The Gastec 163TPM Ethylene Oxide Detector Tubes are designed for quantitative measurement of ethylene oxide (C2H4O) in air using a compatible automatic air sampling pump.

The 163TPM provides a measuring range of 1 to 50 ppm, with a detection limit of 0.1 ppm under the specified sampling conditions. The detector system produces a yellow-to-reddish-brown color change for visual determination of ethylene oxide concentration.

IMPORTANT: The Gastec 163TPM uses two connected tubes for each measurement. Each box contains 10 tubes for a total of 5 tests.

Automatic Air Sampling Pump Required

IMPORTANT: Gastec 163TPM Ethylene Oxide Detector Tubes require a compatible automatic air sampling pump capable of maintaining a continuous 50 mL/min sampling rate.

Automatic Sampling Pump:
Gastec GSP-501FT Automatic Air Sampling Pump

The Gastec 163TPM is an automatic air sampling pump detector tube and should not be treated as a standard hand-pump detector tube.

Accurate measurement requires drawing 500 mL of air through the connected detector tube system at 50 mL/min for 10 minutes.

Do not substitute a standard manual Gastec detector tube pump for the required continuous automatic sampling method.

Measurement & Sampling Specifications

Measurement Range	Sampling Rate	Sample Volume	Correction Factor	Sampling Time
1–50 ppm	50 mL/min	500 mL	1	10 Minutes

The Gastec 163TPM requires continuous sampling at 50 mL/min for 10 minutes, producing a total sample volume of 500 mL.

The correction factor is 1 under the specified sampling conditions. Temperature and atmospheric-pressure corrections should be applied when required.

Product Specifications

Brand: Gastec
Tube Type: Ethylene Oxide Detector Tube for Automatic Air Sampling Pump
Part Number: 163TPM
Gas/Vapor Measured: Ethylene Oxide
Chemical Formula: C2H4O
Measurement Range: 1–50 ppm
Detection Limit: 0.1 ppm at 500 mL (minimum detectable concentration; not part of the quantitative measuring range)
Sampling Rate: 50 mL/min
Sample Volume: 500 mL
Correction Factor: 1
Sampling Time: 10 Minutes
Color Change: Yellow → Reddish Brown
Operating Temperature: 0–40°C (32–104°F), temperature correction required
Operating Humidity: 10–90% RH, humidity correction not required
Relative Standard Deviation: 10% for 1–10 ppm; 5% for 10–50 ppm
Quantity: 10 Tubes
Tests per Box: 5 Tests
Shelf Life: 12 Months, refrigerated
Pump Requirement: Compatible Automatic Air Sampling Pump Required

Two-Tube Measurement System

The Gastec 163TPM requires two tubes to be connected together during each measurement.

The detector system consists of a primary tube and analyzer tube. Break the appropriate ends of both tubes and connect the marked ends using the supplied rubber tubing according to Gastec's instructions.

The analyzer tube is then inserted securely into the automatic air sampling pump with the arrow pointing toward the pump.

Because two tubes are consumed for each measurement, one box containing 10 tubes provides 5 complete tests.

Always follow the official Gastec 163TPM instruction manual for proper tube preparation, connection, orientation, and sampling procedure.

Ethylene Oxide Measurement

The Gastec 163TPM provides quantitative measurement of ethylene oxide concentrations from 1 to 50 ppm.

The 0.1 ppm detection limit represents the minimum concentration capable of producing a detectable reaction under the specified 500 mL sampling conditions. It is not part of the quantitative measuring range and should not be interpreted as a 0.1–50 ppm measuring range.

During sampling, ethylene oxide is converted to formaldehyde. The resulting reaction ultimately produces the detector's visible yellow-to-reddish-brown color change.

Common Applications

Gastec 163TPM Ethylene Oxide Detector Tubes may be used for applicable EtO air-monitoring applications including:

• Industrial Hygiene & Occupational Exposure Monitoring

• Workplace Ethylene Oxide Monitoring

• Sterilization Facilities & Processes

• Medical Device Sterilization Operations

• Healthcare & Sterilization Environments

• Chemical Manufacturing & Processing

• Industrial Process Air Monitoring

• Leak & Release Investigations

• Laboratory & Research Applications

• Ethylene Oxide Vapor Monitoring

Temperature Correction

The Gastec 163TPM is designed for use between 0 and 40°C (32–104°F) and temperature correction is required.

The official Gastec 163TPM instruction manual provides a temperature-correction table based on both the detector tube reading and actual sampling temperature.

Because the correction varies according to the concentration shown on the tube, use the official Gastec 163TPM temperature-correction table rather than applying one universal temperature factor.

No humidity correction is required within the specified 10–90% RH operating range.

Atmospheric-pressure correction may also be required according to Gastec's official measurement procedure.

Possible Interferences

Certain coexisting substances may affect Gastec 163TPM measurements.

Acetaldehyde: At 3.5 ppm, may produce a positive interference and independently produce a reddish-brown color.

Alcohols: At 300 ppm, may produce a negative interference without independently changing color.

Ketones: At 8.5 ppm, may produce a positive interference and independently produce a reddish-brown color.

Formaldehyde: At 5.0 ppm, may produce a positive interference and independently produce a reddish-brown color.

Other substances not listed by Gastec may potentially affect detector tube results. Coexisting gases and vapors should always be considered when interpreting measurements.

Storage

The Gastec 163TPM has a manufacturer-specified 12-month refrigerated shelf life.

Gastec's official instructions specify storing the tubes in a refrigerator at 10°C (50°F) or below.

Always follow the validity date and storage instructions printed on the detector tube box.

Important

A compatible automatic air sampling pump capable of maintaining 50 mL/min is required for correct use of the Gastec 163TPM Ethylene Oxide Detector Tubes.

Automatic Sampling Pump:
Gastec GSP-501FT Automatic Air Sampling Pump

Sampling is performed at 50 mL/min for 10 minutes, producing a total sample volume of 500 mL.

Two detector tubes must be connected for each measurement. Therefore, 10 tubes provide 5 complete tests.

Do not use a standard manual detector tube pump in place of the required automatic sampling method.

Temperature and atmospheric-pressure corrections should be applied when required according to Gastec's official instructions.

Always follow Gastec's official instructions for tube preparation and connection, sampling rate, sample volume, sampling time, environmental corrections, possible interferences, refrigerated storage, and interpretation of results.

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