Cirro Strata CS6 User manual

Cirro Strata User Manual Page 1
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Cirro Strata CS6 Mist Generator
INTRODUCTION
The Cirro Strata is a professional mist generator for producing sufficient airborne reflection
particles to enable effect lighting to be seen. It has been developed for applications such as Clubs,
Discos, Film and TV location work, Theatre, Ballet and Concert Tours. For very large studios and
arenas consideration can be given to the larger Cirro MK3 model, available especially for this
type of work. The Strata is totally self contained, and all that is required for operation is a supply
of mains power and sufficient fluid in the tank.
The Cirro Strata has been developed from the well established Cirrus generator which has been
extensively used by many TV, film, promotional and touring rock shows. It has been COSHH
tested and approved for use in areas of public entertainment.
To ensure proper operation it is advisable that you read fully the following information and fully
understand the method of achieving proper distribution of the mist, and at the proper
concentration.
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UNPACKING
As part of our quality control system this product is carefully checked prior to dispatch . Supplied
with the Strata will be an IEC mains power cord. Please check that you have received this item,
and contact your dealer immediately should this not be the case, or should the unit have suffered
transit damage.
WARNING: Do not connect power to the unit and switch on until you have read through the
mains power and operating instruction section of this manual.
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FEATURES AND CONTROLS
1
10
911
6
7
8
2
4
5
3
13
12
1. Carrying handle.
2. Side outlet for mist. Top flap (3) needs to be closed for mist to exit here.
3. Hinged top flap and upper mist outlet. Secured with coin operated quarter-turn fastner.
Also provides access to the tank screw cap and silencer bung.
4. Fluid level indicator window. Level should be held within the range of this window.
Overfilling beyond the top of the indicator reduces performance and quality of mist
output.
5. Tank screw cap. As a safety precaution, always remove before connecting the Strata to a
mains supply. The silencer bung is located underneath this cap, as a push fit into the
neck of the tank outlet.
6. Inlet vent for cooling air located underneath case. Ensure at all times that there is no
obstruction.
7. Control panel. Mains switch illuminates when power is applied and switch is in the ON
position.

Cirro Strata User Manual Page 3
8. Cable tidy. A convenient storage place for the power cord.
9. IEC mains socket. Includes integral 20mm mains fuse rated at T3.15A
10. Location of air filter, secured to bulkhead. Air supply hose connects to filter input via a
Quick Connect socket.
11. Air supply hose. Free end connects directly to the air filter (10) input or via an extension
hose.
12. Safety bung. Acts as a safety pressure relief valve to protect against tank explosion in
case the Strata is left powered up whilst screw cap is in place.
13. Location of serial number on the bulkhead panel of both cases.
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Cirro Strata User Manual Page 4
MAINS POWER
The generator is designed to operate off a single phase 220-240V 50 Hz 1AC supply capable of
supplying a minimum of 300W. A suitable IEC mains lead is supplied with the unit.
WARNING: THIS APPLIANCE MUST BE EARTHED.
The wires in the mains lead are colour coded in accordance with the following code:
Green - and - yellow Earth
Blue : Neutral
Brown : Live
As the colours of the wires in the mains lead may not correspond with the coloured markings
identifying the terminals in your plug, proceed as follows:
The wire which is colour coded green-and-yellow must be connected to the terminals in the plug
which is marked with the letter 'E' or by the earth symbol which is ' ', or which is coloured green
or green-and-yellow.
The wire which is colour coded blue must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the
letter 'N' or coloured black.
The wire which is colour coded brown must be connected to the terminal which is marked with
the letter 'L', or coloured red.
MAINS FUSING
The mains power fuse is located underneath the IEC connector in a small carrier. Access is gained
by first removing the IEC power cord and then using a flat blade to unclip and withdraw the fuse
carrier. The fuse is rated as 20mm 250vAC T3.15A. and a suitable spare is also provided. If this
needs to be replaced it is essential for proper protection that it is replaced with one of the same
specification. Should the fuse continue to blow, then internal damage has occurred and the whole
unit must be returned to your dealer for service.
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1110v and 60Hz versions available to special order.

