Graywolf PC-3500 Portable Six-Channel Laser Particle Counter & Dust Monitor

Overview

The Graywolf PC-3500 is a portable, six-channel laser particle counter engineered for high-fidelity environmental and occupational aerosol monitoring. It operates on the principle of light scattering (laser nephelometry), where individual airborne particles passing through a focused laser beam generate scattered light pulses proportional to their size and optical properties. These pulses are detected by a photodiode array and processed in real time using an integrated pulse height analyzer (PHA), enabling precise particle sizing and counting across a broad dynamic range—from ultrafine nuclei mode (0.3 µm) up to coarse inhalable fractions (25 µm). Unlike fixed-channel instruments, the PC-3500 supports fully user-definable channel boundaries, allowing alignment with application-specific standards such as PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, or ISO 14644-1 cleanroom classes. Its compact form factor, internal pump with automatic flow control, and HEPA-filtered exhaust make it suitable for both stationary spot measurements and mobile surveying in controlled environments, HVAC systems, laboratories, and field-based air quality assessments.

Key Features

• User-configurable six-channel sizing matrix: Define arbitrary lower and upper thresholds for each channel within the 0.3–25 µm range—enabling compliance with regional particulate mass standards (e.g., EPA PM_2.5 or EU PM₁₀) or research-specific binning schemes.
• Optical parameter adjustment: Input custom particle density and refractive index values to improve mass concentration estimation accuracy for non-spherical or chemically heterogeneous aerosols (e.g., soot, salt, metal oxides).
• Multi-threaded real-time architecture: Concurrent execution of sampling, data logging, annotation, wireless communication, and on-device computation—eliminating latency between acquisition and output.
• Built-in PHA compliant with ISO 21501-4: Ensures traceable sizing performance, including resolution verification, coincidence error correction, and self-calibration routines per international metrological requirements.
• High-frequency laser diode (250 kHz pulse rate): Delivers superior statistical confidence at low concentrations and enables reliable detection of transient peaks in dynamic environments such as cleanroom gowning rooms or pharmaceutical isolators.
• Integrated environmental sensing interface: Optional temperature/humidity probe input supports dew point calculation and relative humidity compensation during long-term stability monitoring.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PC-3500 is designed for ambient and conditioned indoor air sampling—not for explosive atmospheres (non-explosion-proof classification). Its isokinetic sampling probe ensures representative aspiration across varying airflow velocities, particularly critical in ductwork or laminar flow hoods. The instrument meets ISO 14644-1:2015 Annex B for cleanroom certification when operated with validated protocols and calibrated reference aerosols. For pharmaceutical applications, it supports USP particulate matter testing in injectables when paired with appropriate sample preparation workflows. Data integrity is reinforced through configurable audit trails, electronic signatures (via optional software), and alignment with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when deployed in GxP-regulated settings. All firmware and calibration records are stored internally with timestamped metadata.

Software & Data Management

Graywolf’s proprietary AirAssure™ PC software provides full configuration, remote diagnostics, and post-processing capabilities—including overlay of multiple sampling locations, time-series trending, and export to CSV, PDF, or XML formats compatible with LIMS and ELN platforms. The device logs up to 1,000 unique sampling positions with geotagging (via Bluetooth GPS module), operator ID, and contextual annotations entered directly on the touchscreen. All data files include embedded calibration certificates, sensor health diagnostics, and flow verification logs. Firmware updates are delivered via secure HTTPS, and configuration templates can be deployed fleet-wide to ensure inter-unit consistency across multi-site deployments.

Applications

• Cleanroom qualification and routine monitoring per ISO 14644-1 and ISO 14644-2
• Indoor air quality (IAQ) assessment in schools, hospitals, offices, and residential buildings
• Occupational exposure evaluation in manufacturing, mining, and construction environments
• Filter efficiency testing and leak detection in HVAC and containment systems
• Research-grade aerosol characterization in atmospheric science, nanomaterial safety studies, and combustion emissions analysis
• Pharmaceutical facility environmental monitoring (EM) programs supporting Annex 1 compliance

FAQ

Does the PC-3500 provide mass concentration outputs?
Yes—when user-defined particle density and refractive index are entered, the instrument calculates volumetric and mass concentration (µg/m³) using Mie theory approximations and channel-specific calibration factors.
Is external calibration required annually?
Per ISO 21501-4, annual verification against NIST-traceable polystyrene latex (PSL) standards is recommended; however, the built-in PHA and auto-zero function support daily operational checks without disassembly.
Can the device operate while charging?
Yes—the PC-3500 supports hot-swap battery operation and continuous sampling during AC power connection, ensuring uninterrupted monitoring during extended campaigns.
What data security protocols are supported?
Data encryption (AES-256), role-based access control, and tamper-evident audit logs are available through AirAssure™ Enterprise Edition, satisfying GDPR and HIPAA-aligned data handling requirements.
Is the HEPA exhaust filter replaceable in the field?
Yes—the integrated HEPA (H13) filter is user-serviceable with standard tools and carries a rated service life of ≥1,000 hours under typical indoor sampling conditions.