Troubleshooting Photo Catalytic Air Purification for Home and Office

Trouble Shooting Questions  1. "Catalytic PURE AIR" Air Purifier will not turn on. A. Make sure the receptacle the air purifier is pugged into has power. Check the receptacle with another appliance, such as a lamp or clock radio. B. Check the top and front of the grills for proper installation. They must be COMPLETELY snapped into position or the air purifier will not operate. The top grill MUST be installed with the ultraviolet reflector facing forward. 2. "Catalytic PURE AIR" Air Purifier ultraviolet lamp is not turning on, but all other functions are working properly. A. Check the ultraviolet lamp for proper position. Remove the top Grill by pressing in the 2 locking tabs and lifting upward. The lamp should be locked into position between the 2 female receptacles. To check, rotate the lamp 1/4 turn and remove. Reverse the process making sure the top grill is completely inserted. Reapply power. B. With the lamp removed visually check the coil heaters located at both ends of the ultraviolet lamp. If either of the heater wires are broken or appear to be not connected replace the lamp. 3. Ultraviolet lamp is flickering, but will not start. A. Replace the starter located in the ultraviolet chamber. First remove the ultraviolet bulb as described above and then remove the starter by turning counter clockwise 1/4 turn. Install new starter by reversing the above process. 4. Chemical sensor is continually in yellow or red zone. A. Remove source of air pollution. Keep in mind that household cleaners, paint and paint solvents, high concentrations of cigarette smoke, fingernail polish remover, hair spray, automobile exhaust, are but a few chemicals that will keep the sensor indicator in the upper limits. 5. After replacing the filters and ultraviolet lamp, the service now red indicator lights remain on. A. Reset the microprocessor by inserting a small pin or the straightened end of a paper clip into the 2 small holes marked "Reset" directly beneath the lamp and filter indicating lights. 6. The airflow exiting the "Catalytic PURE AIR" Air Purifier has decreased significantly and the filter green"OK" lights on. A. The filter media has become clogged prematurely due to an environment that contains a very high level of particle pollution. Replace the filter and reset the filter timer to zero. The microprocessor that controls the replacement lights operates on a 24-month timer for the filter circuit and should be "reset" every time an expendable component is replaced. Please note the micro processor keeps and stores time only when the unit is in operation. 7. The red UV replacement light is on, but the ultraviolet light appears to be operating correctly. A.The ultraviolet lamp is rate for continual use of one year. After that time the bulb will continue to operate, but the germ and bacteria killing ultraviolet radiation has diminished to a point where it is no longer effective. Replace the component and "reset the microprocessor time. Please note the microprocessor keeps and store time only when the unit is in operation. 8. How much noise does the Catalytic PURE AIR air purifier make? A. The impeller motor is very quiet. Most noise from the unit is created by the air being drawn through the hepa filter which is 0.3 microns. Due to the low micron size, which provides excellent filtration, some noise is heard. Even with the filters in place the sound level of the unit is appx. 65 decibels. This low noise level is the same as a common household appliance like a refrigerator. Also please note that when a unit is first installed, the automatic sensors will detect an unclean environment and work at a higher level to purify the environment. As the air becomes cleaner, the air purifier will work at a lower level an be quieter. Also please note when a unit is first installed it will work hard to purify the air so many larger particles will be captured by the carbon prefilter. A simple inspection by removing the front grill will observe the outer surface of the black material of the carbon filter turning gray. This gray matter may be lightly vacuumed off increase the efficiency of the air purifier. When desiging and producing the Catalytic PURE AIR air purifier, we wanted to offer the the best possible air purifier available. We discussed often the issue of noise with regards to the trade off of the air purifier's performance. Our decision was to accept the noise levels so not compromise basic performance. We have done readings on the following household appliances for reference: Dishwashers: 40 to 60 dBA Room Air Conditioners: 40 - 60 dBA Refrigerators: 40 to 50 dBA The Catalytic PURE AIR purifier is in appx. this range. During the day, most persons find the Catalytic PURE AIR purifier just another background noise. We understand that some people may find it difficult to sleep with during the night when first using the Catalytic PURE AIR unit, but eventually get used to the sound. Some customers have reported that the sound is soothing during sleep. Another option is to turn off the unit while sleeping. In a room of 23 sq. meters, the air is exchanged six times per hour @ 24 hours per day = 144 times per 24 hours per day at 265 cfm. However, if the unit is turned off during sleep for 8 hrs. per day the air is still exchanged 96 times per day to provide the necessary air quality. We understand that the Catalytic PURE AIR purifier may have noticeable noise levels when first introduced to the customer, but the engineering group did not want to sacrifice quality (air exchange) of the unit with reference to noise levels. 9. Can the filters be cleaned? Yes , but only the 5 micron pre-filter. Catalytic PURE AIR recommends simply vacuuming off the excess material collected on the front of the green pre-filter approximately every six months. The second stage hepa filter cannot be cleaned and both filters must be replaced when the control panel indicates replacement. 