1. Startup of the instrument and home screen

Installation procedure:

Connect the TCA08 instrument to AC power and turn on the main switch in the power receptacle. Upon startup, the instrument will initialize the TCA software in “standby mode,” and the following home screen will appear:

The HOME SCREEN shows:

• Total Carbon concentration
• Measured flow o Sample timebase setting,
• The start time of the sampling for the measured Total Carbon Concentration
• The end time of the sampling for the measured Total Carbon Concentration
• General operation status (Standby or Online) with status and temperature for each chamber. A full display of the instrument status is provided by pressing the status icon in the upper left corner of the home screen.

 

On each screen, the User can navigate the interface by pressing the icons on the left side of the screen. Status, instrument serial number, external devices, used storage, time, and date are shown in the uppermost Status line. The General Status of the instrument is indicated by the color of this line and the LED indicator next to it: (Green = OK;  Yellow = warning, check status;  Red = error).

STATUS LINE:

2. Instrument status icons

The General Status of the instrument is shown by the color of the top line of the screen display and the LED indicator next to it:

(Green = OK;  Yellow = warning, check status; Red = error). The detailed Status Code can be observed by pressing the Status icon on the far left of the status line. The Status Code of the instrument is a combination of seven groups of sub-status values (8 bits) in the following order:

G0_G1_G2_G3_G4_G5_G6, where each of the seven groups represent: G0: TCA operation    (G0=0, standby) G1: Chamber 1 operation status  (G1=0, Ch1 = idle) G2: Chamber 2 operation status (G2=0, Ch2 = idle) G3: Chamber 1 warning and errors status G4: Chamber 2 warning and errors status G5: Common warnings, errors and information G6: Network & Ext Device status.

Bit	0	G0	G1	G2
0	1	Online meas.	Sample	Sample
1	2	Offline measurement	Analysis	Analysis
2	4	Calibration	Clean	Clean
3	8	Verification	Leakage	Leakage
4	16	Change quartz	Denuder	Denuder
5	32	Initializing standby	Zero	Zero
6	64	Safety stop	Temperature	Temperature
7	128	Critical stop

 

bit	0	G3	G4
0	1	Voltage Timeout e	Voltage Timeout e
1	2	Leakage w	Leakage  w
2	4	Filter Integrity Failed w	Filter Integrity Failed w
3	8	Heater Error e	Heater Error e
4	16	Overcurrent e	Overcurrent e
5	32	Voltage set error e	Voltage set error e
6	64	Temperature sensor not connected e	Temperature sensor not connected e
7	128	Ball Valve error e	Ball Valve error e

 

bit	0	G5	G6
0	1	Door Open w	Network detected
1	2	Analytical flow w	Database e
2	4	Sample flow w	Setup e
3	8	Cooling fan w	External device w
4	16	CO2 Error e	Storage w
5	32		Internal communication e
6	64
7	128

 

The instrument stops when the status flag is a type of e (error). When the status flag is a type of w (warning), the instrument keeps running but needs technical attention. The overall status of each group, G0 to G6, can be a combination (sum) of statuses.

 

3. Warnings

Leakage warning: TCA detected leakage in Chamber 1 or 2 with the Leakage test (See Leakage test).

Solution: Inspect the chambers and repeat the leakage test. Check also the leakage where the cartridge filter is located.

Filter Integrity Failed: TCA detected that one of the Chamber 1 or 2 filters might be broken. A pop-up window WARNING is also shown on the screen when filter integrity status occurs. When both filters are damaged, the instrument is automatically stopped, and the statuses G0=64, G3=4, and G4=4 are shown in the status menu (Filter integrity test in BOTH CHAMBERS failed.

Solution: Stop the measurement and change the broken filter (See section Quartz filter change procedure). Perform Quartz filter change procedure.

Door open: TCA door is open.

Solution: If the temperature in one of the chambers is above 50^oC and the door is open, the following screen will be displayed: an audible alert and a red LED flashing on the upper right side of the opened door frame. Immediately close the door and allow the chambers to cool down!

External device: (1) The external device is connected, but there is no data transfer, and the external device data is out of bounds. (2) AE33 connected, but AE33 flow reporting standard differs from TCA08 flow reporting standard.

Solution: Check the flow reporting standard on both instruments and set both to the same reporting standard.

Analytic flow: The average analytic flow was lower than the set flow limit in the last analysis.

