FAQs

AIR XD is designed to allow infrequent pressure washing during maintenance schedules, but the inlet cap must be closed first.

Keep an appropriate distance between the pressure washer and the instrument, and do not direct the water jet at the underside of the instrument because water must not enter the air flow path.

Secure AIR XD to a suitable mounting surface using the integrated mounting brackets and mount it upright. The manual also recommends 100 mm inlet clearance.

The installer is responsible for selecting an appropriate location, considering power supply, external fuses, communications access, cable protection, and clear air entry and exit ports.

AIR XD measures airborne particulate concentration in real time. It can monitor PM1.0, PM2.5, PM4.25, PM10, custom PM sizes, and Total Suspended Particulates.

The manual states that AIR XD records particulates between 0.35 µm and 40 µm and classifies particles at up to 10,000 samples per second for real-time reporting.

When an AIR XD alarm triggers, the corresponding relay switches and an alarm message is displayed on screen. Alarm events are logged in the AIR XD event log.

If non-latching behaviour is selected, alarms clear when the condition clears but the event remains logged.

The Group I AIR XD manual covers intrinsically safe underground mining versions and includes IECEx, ATEX/IECEx, and MASC certification information, certificate codes, and special conditions of use.

It also defines intrinsically safe circuit parameters for connectors and states that hazardous-area USB connection is limited to the Trolex TX8805 AIR XD USB Drive.

AIR XD is intended for particulate monitoring across a range of applications and environments, including indoor and outdoor ambient air conditions. The manual states it can operate with both high and low particulate concentration levels up to the specified measurement capability.

It is designed as a low-maintenance instrument and does not use pumps or filters.

For AIR XD instruments connected to a DC power supply, the installer must ensure the DC supply meets reinforced insulation requirements of EN61010-1 or equivalent.

The General Purpose AIR XD manual lists +9 V to +36 V DC input; the Group I intrinsically safe manual lists a nominal 12 V, 500 mA supply with intrinsically safe parameters that must be observed.

For AIR XD, XD1+, XD ONE, and AIR XS, the manuals describe wiping inlet surfaces with a damp cloth and using canned compressed clean air for 10 to 15 seconds to clear the dust path.

Follow the exact product procedure and only carry out maintenance within the limits allowed for the device.

No. The Group I manual states that the USB connector on the base of the equipment shall only be connected to the Trolex TX8805 AIR XD USB Drive in the hazardous area.

USB drives with no power source, such as standard USB sticks, may be connected to the USB connector in the safe area for test purposes.

Yes. The AIR XD provides in and out RS485 terminals so multiple MODBUS devices can be daisy-chained.

Some network installations may require a termination resistor across RS485 lines A and B.

Navigate to Settings > Maintenance > Compliance Test. The instrument resets the memory module, prompts cleaning, asks the user to confirm the top cap is open, and then prompts fitting the particulate dispersion hood.

Dose the hood with reference material during the first 10 seconds of the test. The AIR XD then analyses the sample and returns a pass or fail result.

AIR XD provides two configurable 4 mA to 20 mA outputs. Each output can be assigned to a PM size or TSP, mapped to live or average data, scaled with a full-scale range, and enabled or disabled.

During startup, each analogue output performs a calibration sweep from 0 to 20 mA before returning to 4 mA and then to its configured function.

The AIR XD defaults include five channels, PM1.0, PM2.5, PM4.25, PM10 and TSP, average times of 15 minutes and 8 hours, display units in µg/m³, RS485 baud rate 115200, RS485/MODBUS enabled, alarms disabled, alarm latching enabled, and 4 mA to 20 mA outputs mapped to average data.

On-site configuration can be performed from the on-device interface and supported software.

AIR XD has two configurable alarms. Each alarm can be assigned to one of the configured PM sizes or TSP, and to a data source such as live readings or a configured average.

The alarm also requires a threshold and latching or non-latching behaviour.

AIR XD supports RS485 MODBUS RTU and Ethernet MODBUS TCP/IP. The General Purpose manual also describes Ethernet MODBUS TCP/IP secured by TLS 1.2.

Each protocol requires the instrument and network parameters to be configured correctly before integration.

AIR XD Ethernet settings include assignment type, static IP address, subnet mask, gateway, primary DNS, and secondary DNS.

MODBUS TCP/IP communicates over port 502, and DHCP operation requires a DHCP server on the network.

During the compliance audit procedure, AIR XD exports specific TRX files for the logged test period only. These files use a QA prefix so they can be identified separately from normal operational data logging files.

The files can be imported into Trolex Breathe software for analysis if required.

The AIR XD manual lists a PM measurement range of 0.35 µm to 40 µm over 24 bins. The TSP range is up to 40 µm, displayed in mg/m³ or µg/m³.

The instrument also includes an extended indicative TSP range and a stated PM measurement capability in the technical section.

AIR XD settings are passcode protected by default. The default passcode is 1234.

The passcode can be changed through the System menu, and passcode protection can also be disabled or re-enabled using the on-screen menus.

The factory default AIR XD channel set is PM1.0, PM2.5, PM4.25, PM10, and TSP.

