**Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the**

**Implementation of URG-3000N Carbon Monitors in the**

**PM~2.5~ Chemical Speciation Network (CSN)**

June 2007

The following is a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) received so
far in the process of implementing new URG-3000N carbon sampling devices
in the PM~2.5~ Chemical Speciation Network (CSN). This list is provided
to communicate some of the issues and questions faced and to provide
answers and guidance on how they should be addressed.

1.  **How do I obtain the needed information from the URG-3000N sampler
    in order to complete my Chain of Custody (COC) and Field Data
    Form?**

**[Answer:]{.underline}** A number of PM~2.5~ CSN Chain of Custody (COC)
and Field Data Forms have been returned with no sampler information. If
the form is blank and the data is not written to the memory card it will
result in an invalid sampling event. When an operator is at the site to
remove the exposed (completed sample) cassette cartridge and memory
card, they must follow the *Filter Change Procedure* in the exact order
as prompted by the software. URG will create a laminated **Filter Change
Quick Guide** and supply copies to RTI to send to the sites. The site
operators should attach these to the inside of the door of the URG
Sampling Module. During the *Filter Change Procedure*, the values below
are displayed for the last completed sample:

a.  Elapsed Time in minutes (should be around 1440)

b.  Sample Volume in m-3 (should be around 30)

c.  Flow Average in LPM & CV ( should be around AVG=22 CV=.1)

d.  Temperature Average, Minimum & Maximum

e.  Barometric Pressure Average, Minimum & Maximum

These values are stored in the controller RAM. The URG-3000N software
does **[NOT]{.underline}** allow the sampler to read any data on the
memory card. The site operator **[MUST]{.underline}** write these values
down when they are displayed during the Filter Change Procedure. If the
*Filter Change Procedure* is completed without writing these values
down, the values will be cleared from the RAM and will **[NO LONGER BE
AVAILABLE]{.underline}**.\
\
***[Alternative Data Retrieval Procedure:]{.underline}***\
The operator can view this data prior to performing the *Filter Change
Procedure* by advancing through the software to the *Calibration,
Maintenance & Audit* menu. See page 8 of this document or page 36 of the
complete URG-3000N Operations Manual version 5.4 for a detailed menu
tree (a copy of the complete URG-3000N Operations Manual version 5.4 can
be downloaded from: <http://epa.gov/ttn/amtic/specurg3000.html>. The
only parameter that is NOT displayed is the "Elapsed Time". This can be
accessed through the *View Settings/Site Configuration* menu. See page 9
of this document or page 38 of the complete URG-3000N Operations Manual
for a detailed menu tree. This can be done several times and the data
will continue to be available through this section of the menu until the
operator performs the *Filter Change Procedure*.

2.  **It is important that the sampler has a serial number entered into
    the sampler settings. How do I verify whether the serial number has
    been entered and enter one if it is missing?**

**[Answer:]{.underline}** A number of the samplers do not have a serial
number entered into the sampler configuration settings. This is
important because the data files on the memory card are identified by
serial number. If the serial number is missing, the site operator must
enter the sampler's Controller Module Serial Number (located on the
inside of the Controller Module door) by following the Site
Configuration menu. See page 9 of this document or page 38 of the
complete URG-3000N Operations Manual version 5.4 for a detailed menu
tree.\
\
**IMPORTANT: A complete URG-3000N sampler has (3) different serial
numbers. One on the Controller Module, one on the Module C, and one on
the Lower Stand (pump/mass flow controller). The serial number on the
Controller Module is the one that must ALWAYS be used to identify your
sampler.**

**NOTE**: Once the serial number has been entered into the sampler, it
will **NOT** be erased during a power outage, etc.

3.  **My sampler does not have the AQS site identification (ID) and
    Parameter Occurrence Code (POC) numbers entered into the sampler
    configuration settings. How do I enter these into the sampler
    configuration?**

**[Answer:]{.underline}** The 9-digit AQS site ID and POC values should
be entered to identify the sampler location POC (Location Code). These
values can be entered by following the *Site Configuration* menu. See
page 9 of this document or page 38 of the complete URG-3000N Operations
Manual version 5.4 for a detailed menu tree.\
**\
NOTE**: Once the AQS site ID and POC number has been entered into the
sampler, they will not be erased during a power outage, etc.

4.  **I am told that my sample event \"Q\" number and the inventory
    Component ID number are not being entered correctly at sample setup.
    How do I enter these values correctly?**

**[Answer:]{.underline}** We are seeing many of the \"Q\" numbers being
truncated - missing the last digit. This seems to be more prevalent if
the last digit is a letter rather than a number.  Many site operators
are also entering the Component ID number from the memory card instead
of the filter cassette cartridge during *Filter Change Procedure*. These
values are both listed on the PM~2.5~ CSN COC and Field Data Form in
Section C. See page 6 of this document or page 35 of the complete
URG-3000N Operations Manual version 5.4 for a detailed menu tree.