10. My control panel indicated the ultraviolet lamp must be replaced, but I can see it in operation. Is it absolutely necessary to replace the lamp? Yes, even though the ultraviolet lamp is operating, it has diminished ultra violet output. To keep the system killing germs and bacteria effectively, the ultraviolet lamp must be replaced once a year or the equivalent elapsed time of the one year.       11. I have some confusion how to set the air purifier for the correct room size? If you have purchased the QA-20 air Purifier because you seriously suffer allergic reactions from particulate matter (pollen, dust mites, animal dander, etc.) use the "heavy duty" chart. If you purchased the unit because the outdoor environment in the area you live in is unhealthy from time to time, or you suffer mild allergies occasionally, use the light duty chart. To obtain the room size the purifier is to serve, multiply the length by width and match the sum to the closest square feet or sq. meters listed on the chart for your particular needs. Please see chart below.                                 12. What are the Operating Modes? SUPER MODE: This mode may be selected during periods of high air pollution. For example: high winds which increase airborne dust and pollen. Heavy room loading, such as parties and heavy smoking. Super-mode operation will increase blower speed approximately 25 percent above the auto mode. AUTO MODE: This mode is the most commonly used. In this mode the electronic sensor combines with the real time chemical sensor with the blower speed. If the chemical sensor detects unhealthful amount chemicals present in the air (indicated by the red light on the quality scale), the electronic controls will automatically speed the blower up to the next setting. SLEEP MODE: This mode reduces the sound level by reducing blower speed by 30% while still purifying room air at 70 % of normal while the occupants sleep. ECONOMY MODE: This mode saves energy cost during hours when the room is unoccupied. When people are moving in the room, operation is the same as that in the Auto mode. when no motion has been detected in the room for 30 seconds,blower speed is reduced by 35% to save electricity costs. The blower returns to normal speed when motion is again detected in the room. 13. I notice a slight odor when I am close to my new air purifier. You will notice a slight odor exiting from the air purifier when it is very new or you have recently replaced the filter package. This odor will only be present for a couple of days and come from accumulated moisture in the gas absorbing carbon, potassium permanganate and zeolite layers of the filter pack. 14. I have removed either the top or front grill to examine my new Catalytic PURE AIR air purifier, and now the unit will not turn on. What is wrong with the unit? Both the top and front grill have safety interlocks that will turn the unit off if removed when in operation. If either grill isn't properly reinstalled the unit will not operate. Make sure the top grill is completely snapped into place and the front grill is completely secured at the bottom.   15. What removes the VOC's using the Catalytic PURE AIR air purifier? Carbon filtration and the catalytic converter both function to treat VOC's. -Carbon "adsorbs" VOC's to treat them. Carbon is located in the carbon filter as well as on the back side of the hepa filter. - If the VOC's bypass the carbon filters because the carbon media has been saturated by "adsorbing" VOC's and other contaminants, the catalytic converter with the UV light will burn up the VOC's and convert them into water and carbon dioxide. This is a very important selling point because other air purifiers do not have a catalytic converter so once the carbon and or hepa filters are saturated or bypassed, the VOC's and other contaminants are released into the air. This will not happen with the Catalytic PURE AIR air purifier. 16. The UV lamp can be seen through the top of the grill. Is this harmful or dangerous? Testing has been done on the UV radiance from the UV lamp coming through the grill and is has been determined not to be harmful. The slanted air channel grill top plate of the unit and the positioning of the UV aluminum lamp cover have been designed so the no harmful UV light is emitted from the unit. The blue color seen is the glow from the UV lamp and not harmful UV light. Testing for UV emotions by an EPA registered laboratory was conducted as follows on the Catalytic PURE AIR Air Purifier Model No.QA-20. Measurements were made using a UVP Radiometer, Model Number UVX 25, S/ N E025702, calibrated by UVP. The radiometer was zeroed and the room light measured and had a reading of 0.0. Measurements were made directly on top of the exhaust grill facing the interior of the unit. The measurements were made on the left side, middle and right side. Each area was measured three times, one near the back, one in the middle and one in the front. The grill was also scanned and the highest reading and location recorded. The results are below.: Reading, µwatts/ cm2 Location Rear Middle Front Measured on grill surface: Left 0.0 0.0 0.0 Middle 0.0 0.0 0.0 Right 0.0 0.0 0.0 Highest Reading: 0.0 17. How are "negative ions" generated from the Catalytic PURE AIR unit? The 6 watt ultraviolet lamp generates 254 nm wavelengths which excites passing 02 (Oxygen) molecules. The excited molecules divide into individual oxygen atoms with an electrical potential of one electron on the outer electron shell giving the atom a negative charge and are classified as anions. The marketing term of "negative ions" is referencing this activity in the air treatment process. These anions are not the same as ozone molecules although some small degree of ozone is produced by the germicidal lamp. Ozone is a strong oxidizing agent and is generated by sending high voltage electrical discharge through the air, like a lightning storm. The application of these types of ozone generators as portable residential treatment devices has drawn attention of the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) because of levels exceeding the 0.01 ppm regulation limit of ozone for inhabited areas.     