Rae MiniRAE Plus PGM-76 User manual

MiniRAE Plus
PROFESSIONAL PID
OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE MANUAL
(Document No: 002-4001)
Rev. E
RAE SYSTEMS INC.
680 West Maude Avenue, Suite #1
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
July 1998

RAE Systems Inc.
680 West Maude Ave. #1 Tel: [phone]
Sunnyvale , CA 94086 Fax: [phone]

Limited Product Warranty
RAE Systems (RAE) warrants the RAE products to the original
owner purchased directly from RAE or an authorized RAE
Reseller to be free of defects and workmanship for a period of
one year from the date of original shipment to owner exclusive
of consumable including batteries, filters and calibration gases.
Pumps and 10.6 eV electrodeless discharge lamps are
warranted for six months, and 11.7 eV lamps for one month.
RAE's obligation under this warranty is limited to replacing or
repairing, at RAE's option, any defective part if returned to a
RAE authorized factory repair center, with shipping charges
prepaid by the buyer, and which, upon inspection by RAE, shall
prove to have been defective in normal use and service.
To validate this warranty the original Warranty &
Registration Card supplied with the product must be
completed and returned to RAE within 30 days of
purchase. To maintain warranty, Purchaser must perform
maintenance and calibration as prescribed in the Operation and
Maintenance manual. In the event of defect, Purchaser will
notify RAE designated factory repair center in advance and if
trouble diagnosis procedures are unable to determine and
remedy the condition, a Return Material Authorization (RMA)
will be issued to assure proper repair and logistics tracking.
Warranty does not extend to any equipment malfunction or
damage which results from alteration, accident, theft, misuse,
abuse, abnormal use, improper or unauthorized repairs or
improper maintenance. RAE neither assumes nor authorizes any

other firm or person to assume on RAE's behalf any liability in
any way connected with the sale of RAE products.
THIS EXPRESS WARRANTY SHALL EXTEND TO
BUYER OF RECORD ONLY AND NOT TO SALES
MADE BY BUYER'S CUSTOMERS. EXCEPT FOR THE
WARRANTY OF TITLE, THE FOREGOING EXPRESS
WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ANY AND ALL OTHER
WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND
MERCHANTABILITY. SELLER'S LIABILITY UNDER
THE WARRANTY PROVIDED HEREIN EXCLUSIVE OF
INSURANCE PROCESS SHALL BE LIMITED TO A
REFUND OF PURCHASE PRICE.
For technical support, please call
408-481-4985 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM PST

MINIRAE PLUS OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
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Table of Contents
1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION ............................1-1
1.1 General Specifications................................1-2
2.0 OPERATION OF MINIRAE PLUS ..................2-1
2.1 Physical Description...................................2-2
2.2 Two Mode of Operation............................2-4
2.3 Keys and Display......................................2-6
2.4 Power On/Off ...........................................2-9
2.5 Display Readings .......................................2-10
2.6 Alarm Signal..............................................2-12
2.7 Preset Alarm Limits and
Calibration Data ........................................2-14
2.8 Datalogging ...............................................2-15
2.9 Turn Off Buzzer.........................................2-18
2.10 Back Light.................................................2-19
2.11 Special Power-on Sequence......................2-20
2.12 Diagnostic Power-on Sequence .................2-21
2.13 Disconnect Battery....................................3-22
3.0 OPERATION OF ACCESSORIES ..................3-1
3.1 Charging of MiniRAE Plus ...........................3-2
3.2 Sample Gas Collection.................................3-4
3.3 Remote Access Probe.................................3-5
3.4 Audio Interface Adapter and
Earphone....................................................3-6
3.5 Analog Signal Output...................................3-8
3.6 Water Trap Disk .........................................3-10
3.7 Dilution Probe .............................................3-11