**NOTE: Some of the Q numbers include both alpha & numeric characters.
You can enter letters via the Controller Keypad by pressing the F1 key
several times. F1 will step forward through numbers 0-9 and then
continue to step through letters A-Z. You can use the F2 key to go back
to previous numbers and/or letters already passed when using F1.**

5.  **My memory cards have been returned to RTI with only 1 data
    file. Why is this happening and how can I resolve this problem?**

**[Answer:]{.underline}** The card should have two small \"f\" files and
one large \"r\" file. There are several different situations that have
resulted in the memory card not containing correct and/or complete data
from the previous sample run. A few things such as the card not being
removed or installed in the right order during the *Filter Change
Procedure*, or the card not being installed completely were some of the
examples of what might cause the memory card to have
incorrect/incomplete data. After the new memory card is installed, the
software will display whether the memory card is "OK" or "Card Not
Found". If "Card Not Found" is indicated on the display and the operator
continues to proceed through the menu, the sampler will operate without
the memory card and no data will be recorded for that sample run.\
\
Detailed instructions for the order in which you remove the old memory
card and install the new memory card will be included in the **Filter
Quick Guide** and will also be added to the URG-3000N Operations Manual.
Both of these documents will stress the importance of confirming that
the software displays "Card Is OK" before proceeding through the rest of
the *Filter Change Procedure* menu screens.

6.  **My pump does not come on during the 300 second warm up that occurs
    during the *Filter Change Procedure*. My sampler runs fine when
    collecting a routine sample. Is this normal?**

**[Answer:]{.underline}** The vacuum pump will occasionally contain some
residual vacuum from the previous sample run. Even a small amount of
residual vacuum can prevent the pump from starting. If this occurs,
disconnect the black air line from the side of the sampler lower stand
and then plug it back in. This will release the residual vacuum and
allow the pump to start again.

7.  **It is time to remove my filter cassette cartridge and memory card
    from the sampler for the previous run, but I do not have the
    cartridge and card to install for the next sample run. What should I
    do?\
    **

**[Answer:]{.underline}** The software does not have a procedure for
removing the cartridge and card for a completed sample without having to
install the new cartridge and card.

-   In order to **ONLY REMOVE** a filter cartridge and memory card,
    follow the portion of the *"Filter Change Procedure"* detailed in
    section 7.1.1 (page 45 of the complete URG-3000N operations manual).

-   After completing **ONLY** the instructions in section 7.1.1, you can
    remove the memory card and the exposed filter cassette cartridge.
    **Do NOT** advance any further through the *"Filter Change
    Procedure"* until you return to the sampler with the **NEW** filter
    cartridge and memory card.

[]{.mark}

-   Upon arriving with the new filter cartridge and memory card,
    immediately insert the new memory card.

The software should pick up exactly where it left off. If for some
reason it does not, turn the Controller Module power off and then back
on (by unplugging the cord). This should allow you to continue through
the rest of the *"Filter Change Procedure".*

8.  **My site is scheduled to collect a sample on a Friday, but I am
    unable to access the sampler on the weekend in order to change the
    sampling cartridge and memory card in time for the next sample on
    Monday. How do I configure the sampler so that it will not collect a
    Monday sample on top of the initial sample that was collected on
    Friday?**

**[Answer:]{.underline}** No action is needed. After the sample has been
collected, the sampler display will read "Sample Completed". The
software contains a "lock out" feature that prevents the collection of
another sample until the site operator performs and completes the
*Filter Change Procedure*. See pages 48 and 64 of the URG3000N
Operations Manual version 5.4.

9.  **Is it necessary to return my filter cassette cartridge with the
    red filter caps installed?**

**[Answer:]{.underline}** Yes, the red caps **MUST** be installed onto
the cassette(s) before returning the cartridge to RTI to protect the
sample filter during return shipment. These caps are also used for new
cartridges to protect the unused filter prior to sampling.

10. **Is there a way to access data that was written to the memory card
    through the sampler software?**

**[Answer:]{.underline}** It is **NOT possible** to access data written
to the memory card through the sampler software. The Elapsed Time,
Sample Volume, and other data from the previous sample run is stored in
RAM, and is reset (deleted) after the operator completes the *Filter
Change Procedure*. Details about using an alternate method for viewing
these values BEFORE performing the *Filter Change Procedure* are
addressed in Question 1 above. The memory card can also be read via an
inexpensive memory card reader. The card reader is typically used in
conjunction with a personal computer and the files read using Microsoft®
Notepad.

11. **Is there a way to remotely access the URG-3000N sampler to monitor
    its operation?**

**[Answer:]{.underline}** It is currently NOT possible to remotely
access the URG-3000N for sampler monitoring, control, or viewing
operational parameters.

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**COMPLETE URG-3000N SOFTWARE MENU TREE**

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