1、 What isHandheld dust particle counter？

Handheld dust particle counter is a portable, high-precision instrument used for real-time detection of the number and particle size distribution of suspended particles (dust particles) in the air. It is widely used in clean rooms, laboratories, hospitals, electronic manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food processing and other places with strict requirements for air cleanliness.

It can quickly detect and display the number of suspended particles (usually expressed as particles per cubic foot or cubic meter) within a specified particle size range (such as 0.3 μ m, 0.5 μ m, 1.0 μ m, 2.5 μ m, 5.0 μ m, 10 μ m, etc.), and is an important tool for evaluating air cleanliness levels, environmental control effectiveness, and product quality risks.

2、 The main use of handheld dust particle counter

Application field	main purpose
Cleanroom management​	Monitor the air cleanliness of clean rooms and clean workbenches to ensure compliance with standards such as ISO 14644, GB 50073, FDA, GMP, etc
Pharmaceutical and Medical​	Check for particle contamination in production workshops, sterile rooms, operating rooms, and laboratories to ensure a sterile environment
Electronics and Semiconductors​	Detect particles in the manufacturing environment of chips and circuit boards to avoid product short circuits and failures
Food and cosmetics​	Assess the hygiene status of the production environment and prevent foreign object contamination
Research and Quality Inspection​	Used for scientific research experiments such as environmental monitoring, particulate matter analysis, and filtration efficiency testing
HVAC system testing​	Check the ventilation system and filter performance, evaluate indoor air quality

3、 Core parameters of handheld dust particle counter

parameter	Instructions
Detecting particle size channel​	Common: 0.3 μ m, 0.5 μ m, 1.0 μ m, 2.5 μ m, 5.0 μ m, 10 μ m (the number of channels varies for different models)
measurement range​	Generally ranging from 0 to 300000 per cubic foot (or 0 to 10 million per cubic meter)
traffic​	Common: 2.83L/min (0.1CFM), 28.3L/min (1CFM), etc. The larger the flow rate, the more the sampled air volume
sampling time​	Can be set, such as 10 seconds, 1 minute, 10 minutes, etc., and can also be continuously monitored
data storage​	Can store hundreds to thousands of detection records, supports USB, Wi Fi, Bluetooth export
display screen​	LCD or OLED screen, real-time display of particle size, cleanliness level, temperature and humidity (some models)
battery life​	Usually takes 4-10 hours, supports charging or battery replacement
Weight and volume​	Generally<1kg, compact and portable, suitable for on-site testing

4、 Instructions for using a handheld dust particle counter (operating steps)

The following is a typical operation process, which may vary slightly depending on different brands and models (such as Lighthouse, Particle Measuring Systems, TSI, Sujing, Hongrui, CLJ series, etc.). Please refer to the corresponding instructions.

✅ Step 1: Inspection and Preparation

1. Check the status of the instrument: whether the battery is sufficient, whether the sensor is clean, and whether the flow rate is normal.

2. Power on preheating (if required): Some devices are recommended to run stably for a few minutes after startup.

3. Choose particle size channel: Based on the detection standards or requirements, select the particle size to be monitored (such as 0.5 μ m, 5.0 μ m).

4. Set sampling parameters:

Sampling time (e.g. 1 minute)

Sampling flow rate (e.g. 28.3L/min)

Whether to record data and display cleanliness levels (such as ISOClass, FS209E)

✅ Step 2: Start detection

1. Enter measurement mode: Select "Count" or "Monitor" mode.

2. Align the sampling port with the area to be tested:

Generally, the sampling port is required to be 0.8-1.5 meters above the ground (in the human respiratory zone), away from air vents, personnel, and equipment outlets;

• Keep the sampling port perpendicular or at a reasonable angle to the airflow direction to avoid obstruction.

3. Press the "Start/Measure" button, and the instrument will start sampling and display in real-time:

• Number of particles of each size (e.g. 0.5 μ m: 120 per cubic foot)

• Total particle concentration

Cleanliness level (such as ISO Class 5, Class 10000, etc.)

After sampling is completed, view the data and save or print the report (supported by some models).

✅ Step 3: Data recording and analysis

1. Save data: Most devices support automatic storage and can view historical records.

2. Export data: Export to a computer via USB, SD card, Bluetooth, or Wi Fi to generate a report (Excel/PDF).

3. Analyze whether it meets the standards:

Compare cleanliness standards such as ISO14644, GB/T16292, FDA, GMP, FS209E, etc;

• Determine whether the requirements of Class100, Class1000, Class10000, and other levels have been met.

5、 Precautions for Handheld Dust Particle Counter

✅ 1. Environmental requirements for use

requirement	Instructions
ambient temperature​	Generally between 5 ° C and 40 ° C, avoid high temperature, high humidity, and strong electromagnetic interference environments
relative humidity​	Suggest ≤ 80% RH, excessive humidity may affect sensors or circuits
Avoid vibration and impact​	When using handheld, please handle with care to avoid falling or violent shaking
Avoid contaminating the sampling port​	Do not block or touch the sampling port with your hands or other objects to prevent contamination of the internal sensors

✅ 2. Sampling operation precautions

Precautions	Instructions
Sampling location selection​	Select representative locations such as cleanroom center, equipment surroundings, pedestrian pathways, etc
Avoid interfering with airflow​	Do not take samples at the air conditioning outlet, directly opposite the personnel breathing area, or directly blowing from the fan
Maintain a vertical or reasonable angle​	The sampling port should be perpendicular to the airflow direction as much as possible to obtain representative data
Avoid cross contamination​	When detecting different areas, if there is a significant difference in particle count, it is recommended to reset or replace the filter before retesting

✅ 3. Equipment maintenance and upkeep

maintenance item	Instructions
regular cleaning​	Clean the outer shell and sampling port with a soft brush or dust-free cloth to prevent dust from entering the interior
calibration​	Regularly conductedCalibration (recommended annually or according to standard requirements)To ensure detection accuracy, it can be carried out by manufacturers or measuring institutions
Traffic check​	Regularly confirm whether the sampling flow rate is accurate (such as 28.3L/min), as flow deviation can affect concentration calculation
Battery maintenance​	Avoid excessive discharge. When not in use for a long time, it should be fully charged and activated regularly
Filter/sensor protection​	Some devices have internal filters to prevent large particles from entering the sensor and require regular inspection

✅ 4. Data interpretation and standard comparison

The cleanliness level is often judged by a particle concentration of ≥ 0.5 μ m, such as:

Class100 (ISO5): ≤ 100 pieces/cubic foot (≥ 0.5 μ m)

•Class10,000(ISO7)：≤10, 000 per cubic foot

•Class100,000(ISO8)：≤100, 000 per cubic foot

Reference standards for different industries:

ISO14644-1: International Standard for Cleanrooms

GB/T16292/GB50073: Chinese Cleanroom Standards

FS209E (American standard): Old version cleanliness classification (gradually replaced by ISO)

GMP (Pharmaceutical), FDA, and EUGMP Annex1 have strict requirements for particle control

6、 Examples of common brands and models of handheld dust particle counters

7、 Summary: Key points for using handheld dust particle counters