The Plantower PMS1003 Air Quality Sensor experiment
Real-time Air Quality readings from the PMS1003

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For a complete list of all the Air Quality Sensors test on aqicn.org, check our sensor overview page.

The PMS 1003 Sensor

The PMS 1003 Sensor is a recent laser based Air Quality Sensor developped by plantower (chinese name: 攀藤 (pānténg)) and used inside a numerous number of air quality sensing devices.

It is also sometimes refered as HK 5001, or labelled under the "oneair" brand, but it is indeed developped and produced by plantower (a Shenzhen based company with office in Beijing).

Specifications

This is the specification for the PMS1003. One should not consider all those values for granted as there is quite often a big difference between what is said to be possible and what is actually possible (and this is why we are setting up all our experiments).
  • Measuring range: 0.3 to 1.0, 1.0 ~ 2.5, 2.5 to 10 microns (um)
  • Range: 0 ~ 500 ug / m3
  • counting accuracy of 50% @ 0.3um, 98% @ ≥0.5 um said the quasi-volume : 0.1 liters (L)
  • Response time: ≤10 seconds (s)
  • DC supply voltage: 5.0 volts (V)
  • Maximum Operating Current: 120 milliamperes (mA)
  • Standby current: ≤200 microamps (uA)
  • Operating temperature range: -20 ~ + 50 degrees Celsius (℃)
  • Operating humidity range: 0 ~ 99% RH
  • MTBF: ≥ 5 years (Y)
  • Maximum size: 65 × 42 × 23 mm
Note that there are more recent sensors from plantower (PMSxxxx series) which we will be testing later.

Inside look at the sensor

The sensor comes with a metal casing which is used to prevent from electrostatic discharge (ESD). The inside is enginered like a small dylos monitor:
Image attribution: geek-workshop.com.

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In terms of electronics, the PMS1003 is simple but yet very efficient. The main CPU is a Cypress CY8C4245, which a combined ARM Cortex-M0 running at 48Mhz with dedicated ADC, used to sample the output from the diode.

In terms of dust accumulation, the situation is actually not so bad since after 6 months running 24/7, the dust would only accumulated next to the air inlet, but not on the diode or laser.

Real-time data

Note: The sensor has been replaced with a new sensor on Nov. 6th 2015. We suspect that the old sensor, which was used 24/7 during 1 hour (in outdoor conditions) is not accurate anymore, either due to dust accumulation, or to decreased sensitivity of the diode to laser power. Once we have more information about this issue, we will provide our findings.

Current Dylos readings are:
  • Particules larger than 2.5 is -,
  • Particules llarger than 0.5 is -,
  • updated on - - (China time).

Current PMS1003 readings:
  • PM1 mg/m3: -,
  • PM2.5 mg/m3: -,
  • PM10 mg/m3: -,
  • updated on - - (China time).

Time series graphs

Note that on the above graph, each of the graph is plotted using a loess smoothing since the output from the PMS 1003 is quite noisy. You can move your mouse over the graph labels to see the actual output vs. the averaged values.

PM2.5 Comparison with Dylos

PM10 Comparison with Dylos




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For the list of all air quality sensors, check the Sensor Overview page

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About the Air Quality and Pollution Measurement:

About the Air Quality Levels

AQIAir Pollution LevelHealth ImplicationsCautionary Statement (for PM2.5)
0 - 50 Good Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk None
51 -100 Moderate Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
101-150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
151-200 Unhealthy Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion
201-300 Very Unhealthy Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion.
300+ Hazardous Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects Everyone should avoid all outdoor exertion

To know more about Air Quality and Pollution, check the wikipedia Air Quality topic or the airnow guide to Air Quality and Your Health.

For very useful health advices of Beijing Doctor Richard Saint Cyr MD, check www.myhealthbeijing.com blog.


Usage Notice: All the Air Quality data are unvalidated at the time of publication, and due to quality assurance these data may be amended, without notice, at any time. The World Air Quality Index project has exercised all reasonable skill and care in compiling the contents of this information and under no circumstances will the World Air Quality Index project team or its agents be liable in contract, tort or otherwise for any loss, injury or damage arising directly or indirectly from the supply of this data.



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