Specifications

PCA

1.5 Operational Overview

The PCA

3 is powered by either its four internal batteries or by an

optional AC power adapter that operates from any convenient source of

100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz power. The type of batteries used can be either

disposable alkaline or rechargeable NiMH.

The PCA

3 is controlled by 11 front panel push buttons, while a color

graphic LCD (with automatic dimming feature) is used to display all

combustion and emission test data and analyzer parameters.

A probe and hose assembly, with an integral thermocouple and ﬁ lter/

water-trap connect to the bottom of the analyzer, thus providing the

means of drawing in gas samples, and for measuring stack temperature

and draft.

The PCA

3 is turned ON by pressing its red I/O button. A warm-up period

of 60 seconds then begins, during which time the analyzer performs self

diagnostics. At the end of the warm-up period, if no errors were detected

the instrument will display the Combustion Test HOLD screen. If errors

were detected, the message “ERRORS DETECTED” is displayed along

with a list of the errors. These errors must be corrected before proceeding

with the combustion test.

Before starting a test be sure to select the fuel being burned. The default

fuel selected is Natural Gas. Note that the name of the fuel being burned

is indicated at the top of the run/hold screen.

To assure correct combustion-efﬁ ciency calculations, the analyzer must

know the burner’s primary-air temperature. The analyzer normally uses

its internal temperature sensor for the primary-air temperature value, but

this method is only acceptable if the burner is using ambient room air. If

the burner is drawing in cold outside air, we recommend that the optional

T-AIR thermocouple be used. This thermocouple plugs into the bottom of

the analyzer and is placed in the burner’s primary-air stream.

Begin the combustion test by ﬁ rst inserting the analyzer’s probe tube

into the stack-gas stream of the appliance under test, and then pressing

the RUN/HOLD button to display the Combustion Test RUN screen.

The analyzer will begin to continuously monitor the stack temperature,

and emission levels in the stack gas and then display measured and

calculated values on its display.