The EPA PM10 Inlet, sometimes referred to as the "PM10 Size-Selective Inlet" or "10-Micron Inlet Assembly" , or colloquilly called the "PM10 Head" , is the modern louvered version of the 16.7 L/min PM10 Inlet. It serves as the main air inlet for most EPA-designated reference method (FRM) and equivalent method (FEM) mid-volume PM10 and PM2.5 ambient air samplers and monitors.  Water, debris, insects, and large particles are trapped by the inlet, while particulate smaller than 10 microns is collected by the sampler. For PM2.5 inlet applications, the PM10 Inlet serves as a pre-separator for subsequent PM2.5 cyclone or WINS Impactor stages. 

Our PM10 inlets incorporate some special features that reduce common problems. Unique knurled surfaces on the outside of the body make the particle trap joint easy to open, even while wearing gloves. Our thumbscrew kit makes field disassembly of the entire upper section easy. Unique dual o-rings at the particle trap prevent leaks even if one breaks. An optional inlet retention screw secures the inlet to the downtube in windy areas.

Do you have an existing inlet with damaged plates or a blown debris screen? Of course you do. We can also supply the parts to rebuild damaged inlets.

Model PM10L-1      PM10 Inlet, Louvered EPA Pattern, 16.7 L/min. With shatterproof acrylic water collector assembly.

Model PM10L-2   PM10 Inlet, Louvered EPA Pattern, 16.7 L/min. With classic glass jar type water collector assembly.

Model PM10L Datasheet

TSP (Total Suspended Particulate) or SPM (Suspended Particulate Matter) inlets are intended to keep rain, insects, and large debris out of the sample air stream, while allowing all suspended particulate through to the air sampler without applying a PM cut point. Our Model TSPL inlet uses the same louvered upper section as a standard PM10 inlet, but without a particle trap or impactor stage. This configuration provides optimal outdoor performance in harsh environments.  This TSP inlet is intended primarily for 16.7 L/min airflow applications, but can technically operate at a range of flow rates up to 40 L/min.

Our unique bottom adapter design has an internal water collection channel and a threaded drain hole which allows our standard water collector assembly to be optionally attached. The hole may be plugged or fitted with a simple drain fitting if no water collector is needed. Some users prefer the optional collector in order to monitor the amount of water penetration occuring.

Model TSPL-1     TSP Inlet with Louvered Plate Assembly,  Without Water Collector.

Model TSPL-2     TSP Inlet with Louvered Plate Assembly,  With Water Collector.

The classic glass jar type water collectors are still the most popular type requested with our PM10 inlets. Our  jar holders are beautifully machined from anodized aluminum to replace the old painted castings and eliminate several potential leak points. We replaced the old cork gasket with a rubber seal for long lasting leakproof preformance. The assembly includes a standard 200mL glass jar and a 1/4 NPT to 3/8 NPT threaded brass adapter to fit any EPA pattern PM10 inlet. New Model 10173 replaces the obsolete model 10058 water collector assembly.

Keep some spare jars on hand if you use these in cold regions, because they sometimes break especially if fine snow melts into the water trap and then refreezes. We also stock special oversized jars if you need extra water collection capacity for a harsh environment. USA made.

10173     Glass Jar Type Water Collector Assembly for PM10 Inlets

100012   Replacment standard 7oz / 200mL glass jar

100036   Replacment oversized 16oz / 475mL glass jar

100166   Replacement Rubber Seal

100032   Replacement Cork Gasket, Old Style

Another Alaric original design. Our Model 10063 shatterproof PM10 inlet water collection kit has a UV resistant clear acrylic 7oz / 200mL bowl with a drain valve that can be activated to quickly empty collected water without any disassembly of the unit. If the bowl fills with water and then freezes, the bowl pushes off of the anodized aluminum holder by freeze-plug action without breaking, and is easily reinstalled. This unit is the most advanced available, and is designed for the harshest rain, snow, and cold weather environments. Fits any EPA pattern PM10 inlet from any manufacturer with either 1/4 or 3/8 NPT drain holes.

The Model 10018 kit allows any PM10 inlet to be retrofitted with our tubing-style water collector that won't break due to storm-blown objects or ice formation. Special flexible UV resistant clear tubing can be cut to length for different water capacities or routed for various drainage locations. A valve on the bottom allows easy manual draining. Specify either 1/4 NPT or 3/8 NPT threads.

Another Alaric original. Our PM10 inlet thumbscrew upgrade kit replaces the four screws in the bottom of the louvered plate stack. This allows the technician to quickly and easily disassemble the entire upper section of the inlet without tools, in order to clean the debris screen and the inside of the main funnel. We experimented with over a dozen different hardware configurations in order to find a method that is tall enough to grip in the limited space of the recess, and wide enough to tighten securely. These can be turned by hand or with an Allen hex wrench. Set of four custom stainless steel 6-32 thumbscrews works on inlets from any manufacturer.

The correct nonstandard mesh pattern stainless steel screen, precision cut and expertly welded on our custom-built spot welding fixture. You shouldn't continue to use a PM10 inlet with a damaged or separated debris screen, so keep a spare or two on hand.

NEW!   We are the only PM10 inlet manufacturer that electropolishes these debris screens after welding. This microscopically deburrs and passivates all of the sharp edges on the cut ends of the screen wires, which greatly reduces corrosion at the contact points with the spun aluminum louvered plates.

We manufacture custom adapters which fit inside the standard EPA dimensioned 1.25 inch diameter socket on the bottom of  PM10 inlets or PM2.5 cyclones, and adapt the inlet to fit inlet tubes of smaller or larger diameters. The most common version adapts 1.25 inch sockets to fit onto 16mm inlet tubes used by several particulate monitors. Adapters are available in anodized aluminum or stainless steel, and are supplied on a custom order basis.  Contact us for details.

A complete replacement "top half" of the PM10 Inlet. Includes all four spun aluminum parts, the press-fit Impactor Nozzle and Nozzle Insertjet parts, debris screen, and all other hardware above the main particle trap joint. Fully assembled. This will fit your existing lower section or we'll buy it back.

This assembly includes the large spun funnel (Nozzle Entry Section) preassembled with the press-fit machined Impactor Nozzle and Nozzle Insert jet parts. These parts are almost impossible to disassemble further because of the drive screws attaching the funnel to the nozzle parts. That's why you generally need to replace the whole assembly even if only the large funnel or jet is damaged. Easily assembled to your existing louvered plate stack.

This assembly includes both of the louvered inlet plates, the wind deflector cone, the rain deflector ring, the debris screen, and all other hardware above the large spun funnel. These are by far the most commonly damaged parts of the PM10 Inlet due to impact and corrosion. Easily installed.

Assembly 10038 includes a Part 10015 lower louvered aluminum plate, with a Part 10016 stainess steel Rain Deflector ring preinstalled with proper rivets. The parts are also available separately.

The Assembly 10037 kit includes a Part 10021 louvered top aluminum plate and a Part 10019 Wind Deflector cone, preassembled with the correct adhesive gasket. This is a popular replacement, because the top plate is most susceptible to damage and corrosion. It is very difficult to remove the cone from the bottom of the top plate, so the assembled kit may be the best replacement option unless you have the correct tools. The parts are also available separately.

Includes two inlet adapter (bottom socket) o-rings, and two of the large particle trap o-rings. Keep a few of these sets on hand. The main trap o-ring is especially susceptible to breakage in the EPA design, and the inlet must not be used without one. We use premium Viton o-rings.