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OPERATION.
WARNING:Before applying power to the unit and switching on, open the flap (3) on the top of
the tank case and remove the screw cap (5). Keep this in a safe place and be sure to replace it
during transit, or during long periods of non operation.
1. Site the Strata in a well ventilated area.
2. Remove the power cord from the cable tidy (8), and plug into IEC connector (9) ensuring first
that the mains power switch on the control panel (7) is in the OFF position.
3. Open flap (3) and remove the screw cap (5). Check the fluid level to be within the lower and
upper limits on the viewing window (4). Refer to routine maintenance section of this manual
if necessary. OVERFILLING REDUCES PERFORMANCE and QUALITY OF MIST
OUTPUT.
4. If a mist is required in a specific area, such as a dance floor or a particular area on location,
CLOSE flap (3). Turn mains power switch ON and mist will immediately start to emerge from
the side mist outlet (2).
5. If a more ambient mist is required, leave flap (3) OPEN. Turn the mains power switch ON and
mist will immediately start to emerge upwards from the machine.
6. Avoid operating the unit such that the room or venue becomes too heavy with mist. The
maximum acceptable level will be when the mist is just visible to the eye. Please refer to the
useful tips section of this manual.
WARNING:The tank top has a pressure relief bung (12) which is designed to prevent excess
pressure building up in the tank, should the Strata be inadvertently switched on, with the screw
cap still in place. This is for safety reasons only, and good operational practice should be used to
ensure that the screw cap is always removed, prior to applying mains power. If the screw cap has
been left on with the compressor running, the relief bung is likely to have blown out. Simple
refitting should restore the unit to full specification, but thorough inspection is advisable to
ensure the tank has not become distorted or the tank/lid rubber seal has ruptured, causing fluid
leaks if tippped.
WARNING: Ensure the fan grill (6) does not become blocked as this will lead to excessive
internal temperatures and shorten the working life of the compressor.
WARNING Always travel the machine with the printed arrows pointing upwards. This is
necessary to avoid accidental spillage of the fluid, although short term tipping should not
produce any leaks if the screw cap is securly fitted. The Strata is equipped with a centrally
placed carrying handle, provided for ease of moving over short distances.
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OPERATIONAL TIPS
1. Always use Cirrus/Cirro fluid. Operation with any other liquid will invalidate the guarantee
and invalidate the COSHH health and safety approvals for the unit.
2. The Cirro Strata machine incorporates the CIRRUS system which has been COSHH tested in
the UK. It is on the approved list for use in areas of public entertainment. Certificates are
available for inspection if required.
3. The machine will provide a fine even mist. The recommended level for use in an eight hour
day is 5mg/CuM (reference OSHA), and this represents a fine mist, NOT fog or smoke.
When the mist is just visible with the eye, this represents a maximum working concentration.
4. Position the Strata downwind of the prevailing draught, If required an additional fan can be
used , but this must always BLOW the mist. Never extrude the mist through the fan as this will
result in loss of output and heavy fluid build-up on the fan blades.
5. The mist will always rise or fall to the coolest areas. In very humid conditions, use of a heavy
duty fan might be required to avoid the mist becoming localised.
6. Never use a hose on the tank top output (5) as this will result in loss of output.
7. It is NOT important to position the tank near to where the mist is required as this type of effect
is ambient rather than localised.
8. When the desired effect is achieved, switch the machine off, and then switch on again as
necessary. Do not just leave the machine running as this will result in too high a concentration
of mist. Since the desired effect will be dependent on the Directors requirement and ambient
conditions of temperature, humidity and prevailing draughts, it is suggested that some
experimentation is carried out prior to use.
9. NEVER block the supply of air to the fan located on the underside of the compressor case.
This is essential for the cool operation of the compressor as well as providing air for the
compressor input.
10. The tank output incorporates a removable foam silencer pad. Should the absolute
maimum mist output be required then this filter can be removed, although audible tank
noise will increase slightly and fluid residues will need periodic wiping from the tank top
plate.
11. If absolute quietness is needed, the Strata case should be split so that the compressor section
can be remotely sited. Externsion hoses are available as optional parts. Refer to the section
‘Two Part Operation’.
12. The air supply to the tank is filtered to remove any moisture content. The filter is located on
the bulkead panel of the tank case and is supplied set for automatic draining. The small
amount of water collected will drain through the pipe onto the floor beneath the case. In
situations where this is not acceptable the drain should be locked off by rotating the knurled
ring on the base of the filter cup, to the right. Regular draining should then be undertaken by
temporarily resetting the knurled ring to the automatic position with the unit switched off.

