Agilent Technologies 8453 User manual

s1
Multicell Transport for
Agilent 8453 UV-visible
Spectrophotometer
Operator’s Manual

Agilent Technologies Deutschland GmbH
Hewlett-Packard-Strasse 8
76337 Waldbronn
Germany
Copyright Agilent
Technologies 2000
All rights reserved.
Reproduction, adaption,
or translation without
prior written permission
is prohibited, except as
allowed under the
copyright laws.
Part No. G1120-90001
Edition 02/00
Printed in Germany
Warranty
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contained in this
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change without notice.
Agilent Technologies
makes no warranty of
any kind with regard to
this material,
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limited to, the implied
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fitness for a particular
purpose.
Agilent Technologies
shall not be liable for
errors contained herein
or for incidental or
consequential damages
in connection with the
furnishing, performance,
or use of this material.
WARNING
For details of safety,
see Safety Information
on page 48.
Warning Symbols Used
In This Book
The apparatus is marked
with this symbol when
the user should refer to
the instruction manual
in order to protect the
apparatus against
damage.
!

Operator’s Manual
Multicell Transport for Agilent 8453 UV-visible
Spectrophotometer

4
In This Book
This handbook contains specifications of the eight-position multicell
transport (order number G1120A) and describes how install this accessory in
an Agilent 8453 UV-visible spectrophotometer. This handbook also includes
operating guidelines for checking out and using the multicell transport. For
details of how to operate the multicell transport through the Agilent
ChemStation, refer to the help system.
For service personnel there is additional information on maintenance,
adjustments, troubleshooting and repair. Part numbers are given for
replacement and exchange parts with an exploded view for better
identification of the individual part.
The eight-position multicell transport is not compatible with older Hewlett-
Packard spectrophotometers such as the HP 8450, HP 8451 and HP 8452A.
To control the multicell transport through the Agilent ChemStation, the
software must be revision A.05.xx or higher.
• Chapter 1 “Description and Specifications” gives you specifications of the
multicell transport.
•Chapter 2 “Installing and Operating Your Multicell Transport”describes
how to install the multicell transport in your spectrophotometer and how
to do an an operational checkout.
•Chapter 3 “Diagnostics and Troubleshooting”for some hints about
cleaning the multicell transport and for troubleshooting.
•Chapter 4 “Maintenance and Repair”describes simple maintenance tasks,
repair procedures, and the adjustments that are necessary after you have
made a repair.
•Chapter 5 “Parts and Supplies”helps you to locate parts and find out their
part numbers.

Contents
5
1 Description and Specifications
An overview of the multicell transport accessory and its
specifications 7
Description 8
Specifications 10
2 Installing and Operating Your Multicell Transport
How to install, operate, and do an operational checkout 11
Site Requirements for Your Multicell Transport 13
Unpacking Your Multicell Transport 14
Installing Your Multicell Transport 15
Installing the Stirring Module 18
Installing the Filter Kit 20
Operating Your Multicell Transport 23
Removing the Multicell Transport from the
Spectrophotometer 25
To Remove the Cell Holder 26
3 Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Descriptions of error messages, general troubleshooting hints,
and how to check the electronics 27
Error Messages 28
General Troubleshooting Hints 29
Checking the Electronics 31

6
Contents
4 Maintenance and Repair
Simple maintenance tasks, repair procedures, and adjust-
ments that are necessary after you have made a repair 33
Simple Maintenance 35
Replacing the Plastic Cover 36
Adjusting the Belt Tension 38
5 Parts and Supplies
Figures and tables to help you identify part numbers of the
multicell transport and related supplies 39

1
1Description and
Specifications
An overview of the multicell transport accessory
and its specifications

8
Description and Specifications
Description
Description
The eight-position multicell transport (order number G1120A) is an
accessory for the Agilent 8453 UV-visible spectrophotometer. It is a
multiple-sample holder with multiple-position capability, see Figure 1. The
multicell transport cell holder holds eight cells in a rack which can be held at
a constant temperature with water circulated from a thermostatic bath
(provided by the user and not supplied by Agilent Technologies).
Figure 1 The Eight-position Multicell Transport
The holder is attached to the multicell transport base which contains a
stepper motor to move the designated cell into the optical path. A
water-driven magnetic stirrer can be fitted under the holder in one of two
positions—either under the cell in the optical path or under the cell to the left
of the cell in the optical path.
The multicell transport can be controlled by any Agilent Technologies
UV-visible operating software, having revision A.05.xx or higher, through the
accessory interface of the spectrophotometer.
NOTE The eight-position multicell transport can not be controlled by Agilent
Technologies UV-visible operating software with revision A.02.05 or lower.
Cell Holder
Tubing Clamp
Stirring module with
cell-stirring water-supply
(optional)
Connection for
water bath