18. How does the UV lamp kill bacteria and other diseases? Testing by an EPA registered laboratory was conducted as follows on the Catalytic PURE AIR Air Purifier Model No.QA-20 for bacteria kill capabilities for the UV lamp. Measurement of ultraviolet output the 254 nm wave length at a distance of (1) inch from the lamp indicated an average output of 11,700 microwatts per centimeter sq. The energy required to kill most disease causing viruses and bacteria is approximately 6,000 to 8,000 microwatts of UV light. Calculation determined by: 1) Tested at 3 locations. 2) Test height 1.0 inch from the lamp surface. 3) Test equipment: calibrated UVX digital Radiometer, model #97-0015-02 uses 254 nm sensor. Instrument range: 0.1 µW/ cm2 to 20 µW/ cm2 . Precision traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. (NIST)   19. How does the chemical sensor work? The sensor operates on the principle of photoionization . This sensor is not sensitive to oxygen, nitrogen or carbon dioxide. Non-harmful compounds commonly found in air. It is sensitive to carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, exhaust fumes, hydrocarbons, alcohols, gasses such as methane or propane, high particle counts and odors which are caused by chemical or particles. Keep in mind the nose is very sensitive and can detect some chemicals and odors as low as 1 part per billion. The level of sensitivity varies somewhat from one compound to another, however the second green light will turn on at about (0.5) parts per million. The red light will turn on at about (1.0) parts per million. The sensor has a heated electrical element inside and causes chemical or particles in the air to ionize. This changes the electrical resistance of the sensor, resulting in an increase in analog voltage output. The microprocessor reads the voltage fluctuation and determines the level chemical activity. The higher the level of chemicals or particles, the higher the voltage output. 20. How does the UV lamp indicator work? The UV lamp indicator is on a microprocessor that expires after 8,000 hrs. of operation. At 8,000 hrs the indicator turns yellow. After 9,000 hrs., the indicator turns red. Reset the microprocessor by inserting a small pin or the straightened end of a paper clip into the 2 small holes marked "Reset" directly beneath the lamp and filter indicating lights. Indicator lights on the Service Panel tell you if either the ultraviolet lamp, or the air filters, will soon need to be replaced, or if they must be replaced before using the Purifier again. UV Lamp Indicator Lights The ultraviolet lamp has a useful life of one year (9,000 hours) with a one-month grace period. Green light is On ­ The lamp has been in service for less than 12 months. Yellow SERVICE SOON light is On ­ The lamp has been in service for more than 12 months. It's time to order a new lamp. Red SERVICE NOW light is On ­ The lamp has been in service for more than 13 months. The lamp may not be effective and must be replaced.             21. How does the filter indicator work? The filter indicator lights are also on a microprocessor that expires after 16,000 hrs. of operation. At 15,000 hrs the indicator turns yellow. After 16,000 hrs., the indicator turns red. Reset the microprocessor by inserting a small pin or the straightened end of a paper clip into the 2 small holes marked "Reset" directly beneath the lamp and filter indicating lights. Filter Indicator Lights The filters have a useful life of two years in a typical residential environment. The three Filter lights on the Service Panel mean: Green light is On ­ The filters have been in service for less than 24 months. Yellow SERVICE SOON light is On ­ The filters have been in service for more than 24 months. It's time to order new filter package. Red SERVICE NOW light is On ­ The filters have been in service for more than 25 months. The filters may not be effective and must be replaced.   22. Where is the second gas absorption layer on the second stage? The second gas adsorbtion layer is on the back side of the hepa (2nd) filter. It contains carbon and potassium permanganate. The illustration is slightly different, but it was the best way to show where the second gas adsorbtion layer is.   23. What is the infared motion detector and how does it work? While the air purifeir is in the economy mode, if the infrared sensor senses any activity in the room, the fan speed is increased. The logic is if there is motion in the room dust and airborne particles are stirred and raised into the breathing zone, therefore a higher fan speed is beneficial. After a short time, if no additional motion is sensed, the fan speed is automatically reduced. 24. Is the QA-20 the only model of the air purifiers? Currently, we only offer the QA-20. However, currently we are developing a wall mount unit and a unit designed to be installed in central air conditioning and heating systems. 25. What do the symbols to the right of the motion detector represent? The symbols from top to bottom represent the following: Tree = Pollen and Allergies Broom = Dust Car = Carbon Monoxide Small Dots = Microorganisms, Airborne Pollution & Gasses Cigarette = Cigarette Smoke For other questions, please e-mail us at: sales@8usa8.com. 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