MINIRAE PLUS OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
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3.8 UV Attenuator Ring.....................................3-14
4.0 PROGRAMMING IN HYGIENE MODE........4-1
4.1 Menu Options ...........................................4-2
4.2 Keys for Programming Task ......................4-4
4.3 Entering into Programming Task................4-5
4.4 Set STEL Alarm Limit ...............................4-7
4.5 Set TWA Alarm Limit................................4-8
4.6 Set Peak Alarm Limit.................................4-9
4.7 Calibration of MiniRAE Plus ......................4-10
4.7.1 Zero Gas Calibration...................4-11
4.7.2 Enter Standard Calibration
Gas Value ...................................4-14
4.7.3 Standard Reference Gas
Calibration...................................4-16
4.7.4 Alternative Calibration
Methods......................................4-20
4.7.5 Calibration for Other Gases .........4-22
4.8 Clear Data.................................................4-25
4.9 Set Hour and Minute .................................4-26
4.10 Set Month and Date ..................................4-27
4.11 Set Security Level......................................4-28
4.12 Change Password......................................4-30
5.0 PROGRAMMING IN SURVEY MODE..........5-1
5.1 Menu Options ...........................................5-2
5.2 Keys for Programming Task ......................5-4
5.3 Entering into Programming Task................5-5
5.4 Select Site Number....................................5-6

MINIRAE PLUS OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
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5.5 Select Calibration Data..............................5-7
5.6 Calibration of MiniRAE Plus ......................5-8
5.7 Set Sampling Period ..................................5-9
5.8 Clear Data.................................................5-10
5.9 Set Low Alarm Limit .................................5-11
5.10 Set High Alarm Limit .................................5-12
5.11 Set Hour and Minute .................................5-13
5.12 Set Month and Date ..................................5-13
5.13 Select Datalog Option................................5-14
5.14 Select Data Type Option...........................5-16
6.0 COMPUTER INTERFACE FOR
MINIRAE PLUS................................................6-1
6.1 Installation of ProRAE-76..........................6-3
6.2 Connecting MiniRAE Plus to PC................6-4
6.3 Starting ProRAE-76..................................6-5
6.4 Receive Data from MiniRAE Plus ..............6-7
6.5 View Data.................................................6-8
6.6 Save Data File...........................................6-13
6.7 Print Data File ...........................................6-14
6.8 Configure MiniRAE Plus from PC..............6-15
6.9 Send Configuration to MiniRAE Plus..........6-20
6.10 Save Configuration File..............................6-21
6.11 Other Functions of ProRAE-76 .................6-22
6.12 DOS Version of ProRAE-76.....................6-23
6.12.1 Installation of ProRAE-76
for DOS.......................................6-24
6.12.2 Operation of ProRAE-76
for DOS.......................................6-25
6.12.3 Enter Serial Number.....................6-34

MINIRAE PLUS OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
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iv
7.0 THEORY OF OPERATION...............................7-1
8.0 MAINTENANCE...............................................8-1
8.1 Battery Charging and Replacement.............8-2
8.2 Filter Replacement.....................................8-5
8.3 Sensor Module Cleaning............................8-6
8.4 Probe Assembly Cleaning..........................8-10
8.5 Lamp Cleaning and Replacement ...............8-11
8.6 Pump Replacement....................................8-13
9.0 TROUBLESHOOTING......................................9-1
APPENDIX A
FLOW CHART OF HYGIENE MODE.....................A-1
APPENDIX B
FLOW CHART OF SURVEY MODE.......................B-1
APPENDIX C
RESPONSE INFORMATION................................... C-1
APPENDIX D
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE.................................. D-1
THIS DEVICE IS NOT INTENDED TO DETECT
COMBUSTIBLE LEVELS OF GASES. THIS DEVICE
IS CLASSIFIED FOR USE IN ATMOSPHERES
CONTAINING COMBUSTIBLE LEVELS OF GASES.
CET APPAREIL CEST NE PAS INTENDER POUR
DETECTER DES NIVEAUX DE COMBUSTION DES
GAZ. CET APPAREIL EST CLASSIFIE POUR USAGE

MINIRAE PLUS OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
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DANS DES ATMOSPHERES CONTENANT DES
NIVEAUX DE COMBUSTION DES GAZ.

