Alcovisor Mercury User manual

DOT
Alcovisor®Mercury
Operating Manual
PAS Systems International, Inc.
215 Southport Dr. Suite 400
Morrisville, NC 27560
www.pasintl.com
(800) 660-SNIF · [phone]
Copyright© 2010 by PAS Systems International Inc., All Rights Reserved

Table of Contents
Introduction.............................................................................................................................................1
Principles of Operation ...........................................................................................................................2
Instrument Features................................................................................................................................2
Preparing the Mercury............................................................................................................................3
Installing the Batteries.........................................................................................................................3
Turning On & Off .................................................................................................................................3
Touch-Screen Calibration.......................................................................................................................3
Icon Descriptions....................................................................................................................................4
Performing a Breath Test........................................................................................................................5
Conditions for Test Site.......................................................................................................................5
Conditions for Test Subject .................................................................................................................5
Attaching a Mouthpiece.......................................................................................................................5
Performing an Air Blank Test...............................................................................................................6
Measuring BrAC/BAC.............................................................................................................................6
Passive Test........................................................................................................................................6
Standard Test......................................................................................................................................7
Manual Override Test..........................................................................................................................8
Test Records..........................................................................................................................................8
Settings...................................................................................................................................................9
Printer...................................................................................................................................................10
Accuracy Checking and Calibration......................................................................................................12
Wet Bath Accuracy Checking...............................................................................................................12
Dry Gas Accuracy Checking.................................................................................................................13
Dry Gas at High Altitude....................................................................................................................14
High Altitude Correction Chart..............................................................................................................14
Quality Assurance Plan ........................................................................................................................15
Troubleshooting....................................................................................................................................16
Technical Specifications.......................................................................................................................17
Safety, Maintenance & Warranty..........................................................................................................18

1
INTRODUCTION
The Mercury is the latest in the C4 Technology line of affordable, professional,
handheld quantitative breath alcohol testing instruments. It can be used for law
enforcement, schools, workplace safety or medical purposes. The Mercury features an
easy-to-use automatic sampling or manual sampling with a user-friendly touch-screen
display and an optional wireless printer.
The Mercury is accurate and reliable, allowing a complete breath test procedure to be
conducted in about 30 seconds or less.
This manual describes the operation, maintenance, calibration check, and calibration
adjustment of the Mercury. This manual should be read completely and fully
understood by each operator prior to testing. It is further recommended that operators
practice the breath testing process before giving an actual “in the field” test.
NHTSA APPROVED
EVIDENTIAL BREATH ALCOHOL TESTING DEVICE (EBT)

2
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
The Mercury uses an electrochemical fuel cell containing two platinum electrodes to
detect and measure the concentration of alcohol vapor in expired breath. When breath
is drawn into the fuel cell by the sampling system, a small voltage is generated
proportionate to the breath alcohol concentration. This voltage is then fed to an
electronic amplifier and displayed on the screen.
The instrument is simple to operate and may be used as often as required provided that
a suitable delay is allowed between successive tests. This time delay allows the fuel
cell to clear itself of alcohol and prevents the possibility of additive readings. If no
alcohol is present in a test, a second test may be analyzed immediately, since the fuel
cell voltage is already at zero. Unless the breath alcohol level of the subject is very
high, the instrument will generally be clear enough to receive and analyze a second
sample in less than two minutes.
INSTRUMENT FEATURES
1. DISPOSABLE MOUTHPIECE: For sanitary reasons, each mouthpiece is
individually packaged and sealed. A new mouthpiece should be used for each
test.
2. SAMPLING CUP: A sampling cup is reusable. Attach to the sample port and do
not allow subject to touch the sampling cup while providing a breath sample.
Remove and clean with a mild disinfectant (alcohol-free) for the next use.
3. LEVER TO REMOVE MOUTHPIECE: For sanitary reasons, the mouthpiece can
be ejected by pushing up on the lever on the left side of the Mercury.
4. TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY: A user-friendly touch-screen displays instructions
and test results. Select the icons and buttons on the screen by using the attached
stylus pen located on the top of the instrument behind the sample port.
5. EXTERNAL POWER CONNECTORS: The 12V wall adapter can be used to
charge the printer battery. If rechargeable AA batteries are being used in the unit,
these can be recharged using the 12V auto adapter.
6. USB CONNECTOR: A USB cable can be used to download stored test records
from the Mercury onto a PC.

3
PREPARING THE MERCURY
Before using the Mercury, batteries must be installed and the unit turned on.
Installing Batteries
The Mercury is powered using 4 (AA) alkaline batteries.
To insert the batteries:
1. Remove the lower half of the back cover by sliding it down.
2. Insert the 4 batteries according to the plus (+) and minus (-) directions in the
instrument. Be sure to keep the ribbon underneath the batteries.
3. Replace the back cover.
To recharge batteries:
1. If you inserted Rechargeable AA batteries into the Mercury, they can be
recharged while inside the unit using the auto power adaptor.
2. Plug the USB end of the adapter into the right side of the Mercury and the
other end into the car.
CAUTION: Be certain there are Rechargeable Batteries in the instrument before
attempting to recharge them.
Turning On/Off
ON
Press and hold the On/Off button (right button) for 2 –3 seconds.
OFF
Press and hold the On/Off button for 2 - 3 seconds.
Note: You can choose to have the Mercury shut off automatically after 1, 2, 5 or 10
minutes of inactivity to conserve battery power.
TOUCH SCREEN CALIBRATION
If the touch screen does not appear to be responding correctly, it may need calibration.
With the instrument off, press and hold the On/Off button (right button) and then press
the Function button (left button) immediately. Follow the on screen instructions by
tapping the arrows and plus signs as accurately as possible to calibrate the screen.

