visible damage. If any damage is visible, do not
use the device.
•Do not use the instrument in explosive atmospheres.
•The measurement range as stated in the specifications must not be exceeded under
any circumstances.
•Non-observance of the safety notes can cause damage to the device and injuries to
the user.
We do not assume liability for printing errors or any other mistakes in this manual.
We expressly point to our general guarantee terms which can be found in our general terms of
business.
2 Measurement functions
2.1 PCE-MPC 30
The devicecounts particles in different sizes and measures dust exposure as mass concentration
PM 2.5 and PM 10. Furthermore, a measurement of formaldehyde exposure is integrated.
2.2 PCE-MPC 20
The devicecounts particles indifferent sizes and measures dustexposure as mass concentration
PM 2.5 and PM 10.

© PCE Instruments
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3 Specifications
Specifications
Explanations
Mass concentration
Channels
PM 2.5 + PM 10
Measurement range
0 …2000 µg/m³
Resolution
1µg/m³
Particle counter
Channels
0.3, 2.5, 10
Flow rate
2.83 l/min
Counting efficiency
50 % at 0.3 µm / 100 % at >4.5 µm
Coincidence error
<5 % at 70629400 particles per m³
Data storage
5000 data sets (with SD card)
Counting mode
cumulative, differential, concentration
Air temperature and humidity
Air temperature
0 ... 50 °C / 32 ... 122 °F
Accuracy
±1 °C / 1.8 °F at +10 ... +40 °C / 50 ... 104 °F,
otherwise ±2 °C / 3.6 °F
Dew point temperature
0 ... 50 °C / 32 ... 122 °F
Accuracy
±1 °C / 1.8 °F at +10 ... +40 °C / 50 ... 104 °F,
otherwise ±2 °C / 3.6 °F
Relative humidity
0 ... 100 % RH
Accuracy
±3.5 % at 20 ... 80 % RH, otherwise ±5 %
HCHO formaldehyde (PCE-MPC 30 only)
Measurement range
0.01 ... 5 ppm
Accuracy
±5 % of measurement range
Resolution
0.01 ppm
General
Operating conditions
0 ... 50 °C / 32 ... 122 °F, 10 ... 90 % RH
Storage conditions
-10 ... 60 °C / 14 ... 140 °F, 10 ... 90 % RH
Display
2.8 " 320 x 240 pixel LCD
Power supply battery
7.4 V, 1200 mAh, 8.88 Wh
Battery life
approx. 4 h
Battery charging time
approx. 2 h
Power supply plug-in mains adaptor
Primary 100 ... 240 V AC, 50 / 60 Hz, 0.6 A
Secondary 9 V DC 1500 mA
Dimensions
240 x 75 x 57 mm / 9.4 x 3 x 2.2 in
Weight
570 g / 1.3 lbs
4 Delivery scope
1 x PCE-MPC 20 or PCE-MPC 30
1 x zero filter
1 x battery
1 x plug-in mains adaptor
1 x mini USB cable
1 x mini tripod
1 x hard case
1 x user manual

© PCE Instruments
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5 System description
①
Display
⑧
“RUN / STOP" key
②
“ESC" key
⑨
Air inlet nozzle
③
▼ key
⑩
Temperature/humidity sensor
④
ON/OFF key
⑪
USB socket / 9 V DC input
⑤
Function keys
⑫
HCHO sensor (PCE-MPC 30 only)
⑥
▲key
⑬
Battery compartment
⑦
ENTER" key

