Trotec BQ30 Particle Measuring Device | CO2 | Air Quality Monitor

We spend more than 90% of our lives indoors, and in addition, increasingly dense building designs make it difficult to vent pollutants with noticeable effects on air quality. Elevated carbon dioxide concentrations - even if they are within the permissible limits - can not only lead to fatigue, poor concentration or loss of performance, but can also cause serious health problems, especially in children or weakened individuals. With the BQ30, indoor air quality can be reliably monitored and, comparable to a CO2 traffic light, helps to remember to ventilate. Thanks to precise sensors, the BQ30 records not only air temperature and relative humidity but also the current carbon dioxide concentration of the room air and shows this in 1 ppm steps on the easy-to-read display. In addition, an individual CO₂ alarm limit value can be defined, which is indicated by an acoustic warning signal when exceeded.

Air quality monitor and particle measurement in one device

Nowadays, the discussion about particulate matter in the air and its effects on health is unthinkable without it. But what makes particulate matter so dangerous? Basically, the measurement distinguishes between the two particle fractions PM10 and PM2.5. PM10 includes all particles with a maximum diameter of 10 µm, and PM2.5 includes all particles with a diameter smaller than 2.5 µm. These particles cannot be seen with the naked eye. They are so small that especially the particles of the size PM2.5 can penetrate into the alveoli. Even smaller particles of less than 1 µm in size are even capable of penetrating blood vessels.

In everyday life, we are surrounded by countless potential sources of particulate matter. Whether you live or work on a busy street or near an industrial area, it is likely that the level of particulate matter in the air you breathe is elevated. In addition, in rooms and buildings where many people are present, the CO₂ content often increases above average.

But habitual activities such as cooking, vacuum cleaning, tobacco and candle smoke, or emissions from heating sources such as stoves or fireplaces can also have a direct negative impact on the indoor climate and thus on well-being. This is because an increased concentration of fine dust as well as the CO2 content in the air can not only influence general well-being, but can also be responsible for concentration and sleep disturbances, but also a wide variety of allergic reactions. In the long term, fine dust increases the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and even lung cancer.

With the practical particle meter BQ30, you always keep an eye on the values for fine dust, CO₂, air temperature and humidity. Thus, comparable to a CO2 traffic light, you can, if necessary, improve the indoor climate by supplying fresh air or by effectively using air purifiers, humidifiers or dehumidifiers. Keep an eye on the concentration of house and fine dust, soot and pollen. The user-friendly mobile air quality monitor detects and quantifies the mass concentrations of fine dust particles of all kinds. For this purpose, the measuring device easily detects the smallest air impurities of the sizes PM2.5 and PM10 in micrograms per cubic meter via laser technology.

The BQ30 also enables effective long-term monitoring of particle pollution via adjustable, regular time intervals. Up to 5,000 data records can be stored, in which both the PM concentrations and the date of recording are registered. This data variety is optionally displayed clearly in graphical curve progressions on a large 3-inch color display.

With regard to the mass concentrations of the particle size PM2.5, predefined limit values can be defined for the BQ30, the exceeding of which is signaled by an acoustic alarm. In addition, six-stage color indicator displays with respective alarm levels help to quickly evaluate whether the particle concentrations are to be assessed as good to very critical.

All-round measuring instrument for indoor climate monitoring

The handy all-round measuring device also simultaneously records other health-relevant indoor climate parameters with its probes: such as the CO₂ load in ppm, the air temperature from -20 to 70 °C and the humidity from 0 to 100 % r. h. The measured values for PM10 as well as CO₂ are shown in an automatically changing display on the display. A further three-stage color indicator completes the user-friendly visualization of these two parameters in particular in relation to good to poor air quality.

Due to its precise measurement results, its cordless, enduring battery operation, its low weight and its compact dimensions, the BQ30 air quality monitor is the perfect companion wherever evidence of a possible health hazard due to fine dust and CO₂ pollution is required.

Automatic Baseline Calibration.

The expected CO2 fresh air value today is about 400 ppm (0.04 %vol). This is assumed by the instrument as the lowest limit value (baseline). A special algorithm now permanently monitors the lowest detected CO2 reading of the sensor over a pre-configured time interval for several days and slowly corrects any detected long-term drift compared to the expected fresh air value of 400 ppm (or 0.04%vol) CO2. In normal indoor applications, this will cause the carbon dioxide level to drop to near outdoor air levels at some point over the course of a week. By recording the values over an 8-day period and then comparing the lowest value to the 400 ppm point, the meter detects whether or not it needs to adjust the zero point. This is done completely automatically. The algorithm thus takes advantage of the fact that the CO2 content in buildings/rooms regularly stabilizes to a minimum for a certain period of time when they are not occupied. In rooms that are permanently occupied or in which there is a constantly increased CO2 concentration (e.g. greenhouses), this principle of automatic adjustment therefore does not work.