Solution: Ensure that the analytical air inlet tubing is not blocked.

Sample flow: The average sample flow was lower than the set flow limit in the last sampling.

Solution:

1. Make sure the sample air inlet tubing is not blocked.
2. Perform Flow calibration procedure.

Cooling fan: One of the chamber cooling fans is not working.

Solution: Check the fan for blockage or disconnection.

Storage: The number of Data rows is reaching the internal memory limit.

Solution: We recommend backing up the database. Afterward, delete the rows in the database using the commands in the Storage menu.

 

4. Errors

Voltage timeout: The voltage driver for one of the heating modules in Chamber 1 or Chamber 2 was turned on longer than the limit time value. The instrument will stop the measurement, reset, and try to continue with the measurement. If this error occurs 3 times, the instrument will not continue with the measurement (G0=64, safety stop).

Solution: restart the instrument and repeat the measurements.

Heater error: The instrument detected that the heating wire in one of the heating modules in Chamber 1 or Chamber 2 is broken or has loose contact with the voltage supply pin. The instrument will stop the measurement and turn on status G0=64, safety stop.

Solution: Check for loose contact on the heater. Replace the broken part accordingly or contact the manufacturer.

Overcurrent: The measured current in one of the heating modules in Chamber 1 or Chamber 2 is higher than the limit current value. The instrument will stop the measurement, reset, and try to continue with the measurement. If this error occurs 3 times, the instrument will not continue with the measurement (G0=64, safety stop).

Solution: Replace the heater or one of the wires or contact the manufacturer. Check for any burning marks on the power supply heatter cables/connectors

Voltage Set Error: The set voltage value for one of the heating modules in Chamber 1 or Chamber 2 is higher than the limit voltage value. The instrument will stop the measurement, reset, and try to continue with the measurement. If an error occurs 3 times, the instrument will not continue with the measurement (G0=64, safety stop).

Solution: Replace the heating wire or contact the manufacturer.

Thermocouple temperature sensor failure: The sensor in Chamber 1 or Chamber 2 is not connected or broken. The instrument will stop the measurement, reset, and try to continue with the measurement. If this error occurs 3 times, the instrument will not continue with the measurement (G0=64, safety stop).

Solution: Please wait at least 1 hour after the instrument shows “Temperature sensor not connected” (G3=64 or G4=64) status before performing any service or maintenance procedure on the instrument or the measurement chambers. This is a safety measure against potential high temperatures.

Ball Valve Error: One of the Ball Valves in the sampling channels 1 or 2 has reported an error. The instrument will stop the measurement, reset, and try to continue with the measurement. If this error occurs 3 times, the instrument will not continue with the measurement (G0=64, safety stop).

Solution: replace the broken ball valve or contact the manufacturer.

Database: Storage CF card is missing.

Solution: Install the correct CF card.

Setup: One of the values in the database setup table is out of bounds. The instrument will turn on status G0=64, safety stop.

Solution: contact the manufacturer.

Internal communication: Error in internal communication. The instrument will turn on status G0=64, safety stop.

Solution: contact the manufacturer.

CO₂ Error: The CO₂ sensor’s ppm values exceed the operating range. The CO₂ sensor needs to be serviced.

Solution: replace the CO₂ sensor or contact the manufacturer.

 

5. Analytic air filter and cartridge filter replacement procedure

Stop with the measurement. Wait for the chambers to cool down. To change the air filters in the TCA08, you will need a new Analytic air filter, a new cartridge filter, and a set of tools (long crossed PH1 screwdriver and push-to-connect tool).

6. Chamber replacement procedure

In case of heater malfunctioning and/or heater error, use the procedure below to exchange the chamber:

 

7. Denuder efficiency test

The Denuder Efficiency Test provides a quantitative method to determine the efficiency of the denuder. It is highly recommended that this test be performed regularly and monthly.

 

8. Denuder cartridge replacement procedure

We recommend replacing the denuder with a fresh one every month during active TCA operation or when its efficiency drops below 70 %. In case the denuder cartridge reaches the expected lifetime, please use the procedure below.

 

9. Offline analysis

The TCA08 can be used for the “offline” thermal analysis of aerosol samples previously collected on quartz fiber filters. These may be inserted as a punch on the top of the installed cleaned 47-mm filter.

 

Technical Support Request form

  Aerosol Magee Scientific YouTube channel for TCA08 standard operating procedures

You have reached the end of the document. Congratulations!