© PCE Instruments
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6 Operation
6.1 Preparation
6.1.1 Insert battery
•Open the battery compartment cover on the back of the meter.
•Insert the battery at the top first, with the terminals facing the front of the meter, and
press the bottom of the battery into the compartment, using light pressure.
•Close the compartment and fasten the locking screw.
6.1.2 Insert SD card
A micro SD card can be inserted into the meter to expand the memory.
•Open the battery compartment cover on the back of the meter.
•Remove the battery.
•Slide the SD card holder slightly towards the top of the instrument.
•Flip open the holder and insert a micro SD card into the holder with the contacts facing
down.
•Fold the holder and push it slightly towards the bottom of the meter to lock it.
6.1.3 Zero measurement
Make a zero measurement with the zero filter before the measurement.
•Unscrew the air inlet nozzle at the top of the instrument.
•Screw on the zero filter.
•Perform a measurement in cumulative measurement mode.
•Repeat the measurement until all three channels show zero. The system cleans itself
automatically when measuring with the zero filter.
•Unscrew the zero filter and screw the air inlet nozzle back on.
6.2 Switch the meter on / off
•To switch on the instrument, press and hold the ON / OFF key until the start-up
screen is visible.
•To switch off the meter, press and hold the ON / OFF key until the screen darkens.

© PCE Instruments
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6.3 Description of the icons
Particle measurement
Formaldehyde measurement
(PCE-MPC 30 only)
Memory
System settings
Internal help
Icon
Description
Icon
Description
Cumulative mode
Measurement running
Concentration mode
Measurement pause
Differential mode
Formaldehyde measurement
(PCE-MPC 30 only)

© PCE Instruments
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6.4 Measurement parameter selection
When using the PCE-MPC 30, you can use the ▲ and ▼ keys to select between the
measurement parameters particles and formaldehyde.
With the PCE-MPC 20, only the particle measurement parameter is available.
Press the "ENTER" key to call up the measurement parameter.
PCE-MPC 30 PCE-MPC 20
6.5 Particle measurement
After calling up the particle measurement parameter, you can start the dust measurement with
the "RUN / STOP" key. After the set measuring time and measuring intervals have elapsed, the
measurement ends automatically. You can stop the measurement at any time with the "RUN /
STOP" key. The display shows the date and time in the upper area, the settings and measured
values of the dust measurement in the middle area and the measured values of the temperature
and humidity measurement in the lower area.

© PCE Instruments
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6.5.1 Settings for particle measurement
•Press the "F3" key while in the "particle measurement" menu item to enter the
settings menu.
•Use the arrow keys to navigate and confirm your selection with the "ENTER" key.
•Press the ESC key to exit the function.
The following functions can be set / changed
Sample Time (sampling duration)
Start Delay
Ambient Temp. / % RH
Sample Cycle (sampling cycle)
Masscon / Particle (mass concentration / particle)
Sample Mode
Interval
Level Indication (reference channel colour indicator)
6.5.2 Sampling duration
Here you can change the duration of the sampling. Furthermore, the flow rate for the set
duration of sampling is displayed.
•Navigate to the menu item "Sample Time" with the ▲ and ▼ keys.
•Confirm the selection with the "ENTER" key.
•Press the "ENTER" key again to enter change mode.
•Use the ▲ and ▼ keys to set the measurement duration.
•Press the "ESC" key to save the entry and return to the overview.

© PCE Instruments
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6.5.3 Start delay
Here you can set the start delay time.
•Navigate to the menu item "Start Delay" with the ▲ and ▼ keys.
•Confirm the selection with the "ENTER" key.
•Press the "ENTER" key again to enter change mode.
•Use the ▲ and ▼ keys to set the measurement duration.
•Press the "ESC" key to save the entry and return to the overview.
6.5.4 Temperature / humidity
Here you can select whether thetemperature and humidity values are to be shown on the display
or not.
•Navigate to the menu item "Ambient Temp./%RH" with the ▲ and ▼ keys.
•Confirm the selection with the "ENTER" key.
•Use the ▲ and ▼ keys to select.
•Press the "ESC" key to save the entry and return to the overview.
6.5.5 Sample cycle
Here you can select the frequency of sampling during a measurement process.
•Navigate to the menu item "Sample Cycle" with the ▲ and ▼ keys.
•Confirm the selection with the "ENTER" key.
•Press the "ENTER" key again to enter change mode.
•Use the ▲ and ▼ keys to make a selection.
•Press the "ESC" key to save the entry and return to the overview.