&EPA
EPA/600/R-15/116
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
DYLOS DC1100
Operating Procedure
Office of Research and Development
National Exposure Research Laboratory
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EPA/600/R-15/116 | May 2015 | www.epa.gov/ord
DylosDCHOO
Citizen Science Operating Procedure
Ron Williams
National Exposure Research Laboratory
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, NC, USA 27711
Amanda Kaufman
ORISE Participant
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
Oak Ridge, TN, USA 37831
Sam Garvey
Alion Science and Technology
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
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Contents
DylosDCHOO 1
What Is PM? 1
What You Will Need 1
I mportant Considerations 2
Preparing the Device 2
Making the Connections 2
Installing the Software 2
Verifying Proper Operation 5
Routine Data Collection 6
Processing Data 7
For Additional Help 10
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Dylos DC 1100
The Dylos DC1100 air quality monitor measures particulate matter
(PM) to provide a continuous assessment of indoor air quality. The unit
counts particles in two size ranges: large and small. According to the
manufacturer, large particles have diameters between 2.5 and 10
micrometers (urn), where a micrometer is 171000th of a meter. Small
particles have diameters from 0.5 urn up to 2.5 urn. The DC1100 stores
up to 30 days of air quality history. This operating procedure explains
what you need to do to collect quality PM data using the Dylos DC1100
for your monitoring project.
What Is PM?
PM pollution is a mixture of particles of various sizes such as soot, smoke, dirt, and dust. Many
pollutant particles that make their way indoors are generated and released into the air from
outdoor sources such as power plants, industrial processes, and automobiles. Living near a
major roadway, for instance, can significantly increase PM exposure. Other particles are
generated within the home from activities such as cooking or burning wood in fireplaces. Small
particles also include mold and bacteria, and larger particles include pollen and dust mite
casings. PM can have both short- and long-term health effects, with the smallest particles
posing the greatest health risk. Effects of exposure to PM pollution include increased respiratory
(breathing) symptoms such as coughing and difficulty breathing as well as aggravated asthma
or other existing respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. For more information on particle
pollution, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Web site at
http://www.epa.gov/airquality/particlepollution/index.html.
What You Will Need
DC1100 PM sensor
9-volt DC (battery) adapter
9-pin serial cable
Dylos Logger software on accompanying compact disc (CD)
Computer with the Windows operating system and an RS-232 serial communication port
connection
Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet Software (2003 or later) or other comparable spreadsheet
software
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Important Considerations
*!• The Dylos DC1100 must be connected to both AC (electrical wall outlet) power and a
computer.
*t* The unit requires use of the Data Logger software to record the time of data collection.
*J* The DC1100 cannot be calibrated by the user. It is precalibrated by the manufacturer,
and the calibration is good for 1 year from the time of purchase. The device should be
returned to the manufacturer for calibration annually.
*t* The Dylos has no user-serviceable parts. It must be returned to the manufacturer when
repairs are required.
Preparing the Device
Before collecting data with the DC1100, you need to
set up the device by connecting it to a computer with
the Dylos DC1100 software running and then you can
verify its operation. The procedures in this section will
guide you through the proper setup of your device.
Making the Connections
The DC1100 does not contain a battery and therefore
must be connected to AC power using the 9-volt DC
adapter. For data collection, the Dylos DC1100 must
be connected to a computer by an RS-232 serial
connection, which has a 9-pin serial cable. Figure 1
shows these connections on the DC1100.
Power port with DC
adapter cable
attached
Installing the Software
While the Dylos DC1100 can operate and save its data without using the accompanying Dylos
Logger software, the time of data collection can only be recorded when using the logger
software since the software uses the computer's clock to record the time. Therefore, we
recommend you install the Dylos Logger software from the CD that comes with the sensor onto
a computer running the Windows operating system before collecting data with the DC1100. The
Dylos Logger software can also be downloaded from the Dylos Corporation's web site at
http://www.dvlosproducts.com/downloads.html. The procedures for Dylos DC1100 data
collection and retrieval assumes that you have already installed the software.
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Procedure: Install Software from CD
1. Insert the CD, double click
'AutoPlay', and click 'Open
folder to view files'.
AutoPlay
(H) I S3
. 4 DVD/CD-RW Drive (D:)
DylosLogger 1.6
General options
(Open folder to view files
using Windows Explorer
View mere AutcPlav options in Control Panel
Organize T Close session Eject
Hams
..-;" Favorites
• Desktop
$ Downloads
•^ Recent Places
2. Double click 'Dylosl_ogger1.6'
(Windows Installer file type). -*Libraries
;*• Computer
£, Windows (CO
O DVD/CD-RW Drive (I
_ KINGSTON (E:)
i- Network
Date modified Type
1/16/2012 5:48 PM Adobe Acrobat D,..
11/12/201112:05 ... Windows installer...
3. Click 'Next' on the installation
wizard welcome screen to
proceed with setup.
jJJ) Dylos Logger 1.6
Welcome to the Dylos Logger 1.6 Setup
Wizard
The installer will guide you through the steps required to install Dylos Logger 1.6 on your
computer.
