SKC AirChek XR5000 Portable Air Sampling Pump

Overview

The SKC AirChek XR5000 is a precision-engineered portable air sampling pump designed for quantitative collection of airborne contaminants—including gases, vapors, aerosols, and particulate matter—in occupational hygiene, environmental monitoring, and industrial hygiene applications. Utilizing a closed-loop electronic flow control system based on thermal mass flow sensing and real-time microprocessor-driven PID regulation, the XR5000 maintains volumetric flow stability across dynamic backpressure conditions commonly encountered during sorbent tube, filter cassette, and impinger sampling. Its modular architecture—comprising a detachable battery compartment beneath the keypad and dual-layer housing—enables rapid field battery swaps without interrupting sampling protocols, supporting uninterrupted multi-shift or extended-duration monitoring campaigns. The pump is calibrated and validated per ISO 13137 (Workplace atmospheres — Requirements for pumped samplers used for the sampling of airborne chemical agents) and conforms to NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM) performance criteria for personal and area sampling pumps.

Key Features

• High-accuracy electronic flow control with ±5% volumetric repeatability across the full 5–5000 mL/min range, including low-flow operation down to 5 mL/min when used with the optional Low-Flow Adapter
• Three independent power configurations: high-capacity 4-cell Li-ion battery (4.4 Ah), standard 2-cell Li-ion battery (2.2 Ah), or disposable alkaline batteries—each optimized for specific mission profiles (e.g., long-duration fixed-site monitoring vs. short-term survey work)
• Intelligent backpressure compensation up to 50 inches H₂O (12.5 kPa), dynamically adjusting motor output to preserve setpoint flow under variable filter loading and media resistance
• Large LCD display showing real-time elapsed time, programmed duration, battery status (voltage and estimated remaining runtime), and diagnostic alerts (e.g., “LOW FLOW”, “BATT LOW”, “ERROR 07”)
• Robust anti-static polymer housing rated for Class I, Division 2 hazardous locations; CE-marked with integrated RFI/EMI shielding to prevent electromagnetic interference in electrically noisy industrial environments
• UL-listed safety architecture featuring fail-safe shutdown logic: automatic pump halt if flow cannot be restored within 15 seconds of pressure deviation, followed by five sequential 15-second auto-restart attempts before entering lockout mode

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The AirChek XR5000 supports a broad spectrum of EPA, NIOSH, and OSHA-compliant sampling media—including 25 mm and 37 mm membrane filters (MCE, PTFE, polycarbonate, PVC), sorbent tubes (e.g., charcoal, silica gel, Tenax), and impingers. Backpressure performance data are empirically validated per ASTM D7756-15 (Standard Practice for Determining Backpressure Characteristics of Air Sampling Pumps) and referenced against common media resistance curves (e.g., 25-mm MCE @ 0.45 µm pore size exhibits ~4000 mL/min flow at 20 inches H₂O). The pump meets requirements for GLP-compliant exposure assessment workflows and supports audit-ready documentation when paired with SKC’s optional TimeLog software and certified calibration certificates traceable to NIST standards. It is routinely deployed in facilities operating under FDA 21 CFR Part 11–aligned quality systems due to its deterministic timer logging, non-volatile memory retention, and tamper-resistant operational history.

Software & Data Management

While the XR5000 operates as a standalone instrument, it integrates seamlessly with SKC’s TimeLog™ desktop application (Windows-compatible) for post-sampling data export, calibration verification, and exposure record archiving. TimeLog generates CSV- and PDF-formatted reports containing pump ID, start/stop timestamps, total sampled volume, average flow rate, battery discharge profile, and error event logs—all timestamped with millisecond resolution. The device stores up to 100 independent sampling sessions in non-volatile memory, each retaining full metadata (including user-defined sample IDs and location tags). For regulated environments, TimeLog supports role-based access control, electronic signature capture, and audit trail generation compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 and EU Annex 11 requirements.

Applications

• NIOSH/OSHA method-concordant personal exposure monitoring for VOCs, metals, aldehydes, and respirable crystalline silica
• Indoor air quality (IAQ) assessments in commercial buildings, schools, and healthcare facilities
• Stack emission pre-screening and fugitive emission detection using passive and active sampling strategies
• Pharmaceutical cleanroom environmental monitoring per ISO 14644-1 and EU GMP Annex 1
• Emergency response and hazmat incident characterization where rapid deployment and battery resilience are critical
• Long-term ambient air toxics monitoring networks requiring >40-hour continuous operation per charge cycle

FAQ

What is the minimum flow rate achievable with the XR5000, and does it require an adapter?
The XR5000 achieves stable flow down to 5 mL/min when used with the optional Low-Flow Adapter (P/N 224-4001); without the adapter, the lower limit is 100 mL/min.
Can the XR5000 be used in explosive atmospheres?
Yes—the unit carries CE marking for use in Zone 2 / Class I, Division 2 hazardous locations and incorporates intrinsic RFI/EMI suppression to mitigate ignition risk.
How is flow accuracy verified and maintained over time?
SKC recommends annual recalibration using a NIST-traceable primary standard (e.g., bubble meter or electronic calibrator); built-in self-diagnostics log flow deviations and trigger maintenance alerts when drift exceeds ±5%.
Does the pump support external triggering or remote start/stop?
No—the XR5000 operates as a manually initiated, timer-controlled device; it does not feature RS-232, Bluetooth, or analog I/O interfaces.
Is the battery pack replaceable in the field without tools?
Yes—battery modules slide into the underside compartment and lock via friction-fit latches; no screws or tools are required for swap-out.