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Suspect PM values of Air Quality

Sensors
#1

Hi there,

I’m writing on behalf of a citizen who has the sensor AQ_57FA installed outdoors in South Dublin. This sensor was deployed in the framework of the SCORE project.

This station keeps giving spurious PM data. It did this before, and now it’s back to its old fault. The problems are a) it’s showing the same value for PM 1, 2.5 and 10; b) it keeps wildly fluctuating from 0 to over 3000, often staying at 2777. We’re attaching a screenshot, but this can also be verified through the dashboard, link here.

Is there anything that may be causing this? We have verified with the citizen and it’s very unlikely that is something in the environment. We have attached a screenshot.

image
image1808×577 62.2 KB

Thanks for any assistance provided.
Best
Juan

#2

Hi @juan.quinteromarin

seems like that sensor is providing wrong readings. Probably there is something in front of the laser (or the light detector) that is making this spurious readings. I would suggest to replace the PMS5003 sensor as its fairly inexpensive, and try to clean the removed sensor with compressed air or similar, checking if it improves.

#3

Hi Óscar,

Thanks for the recommendations. We’ve decided to replace the PMS5003 sensor. I found many providers online, even an option for about 14 EUR on AliExpress. Would any of these work, or may I ask if you have any recommendations on where we should order these here in Europe?

Thanks!
Best wishes
Juan

#4

Hi,

Other providers in Europe could potentially help you save some issues with purchases from Aliexpress. Some recommendations:

https://eu.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Adafruit/3686?qs=rrS6PyfT74ekfI0ilCENKA%3D%3D

Best

#5

Hi Óscar,

Great, thanks for the recommendations. We’ll go for Nettigo this time.

Have a good Friday
All the best
Juan

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