Custom PM values can be configured and mapped to channels from the PM settings menu.

For AIR XD instruments connected to an AC power supply, the installer must ensure the instrument is protected by an external fuse or circuit breaker rated at a maximum of 5 A and that the instrument is externally earthed.

Follow the rating plate and wiring information in the manual for the installed model.

Fault 0x0009 means AIR XD failed to load and apply user-configured settings and default settings will be applied.

Re-apply the custom settings and check whether the unit saves and restores files. If that fails, contact Trolex or an approved distributor.

TSP means Total Suspended Particulates. Where supported, the instrument can report a wider suspended particulate reading in addition to selected PM size channels.

AIR XD and XD ONE explicitly include TSP reporting. XD1+ logs PM1.0, PM2.5, PM4.25 and PM10.0 for review, while AIR XS is focused on respirable crystalline silica rather than TSP.

Use the on-device menu path: Settings > Communications > RS485/MODBUS.

The baud rate can be selected from 4800, 9600, 14400, 19200, 38400, 57600, or 115200 baud, with 115200 as the default. The device address is user selectable between 001 and 255.

Use the alarm settings menu to select the alarm channel, threshold channel, threshold value, latching behaviour, and enabled state.

The manual lists threshold ranges of 1 to 9999 µg/m³ or 0.1 to 6553.5 mg/m³.

From the PM value readings screen, press the left arrow key to view the connection status screen.

The status screen lists the connection type, connection status, and instrument IP address.

Before making electrical connections, isolate power, confirm the supply voltage and frequency match the instrument rating plate, and ensure any required external switches or fuses are installed.

Run cables through the cable glands, wire them to the labelled terminals, tighten the glands to maintain the IP seal, and close and lock the door after use.

If the internal temperature may be below -10 °C, for example after being powered off in a very cold environment, allow the instrument to reach a safe operating temperature before applying power.

The manual warns that applying power while the optical assembly is below this condition may cause damage.

Fault 0x0304 indicates fan current too high, and 0x0305 indicates no fan current. Both point to possible particulate sampling fan malfunction.

Check that the instrument is operating within the rated temperature range. If the fault persists, use the support route in the manual.

Fault 0x0402 means communication to the memory module has failed and data logging functionality is lost.

Power cycle the instrument processor and retry. If the fault remains, contact Trolex or an approved distributor.

Fault 0x0301 means communication with the particulate sensor assembly has been lost.

Check the D-type connector to the sensor housing and power cycle the unit. If the issue remains unresolved, contact the support route specified in the manual.

Fault 0x0306 means the sensor laser current is high and the particulate sensor may have failed or be operating at excessive temperature. Check that the instrument is within its rated temperature range.

Fault 0x0307 means the sensor laser current is low and the sensor may have failed. The manual directs users to contact Trolex or an approved distributor.

Fault 0x0308 means the instrument is operating above specified temperature limits and has gone into safe mode.

Reduce the operating temperature below +50 °C before continuing.

The AIR XS manual is explicit that real-time monitoring is indicative and is not currently suitable for compliance monitoring or regulatory compliance for RCS. Other particulate manuals frame the devices as warning, monitoring, logging, and analysis tools that must be used within their stated limits.

Always align alarm thresholds, interpretation, and reporting with local legislation, site rules, and the applicable manual.

Real-time optical particulate instruments infer mass concentration from particle measurements and assumptions about the sampled material. The AIR XS manual states that mass concentration data from optical sensors should be treated as an indicator and may vary with particle type, test condition, and local environment.

The value is useful for showing changes in airborne particulate levels over time, but it should not be treated as a direct substitute for every regulatory or laboratory method unless the relevant manual and local compliance process allow it.

Yes. The AIR XD, XD1+, and XD ONE manuals state that readings will include atomised or misted sizes that pass through the sensor within the particle detection range.

When locating or operating a monitor near atomising dust suppression systems or moist spray, consider that the instrument may count those particles as part of the measured particulate environment.

For AIR XD, XD1+, and XD ONE, high dust loading is described as 10 mg/m³ or above, with an expected maintenance schedule of 1 to 3 months.

The manuals state that particulate type and operating environment vary, so this should be used as a guide rather than a fixed rule for every site.

For AIR XD, XD1+, and XD ONE, low dust loading up to 5 mg/m³ is associated with a 6 to 12 month maintenance schedule. Medium dust loading up to 10 mg/m³ is associated with a 3 to 6 month schedule.

These intervals are guidance and should be reviewed against actual site conditions.

The manuals note that particulate types and operating environments vary. AIR XD, XD1+, and XD ONE provide maintenance guidance based on average dust loading: low loading up to 5 mg/m³, medium loading up to 10 mg/m³, and high loading at 10 mg/m³ or above.

The schedules are guidance only; the site environment should be assessed periodically to set the appropriate routine.

Particle density is used when the instrument converts measured particulate information into a mass concentration value. AIR XD, XD1+, and XD ONE include a default particle density of 1.65 g/ml and allow the value to be configured for known particulates in the installation or operating environment.

Use the product configuration method described in the relevant manual when a site-specific density value is required.