Archiving a PurpleAir sensor is the process of ending its current registration, effectively preserving all historical data collected at its existing location. This ensures that the data remains accurately associated with the physical location where it was gathered, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of air quality records used by researchers and the public.
If you need to move your sensor’s location on the map without archival, you can learn how to do so here: Move Sensor Location and Map Marker
Why Is Archiving Important?
- Data Accuracy: Archiving ensures that historical data reflects the correct geographic location, preventing confusion or misinterpretation in analyses.
- Sensor Relocation: When moving a sensor to a new location, archiving separates past data from future readings, maintaining clear distinctions between different monitoring sites.
- Ownership Transfer: Archiving resets the owner’s email, facilitating the transfer of sensor ownership to a new individual or organization.
When Should You Archive a Sensor?
- Physical Relocation: If you’re moving your sensor to a new address or significantly different location.
- Changing from Private to Public: Before re-registering a sensor as public, especially if it was previously used privately in multiple locations.
- Ownership Change: When transferring the sensor to a new owner who will manage its registration and data.
Note: If you’re only moving the sensor within the same property (e.g., from one room to another), archiving is generally unnecessary.
How to Archive Your Sensor
To archive your sensor:
- Prepare the Sensor: Disconnect the sensor from its power source.
- Contact PurpleAir: Send an email to contact@purpleair.com with the subject line “Archive Sensor.” Include the following information:
- Device ID (MAC address) of the sensor.
- Reason for archiving (e.g., relocation, ownership transfer).
- Await Confirmation: PurpleAir will confirm once the sensor has been archived.
- Power back on and Re-register the Sensor: After receiving confirmation, you can re-register the sensor at its new location or under new ownership by visiting the PurpleAir Registration Page.
What Happens After Archiving?
- Data Association: All data collected up to the point of archiving remains linked to the sensor’s previous location.
- Sensor Index Reset: The sensor receives a new sensor index upon re-registration, which is essential for data retrieval via the PurpleAir API.
- Map Visibility: The previous location’s marker may appear as a gray dot on the PurpleAir map, indicating an offline sensor.
Special Considerations
- Traveling with Sensors: For private sensors used in multiple locations (e.g., during travel), archiving at each stop isn’t necessary. However, before making the sensor public, ensure you archive it to maintain data accuracy.
- Data Download: If you need to download historical data before archiving, use the or access data via the PurpleAir API
- Automated Archiving: Currently, users cannot archive sensors themselves; you must contact PurpleAir support to perform this action.
By following the archiving process, you help maintain the quality and reliability of air quality data, benefiting the broader community and contributing to accurate environmental monitoring.
Learn More
PurpleAir Map Guide
About the PurpleAir API
Why Should I Put My Indoor Sensor On The Map?