Click "Newt" to continue.
WARNING: This computer program is protected by copyright law and international treaties.
Unauthorized duplication or distribution of this program, or any portion of it, may result in severe
civil or criminal penalties, and will be prosecuted to the maximum extent possible under the law.
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4. Click 'Browse', select the path
and folder where the software
should be installed, and then
click 'Next'.
5. When the download is
complete, click 'Next' on the
'Confirm Installation' screen.
jgl Dylos Logger 1.6
Select Installation Folder
The installer will in Jail D.','!o? Logger 1.6 in the following folder.
To install in this folder, click "Next". To install to a different n
below or click "Browse".
;tstmg folder, enter o
Folder: | CAProgram Rles\Dylos LoggerV
You can install fhe software on I he following drives:
Volume
SC:
Disk Sizi
70Gi
jgJ Dyios Logger 1.6
Confirm Installation
The installer is ready to install Dylos Logger 1.6 on your computer.
Click "Next" to start the installation.
6. Click 'Close' when finished to
exit the installation process.
Installation Complete
Dylos Logger 1.6 has been sucessfully installed.
Click "Close" to exit.
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Verifying Proper Operation
Before collecting data, make sure your DC1100 is set up and operating properly. This procedure
begins a brief period of data collection to ensure the device is working.
Procedure: Verify Proper Operation
1. Press the power button to turn on the device. The startup screens shown in Figures 2
and 3 will display for a few seconds before the sampling screen appears (Figure 4) and
the unit begins taking measurements.
2. Open the Dylos Logger software by double clicking the desktop
shortcut (Figure 5).
3. In the 'Port' drop-down menu shown in Figure 6, select the
communications port connecting the device to the computer.
4. Select 'Continuous' in the 'Stop After' drop-down menu (Figure
6).
5. Press the 'Record' button ( 9) (Figure 6) and allow the device to
record for at least 1 minute to verify proper operation. When data
are being recorded, a line will be updated each minute in the Data
Display field shown in Figure 6. The unit is ready for use.
6. Press the Record button a second time to end the recording.
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Communications
port selection
Data
display field
[./. te 'A, ts |f.'. iSs ifa W 0»pl»Poio4 ll
3
1 06
I
|02-
00 -
02
00
Figure 6
MO/2012 »13fW
Routine Data Collection
After verification of proper setup, initiate Dylos DC1100 data collection using the following
procedure. The DC1100 can acquire data for 30 days, but weekly data retrieval is
recommended to ensure that the device is working properly and that no data are lost.
Procedure: Collect Data
1. Use the Browse button (&) to choose a path and file name where you want the data
to be saved, as shown in Figure 7. It is recommended that the file name include the
current date and time of collection for ease of identification. Data will be saved as a text
file (*.txt) in the specified folder.
2. Press the Record button ((I) (Figure 7) to begin continuous monitoring.
3. Press the Record button again to stop monitoring when data collection is complete.
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4. Turn off the Dylos DC1100 by pressing the power button once.
H Dylo; loggtf
D J
[C\U««\£EO Hom\OacuwHt\Ot*>> LogiXOyloiLogM
PartctetPer •• CubcFool C Cut* Fool/ll BfOWSG
Button
Processing Data
The Dylos DC1100 records date, time, and small and large
particle counts in particles per cubic foot (ft3) in a text file
(*.txt). In this text file (Figure 8), the values for each
measured property (e.g., date, time, etc.) are separated, or
'delimited', by commas. Most spreadsheet programs are able
to read data from a text file in a delimited format. To process
the collected data, you will need to transfer the text file
created by the Dylos Logger software to spreadsheet
software such as Microsoft Excel. Microsoft Excel 2013 is
used in this procedure to illustrate the data transfer, but the
relative locations of import options are similar in versions of
Microsoft Excel dating back to 2003.
Procedure: Process Data
Figure 7
J DylosLogll-19-13.txt - Notepad a 1 S ||»O3
File Edit Format View Help
Dylos Logger v 1.6.0.0
unit: DC1100
Date/Time: 10/28/13 10:35
Particles per cubic foot
Date/Time, small, Large
10/28/13
10/28/13
10/28/13
10/28/13
10/28/13
10/28/13
10/28/13
10/28/13
10/28/13
10/28/13
10:35 61600,
10:36
10:37
10:38
10:39
10:40
10:41
10:42
10:43
10:44
61400,
58900,
57200,
57400,
59600,
58800,
55100,
57900,
56500,
1300
BOO
900
500
800
1000
800
500
500
500
SUMMARY
particles per cubic foot
Number of samples : 10
small Particles
LOW
Hi
Avg
Large
LOW
Hi
Avg
55100
61600
58440.0
Particles
500
1300
760.0
1. Open a new Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and select
Data > From Text ([1] > [2] in Figure 9) on the 'Get External Data' tab. The first of three
Text Import Wizard windows will open in a pop-up box.
