Air Ion Counter [AIC-1000]

AlphaLab, Inc’s The Air Ion Counter is a substantial improvement over previously available ion meters, and it can make ion measurement available to anyone.

It costs less than one tenth of any other ion meter and is smaller and easier to use, requiring only two 9V batteries. Despite this, it has the same sensitivity (down to 10 ions per cubic centimeter) of very expensive meters. Due to full electrostatic shielding and a fan throughput of 200 cubic centimeters/sec., it can make accurate readings even in adverse conditions such as gusty winds or strong electrostatic fields.

The Air Ion Counter can be used for the detection of natural and artificial ions. Natural ions include those generated from the decay of radioactive minerals and radon gas; ions generated by fires, lightning, and evaporating water; and ions associated with storm activity. Note that in fair weather at sea level, typical ion counts are about 400 negative and 500 positive ions per cubic centimeter. Before a storm, positive ions increase dramatically. During a storm, negative ions increase.

The Ion Counter can gauge the output and coverage of artificial sources such as ion generators, improperly grounded air conditioning vents, combustion vapor and electrically charged or heated surfaces, and plasma-discharge ions in air and other gases.

 

Specifications

Range	10-1,999,000 ions/cm3
Accuracy	±25% for fast ions (mobility greater than 8x10-5 m/s per V/m, which is the majority of ions)
Settling time	2 seconds
Noise level	about 10 ions/cm3 (over a 10-second period)
Ion selectivity	1:5000 (crosstalk of, for example, negative ions when measuring positive ions)
Battery (included)	common 9-volt rectangular battery, life approximately 10 hours on STANDBY, or 2 hours on MEASURE. "LO BATT" indicates at 7.5 Volts per battery