9
Description and Specifications
Description
Cell Stirring Module
The cell stirring module is mounted in the multicell transport base to provide
magnetic-induction stirring in the cell at or adjacent to the measurement
position. The cell stirring module contains a plastic-cased magnetic impeller
that may be driven by pressurized water. When a magnetic stirring bar (part
number 9301-1161) has been inserted in a solvent-filled, standard 1 cm
cuvette the stirring bar rotates in tandem with the impeller magnet to
produce solution stirring.
Cell Holder
The cell holder has a capacity for eight cells. The outside dimensions of
individual cells must be 12.5 ×12.5 mm and the height from base of the cell to
the sample area 15 mm.
During an analysis, the position of individual cells is maintained by a flat
spring inside each of the cell compartments. The spring alone fixes the cell.
No additional fixing mechanism is needed, see Figure 1.
Optical Filter Kit
An optional optical filter kit (part number G1120-68707) may be used with the
cell holder to modify the incident light at the sample during a measurement in
case of highly photosensitive samples.

10
Description and Specifications
Specifications
Specifications
The multicell transport generally operates under the same environmental
conditions as those specified in the Reference Handbook for the Agilent 8453
spectrophotometer. A maximum water pressure of approximately 3.5 bar
(50 psi) can be supplied to the thermostatted cell holder and to the
water-driven stirrer.
Table 1 Multicell Transport Performance Specifications
Item Specification Comment
Time to move between adjacent cell
positions
< 1 second
Position repeatability ± 0.1 mm Linear position error in moving to
a cell position within 1 hour
Step resolution 0.060 mm
Temperature range for thermostatting
(cell holder only)
5–90 °C
Temperature difference between any
two cell positions
0.3 °C With a water bath at 37 °C

2
2Installing and Operating
Your Multicell Transport
How to install, operate, and do an operational
checkout

12
Installing and Operating
Your Multicell Transport
This chapter describes the following topics:
•“Site Requirements for Your Multicell Transport”on page 13 contains
information about electrical requirements—it also gives
recommendations for environmental conditions in the laboratory.
•“Unpacking Your Multicell Transport”on page 14 contains information
about what you do when the packing material is damaged or the shipment
is incomplete—it also gives a list of items which come with the multicell
transport accessory.
•“Installing Your Multicell Transport”on page 15 gives instructions how to
install the multicell transport in the spectrophotometer and how to do
tubing connections to an external thermostatted water bath and the stirrer.
•“Operating Your Multicell Transport”on page 23 contains information on
how you operate your multicell transport, for example, how to insert cells,
what cell apertures are recommended, how often to take a blank
measurement and how to get rid of air gathering in the cell.

13
Installing and Operating Your Multicell Transport
Site Requirements for Your Multicell Transport
Site Requirements for Your Multicell
Transport
Power Considerations
There are no special considerations necessary because the multicell
transport is driven from the power supply of the Agilent 8453
spectrophotometer and does not require separate line power. For power
considerations of the spectrophotometer, see the Installing Your UV-visible
Spectroscopy System handbook which comes with your UV-visible software
or system.
Space
The multicell transport does not require additional space, because it fits into
the sample area of your spectrophotometer.
Environment
Your multicell transport will operate within the same environmental
conditions as your spectrophotometer.
WARNING Do not store, ship or use your instrument under conditions where
temperature fluctuations could cause condensation within the
instrument. Condensation will damage the electronics. If your
instrument was shipped in cold weather, leave it in its box and allow it
to warm up slowly to room temperature to avoid condensation.

14
Installing and Operating Your Multicell Transport
Unpacking Your Multicell Transport
Unpacking Your Multicell Transport
Upon receipt of your multicell transport, inspect the shipping containers for
any signs of damage. If the containers or cushioning material are damaged,
save them until the contents have been checked for completeness and the
instrumentation has been mechanically and electrically checked. If the
shipping container or cushioning material is damaged, notify the carrier as
well as Agilent Technologies. Save the shipping material for the carrier’s
inspection.
Unpack the multicell transport and check the contents of the shipping
container against the list below. If any items are missing or obviously
damaged, call Agilent Technologies.
❏Multicell transport with attached cable.
❏2 m (79 inches) of 3/8-inch i.d. flexible tubing with four clamps to connect
your multicell transport to a thermostatted water bath.

