CONDITION MONITORING

Portable Laser Particle Counter

Fluid analysis is a crucial component of any oil management program.
Early detection of potential problems can prevent costly repairs and
downtime. The Portable Laser Particle Counter (PLPC) is the most
complete way to measure the contamination level of your system.
Portable Laser Particle Counter
FLUID ANALYSIS IS A CRUCIAL COMPONENT OF ANY OIL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. EARLY DETECTION OF
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS CAN PREVENT COSTLY REPAIRS AND DOWNTIME. THE PORTABLE LASER PARTICLE
COUNTER (PLPC) IS THE MOST COMPLETE WAY TO MEASURE THE CONTAMINATION LEVEL OF YOUR
SYSTEM. WITH THE PLPC YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO MEASURE, ANALYZE AND DOCUMENT YOUR RESULTS
IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT THE NEED OF ANY ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT. THE PORTABLE LASER PARTICLE
COUNTER MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO DETECT THE ISO CLEANLINESS LEVELS OF THE HYDRAULIC MEDIA.

EACH PLPC INCLUDES: CHARACTERISTICS

The Portable Laser Particle Counter feature a twin laser system and eight
► 1x Portable laser particle counter channels for different particle sizes in order to guarantee high accuracy
► 1x 2m waste hose and repeatability. This compact unit is easy to handle for mobile and inline
► 1x 1,5 m pressure hose applications for systems with pressures up to 400 bar.
► 1x waste bottle
► 1x external power supply PORTABLE LASER PARTICLE COUNTER
including cable with European, UK The PLPC is a fully equipped portable laser particle counter. It features a
and USA plug adaptors complete QWERTY keyboard, an integrated thermal printer, an internal
► 1x usb cable (1m) rechargeable battery and a large LCD display.
► 1x software/manual CD
► 3 x thermal printer paper The unit has an internal data memory and is available with the included
Windows® based software package for reports and data downloads.

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Features
USER FRIENDLY, FAST AND EASY OPERATION
The integrated complete QWERTY keyboard, a large
LCD display and intuitive handling all lead to the
easy and quick operation of the PLPC. The optimized
flushing process of the PLPC is quick and effective, and
allows for continuously accurate measurements.

INTEGRATED PRINTER
The integrated printer in the PLPC supports print-outs
in the field, thus providing immediate documentation.
Every printout confirms date and time of your
measurement.

INDEPENDENT USE RECHARGEABLE BATTERY MODE

The integrated rechargeable battery of the PLPC allows
the use of on site measurements, even in the event where
access of an external power source is not available. The
measurements data is stored in the internal memory
of the unit and can be transferred to a computer when
required. The PLPC can run up to 100 tests before
recharging is required.

Option
Moisture results as relative humidity (RH%),
temperatures in °C.

USB CONNECTION FOR CONNECTING TO A PC/LAPTOP

The measures data can be downloaded onto any PC or
laptop computer via the USB connection. The PLPC software
supports an easy download for data processing of the
recorded measurements.
Several diagrams are available and are automatically
generated to offer a very clear arrangement of all data for
analyses. Data can also be easily exported to Microsoft Excel.

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Features & Options
The PLPC and its accessories are ISO 11171:1999
supplied in a light -weight rugged The PLPC is calibrated with ISO
industrial case. Medium Test Dust (MTD) based
on the ISO 11171:1999 calibration
This user friendly portable case is standard.
waterproof and resistant against all
common fluids. The Portable Laser Particle Counter
meets the new ISO 4406 cleanliness
TWO LASERS, 100% ACCURACY classification codes and provides
In the Portable Laser Particle results in the NAS 1638 and the SAE
Counter the fluid passes through 4059 codes.
the measuring cell and through a
laser beam. The light from the laser WORLDWIDE USAGE
is evaluated by a photo diode. The external power supply unit
provides most variable voltage
As the fluid passes through the ranges of 110...240 V AC. European,
laser beam the amount of light UK and US plug adapters ensure a
changes. These changes are directly worldwide applicability of the PLPC.
proportional to size of the particles,
and the total volume of particles. ALWAYS SECURE
In many other particles counters The PLPC offers the opportunity to
only part of the measuring cell is define different alarm levels. level). When set, an alarm indicator
lighted by the laser, thus only a part It is possible to configure two is given to external devices (e.g.
of the total amount of particles separate contamination alarm levels indicator light, offline-filter) if the
are registered, and the result is (e.g. clean alarm level and dirt alarm alarm level is reached.
projected.
In contrast, the measuring cell of
the PLPC is completely examined, Optical + Twin Laser unit
and all particles are registered.

