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Question
Answer
The PM-10 inlet should be cleaned every time the TEOM filter is changed, or as necessary. To clean the unit you will need an ammonia-based general purpose cleaner, cotton swabs, a small soft-bristle brush, paper towels, distilled water, silicone-based stopcock grease, a small screwdriver, a small adjustable wrench and a pocket knife. Follow these steps:
- Remove rain jar from the inlet and the inlet from the sample tube. Unscrew the top acceleration assembly from the lower collector assembly.
- Mark the top plate deflector cone and lower plate with a pencil to facilitate proper orientation when reassembling, then use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four pan head screws from the top of the top plate. Lift the top plate off the four threaded, spacer standoffs and set aside.
- Clean the insect screen (with brush or water) then dry.
- Using a general-purpose cleaner and paper towel, clean the deflector cone on the inside of the top plate.
- Clean the internal wall surface of the acceleration assembly. Ensure the acceleration nozzle is clean. If not, use a cotton swab and cleaner to remove any contamination.
- Inspect the large diameter, impactor nozzle O-ring for damage or wear. Replace it, if necessary. Apply a thin film of silicone grease to the O-ring. Also, apply a light coating of silicone grease to the aluminum threads of the upper acceleration assembly.
- Using a general-purpose cleaner with a paper towel, clean the collector assembly walls and plate.
- Clean the three vent tubes. You may need to use a cotton swab to clean these vent tubes.
- Clean the weep hole in the collector plate where the moisture runs out to the moisture trap.
- Clean the lower collector assembly’s threads to ensure a tight seal when the two halves are reassembled.
- Clean the bottom side of the collector assembly. Inspect the two inlet tube-sealing O-rings for damage or wear. If necessary, replace the O-rings.
- Apply a light coating of silicone grease to the O-rings to ensure that a seal is made when they are reinstalled on the flow splitter.
- Clean the rain jar. Inspect the rain jar cover’s brass nipple fitting to ensure that it is secure and free from blockages.
- Place a light coating of silicone grease on the gasket inside the cap of the rain jar. This will ensure a leak-free fit. Reinstall the rain jar.
- Reassemble the top and bottom inlet assemblies until the threads tighten. Hand-tighten only.14. Place a light coating of silicone grease on the gasket inside the cap of the rain jar. This will ensure a leak-free fit. Reinstall the rain jar.
- Reinstall the insect screen and align the top plate markings with the lower plate markings. Install the top plate onto the lower plate and tighten the four pan-head screws.
- Place the inlet on the flow splitter. Take care not to damage the internal O-rings.
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