Temtop LKC-1000 Series Air Quality Monitor User Manual

Factors Affecting Air Quality

PM2.5 (Particulate Matter 2.5): Refers to fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. Due to their small size, PM2.5 can be absorbed into the bloodstream and lungs. Long-term exposure to high concentrations of PM2.5 can cause eye and nose irritation, cough, asthma, emphysema, lung disease, heart attacks, cancer, and more.

PM10 (Particulate Matter 10): Refers to particulates with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less. While larger, they are inhalable but do not penetrate further than the bronchi, as larger particles can be filtered out by the cilia and mucus of the nose and throat. PM10 is generally considered less harmful to health than PM2.5.

HCHO (Formaldehyde): A colorless and strong-smelling chemical with the formula CH2O or H-CHO. Classified by IARC as a Group 1 carcinogen due to its significant dangers to human health. Long-term exposure, even to low doses, can cause chronic respiratory diseases, nasopharyngeal cancer, colon cancer, brain tumors, nuclear gene mutations, and more.

TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compounds): Refers to various common VOCs, including benzene, toluene, styrene, and formaldehyde. Due to their volatility, toxicity, irritability, and carcinogenicity, long-term exposure to TVOCs can damage the skin, liver, kidneys, central nervous system, and more.

Temperature & Humidity: These factors may often be overlooked but have a significant impact on individual well-being, comfort, health, and safety, as well as property. High humidity can lead to an increase in household air pollutants, especially biological contaminants like molds, bacteria, viruses, and dust mites. Cold, low humidity can cause nosebleeds, skin and respiratory irritations, dyspnea, and static electricity.

AQI (Air Quality Index): A quick guide to air quality levels, indicating how clean or polluted the air is. It ranges from 0 to 500, with higher values indicating higher air pollution levels and greater adverse effects on health. AQI assessment can be indicated for PM2.5, PM10, O3, SO2, NO2, CO, etc. Temtop follows EPA Standards to calculate and focuses on AQI for PM2.5 and PM10.

Important Information

• It is usual for the detector to show higher values when first switched on or after an extended period of non-use. Place it in a ventilated area and turn it on for about 30 minutes before testing.
• Do not expose the detector to environments with formaldehyde (HCHO) concentrations above 1.0mg/m³ or PM concentrations above 500ug/m³ for extended periods, as this may damage the sensor and prevent normal operation.
• Avoid contact with organic solvents, including silica gel and other adhesives, paints, drugs, oils, and high-concentration gases.
• Do not use the detector in a humid environment to maintain detection accuracy.
• Do not cover the air inlet/outlet when using the detector.
• Be cautious of cross-interference from ethanol, benzene, ammonia, etc.

Overview

The Temtop LKC-1000 Series Air Quality Monitor features the following components:

• (1) Air Inlet/Outlet: For air sampling.
• (2) LCD Screen: Displays detected data and status.
• (3) Power Button: Turns the device on/off.
• (4) PM2.5/PM10/Particles Button: Navigates through PM2.5, PM10, and Particle Count interfaces.
• (5) USB Port: For data export and charging.
• (6) AQI/TEMP/HUM/Up Button: Navigates through AQI, Temperature, and Humidity interfaces, and increases values.
• (7) HCHO/TVOC Button: Navigates through HCHO and TVOC interfaces.
• (8) Running/Hold/Setting/Down Button: Controls running/holding modes, accesses settings, and decreases values.
• (9) Bracket: For standing the device.

Functionality Comparison

Specifications

*For LKC-1000S+ /LKC-1000S+2nd Only. Note: The above data are from Temtop Laboratory.

Operation

Warning!

• Indoor use: Keep the room/area airtight for 10 minutes to obtain more accurate results.
• If the battery level shows ▮▮▮, please charge the detector promptly to avoid effects during use (also chargeable when turned off).

1. Switch On/Off

Press and hold the Power Button [▲] for 2 seconds to turn on/off the detector. After initialization, the instrument enters the default interface.

2. Detection

2.1 PM2.5 Button

Please click the PM2.5/PM10/Particles Button [▲] to view the following four interfaces:

• PM2.5 Concentration: Displays PM2.5 levels (µg/m³).
• PM10 Concentration: Displays PM10 levels (µg/m³).
• Particle Count (For Ref)*: Displays particle count (per/L).
• Air Quality Indicator: Shows the current air quality status (e.g., "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups").

PM2.5 Graph View: Displays a historical graph of PM2.5 concentration.

PM10 Graph View: Displays a historical graph of PM10 concentration.

Particle Graph View: Displays a historical graph of particle counts.

*The particle counts are for reference only. For accurate particle counts, please choose a professional particle counter from Temtop.

2.2 AQI Button

Please click the AQI/TEMP/HUM/Up Button [▲] to view the following four interfaces. Press and hold the AQI/TEMP/HUM/Up Button [▲] for 2 seconds to switch between °C or °F.

• AQI: Displays the Air Quality Index and its corresponding health category (e.g., "Moderate").
• Temperature: Displays the current temperature.
• Humidity: Displays the current humidity percentage.

