Kanomax 3887C Handheld Laser Particle Counter

Overview

The Kanomax 3887C is a precision-engineered handheld laser particle counter designed for real-time airborne particulate monitoring in cleanroom validation, pharmaceutical manufacturing environments, hospital isolation rooms, and HVAC system commissioning. It operates on the principle of single-particle light scattering—where aerosol particles pass through a focused 650 nm diode laser beam, generating scattered light pulses proportional to particle size and concentration. The instrument processes these optical signals via high-speed digital pulse height analysis to classify and count particles across three user-selectable channels: 0.3 µm, 0.5 µm, and 5.0 µm—enabling compliance-driven reporting aligned with critical international standards including ISO 14644-1:2015 Class 5–8 cleanroom verification, GB/T 16292–2010 for pharmaceutical clean areas, and Annex 1 of China’s Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulations.

Key Features

• Laser-based optical detection with optimized signal-to-noise ratio for stable performance under variable ambient lighting and temperature conditions (10–35 °C operating range)
• Fixed flow rate of 2.83 L/min—calibrated using traceable NIST-traceable volumetric flow meters; flow stability maintained within < ±1 particle deviation over 5-minute intervals
• High-reproducibility counting architecture: repeatability ≤ ±10% full scale (FS), verified per ISO 21501-4 calibration protocols
• Full Chinese graphical user interface with backlit monochrome LCD—designed for intuitive operation by QC technicians without English-language proficiency
• Programmable delay start function (0–600 s) to eliminate operator-induced contamination during probe placement
• Robust internal data management: stores up to 10,000 sample records with timestamp, location tag, channel counts, and calculated concentrations (particles/m³)
• Power-fail resilience: automatic save-and-resume functionality preserves ongoing sampling sessions upon unexpected AC or battery interruption

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The 3887C is validated for use with ambient indoor air, filtered process air, and compressed gas lines (with optional desiccant-dried inlet filter). Its sampling probe features a conductive stainless-steel nozzle and electrostatic-dissipative tubing to minimize particle loss via wall adhesion or electrostatic attraction. All measurement outputs comply with statutory reporting formats required under GB/T 16292–2010 (Chinese pharmaceutical cleanroom standard), ISO 14644-1:2015 (international cleanroom classification), and Annex 1 of China GMP (2010 revision), supporting audit-ready documentation for regulatory inspections. While not FDA 21 CFR Part 11–compliant out-of-the-box, raw CSV export enables integration into validated LIMS or ELN platforms with supplementary electronic signature and audit trail controls.

Software & Data Management

Data retrieval is performed via USB 2.0 interface using Kanomax’s proprietary PC application (Windows 10/11 compatible), which supports batch export in CSV and PDF report formats—including customizable headers, pass/fail thresholds, and ISO/UCL statistical summaries. The onboard firmware embeds configurable test modes: GBMODE (for domestic pharmaceutical facilities), GMP (Annex 1-compliant multi-point mapping), and ISO (standardized 1 m³ sampling volume protocol). All stored records include embedded metadata: date/time stamp, operator ID (manually entered), sampling duration, flow verification status, and battery level at acquisition—supporting GLP-aligned record integrity requirements.

Applications

• Cleanroom certification and routine monitoring in Class A–D pharmaceutical production suites
• Filter integrity testing (HEPA/ULPA) via upstream/downstream challenge measurements
• Environmental qualification of isolators, laminar flow hoods, and aseptic processing workstations
• HVAC duct leakage assessment and airflow uniformity mapping
• Medical device packaging clean area validation per YY/T 0287 and ISO 13485
• Research-grade particulate baseline studies in university clean labs and microelectronics fabrication support spaces

FAQ

Does the 3887C require annual recalibration?
Yes—Kanomax recommends traceable recalibration every 12 months against PSL (polystyrene latex) reference standards per ISO 21501-4. Field verification using zero-count air and known-size challenge aerosols should be performed before each critical sampling session.
Can the 3887C measure particles below 0.3 µm?
No—the optical design and detector sensitivity threshold are optimized for the specified 0.3/0.5/5.0 µm tri-channel configuration. Sub-0.3 µm detection requires condensation particle counters (CPCs) or scanning mobility particle sizers (SMPS), which are outside this instrument’s operational scope.
Is the internal memory password-protected?
No—data access is unrestricted via USB export; however, the device supports operator ID entry to maintain procedural accountability within regulated workflows.
What is the typical battery life per charge?
Approximately 6 hours of continuous sampling at 2.83 L/min, using the included rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack (charger supplied). Battery level is displayed in real time on the main screen.
Does the 3887C support external printers or wireless data transfer?
No—it lacks built-in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or direct thermal printer interfaces. Data must be retrieved via USB cable and processed externally using the Kanomax PC software suite.