TSI AeroTrak Plus 7000 Series Remote Particle Counter

Overview

The TSI AeroTrak Plus 7000 Series Remote Particle Counter is an ISO 21501-4 Class 1–compliant optical particle counter engineered for continuous, unattended monitoring of airborne particulate contamination in critical environments. It operates on the principle of single-particle light scattering: aerosol samples are drawn through a precisely controlled laminar flow path intersecting a stabilized 650 nm laser beam; scattered light pulses are detected by a high-gain photodiode and classified into six discrete size channels (e.g., ≥0.3, ≥0.5, ≥1.0, ≥3.0, ≥5.0, ≥25.0 µm) using calibrated pulse-height discrimination. Designed specifically for remote, fixed-site deployment—particularly when integrated with facility-wide vacuum sampling networks—the instrument delivers real-time, second-by-second particle concentration data without operator intervention. Its robust industrial enclosure (IP54-rated), EMC-compliant architecture (IEC 61326-1:2021), and internal non-volatile memory ensure operational continuity under demanding cleanroom and manufacturing conditions.

Key Features

• ISO 21501-4 Class 1 certified performance for traceable, regulatory-grade particle counting across six size channels up to 25 µm
• Stabilized 650 nm laser diode with industry-leading 5-year limited warranty—ensuring long-term optical alignment and signal stability
• Low-flow sampling design optimized for integration with centralized vacuum systems (typically 0.1–2.83 L/min, configurable per application)
• Internal high-resolution quartz timing circuitry delivering zero measurable timing drift over extended operation cycles
• 250,000-sample onboard storage with timestamped, channel-resolved records—including flow rate, temperature, and pressure metadata
• Industrial-grade EMI/RFI immunity meeting IEC 61000-4-2/3/4/6 standards for reliable operation in electrically noisy semiconductor fab or pharmaceutical production suites

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The AeroTrak Plus 7000 Series supports sampling from ambient air, compressed gases (N₂, dry air, CO₂), and process gas streams via inert tubing (e.g., conductive PTFE or stainless steel). It complies fully with ISO 21501-4:2018 for calibration traceability, particle sizing accuracy, and counting efficiency verification. All units ship with NIST-traceable calibration certificates and undergo factory validation against PSL (polystyrene latex) reference standards. The instrument meets FDA-relevant expectations for environmental monitoring in GMP-regulated facilities (21 CFR Part 211, Annex 1), supports ALCOA+ data integrity principles, and enables audit-ready data export compatible with GLP/GMP documentation workflows.

Software & Data Management

Data acquisition and system integration are enabled via native OPC UA server functionality (IEC 62541 compliant), allowing seamless connection to TSI’s FMS software suite or third-party SCADA/MES platforms including Siemens Desigo, Rockwell FactoryTalk, and Honeywell Experion. Raw count data is structured in IEEE 754 floating-point format with embedded UTC timestamps and channel-specific confidence indicators. Export options include CSV, XML, and binary .tsi formats—each preserving full metrological context. Audit trail capabilities include user login history, parameter change logs, and firmware update records—all retained locally and exportable for regulatory review.

Applications

• Continuous ISO Class 5–8 cleanroom monitoring in pharmaceutical aseptic processing suites
• In-line particle surveillance of wafer fabrication tool exhaust and mini-environment purge lines
• Validation and routine qualification of HVAC filtration efficiency in biotech clean utilities
• Real-time particulate trending during sterile filling line qualification (e.g., media fill support)
• Environmental baseline characterization and excursion investigation in semiconductor front-end fabs
• Compressed gas quality assurance per ISO 8573-1:2010 Class 0 or Class 1 specifications

FAQ

What vacuum pressure range is compatible with the AeroTrak Plus 7000 Series?

The instrument is rated for inlet pressures between –5 kPa and –30 kPa (gauge), supporting standard facility vacuum networks operating at –10 to –20 kPa.
Can the unit operate independently without FMS integration?

Yes—onboard logging runs autonomously; all 250,000 records are timestamped and retrievable via USB or Ethernet without external software.
Is firmware upgrade capability available in the field?

Yes—secure over-the-air updates are supported via HTTPS-based firmware push through the embedded web interface or TSI FMS.
Does the device meet FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records?

While the hardware itself does not implement Part 11 controls, its data export structure, audit log retention, and integration with validated FMS clients enable compliant implementation within a qualified system architecture.
How is laser performance monitored over time?

The instrument performs automatic daily self-checks of laser intensity and detector gain; deviations beyond ±3% trigger diagnostic alerts and optional recalibration prompts.