VAC AO-316-C Oxygen Analyzer Teledyne 316 Trace O2 PPM 115V Expired Fuel Cell

VAC AO-316-C Oxygen Analyzer Teledyne 316 Trace O2 PPM 115V Expired Fuel Cell

The VAC AO-316-C is a rack-panel trace oxygen analyzer built by Vacuum Atmospheres Company (VAC) of Hawthorne, California. It integrates a Teledyne Analytical Instruments Model 316 electrochemical trace oxygen sensor and meter into a single panel-mounted assembly, designed to measure oxygen concentrations in the parts-per-million (PPM) range in controlled or inert gas environments. The system routes sample gas through a flow path to the electrochemical fuel cell, which generates a signal proportional to oxygen concentration that drives the analog PPM meter.

Specifications & What's Included

• Manufacturer: VAC — Vacuum Atmospheres Company, Hawthorne, CA
• Model: AO-316-C
• Integrated analyzer module: Teledyne Analytical Instruments Model 316
• Supply voltage: 115V AC
• Current rating: 2 Amps
• Phase: Single Phase
• Pressure limit: 2 PSI
• Vacuum limit: No limit (unlimited)
• Measurement type: Trace oxygen concentration
• Display: Analog meter, 0–10 PPM Oxygen scale (TAI / SPI Instruments Co. movement)
• Front panel controls: POWER toggle, 2A fuse holder, red indicator terminal, SAMPLE/CALIBRATE toggle (<1PPM REF / NORMAL)
• Rear: Sample inlet port (labeled SAMPLE IN), VENT port, analog voltage output terminals (handwritten: Term. 6 = Hi, Term. 5 = Lo), internal gas tubing
• Sensor: Electrochemical oxygen fuel cell (currently expired — requires replacement)
• Form factor: Rack panel / benchtop
• Includes: VAC AO-316-C control/display panel with integrated Teledyne 316 meter unit and internal plumbing

Applications

Trace oxygen analyzers of this type are used to monitor and verify inert or oxygen-free atmospheres in laboratory and industrial settings where even PPM-level oxygen contamination is significant. The VAC AO-316-C was designed for use with glove boxes, inert atmosphere chambers, and controlled-environment systems — equipment lines that Vacuum Atmospheres Company manufactured alongside this analyzer. Typical applications include monitoring argon, nitrogen, or other inert purge environments used in materials research, semiconductor processing, metal handling, and sensitive chemical work where oxidation must be prevented. The Teledyne Model 316 is a well-established electrochemical trace oxygen sensor platform; replacement fuel cells for the 316 series have historically been available from Teledyne Analytical Instruments (now part of Teledyne Technologies), making restoration of this unit feasible. The analog voltage output on the rear panel also allowed integration with chart recorders or data acquisition systems for continuous logging.