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ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
1. FLUID LEVEL . Check level in tank before use. For correct operation the level should be
within the upper and lower limits of the viewing glass. OVERFILLING WILL REDUCE
MIST OUTPUT.
2. COOLING FAN. Check that the fan is running correctly and that it is free of dirt and dust. It
provides the air necessary for the compressor input, as well as air for temperature control.
3. COMPRESSOR. There is no routine maintenance required and no attempt should be made in
any way to oil or service this unit. The compressor motor has its own over-temperature cut-out
system to protect it from excessive heat.
4. TANK. There is no routine maintenance required. Should the level of mist become decreased
over time then the internal nozzles might have become blocked. Assistance should be obtained
from your local distributor quoting the units serial number.
5. MIST SILENCER. Located in the tank output funnel as a foam bung. To maintain correct
performance this must be replaced annually or after 500 hours usage, which ever is earliest.
6. AIR FILTER. Located on the bulkhead of the tank case, check that it is operating correctly. It
is normally self draining, so the cup should contain no fluid when the unit is switched off.
Should automatic self draining not be appropriate then the locking nut on the cup base can be
rotated to lock the drain closed. In this case regular draining must be actioned.
7. The units serial number is located on the bulkhead panel for both halves of the case. Unclip
and separate the cases to view.
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TWO PART OPERATION
In quiet ambient conditions or when the size of the Strata is too large, the two part case should
be split. Undo the two butterfly catches to the left and right sides of the cae and carefully
separate the two halves. Disconnect the airline hose from the inlet side of the air filter by pushing
back the quick release mechanism.
Take the 16 metre extension hose, available as an optional extra, and connect its male end into
the air filter quick release socket by pushing in hard until the locking ring clicks. Secure the hose
to the hose clip provided at the bottom edge of the bulkead panel. Position the compressor case
where required and connect the female end of the hose extension to the free end of the
compressor output hose.
Switch on, having first checked that the tank screw cap is removed, and operate as normal.
If required, multiple extension hoses can be connected to increase the separation distance.

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SAFETY FEATURES
The internal compressor generates substantial heat and it is most important for trouble free
operation of both the compressor and the tank that this heat is efficiently removed. Two high
capacity fans are incorporated in the compressor case which not only supplies the cooling air for
the compressor, but also for the compressed air.
WARNING:Do not obstruct the entry of air to the underside orf the compressor case.
WARNING: Do not operate the Strata with the screw cap in place, as the build up of internal
pressure will blow the rubber safety bung and might also weaken the seal between the tank and
it's lid.
As a safety feature, the electric motor of the compressor provides its own temperature cut-out.
Should this have come into operation the compressor will automatically restart once it is safe to
do so. An examination should also be made to determine the cause of the overheating.
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TECHNICAL DETAILS
SIZE: 535mm x 315mm x 320mm (L x W x H).
WEIGHT: kg
MAINS: 220-240vAC 50 Hz 300W continuous.2
FUSE: 20mm T3.15A 250v AC
OPERATING TEMPERATURE: 0 to + 35degC.
FLUID: COSHH approved proprietary CIRRUS/CIRRO fluid.
The CIRRO Strata CS6 is designed and manufactured in the UK.
We reserve the right to alter specifications without prior notice. V1.0 /97.
2Consult the factory for 110v and 60Hz versions..