Re: Sharp Plasmacluster KC-C150U Negative Ions?

A Reader writes:

Hi Ed

Wrote you a while ago and bought one of the units based on what you wrote.

The Sharp manual (in Japan) is as vague as the KCC150U in that it does not spell out when Plasma Cluster is working and when it is not.

I understand that this is Ozone Free because of the combination of plus and minus, but on the other hand you mention that with the Plasma Cluster mode (where the violet line shines) we should avoid sleeping in the same room.

What i am confused about is, on this model we can turn Plasma Cluster on and off. So if it is off, is it just acting as a filtration system?

Specifically:

1) It has auto mode, pollen, weak, medium and strong, and a shower mode for 15 minutes when there is a lot of dust.

2) Plasma Cluster is switched on and off, separate from these. My impression from reading your review and the ads is that PC is what we want but that being too close or sleeping with in on may not be good.

Yet on the other hand, if it is off, is the Plasma Cluster function being used?

In other words, just using weak, auto, strong without Plasma Cluster function, is it still using PC technology?

Thank you!

Ed's Reply

Hey Reader;

I also have a new KC-C150U, a full review will be coming in about a month.

Preliminary impressions are that Sharp is correct in promoting their "wet" plasma-ion technology, and that KCC150U is a very fine product.

However, there is no green light/negative ion only mode on KC series Sharps.

Plasmaclusters are either on or off, controlled by a manual switch - there is no separate auto mode for plasma ions as on previous Sharps.

Auto mode regulates fan speed only. Quick Clean mode is similar to the old Pollen Mode - stepping up the fan on a timed cycle.

There are lights on the front for PC function (always blue when plasma-ions are working, no light when plasma-ions are off), air quality (green means clean air, not neg ions), and humidity level when wet mode is selected.

My warnings about plasma-ion safety are relative. I consider the Sharp Plasmacluster to be the safest oxidant technology on the market.

It is safer than the previously very popular ozone (former best sellers Oreck, Ionic Breeze, Brookstone Ion, Ionic Pro, and Friederick C90 series, among many).

And safer than increasingly popular Ultraviolet and Photocatalytic air cleaners.

With any oxidant, there is a safety issue. My warnings are meant to inform folks who naively believed that the smell of ozone was "forest air."

I recommend avoiding close proximity to the Plasmacluster for extended periods, especially during sleep.

But my KC-C150U runs 16 hours a day in my living room, with plasma-ions on most of the time. In the bedroom, my good 'ol 2005 model FP-N60CX still runs 24/7, but very, very rarely switches to dual plasma-ion mode.

At night, I switch off the plasma-ions.

The newer humidifier-based Sharps have no remote, and the lack of negative ion functions, which I miss, is a disappointment.

Despite some downgrading of the product (reduced carbon in odor filters, cost cutting, outsourcing of manufacture to China...) I still consider the Sharp Plasmacluster the best in price class, and safest oxidizer.

Best wishes,

Ed