Ion Science SF6 P1:p - Manual (Page 29)

SF6 P1:p MANUAL Ion Science Ltd
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Service life of the SmartSensor
The service life to be expected of the SmartSensors is approximately 200 to 300 hours of continuous (!)
operation under average conditions of the air in the room. On the basis of an active measurement time of
approximately 2 hours per workday, this gives a utilisation duration of approximately 6 months.
In the case of discontinuous measurement operation, the utilisation duration may be optimised by using the
standby option. Through the use of the standby modes “Light and Sensor” or “Power Down” the
SmartSensor is shut down during breaks and for this reason then not subjected to any wear.
The limiting factor regarding the service life of the
SmartSensor is that of contaminating the SmartSensor 1.)
through the taken in the air by small particles capable of
passing through the front filter (Part No. 23002) and entering
into the ionization chamber and 2.) by larger particles which
block the filter element thereby reducing its filtering capacity.
Thus the result is a strong dependence of the service life on
the ambient conditions.
Any contamination in the ionization chamber results in a
more noisy output signal from the SmartSensor making itself
felt through fluctuations and sudden changes of the Zero line.
The SmartSensor must be considered as worn out when
these fluctuations compared to the set up limit become too great. However, measurement sensitivity is
maintained at an unchanged level over the entire utilisation duration. In the case of an extreme
contamination it can happen that the SmartSensor cannot be initialised any more when starting the system.
The reducing permeability of the filter element for air is compensated for by increasing the operating vacuum
within a wide range. But in the case of severe contamination, the vacuum increases to such a level that the
discharge within the SmartSensor becomes unstable or is extinguished without any apparent reason. The
filter element must be considered as worn out when this occurs frequently or when the ignition in the
SmartSensor cannot be started. When starting the system, the operator is informed about an operating
vacuum which is too high. During measurement operation, the LCD touch screen in the base unit will indicate
next to the filter vacuum the following symbol:

From the 300th operating hour onwards, the operator is reminded upon starting the system and thereafter in
hourly intervals that the SmartSensor must be replaced. Up to a maximum of 320 hours, the SmartSensor
can still be operated after confirming the reminder. Thereafter it must be replaced.