LASER 1
A single point high accuracy laser Balanced
Reducing Low Speed
measures particles of contamination
Valve Servo Cylinder
at 4 μm (c) and 6 μm (c) giving
ultra accuracy with excellent
Oil input
repeatability.

LASER 2 Sampling
Chamber +
Standard accuracy laser specifically Photodiodes
designed for system contaminants Electrically
between 6 μm (c) and 68 μm (c). M Operated
Flush Valve

Additionally, the integrated booster

cylinder allows very precisely Oil output
dosage of the test fluids. This
ensures a very high accuracy with Operation process - Portable Laser Particle Counter

excellent repeatability.

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INTEGRATED CLOCK opened on demand and between tests as relative humidity in RH%) and also
An integrated rechargeable battery- by simply depressing the flushing indicates the current fluid temperature
operated clock provides the exact valve push button. The optimized (in °C).
date and time which are shown on design of the flush valve reduces
every printout. the rinsing process to the minimum Please note that the moisture /
In addition, every download of requirement, and ensures a quick temperature sensor is not compatible
measured data is marked with date restart of the next measurement. with Phosphate Ester (e.g. Skydrol)
and time as well. The precise time of and water Glycol fluids.
measurement is documented on all COMPATIBILITY Please contact your Distributor or
printouts and for all data stored. The PLPC units are compatible with all RMF Systems for details.
mineral and petroleum based fluids.
SOFTWARE UPDATES Phosphate ester (e.g. Skydrol) and BOTTLE SAMPLING UNIT
The USB interface ensures flexibility water glycol compatible unit is Highly aerated fluids may lead to
for future developments in terms of available upon request. Please contact inaccurate results.
calibration, evaluation and output. your Distributor or RMF Systems for Therefore a de-aeration facility has
Software updates can easily be details. been incorporated into the optional
installed onto the PLPC. bottle sampling unit. You will find
more information about bottle
HIGH SPEED FLUSH VALVE MOISTURE / TEMPERATURE sampling unit on page 8.
To ensure an accurate measurement SENSOR
is taken, the sensor must be cleaned The PLPC also offers the option
before each test. of adding an integral moisture/
The Portable Laser Particle Counter temperature sensor.
achieves this by means of an electric This sensor measures the moisture
operated flush valve. This valve can be content of the test fluids (displayed

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Technical specification
POWER SUPPLY
► Voltage range: 110 ... 240 V, AC 12 ... 24 V DC
► European, UK and US power plug adaptors
► Pressure range: 2 ... 400 bar
► Viscosity range up to 400 cSt

CALIBRATION
► ISO Medium Test Dust (MTD) acc. to ISO 11171:1999
► Analysis range: ISO 8-24, ISO 4406 Code, NAS 1638 Code 2-12, SAE AS 4059 Code 2-12

LASER SENSORS
► High accuracy laser: 4 ... 6 μm(c)
► Standard accuracy laser: 6 ... 68 μm(c)
► Measured channels: 4, 6, 14, 21, 25, 38, 50, 68 μm(c)
► The maximum concentration is ISO 4406 Code 24 (160.000 p/ml)

HOSE CONNECTIONS
► M16x2 Test Point

DATA OUTPUT
► Cumulative particle counts, as well as cleanliness classes acc. to ISO 4406 (1999) / SAE AS 4059 Rev.D (2001)
and ISO 4406 (1191) / NAS 1638 (1964)

DATA STORAGE
► 600 tests

FLUID COMPATIBILITY
► Mineral Oil, Petroleum based fluids
► Phosphate Ester and Water Glycol compatible devices on request (see ordering code)

COMPUTER INTERFACE
► USB communication port

EXTERNAL ALARM
► External alarm socket with switching outputs max. 24 V DC/AC, 1 A

SOFTWARE
► Downloading and storage of the data with included “RMF View” software.

WEIGHT
► Approx. 13 kg

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Dimensions

351 MM DC POWER INPUT USB

SOCKET CONNECTOR
550 MM
223 MM

WASTE HP CONNECTOR
CONNECTOR

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 Bottle Sampling Unit
IF A DIRECT PARTICLE COUNT ON YOUR SYSTEM IS NOT POSSIBLE, THE PLPC
BOTTLE SAMPLER UNIT ALLOWS YOU TO TAKE MEASUREMENT SAMPLES FOR
ANALYSIS AT A LATER TIME.