TEMP Graph View: Displays a historical graph of temperature.

HUM Graph View: Displays a historical graph of humidity.

AQI Graph View: Displays a historical graph of AQI values.

2.3 HCHO Button

Please click the HCHO/TVOC Button [▲] to view the following three interfaces:

• HCHO Concentration: Displays formaldehyde levels (mg/m³).
• TVOC Concentration (LKC-1000S+/1000S+ 2nd): Displays TVOC levels (mg/m³).
• Humidity: Displays the current humidity percentage.

HCHO Graph View: Displays a historical graph of HCHO concentration.

TVOC Graph View (LKC-1000S+/1000S+ 2nd): Displays a historical graph of TVOC concentration.

Note:

1. Please click the "II/◄►" button to switch between running mode and holding mode. In running mode, the detector displays currently detected data. In holding mode, the detector pauses detection and stops updating data on the screen.
2. Data updates every 3 seconds when the x-axis value is within 72 seconds. Data updates every 1 minute when the x-axis value is within 24 minutes. Data updates every 5 minutes when the x-axis value is within 120 minutes. Data updates every 30 minutes when the x-axis value is within 12 hours.

3. Settings Menu

Buttons

Press and hold the Running/Hold/Setting/Down Button [◂] for 2 seconds in the main display of "PM2.5, AQI, HCHO" to enter the system settings.

3.1 Power Saving (Example Of Button Operation):

Press the AQI/TEMP/HUM/Up Button [▲] or PM2.5/PM10/Particles Button [◄] to scroll up or down and press the Power Button [▲] to confirm. Press the HCHO/TVOC Button [►] or AQI/TEMP/HUM/Up Button [▲] to switch to the item you want to set. Press the PM2.5/PM10/Particles Button [◄] or HCHO/TVOC Button [►] to increase or decrease the current value. Then press the HCHO/TVOC Button [►] or AQI/TEMP/HUM/Up Button [▲] to switch to save or exit, and press the Power Button [▲] to save the setting or exit the interface.

Settings Interface Example:

Power Saving Settings:

• Auto Off(min): Sets the auto power-off time.
• Screen Off(min): Sets the screen off time.
• Backlight Level: Adjusts the screen backlight brightness (0-5).

Note: 1. "Auto Off(min)": Auto power off function is not switched on. 2. "Screen Off(min)": The screen will automatically switch off after 30 minutes. 3. The "Backlight Level" is divided into 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

3.2 Calibration

You can calibrate the temperature and humidity by modifying the "OFF" value.

Formula for Temperature Calibration:
OFF(TEMP target value) = TEMP(target value) - TEMP(current value) + OFF(TEMP current value).
Formula for Humidity Calibration:
OFF(HUM target value) = HUM(target value) - HUM(current value) + OFF(HUM current value).

Example:

• If TEMP target value is 25.0 °C, current value is 23.0 °C, and current OFF(TEMP) is -0.2 °C, then OFF(TEMP target value) = 25.0 - 23.0 + (-0.2) = +1.8 °C.
• If HUM target value is 36.0 %rh, current value is 33.0 %rh, and current OFF(HUM) is +1.5 %rh, then OFF(HUM target value) = 36.0 - 33.0 + (+1.5) = +4.5 %rh.

Please ensure that the reading is stable before calibration.

You can calibrate the PM2.5 value by adjusting the "K" factor.

Formula:
K(target value) = PM2.5(target value) / PM2.5(current value) * K(current value).

Example:
If PM2.5 target value is 30.0µg/m³, current value is 49.2µg/m³, and current K is 1.00, then K(target value) = 30.0 / 49.2 * 1.00 = 0.61.

Note: For products calibrated according to ISO standard, K coefficient is 1 by default. It is only recommended that professional engineers perform this adjustment under standard conditions with standard laboratory, or test bin facilities. The calibration environment required for P2.5 is relatively high, and the calibration results will be affected by factors such as dust/particle size and different configurations of standard warehouse facilities, etc. It is strongly recommended that you use this function only under essential conditions or contact Temtop for support.

3.2.1 HCHO Calibration

Press the PM2.5/PM10/Particles Button [◄] or HCHO/TVOC Button [►] to switch to "Calibration zero" and press the Power Button [▲] to calibrate.

Calibration Process:

• Calibration zero: Shows 0% calibration progress.
• Calibrating: Shows calibration progress (e.g., 10%).
• Successed: Indicates successful calibration (100%).

Note: Please ensure that you can calibrate under fresh air outdoors. During the calibration process, do not perform other operations until the calibration is successful and you return to the previous level screen.

3.2.2 TEMP & HUM Calibration

You can calibrate the temperature and humidity by modifying the "OFF" value.

Formula:
OFF(TEMP target value) = TEMP(target value) - TEMP(current value) + OFF(TEMP current value).
OFF(HUM target value) = HUM(target value) - HUM(current value) + OFF(HUM current value).

