Optical particle counters (OPC’s) have been around for decades with some of the first instruments developed way back in the 1940s. They first started being used in the cleanroom industry way back in the 1960’s, with some sources claiming earlier. Over time OPC sensors have now been integrated into some indoor air quality and outdoor air quality monitoring equipment.
OPC sensors are typically the lowest cost particle sensors of their type on the market when compared to photometers, nephelometers, spectrometers, time of flight, laser diffraction and other particle measurement technologies. Consumers can buy OPC sensors from as low cost $20 on the internet (or lower) and EBAY, ALI EXPRESS and other websites are full of particle counters and OPC based measurement instruments from roughly $50 upwards. It’s not new technology, its not rocket science and no one company on Earth has the only and or best OPC technology.
Cleanroom Particle Counters
Cleanroom particle counters have been around for a very long time as discussed above, long before some particle counter manufacturers and or their distributors even existed. Cleanroom particle counters are also optical particle counters however these instruments are typically manufactured to much higher standards, use better optics, electronics and have features that enable them to be used for cleanroom monitoring and or certification. They typically come in 2.83, 28.3, 50 and 100 LPM flow rates, have been calibrated in accordance with ISO 21501-4 and may come with an additional NATA, ILAC or equivalent calibration certificate.
Factory OEM Calibrations
Excluding many low cost sensors and OPC based particle monitors floating around the marketplace, most mainstream manufacturers of cleanroom grade optical particle counters will supply their equipment with a calibration certificate, typically showing the instrument has been factory calibrated in accordance with ISO 21501-4 and in some cases in an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory. Again, this has been happening for many years now and cleanroom customers simply take this for granted.
Annual Re-Calibrations
On the same token, many distributors globally have setup their own calibration labs to simply emulate / replicate what the manufacturer does at the factory. OPC’s are very easy to calibrate if you have the right equipment and this equipment is easy to procure and setup. In addition, many third party laboratories have been established globally over time specializing in the calibration of optical particle counters and or associated equipment.
These 3rd party laboratories are appointed by, directly work with and represent particle counter manufacturers in the same way a distributor would. They are factory trained in all aspects of calibration and maintenance relating to their optical particle counters as any distributor would be.
- They have direct access to the manufacturer who they have contracted with
- They have direct access to and use the manufacturers calibration software
- They are factory trained and use the manufacturers calibration procedures as any distributor would do
- They can provide firmware updates
- They can provide software updates
- They can undertake repairs, if needed
- Calibrations are done to the latest ISO 21501-4 standard commonly in an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory
- They ensure customers are fully compliant in all aspects of their particle counter calibrations
3rd party calibration laboratories have existed throughout the world for decades and they help support industry, support global particle instrument manufacturers and ultimately customers. At Alpha Scientific, we are committed to working with global equipment manufacturers in providing world class, fully compliant calibration services, either directly or via manufacturer approved and fully factory trained 3rd party calibration laboratories.
The Alpha Scientific Difference
Unlike some other companies, Alpha Scientific does not just sell optical particle counters. Our staff have close to 40 years of experience with many different types of particle measurement technologies and these are carefully applied to different applications and industry standards.
- Optical particle counters
- Aerosol photometers
- Aerosol spectrometers
- Laser diffraction instruments
- Nephelometers
- Scanning mobility particle sizers
- Condensation particle counters
- Electrical mobility analyzers
- Diffusion charging based devices
- Time of flight instruments
- Others
All of these measurement technologies are well known and are widely used throughout the world with distributors and certified 3rd party laboratories playing their role in supporting customers and industry. In Australia, Alpha Scientific is particularly blessed in having Beckman Coulter (the manufacturer) of our cleanroom particle counters based right here in Australia, with numerous offices and their own engineering, calibration and technical support staff.
Beckman Coulter works closely with Alpha Scientific in delivering latest generation solutions and in-house and on-site technical support and calibrations. We also work closely with other 3rd party calibration service providers who have been factory trained by Beckman Coulter in the calibration of their particle measurement instruments.
Other Sensors & Equipment
The same applies with many environmental sensors on the market (temperature, humidity, pressure, gases) and other types of equipment. Many 3rd party testing laboratories, metrology labs and calibration service providers have evolved over time to offer wide ranging calibration services. Some are ISO 17025 / NATA accredited, others offer calibrations traceable to NATA calibrated equipment, some are ILAC accredited, others hold other accreditation’s and some of these 3rd party laboratories have evolved to become the best and most reputable calibration service providers of their type in Australasia.
In summary, Alpha Scientific is all about our customers, offering them more choices, unlocking them and supporting them in the buying latest generation technologies at affordable prices. For more information in relation to calibrations or any particle measurement instruments, email sales@alphascientific.com.au or contact us Australia wide on 1300 025 780.