Kanomax 3886 Handheld Laser Particle Counter

Overview

The Kanomax 3886 is a compact, battery-powered handheld laser particle counter engineered for real-time airborne particulate monitoring in cleanroom validation, HVAC system verification, pharmaceutical facility qualification, and laboratory environmental control. It operates on the principle of single-particle light scattering—where aerosol particles drawn through a calibrated laminar flow path intersect with a focused 650 nm diode laser beam, generating scattered light pulses proportional to particle size. The instrument classifies and counts particles in six user-selectable channels: 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, and 10.0 µm, complying with ISO 21501-4 and JIS B 9921 standards for optical particle counter performance and calibration traceability. Its low-flow design (2.83 L/min, equivalent to 0.1 CFM) ensures compatibility with standard isokinetic sampling probes and enables rapid, portable assessments without requiring external vacuum sources or fixed installation.

Key Features

• Integrated rechargeable Li-ion battery providing up to 8 hours of continuous operation—ideal for extended cleanroom mapping or multi-point facility surveys.
• Real-time display of cumulative and differential particle counts per cubic foot (or cubic meter), with on-screen histogram visualization of size-resolved concentration trends.
• Internal memory capable of storing up to 1,000 sample records, each timestamped with date, time, location ID, and operator tag—supporting audit-ready data capture.
• Ruggedized IP54-rated enclosure with anti-static housing, designed to withstand incidental drops, humidity fluctuations (20–80% RH non-condensing), and typical cleanroom gowning environments.
• Self-diagnostic routines including laser power stability check, photodetector response verification, and flow sensor calibration status reporting prior to each measurement cycle.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Kanomax 3886 is validated for use with ambient air, compressed air (after appropriate filtration and pressure regulation), and nitrogen-purged enclosures. It is not intended for corrosive, explosive, or high-humidity (>80% RH) gas streams without pre-conditioning. The device meets ISO 14644-1:2015 requirements for cleanroom classification testing and supports compliance with FDA Annex 1 (2022), EU GMP Annex 1, and PIC/S guidelines for environmental monitoring program execution. All internal calibration references are traceable to NIST-traceable PSL (polystyrene latex) standards, and factory calibration certificates include uncertainty budgets per ISO/IEC 17025 requirements.

Software & Data Management

Data export is supported via USB-C interface to Kanomax’s proprietary KAN-View software (Windows-compatible), enabling automated report generation in PDF or Excel formats compliant with 21 CFR Part 11—featuring electronic signatures, audit trails, and user-access controls. Raw binary files (.kdf) preserve full metadata (flow rate, temperature, relative humidity if external sensor connected, and detection threshold settings) for reprocessing or third-party analysis. The software also supports statistical process control (SPC) charting, trend analysis across multiple instruments, and deviation alert thresholds aligned with ISO 14644-2:2015 monitoring frequency recommendations.

Applications

• Cleanroom certification and routine monitoring per ISO 14644-1 Class 5–8 environments (e.g., semiconductor fabrication tool hoods, aseptic filling suites).
• Filter integrity verification (HEPA/ULPA) using upstream-downstream challenge testing protocols.
• Medical device packaging line environmental qualification under ISO 11140 and AAMI TIR28.
• Pharmaceutical water-for-injection (WFI) system vent filter monitoring during storage tank sparging operations.
• University and contract research lab air quality baseline studies in biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) containment facilities.

FAQ

What is the recommended calibration interval for the Kanomax 3886?
Annual calibration is recommended per ISO 17025-accredited laboratories; however, users performing critical GMP applications should consider semi-annual verification using NIST-traceable PSL reference aerosols.
Can the 3886 be used for compressed air monitoring per ISO 8573-1?
Yes—when paired with a certified isokinetic probe and pressure-regulated inlet, it satisfies particle counting requirements for Class 1–5 solid contaminant classification, provided moisture and oil aerosols are removed upstream.
Does the instrument support external temperature and humidity sensors?
It accepts optional RS-485–based analog inputs for integration with third-party environmental sensors, enabling concurrent logging of ambient conditions alongside particle data.
Is firmware upgrade capability available in the field?
Yes—firmware updates are distributed via Kanomax’s secure customer portal and installed using the KAN-View software without requiring return-to-factory service.
How does the 3886 handle coincidence loss at high concentrations?
The built-in coincidence correction algorithm applies empirically derived correction factors above 2×10⁶ particles/m³ for 0.3 µm channel, maintaining count accuracy within specified repeatability limits.