Example:

• If TEMP target value is 25.0 °C, current value is 23.0 °C, current value of OFF(TEMP) is -0.2 °C. Then "OFF(TEMP target value)=25.0-23.0+(-0.2)=+1.8 °C".
• If HUM target value is 36.0 %rh, current value is 33.0 %rh, current value of OFF(HUM) is +1.5 %rh. Then "OFF(HUM target value)=36.0-33.0+(+1.5)=+4.5 %rh".

Please ensure that the reading is stable before calibration.

3.2.3 PM2.5 Calibration

You can calibrate the PM2.5 value by adjusting the "K" factor.

Formula:
K(target value) = PM2.5(target value) / PM2.5(current value) * K(current value).

Example:
If PM2.5 target value is 30.0µg/m³, current value is 49.2µg/m³, current value of K is 1.00. Then "K(target value) = 30.0/49.2 * 1.00 = 0.61".

The larger the K value, the greater the display value.

Note: For products calibrated according to ISO standard, K coefficient is 1 by default. It is only recommended that professional engineers perform this adjustment under standard conditions with standard laboratory, or test bin facilities. At the same time, the calibration environment required for P2.5 is relatively high, and the calibration results will be affected by factors such as dust/particle size and different configurations of standard warehouse facilities, etc, so it is strongly recommended that you use this function only under essential conditions or contact Temtop for support.

3.3 Date and Time

In this interface, you can set the date and time.

Press the AQI/TEMP/HUM/Up Button [▲] or PM2.5/PM10/Particles Button [◄] to set the current value, press the PM2.5/PM10/Particles Button [◄] or HCHO/TVOC Button [►] to switch to the next item.

3.4 Storage Interval

In this interface, you can set the storage interval for data logging.

Press the AQI/TEMP/HUM/Up Button [▲] or PM2.5/PM10/Particles Button [◄] to set the current value, press the PM2.5/PM10/Particles Button [◄] or HCHO/TVOC Button [►] to switch to the next item.

Note: The recording intervals are divided into 01, 05, 10, 30, and 60 min.

3.5 Data Export *

In this interface, you can export data via USB.

Export Process:

• The instrument tests whether the USB is connected correctly.
• If connected successfully: "USB connected successfully. During the data export process, please do not unplug the USB. If you want to exit the USB connection mode, press the HCHO/TVOC Button [►]!"
• If not connected: "No USB connection detected!"

After successful connection, the detector creates a removable storage device "TEMTOP" on the computer, which contains a folder named "HISTORY". This history folder contains a history file named after the time (e.g., "20230601"). The history file is in CSV format and lists information such as date, PM2.5, PM10, PARTICLES, AQI, HCHO, TVOC, Temperature, Humidity, etc. Please save it to your computer for viewing.

Example Data Table:

*For LKC-1000S 2nd /LKC-1000S+ 2nd Only.

After copying and viewing historical data, please press the HCHO/TVOC Button [►] to exit (see figure below).

Note: USB connected successfully. During the data export process, please do not unplug the USB. If you want to exit the USB connection mode, press the HCHO/TVOC Button [►]!

Air Quality Parameter for Reference

*Refers to EPA standards, with PM2.5 as the main responsible pollutant.

What's Included

• LKC-1000 Series Detector x 1
• USB Cable x 1
• User Manual x 1

FAQ

Q: Why data reading is unstable?

A: If the airflow in the current sampling space is in an unstable state, such as strong wind, the concentration of particulate matter in the air will be unevenly distributed, and will vary greatly with the surrounding airflow, resulting in large differences in measured values.

Q: Why humidifiers can cause rising particulate matter readings?

A: Temtop sensors use the principle of light scattering. When using a humidifier, it sprays many small droplets of water. Excessive humidity and moisture in the air cause dust particles to absorb water and swell, which affects the scattering of light and causes deviations in sensor readings.

Q: Why is the data high after booting?

A: The reason the data is high when you first turn on the sensor is that when the sensor starts to work, the fan runs at full speed. It takes a while (about 1-2 minutes) for the fan to run stably. At this time, the airflow in the air duct will be stable, and the data will gradually become stable.

Q: AQI/ PM2.5 and other values, why the measured value is inconsistent with the official announcement?

A: The AQI/PM2.5 shown on the display is a measurement of the space where the device is located. The measured value published on the Internet or official websites is the average value of several monitoring points, and each measurement point will be different. At the same time, according to the regulations of EPA and WHO, the AQI value is calculated based on the highest value among the five pollutants in the atmosphere on that day. In the past ten years, the local AQI in the United States has basically been calculated with the value of PM2.5/10, and sometimes with the value of O3.

Q: Which the HCHO reading inaccurate or overestimated at some points?

A: As Temtop uses a high-precision electrochemical HCHO sensor, its electrochemical reaction characteristics could also respond to other gases besides formaldehyde. The table below lists the most common gases that interfere with relative sensitivities of HCHO sensor.

Warranty

Temtop warrants the included detector for 1 year from the date of original purchase. The item can be exchanged or returned within 30 days if the defect is not caused by artificial damage.

Before return or delivery for repair, please check if the following items are ready:

* Including invoice, order number and etc.

Temtop warranty does NOT include:

• Malfunction or damages caused by artificial damage or modification.
• Other deliberate damages.
• Damage caused by natural events.