Bacharach's all new PCA 3 is the definitive combustion and emissions analyzer that enables fast and accurate measure for on-demand or semi-continuous sampling of light industrial, institutional, commercial and residential furnaces, boilers and appliances.

Busy technicians and boiler contractors who need to ensure safe operating conditions, determine combustion efficiency and perform emissions testing rely on Bacharach's PCA 3. This lightweight handheld instrument is the industry's first advanced portable combustion analyzer with a full color graphic display for superior visibility and user-friendly interface. Super bright backlighting, zoom display feature, dimming mode function and the most sensor configuration in its class provides the user with best-in-class instrumentation. In addition to the included Oxygen (O2) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) sensors, the PCA 3 can be ordered with CO (high), Nitric Oxide (NO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) sensors or the sensors can be added in the field without down time, using the B-Smart technology to save downtime and calibration costs.

Powerful and Easy to Use!
The Bacharach PCA®3 is the perfect tool for service technicians and boiler contractors who need to ensure safe operating conditions, determine combustion efficiency and perform emissions testing. This lightweight handheld combustion and emissions analyzer directly measures and displays Flue Gas Oxygen (O2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Stack Temperature, Draft, Differential Pressure, Combustion Air Temperature and optionally measures and displays Nitric Oxide (NO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Sulfur Dioxide (SO2). The PCA®3 simultaneously calculates and displays Combustion Efficiency (EFF), Excess Air (EA), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), NOx and Oxygen reference values. Plus, the PCA®3 performs combustion calculations for ten different fuels and uses up to six field-upgradable electrochemical sensors. With its large, bright full-color graphic display, reading combustion and emissions test results in any work environment has never been easier!

B-Smart Sensors
Bacharach's unique B-Smart^® Sensor Exchange Program will deliver new B-Smart^® Sensors right to the user. Just a simple "pop out and pop in" replacement of the sensor permits self calibration with no gas or guess work required! Providing the quickest and easiest calibration options to date, the B-Smart^® Sensors assures accurate performance with no downtime.

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Features and Benefits

• Analyzer Functionality
  • Directly measures and displays Flue Gas Oxygen (O₂), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Stack Temperature, Draft, Differential Pressure, Combustion Air Temperature
  • Optionally measures and displays Nitric Oxide (NO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) and Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂)
  • Calculates and displays Combustion Efficiency (EFF), Excess Air (EA), Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), NO_x and Oxygen reference values
  • Ten selectable fuels plus the ability to custom-load fuels
  • Stores 1,000 tests (500 in memory and 500 in logged memory)
     
• Smart Sensors
  • Instrument includes a pre-calibrated Oxygen (O₂) sensor and a pre-calibrated B-Smart^® Carbon Monoxide (CO) sensor
  • Unique B-Smart® sensor technology saves downtime and calibration costs
  • Best-in-Class sensor configuration flexibility allows purchased configurations or simple upgrade in the field
  • Sensor options include pre-calibrated B-Smart^® NO, NO₂, SO₂ and CO high sensors
     
• Graphic Display
  • 320 x 240 pixel full color graphic display for superior visibility
  • Super-bright backlighting and zoom capability to ensure effortless readability in any low light boiler and furnace room situations
  • Easily change language parameters to display in formation in English, French or Spanish
  • Dimming mode function helps extend battery life
     
• Rugged Design and Construction
  • Sturdy metal gas and draft connectors for added durability in the field
  • Tough ABS housing with rugged rubberized over-molding and protective boot with magnet

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How is the new PCA3 Portable Combustion Analyzer different than the PCA2?
   While the PCA3 is based on the same technology and platform of the PCA2, the improvements are striking. To highlight a few of the new features:
   1. Full-color graphic display with bright backlighting for superior visibility
   2. B-Smart Sensors with the option of B-Smart Sensor Exchange Program
   3. Dimming mode saves battery life (nearly doubles the life of AA batteries)
   4. Sturdy metal gas and draft connectors add durability in the field
   5. Company upload capability & ability to tag customer data to records
   6. Internal battery back-up saves data for 5-7 years even if AA batteries die
   7. Improved IrDA transmission to wireless printer


2. Can custom fuels be developed for the PCA3?
   Yes. In order to develop a custom fuel type, Bacharach will need to obtain information from the customer to determine the full analysis parameters. A Custom Fuel form is completed by the customer and provided to Bacharach. In return, the custom fuel programming is ordered and provided via email or file download for upload to the PCA3.


3. Is it possible to download data from the PCA3 without interrupting datalogging that is in process?
   Yes. Data can be downloaded using the Fyrite User Software while logging is in process.


4. What file type and size limit is required to upload a custom logo in the PCA3?
   The logo needs to be in a bitmap file type (.bmp) 384 x 192 pixels maximum.


5. Does the PCA3 make calculations on a wet or dry basis?
   The PCA3 makes calculations on a dry basis. An instrument is said to make calculations on a dry basis when it eliminates water vapor from the measurement process and therefore from the calculation.


6. Why is it important to use the sample conditioner (P/N 0024-7224) when measuring nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2)?
   NO2 and SO2 are soluble in water and can be removed from the combustion sample as it is exposed to condensate in the sample line. The sample conditioner removes water vapor from the combustion sample and provides a dry sample to the analyzer that can then be used to make accurate measurements of NO2 and SO2.


7. Does the PCA3 Oxygen (O2) sensor require calibration?
   No. The O2 sensor is calibrated every time the instrument is turned on as long as the instrument is in fresh air (where oxygen = 20.9%).


8. How often should the sensors be calibrated in the PCA3?
   The recommended calibration period is every 6 to 12 months. With this in mind, the B-Smart Sensor Exchange Program is designed to deliver a pre-calibrated sensor or sensors to the customer’s door every 9 months for a period of 3 years.

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