MINIRAE PLUS OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
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vi
! WARNING !
-DO NOT PROCEED BEFORE READING-
THIS MANUAL MUST BE CAREFULLY READ BY
ALL INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE OR WILL HAVE
THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR USING,
MAINTAINING, OR SERVICING THIS PRODUCT.
The product will perform as designed only if it is used,
maintained, and serviced in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions.
CAUTION!!
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
TURN OFF POWER BEFORE REMOVING THE
SENSOR CAP FOR SERVICE. THE SENSOR CAP
PROVIDES AN ELECTROSTATIC SHIELD. NEVER
OPERATE THE UNIT WHILE THE CAP IS
REMOVED.
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF IGNITION OF
HAZARDOUS ATMOSPHERES, RECHARGE
BATTERY ONLY IN AN AREA KNOWN TO BE NON
HAZARDOUS.
NE CHARGER LES BATTERIES QUE DANS
EMPLACEMENTS DESIGNES NON DANGEREUX

MINIRAE PLUS OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
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vii
THE MODEL PGM-76 EQUIPMENT IS SUITABLE
FOR USE IN CLASS I, DIVISION 2, GROUPS A,B,C,D
OR NON-HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS ONLY.
THE MODEL PGM-76IS EQUIPMENT IS
CLASSIFIED AS TO INTRINSIC SAFETY FOR USE
IN CLASS I, DIVISION 1, GROUPS A,B,C,D OR NON-
HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS ONLY.
WARNING
EXPLOSION HAZARD - SUBSTITUTION OF
COMPONENTS MAY IMPAIR SUITABILITY FOR
CLASS I , DIV 2 AND CLASS I, DIV 1
AVERTISSEMENT
RISQUE D'EXPLOSION - LA SUBSTITUTION DE
COMPOSANTS PEUT RENDRE CE MATERIEL
INACCEPTABLE POUR LES EMPLACEMENTS DE
CLASSE I, DIVISION 2 / CLASSE I, DIVISION 1

MINIRAE PLUS OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
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Special Note
-1-
When the MiniRAE Plus (PGM-76) Professional PID is
taken out from the transport case and turned on for the
first time, there may be some residual organic vapor
trapped inside the ionization chamber. The reading may
therefore show a few ppm. Connect the zero gas adapter
supplied with the unit will clear the residual vapor and
reduce the reading to zero quickly.
-2-
The battery of the MiniRAE Plus unit drains slowly even
when turned off. If the unit has not been charged for 4-5
days, the battery voltage will be low. Therefore, it is a
good practice to leave the unit in the charger so that it is
fully charged and ready for immediate use. It is also
recommended to fully charge the unit FOR AT LEAST
24 HOURS before using it. If the unit is going to be put
on the shelf for more than 4-5 days, it is highly
recommended to turn off the battery switch at the back of
the unit. This will prevent the battery from being deeply
discharged.

MINIRAE PLUS OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
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-3-
The battery switch also serves as a reset switch for the
microprocessor inside the MiniRAE Plus Professional
PID unit. If for some reasons, the unit is hang up ( for
example, no response to key press or display funny
characters on LCD display), turn off the switch and then
turn it on again should reset the microprocessor.

SECTION 1 GENERAL INFORMATION
1 - 1
1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION
MiniRAE Plus is a Programmable Professional Photo-
Ionization Detector (PID) to measure organic vapors in
hazardous or industrial environments. It incorporates a
sampling pump and data download capabilities for continuous
toxic monitoring, site survey and leak detection applications. It
can measure two classes of toxic gases: (1) organic vapors
with the supplied 10.6 eV gas discharge lamp, and (2)
chlorinated compounds with the interchangeable 11.7 eV lamp
available as in optional accessory. Features are:
•Lightweight and Compact
-18 oz , cellular phone size
•Dependable and Accurate
-rugged design, microprocessor control
•User Friendly
- menu driven, intuitive end-use operation
•Programmable Alarm Thresholds
- audio buzzer & flashing display alarm
MiniRAE Plus (PGM 76K) consists of : a Professional PID
unit, AC charging adapter, interface cable, user manual,
calibration accessories and a hard transport case.