4
I
ICON DESCRIPTIONS
1
Weekday Indicator
6
Standard Test
2
Time Indicator
7
Test Records
3
Date Indicator
8
Settings
4
Battery Indicator
9
Number of Tests Indicator
5
Passive Test
10
Last Calibration Date
Previous Screen/Cancel Next Screen/Confirm Main Screen
Print Repeat Test

5
IPERFORMING A BREATH TEST
Before performing a breath test, several conditions for the test site and the test subject
must be verified
Conditions for Test Site
•The ambient air should be free from alcohol, solvent vapors, and thick tobacco
smoke.
•Working temperature of the Mercury should be between 14°F to 122°F (-10ºC to
50ºC).
Note: Do not allow an unrealistically high ethanol concentration to reach the sensor,
since this can reduce the life expectancy of the unit.
Conditions for Test Subject
•The person being tested must abstain from drinking, eating, chewing gum,
chewing tobacco, smoking tobacco, using mouth spray, or taking any medications
for at least 15 minutes prior to providing a sample. (If a positive sample is given
in workplace testing, a minimum 15 minute waiting period must occur after the
initial screening test.)
•The person being tested must breathe evenly and normally before the test. The
person must also avoid repeated deep breaths (hyperventilation) as this will
temporarily cool down the breath and may lead to a false reading.
•Should the person have diminished lung capacity and cannot activate the Auto
Test, a manual override method is provided.
Note: Rinsing out the mouth with water or non-alcoholic drinks does not substitute for
the 15 minute interval between a screening test and a confirmation test.
Attaching a Mouthpiece
•Remove the disposable mouthpiece from its wrapper, making sure not to touch
the end into which the subject will be blowing.
•Snap the disposable mouthpiece onto the top of the Mercury to ensure a secure
fit.
•After use, the mouthpiece can be removed from the Mercury by using the lever on
the left of the instrument. Slide this lever up to disengage the mouthpiece without
needing to touch it.

6
Performing an Air Blank Test
The Mercury performs an Air Blank test to determine if ethanol is present in the ambient
air or if any residual alcohol is remaining from prior testing. An Air Blank test should be
performed if there is suspicion that the ambient air contains alcohol vapor, or prior test
carryover is suspected, or before a confirmatory test. The Mercury automatically
performs an air blank every time the Standard Test Icon is selected and before going
into Test Mode.
If a reading greater than 0.000% is noted on the Air Blank Result, return to the Main
Menu, wait 2-3 minutes, then select the Standard Test Icon again and check the Air
Blank Result.
MEASURING BREATH ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION (BrAC/BAC)
Passive Test:
1. Attach a sampling cup onto the sample port.
2. When Mercury displays “Please Blow”, instruct subject to take a deep
breath and blow towards the sampling cup until the beep tone changes.
3. “Alcohol Detected” or “No Alcohol” will display on the screen.
4. A manual override can be performed by selecting “Manual” while the subject
is blowing.
5. Select to start another test.
6. If alcohol is detected, use a mouthpiece to perform a standard test to obtain
an accurate reading.
7. The sampling cup should be cleaned with an alcohol-free mild disinfectant.
Screening Test results can be printed and/or stored in the test records of the
device. You can elect to save Screening Test Results, by selecting the
“Screening Results Saved” option in the Advanced Settings.
NOTE: The Screening Test (Passive Test) is used only for screening purposes to
determine if alcohol is on the breath sample. An accurate test can only be obtained
by using a Standard Test.

7
Standard Test:
1. Attach a disposable mouthpiece onto the sample port.
2. Select the Standard Test Icon on the Main Menu.
3. Instrument will display Air Blank Processing as it checks for residual alcohol
in the air or in the fuel cell.
4. Instrument will display the results of the Air Blank on screen for 6 seconds.
The time of this Air Blank will be printed with the Test Result.
5. Input information by a stylus pen, if this feature is active. (NOTE: 16
characters maximum for each input). Identifying fields, such as name,
license number, etc can be chosen by the operator and are found under the
Advanced Settings.
6. Instrument will then automatically go into Test Mode and display the next
Test Record Number.
7. When Mercury displays “Please Blow”, have subject take a deep breath and
blow until the beep tone changes. You will notice the Time (T) and Volume
(V) indicators count up from 0% to 100%.
8. Test Result displays on the screen.
9. If subject did not blow within 30 seconds, operator can select “Refuse” to
confirm the subject refused to do the test. Or operator can select “Test
Again” to allow subject to do the test again.
10. If subject failed to give a valid breath sample, operator can select
“Discontinue” to confirm, or select “Test Again” to allow subject to test again.
The Mercury will also detect if the subject attempts to suck air back through
the mouthpiece. In this case, the Mercury will display “Discontinue” or “Test
Again” instead of displaying a test result.
11. Upon completion of the test, push up on the lever on the left side of the
Mercury to remove the mouthpiece.
12. Select to print the test result, if optional wireless printer is available.
13. To take another test, attach a new mouthpiece and select . The
instrument will perform another Air Blank before going back into Test Mode
and displaying a new Test Record Number.