2. Under 'Original data type', select 'Delimited' [3], and then click 'Next' [4] to proceed.
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H *5-
I HOME INSERT PAGE LAYOUT FORMULAS DATA REVIEW VIEW DEVELOPER
[^ From Access [~~<^ g^_ ft, ® Connections ^[zTTl ^^ T Clear ^J^ [F Flash Fill !-<»Consolidate
Get External D^ta
fffl T*
zl. "ion Filter _
Ly -,
[@ From Web '""^ [§ Properties Ts Reap ply |*| Remove Duplicates !l? What-If Analysis-
From Other Existing Refresh I- ^ort Filter Textto Group Ungroup
Ln From Text Sources - Connections All ~ !«*Edit Links V Advanced Columns ^>Data Validation * OQ Relationships
Figures
Text Import Wizard- Step 1 of 3
The Text Wizard has determined that your data is Delimited,
If this is correct, choose Next, or choose the data type that best descr bes your data.
Or ginal data type
Choose the file type that best describes your data:
a Delimited - Characters such as commas or tabs separate each field,
Fixed width - Fields are aligned in columns with spaces between each field.
| ^ |] S3 |
Start import at row: |l
File origin: 437 : OEM United States
O My data has headers,
Preview of file E:\Sensor Data Turn In\PM\12-2\DylosLogl203.txt.
2_3ylaa Logger v l.S-0-0
Init: DC1100
Dace/Time: 11/27/13 14:42
3. In step 2 of the Wizard (Figure 10), check the 'Comma' box to indicate the type of
delimiter, and then click 'Finish'.
Text Import Wizard - Step 2 of 3
This screen lets you set the delimiters your data contains. You can see how your text is affected in the
preview below,
[H Treat consecutive delimiters as one
Text ciualifier: ' T I
Data preview
}ylQ3 Lcgger v 1.6.0,0
Jnit: 3C11QQ
5ate/Time: 11/27/13 14:42
Figure 10
Cancel < Sack
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4. In the 'Import Data' pop-up window
(Figure 11), select 'Existing
worksheet' and click the button on
the right to navigate to the folder
containing the text file specified at the
start of data collection.
5. Press 'OK' to display the data in
columns in the Microsoft Excel
spreadsheet, as shown in Figure 12.
Import Data
EE H *3 c* • s
1 HOME INSERT PAGE LAYOUT FORMULAS 01
p, * Calibn -111 -
t— ' Eg -
P*^ B
Clipboard ^
i u , m , & ,
Font
A' A" = = = &/~
li Aligr
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£
A B
2 Dylos Logger v 1.6.0.0
3 Unit: DC1100
4 Date/Time: ]
0/28/13 10:35
6 Particles per cubic foot
7
C D E
3 Date/Time Small Large
9 10/28/201310:35 61600 1300
10 10/23/201310:36 61400 300
11 10/23/201310:37 58900 900
12 10/28/201310:38 57200 500
13 10/23/2013 10:39 57400 BOO
14 10/28/2013 10:40 5960C
1000
15 10/23/201310:41 5SSOO 300
16 10/23/201310:42 55100 500
17 10/28/201310:43 57900 500
18 10/23/2013 10:44 56500 500
19
21 SUMMARY
22 Particles per cubic foot
24 Number of s
25
26 Small Partial
amples : 10
ss
1 '
28 Low : 55100
29 Hi : 61600
30 Avg: 53440.0
31
32 Large Particles
33
34 Low: 500
35 Hi : 1300
36 Avg: 760.0
37
Select how you want to view this data in your workbook.
H ® Table
|g] PivotTable Report
Irj PivotChart
Only Create Connection
iut the data?
i Existing worksheet:
••
i _"' New worksheet
Add this data to the Data Model
OK
Cancel
Figure 11
< > ... Dylosll-22-13
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For Additional Help
Dylos Logger software, v. 1.6, Dylos Corporation, http://www.dylosproducts.com/downloads.
html, last accessed May 13, 2015.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Particulate Matter (PM), http://www.epa.gov/airquality/
particlepollution/index.html, last accessed May 13, 2015.
User Manual: DC1100 Air Quality Monitor, 2012., Dylos Corporation, 2900 Adams Street, C37,
Riverside, CA.
The purpose of this document is to provide general operating guidelines, and
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not assume any liability
regarding any aspect of its use. Reference herein to any specific commercial
products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or
otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement,
recommendation, or favoring by EPA. The views and opinions of authors
expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of EPA and shall not
be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. EPA assumes no
liability associated with any errors in the suggested procedures, errors
potentially made by the instrument in question, user misuse of the instruments
or data collected, or costs due to any damage the instrument might experience
under any circumstance or use. This user guide is specific to the make/model
and version number of the instrument identified in the document and is not
generalizable to any other sensor. The users should understand that they
should develop operating guidelines specific to their own research needs, and
any general document of this nature would be limited in meeting their full need.
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&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
PRESORTED STANDARD
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
EPA
PERMIT NO. G-35
Office of Research and Development (8101R)
Washington, DC 20460
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use
$300
Recycled/Recyclable Printed on paper that contains a minimum of
50% postconsumer fiber content processed chlorine free
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