SECTION 1 GENERAL INFORMATION
1 - 2
1.1 General Specifications
Table 1.1
Professional PID Unit Specification
Size 7.1"L x 2.7"W x 1.8"H
(18.0 cm x 6.9 cmx 4.6 cm )
Weight 18 oz with battery (0.510 kg)
Detector Interchangeable 10.6eV or 11.7eV
electrodeless ultraviolet discharge
lamp with Teflon/stainless steel
chamber
Operating Hours 10 hours continuous operation
BatteryTwo rechargeable, 6V, 500 mAh,
sealed, lead-acid. Field replaceable.
Gas Sampling: Piston pump with >400 ml/min
intake flow rate
Gas Inlet Probe: 6" flexible 5/32" tube
Gas Outlet : 5/32" diameter barb fitting
Attachment: wrist strap
Display7 digit LCD with LED back light
Analog Output: 0 to 1 V
Range 0 - 999.0 ppm with 0.1 ppm
resolution, 1000-1999 ppm with
1 ppm resolution
(continued)
(continued)

SECTION 1 GENERAL INFORMATION
1 - 3
Accuracy +/- 2 ppm or +/- 10% of reading,
calibrated to 100 ppm Isobutylene
Response Time < 3 seconds to reach 90%
of exposed concentration
Key-pads2 operation keys, 2 programming
keys, and an ON/OFF key
Alarm Setting Separate alarm limit settings for
TWA, STEL, and Peak in Hygiene
Mode; low and high alarm limits for
Survey Mode
Alarm 95 dB buzzer and flashing red
LED to indicate exceeded preset
limits, low battery, or lamp failure
Calibration Two points field calibration for
zero gas and standard gas
Protection Password protected calibration
settings, alarm limits, and data in
Hygiene Mode
Data Storage 48 STEL readings (15 minutes
interval) in Hygiene Mode;
50 site readings in Survey Mode
Temperature -10oto 40oC (14oto 104oF)
Humidity 0 % to 100% relative humidity
(non-condensing)

SECTION 1 GENERAL INFORMATION
1 - 4
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SECTION 2 OPERATION OF MINIRAE PLUS
2 - 1
2.0 OPERATION OF MINIRAE
PLUS
The MiniRAE Plus Professional PID Unit is a portable organic
vapor monitor/sampler. It gives the real time measurements
and activates alarm signals whenever the exposure exceeds
preset limits. Prior to factory shipment the MiniRAE Plus is
preset with default alarm limits and the sensor is pre-calibrated
with 100 ppm Isobutylene gas. After receiving the unit, first
turn on the battery switch on the back of the unit. Then charge
the unit for at least 24 hours to fully charge the battery. The unit
is ready for immediate operation.

SECTION 2 OPERATION OF MINIRAE PLUS
2 - 2
2.1 Physical Description
Figure 2.1 shows the main components of the MiniRAE Plus
Professional PID Unit which includes :
•5 keys for user to interact with the unit :
power key and 2 operation keys for normal
operation; two programming keys for setting
up the unit
•LCDdisplay with back light to show real time and
calculated measurements
•Buzzer and red LED for alarm signal whenever the
exposures exceed preset limits
•Probe assembly ( including gas inlet tube and
sensor cap ) to draw air sample
•Battery charging jack for connection to AC or
DC charging adapter and a battery switch to
disconnect battery from the unit
•• Gas outlet port for connection to sample
collection bag
•• Multi-interface jack for connection to
PC, audio interface or analog output