CONDITIONING THE

FEATURES DE-AERATION FACILITY

► Easy to use A highly aerated fluid may lead to

► De-aeration facility inaccurate results; therefore a de-

► Large sample volume aeration process has been incorporated

into the bottle sampling unit.

By evacuating the air from the sampling

chamber, aeration within the fluid is
removed , and the fluid is properly
conditioned prior to sampling.

The bottle sampler is compatible

Please note that the moisture /
with Mineral oil and Petroleum based
temperature sensor does not work in
fluids; a phosphate ester (e.g. Skydrol)
combination with bottle sampler unit.
compatible unit is available on request.
Please contact your Distributor or RMF
Systems.

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Moisture & Temperature Sensor
SATURATION LEVELS

Since the effects to free (also emulsified) water are Saturation Point

Water
Free
more harmful than those of dissolved water, water
100 %
levels should remain always well below the saturation
Emulsified
point.

However, even water in solutions can cause damage,

and therefore every reasonable effort should be made 75 %
to keep saturation levels as low as possible.

There is no such thing as too little water. As a guideline,

we recommend maintaining saturation levels below 50 %
50% in all equipment.

Different oils have different saturation levels, and %

saturation is the best and most practical measurement.
25 %

These results can be converted to ppm (part per

million), if the oil type saturation / temperature

Dissolved
characteristic is known.

Water
0%

WATER SATURATION LEVELS

FOR NEW OILS
600
EXAMPLE
500
Hydraulic oil @ 30 °C = 200ppm = 100% saturation
400 L Hydraulic oil @ 65 °C = 500ppm = 100% saturation
OI
LIC
Parts per million

AU
300 YDR
H
OIL
AR
GE
200
IL
EO
BIN
TUR
100

0
20 30 40 50 60 70

Temperature °C

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 code
Ordering Code
PORTABLE LASER PARTICLE COUNTER
PORTABLE LASER PARTICLE COUNTER

YOUR PLPC ORDERING CODE

TABLE 1 TABLE 2 TABLE 3 TABLE 4 TABLE 5

PLPC C

TABLE 1 - BASIC CONFIGURATION CODE

Portable Laser Particle Counter PLPC

TABLE 2 - SENSOR OPTIONS CODE

Moisture and temperature sensor option* W
No sensor option 0
* Only Suitable for Mineral / Synthetic fluids (see table 3)!

TABLE 3 - FLUID COMPATIBILITY CODE

Mineral / Synthetic fluid compatibility M
Offshore and selected water based fluids (Stainless steel with NBR seals)** N
Phosphate ester and aggressive fluids (Stainless steel with FPM seals)** S
** Not available with Moisture and Temperature sensor (see table 2)!

TABLE 4 - CASE OPTIONS CODE

Standard Unit in Yellow Case C

TABLE 5 - BOTTLE SAMPLING UNIT OPTIONS* CODE

Without bottle sampling unit 0
110 ml Bottle Sampling Unit A
500 ml Bottle Sampling Unit B
*For complete ordering code see ordering code Bottle Sampling Units

WARRANTY AND RECALIBRATION

The PLPC is guaranteed for 12 months from date of receipt and is recommended to be recalibrated every 12 months. Return to RMF
Systems for recalibration.

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CONTAMINATION MONITORING SENSOR (CMS) OIL QUALITY SENSOR (OQS)
The CMS In-line contamination monitor The Oil Quality Sensor puts you in control with real-time
automatically measures and displays particulate monitoring of contamination and water ingress. Expensive
contamination, moisture and temperature levels in oil changes are now based on oil condition, not on
various hydraulic fluids. It is designed specifically historical schedule.
to be mounted directly to systems, where ongoing
measurements or analysis required, and where OIL QUALITY DISPLAY (OQD)
space and costs are limited. The OQD is a simple device which allows you to read the
condition and temperature of the oil from the OQS
without a PC.

CONTAMINATION MONITORING CENTER (CMC) OQS SAMPLE CASE

RMF Systems contamination monitoring center OQS Sample Case is the world’s most advanced
combines technology to enable sampling on low portable oil testing kit that enables accurate condition
pressure hydraulic and lubrication systems where sample tests of any oil anywhere in seconds. From a
aeration can be an issue. The CMC suppresses the air small sample, advanced technology provides an instant
bubbles so they are no longer counted as particles. readout of the oil’s precise condition.
TS1005_EN_040121

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