MODEL 8127/8130 Automated Filter Testers

P R O D U C T
I N F O R M A T I O N
Model 8127/8130 Automated Filter Testers
T
he CERTITEST ® Model 8127 and 8130 Automated
Filter Testers from TSI Incorporated provide fast,
reliable filter-efficiency measurements. Both models
handle over five filters per minute, running complete
tests with very little effort on the part of the operator.
An onboard microprocessor calculates information
on filter penetration and resistance over a wide
range of filter flows. The processor also performs selfchecks
during operation. System-status information
and operator instructions are presented on an easy-toread,
240-character, touch-panel display. This greatly
reduces the
amount of training
needed to
run these testers
effectively. Simple
software
menus allow you
Continuously load and test
over five filters per minute
to change test parameters to accommodate special
testing and research requirements.
Fast response and simple operation make Models
8127 and 8130 suitable for production and qualitycontrol
testing applications. Additionally, these
testers:
• Employ simple, automated operating procedures
• Measure efficiencies to 99.999 percent, penetrations
to 0.001 percent
• Provide accurate readings of filter resistance and
flow rate
• Ensure reliability with self-check diagnostic tests
• Require no zero or span adjustments to the detector
• Produce hard-copy outputs
• Transfer data to a personal computer via an RS-232
output port
• Feature a pass-or-fail display option with parameters
defined by the user
• Produce test aerosol with a mass median diameter
near the most penetrating particle size
• Detect particles using dual, low-maintenance,
sheath-air photometers
• Offer an external control option for integration
into automated production lines
Except for their aerosol-generation capabilities,
these two filter testers are nearly identical. Model
8130 generates salt and oil test aerosols; the 8127 generates
oil aerosol only.

AEROSOL GENERATION
Depending upon the model, an atomized salt or
oil aerosol challenges the filter media during testing.
Both aerosols are inherently stable and, therefore, do
not require constant optical verification of particle
size.
The oil-aerosol generator found in both testers
produces a narrow size distribution without using heat
to condition the aerosol. The absence of heat means a
variety of oils may be used. This helps alleviate concerns
over potential health risks associated with
dioctyl phthalate (DOP). Recommended alternatives
are poly-alpha olefin (PAO) oil and paraffin oil.
The salt-aerosol generator found only in the
Model 8130 produces a narrowly distributed aerosol
for critical filter challenges at or near the most-penetrating
particle size. Because it produces both salt and
oil test aerosols, the 8130 allows users to perform the
tests necessary to meet new NIOSH regulations for
respirator testing.
OPERATION
The operator places a filter on the lower portion
of the filter holder and starts the test by pressing the
dual start buttons simultaneously. A pneumatic cylinder
quickly lowers the top section of the filter holder
into place, and the test begins. Aerosol travels from
the generator to the filter holder and down through
the filter. Two, solid-state, laser photometers enable
these filter testers to measure aerosol concentration
levels both upstream and downstream of the filter
under test. This eliminates the need for a lengthy
purge between samples.
Filter penetration is determined from the ratio of
the two aerosol concentration measurements. Highly
accurate, electronic pressure transducers determine filter
resistance and flow. Pressure-transducer and photometer
readings are taken between every test to determine
the zero offsets and background values. The
microprocessor compensates for these values automatically
when computing test results.
When the test is completed, the filter holder
opens automatically. Test data are displayed and output
to the printer, or routed to a serial port. If the
operator selected a specific pass level, the tester displays
a large PASS or FAIL message in addition to the
test data.
Clean air
supply
Heater
(8130 only)
Flow
control
valve
Pneumatic
cylinder
Filter holder
Test
filter
Pressure
transducer
Upstream
photometer
To Vacuum
To Vacuum
Aerosol
neutralizer
(Standard on
8130; optional
on 8127)
Mixing
manifold
Switching
valve
Pressure
transducer
Downstream
photometer
Flow
control
valve
Aerosol
generator
Flowmeter
Filter
Vacuum
pump
Exhaust

Laser
diode
Filter
Sheath air
Focusing optics
Sample inlet
To vacuum
Nozzle
Light stop
Photodetector
Collecting optics
Two photometers that use a sheath-air design provide concentration
measurements both upstream and downstream of the filter. (This is the
downstream photometer.)
RESPIRATOR LEAK TESTER
It’s possible to turn Models 8127 and 8130 into
fast, easy-to-use respirator testers. Our Model 8119
Respirator Leak Tester accessory kit allows you to perform
after-maintenance leak tests on full-face, airpurifying
respirators. A headform is included to hold
the respirator while you scan it with a hand-held
probe. The probe focuses the challenge aerosol at critical
areas like eye-lens seals and exhaust valves.
Should the aerosol concentration inside the mask
increase to a preset level during the scan, the tester
alerts you using audible and visible alarms.
The optional
Model 8119
Respirator Leak
Tester Kit attaches
easily to
Models 8127
and 8130.
SPECIFICATIONS
8127/8130
Challenge-aerosol generation
Oil (Models 8127 and 8130):*
Aerosols: PAO, DOP, DEHS, paraffin
Mass mean diameter: 0.33 µm
Count median diameter: 0.20 µm
Geometric standard deviation:

TO ORDER
Specify Description
8127 High-speed filter tester with oil-aerosol
generator only
8130 High-speed filter tester with salt- and
oil-aerosol generators
Please specify voltage requirements.
The CERTITEST line includes a complete family of
automated air filter and respirator testers. Ask your
TSI representative for additional information.
Accessories
Standard (included with tester)
• Filter holder for flat-sheet media
• Thermal printer
• Test media sheets
• Gravimetric filter holder
Optional
Specify Description
8119 Respirator Leak Tester kit (see description
and photograph on previous page)
8134-xx Custom filter holders (see examples in
photograph at top right)
8113-27 Neutralizer (optional for Model 8127)
80042 External control kit for robotics applications
1035497 Spare parts kit for Model 8127
1081840 Spare parts kit for Model 8130
TSI can design and build custom filter holders for a variety of filter elements.
Ask your TSI representative for a quotation.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Smith SD; Predicting the Response of Photometer-Based Filter
Testers to Submicron Challenge Aerosols; paper presented to the
American Filtration and Separations Society; Boston, Massachusetts,
USA; April 6-9, 1999. (TSI paper A103)
Johnson T and SD Smith; Correlation of Penetration Results
Between Filter Testers that Use Different Particle Generators
and Detection Methods; Proceedings of the 1998 Nonwovens
Conference, TAPPI; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; March 9-11,
1998. (TSI paper A104)
Johnson E, J Agarwal, and B Johnson; Two New Aerosol Generators
for Filter Testing; paper presented to the American Filtration
and Separations Society; Chicago, Illinois, USA; May 8-12,
1994. (TSI paper A87)
TSI Incorporated
Particle Instruments
P.O. Box 64394
St. Paul, MN 55164-0394
USA
Shipping address:
500 Cardigan Road
Shoreview, MN 55126-3996
USA
Toll Free: 1 800 677 2708
Tel: 651 490 2833
Fax: 651 490 3860
E-mail: particle@tsi.com
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TSI GmbH
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Tel: +49 241 523030
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P/N 1931214 Rev. B, Copyright © 2000 TSI Incorporated, Printed in U.S.A. (800)