CI-3100 Trident OPT Particle Counter

The CI-3100 TRIDENT Series primarily differs from the CI-3100 OPT, in that it provides:

• High reliability: Push to FTP with auto sample data recovery and sample data memory buffer for up to 10,080 samples (up to 1 week)

• Industry First, automatic sync to a network time server to avoid regulatory citations

• Industry First PoE+ operation with a built-in vacuum pump for easy installation

• Light Ring with a total of 360 views of sample status

• Optional Climet dedicated light tower

• Relative Humidity and Temperature probe is optional

• Climet patented laser diode diagnostic to mitigate failure investigations

• Push the button ON/OFF in addition to the remote control for added convenience

In yet another industry first, the Trident Series is the first particle counter with a built-in vacuum pump that operates with Power-over-Ethernet (POE+). This technology injects power and ground onto standard network cabling, thus eliminating the need for wall power. POE+ is a much sought-after technology, given the safety protocols of some of the larger pharmaceutical and biotechnology products. Alternative configurations include Wi-Fi or standard Ethernet TCP/IP with wall power.

The Trident Family offers LIMS-friendly sample data file push to the network.

The standard programmable delay gives users enough time to press the button and step back six feet, allowing the instrument to sample “in operation.”

End-users are provided with sample data via Ethernet Modbus or CSV file upload, and the Trident model connects to existing network infrastructure.

The sample data output is 21 CFR Part 11 compliant and can be easily uploaded into standard environmental monitoring systems, including LIMS software  Wi-Fi synchronization and Checksums to ensure data integrity.

Climet particle counters have a well-known reputation in the industry for providing the lowest out-of-tolerance (OOT) rates on interval calibrations, an order of magnitude less than our primary competitors. Our new patented diagnostic routines offer a much higher level of failure detection against contaminated laser optics and laser failure, further reducing the probability of conducting a failure investigation.

General Information

The Trident particle counter is a 2-channel particle counter used in continuous monitoring applications in various industries – generally Grade A or B (ISO 5) clean zones. Standard particle sizes are 0.5 µm and 5.0 µm, but custom sizes are also available. The CI-3100 has a self-contained power supply and vacuum pump that eliminates the need for an external vacuum source and plumbing, which can be extremely expensive in new installations. Designed for fixed continuous monitoring deployment,  the CI-3100 offers a standard flow rate of 1 CFM. Other flow rates may also be available – please call for details.

Fully VHP Compatible & Rugged

The CI-3100 Trident is fully VHP compatible, ensuring easy cleaning and sanitation. Unlike other manufacturers, Climet does not reduce or void our warranty when the instrument is exposed to VHP. Climet recommends that VHP decontamination be conducted routinely with the instrument turned ON. This will eliminate expensive 483s resulting from a failure to disinfect the interior of the particle counter  Testing was conducted by an independent laboratory in an isolation chamber, with the particle counter turned on and exposed to 1,000 VHP decontamination cycles. The particle counter passed calibration, the internal sensor exhibited no damage, and there was no functional damage to the instrument. The only unfavourable effects reported by the laboratory were purely aesthetic and faded off the exterior calibration sticker.

An expert in manufacturing industrial instrumentation, every new instrument design is drop and vibration tested, then must pass a calibration. This ensures end-users can expect up to a decade (and beyond) of reliable operation. This level of ruggedized testing is unique, ensuring accidents don’t become capital appropriation requests or expensive repair bills.

Tested and Certified HEPA Filtered Exhaust (ISO Class 3)

Each particle counter deployed in the Life Science industry must have a HEPA HEPA-filtered exhaust or risk regulatory action (i.e., an observation, finding, etc.) due to rouge particle emissions. Over the past 50 years, our experience confirms that not all HEPA filters are created equal. An average of 10% still fail a leak integrity test among the more expensive and higher-quality filters. For this reason, Climet is the only manufacturer of particle counters that conducts emissions tests on every new factory model and certifies emissions to ISO Class 3 or better. This provides an added assurance to end-users that their particle counters are not adding to the particle burden of their cleanroom.

Accuracy and Stability of Measurement

With a long-earned reputation in the industry for manufacturing the most accurate particle counters, studies confirm that Climet particle counters offer unparalleled repeatability (in metrological terms: stability or precision) of measurement. Over 50 years of manufacturing experience and using the highest-quality materials provide users with exceptional performance.

High-quality materials, expert engineering understanding, and a mature DFM (Design For Manufacturability) virtually eliminate short-term and long-term calibration drift. This also enhances the product life cycle, offering users a decade or more of reliable use. This factor significantly enhances Climet’s reputation for providing the lowest TCO (Total Cost of Ownership). End users in regulated industries and others with a discerning taste for high precision instrumentation exclusively sole source Climet as their preferred solution provider.

Interval Calibration Out-of-Tolerance Rates

Customers in regulated industries are generally required to re-calibrate their particle counter usually. The CI-3100 may be calibrated at shorter intervals depending on the process or risk assessment. A deviation report and investigation are required in regulated industries when a particle counter is out-of-tolerance (OOT) during the interval calibration. A simple failure investigation (assuming no batch rejection) costs between $8,000 and $12,000 on average among pharmaceutical and biotechnology producers. This cost is difficult to calculate as it involves almost all labour and multiple departments. A hidden Cost of Poor Quality (CoPQ) is associated with the instrument, which few medicinal drug manufacturers track. As the cost of a straightforward failure investigation well exceeds the initial purchase price of a particle counter, we can conclude that CoPQ is the #1 cost driver.

Internal studies and customer feedback confirm that, on average, when a Climet particle counter is equal to or less than seven years old, the instrument passes its interval calibration 99.6% of the time. A separate internal study of 2,000+ Climet particle counters manufactured ten years or less confirmed that 99.5% passed their calibration. These statistics are unparalleled in the industry, and Climet uniquely provides value beyond the simple use of the instrumentation.