15
Installing and Operating Your Multicell Transport
Installing Your Multicell Transport
Installing Your Multicell Transport
Mounting the Multicell Transport
1Place the multicell transport in the sample compartment of the
spectrophotometer.
Figure 2 Top View of Multicell Transport in Spectrophotometer
2Move the cell holder of the multicell transport manually to the left-most
position and tighten the screw at the right side. Move it now to the right-most
position and tighten the screw at the left side.
3Run the multicell transport cable through the channel underneath the
instrument and plug it in the connector at the rear.
Mounting screw

16
Installing and Operating Your Multicell Transport
Installing Your Multicell Transport
Figure 3 Connector at Rear of Multicell Transport
4Turn on the spectrophotometer at the lower-left part of the instrument, if not
already running. The transport initializes, that is, the transport moves to the
HOME-position.
5Start your Agilent ChemStation software, if not already running.
6To verify proper installation of the transport, use your operating software to
move it to every possible cell position.
Connecting the Water Supply Tubing for the Cell Holder
The transport is shipped with 4 tubing clamps and 2 meters of 3/8 inch i.d.
flexible tubing.
1Cut the tubing into two pieces of desired length.
2Connect the tubing to the inlet and outlet fittings. Connect the outlet of the
thermostatted water bath to inlet fitting (A) on the cell holder and connect the
outlet fitting (B) on the cell holder to the inlet of the thermostatted water bath.
Multicell transport
connector

17
Installing and Operating Your Multicell Transport
Installing Your Multicell Transport
Figure 4 Multicell Transport with Fitting Connections
3Attach tubing clamps to fittings (A and B).
4Before circulating water through the multicell transport, test the tubing
arrangement by moving the cell holder to the HOME-position and cell
position 8, using your operating software.
5Do this several times to establish that the tubing neither pulls loose nor bends
sharply. Start the water flow and repeat this test. Make sure that there is no
restriction of the water flow.
6A maximum water pressure of approximately 3.5 bar (50 psi) can be supplied
to the thermostatted cell holder.
Tubing clamp (C)
Inlet fitting (A)
Outlet fitting (B)

18
Installing and Operating Your Multicell Transport
Installing the Stirring Module
Installing the Stirring Module
The stirring module (part number G1120-60006) is an optional accessory for
the multicell transport. The stirring module comprises the stirring assembly,
four tubing clamps and 2 meters of 3/8 inch i.d. flexible tubing.
Two positions for mounting the stirring assembly are available. One under
the light path, as shown in Figure 5 and one under the cell at the left side of
the cell in the light path. You can turn the stirring assembly by 90 degrees
about the axis perpendicular to the base plate of the multicell transport, thus
bringing the fittings in three different positions.
Mounting the Stirring Assembly
1Remove the cell holder form the multicell transport by unscrewing the cell
holder screws.
2Turn the stirring module with the fittings in the desired direction.
3Insert the connector of the stirring module either in the drilling under the light
path or in the drilling under the cell on the left hand side of the light path.
Figure 5 Mounting the Stirring Assembly
Cell holder screws
Second mounting position Stirring module mounted
under the light path
Inlet fitting (D)
Outlet fitting (E)

19
Installing and Operating Your Multicell Transport
Installing the Stirring Module
4Reinsert the cell holder and screw down the cell holder screws finger tight.
Connecting the Water Supply Tubing for the Stirring
Module
1Cut the tubing into two pieces of desired length.
2Connect the tubing to the inlet and outlet fittings. Connect the outlet of the
water supply to inlet fitting (D) on the stirring module and connect the outlet
fitting (E) on the stirring module to the inlet of the water supply. see Figure 5.
3Adjust the water flow to achieve the appropriate stirrer speed.

20
Installing and Operating Your Multicell Transport
Installing the Filter Kit
Installing the Filter Kit
Some compounds are photosensitive and may be decomposed during
measurement. This effect can be reduced or eliminated by using a filter to cut
off the highly energetic low-wavelength UV part of the spectrum.
The filter kit (part number G1120-68707) comprises three threaded ring
assemblies which hold different filters. These filters have different cut-off
wavelengths and absorb therefore varying amounts of the UV spectrum. All
threaded rings are labeled with the corresponding cut-off wavelength of the
filters mounted.
Remove the multicell transport from the sample area. Screw the threaded
ring, which holds the filter appropriate for your application, in the circular
opening located at the rear part of the multicell transport. If no threaded ring
is screwed in, the complete light coming from the lamps is let through.
Figure 6 Threaded Filter Ring for Multicell Transport
Figure 7 shows the transmission characteristics of each filter.
Thread
Filter label
FilterFilter