Malvern APS5000 User guide

PARTICLE SIZE
MOLECULAR SIZE
ZETASIZER APS
BASIC GUIDE
MAN0494
MRK1946-01
www.malvern.com
Malvern Instruments Limited
Grovewood Road, Malvern
Worcestershire, WR14 1XZ, UK
Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]
MRK1946-01_APS_basic_guide_cover_58pp.indd 1MRK1946-01_APS_basic_guide_cover_58pp.indd 1 06/08/2013 17:27:3506/08/2013 17:27:35

Zetasizer APS
Basic Guide
MAN0494 Issue 1.0 July 2013
English
MAN0494-1 (Zetasizer APS Basic Guide).book Page i Friday, August 9, 2013 2:08 PM

Copyright © 2008, 2013 Malvern Instruments Ltd.
Malvern Instruments pursues a policy of continual improvement due to technical development. We
therefore reserve the right to deviate from information, descriptions, and specifications in this
publication without notice. Malvern Instruments 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. No reproduction or transmission of any part of this publication is allowed without the
express written permission of Malvern Instruments Ltd.
Head office:
Malvern Instruments Ltd.
Enigma Business Park,
Grovewood Road,
Malvern,
Worcestershire WR14 1XZ
United Kingdom.
Tel + [44] (0)1684-892456
Fax + [44] (0)1684-892789
Zetasizer, Malvern and the 'hills' logo are registered trademarks in the UK and/or other countries,
and are owned by Malvern Instruments Ltd.
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Tygon is a registered trademark of Saint-Gobain Corporation.
MAN0494-1 (Zetasizer APS Basic Guide).book Page ii Friday, August 9, 2013 2:08 PM

Zetasizer APS Basic Guide Page i
Introduction to this manual
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Using this manual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Access to the instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Where to get help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Site requirements
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Environmental conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Space required. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Power requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Computer specification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Additional services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Laser safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Health and safety
General warnings and Safety regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Electrical warnings and Safety regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
PAT testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Power cords and Power safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Laser safety regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Temperature warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Sample handling warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Moving the system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Disposal of the instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Making a measurement
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Switching on & starting the software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Making a measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Viewing the results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Table of contents
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Table of Contents Zetasizer APS Basic Guide
Page ii MAN 0494
Maintenance
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Transit locks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Cleaning the instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Replacing the system fuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Replacing the tubing and needle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Installing the Zetasizer APS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Changing the computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Appendix
Specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
Chemical compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
Disposal of Electrical & Electronic Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3
Regulatory statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-4
MAN0494-1 (Zetasizer APS Basic Guide).book Page ii Friday, August 9, 2013 2:08 PM

Zetasizer APS Basic Guide Page 1-1
1
Introduction
to this manual
Introduction
This manual covers the operation and maintenance of the Zetasizer APS particle
analyser.
Note
For the Zetasizer serial number double-click the APS icon in the status
bar.
Using this manual
Read the Health and Safety information in Chapter 3 before using the instrument.
For more detail on the Zetasizer software, use its Help system. Each window has a
Help button giving information about it. Advice buttons present sample-related
content.
Menu commands
Software menu commands are referred to in the form main menu-menu item.
As an example, the command Measure-Plate Scheduler refers to selecting the
Plate Scheduler item from the Measure menu. Menu commands are shown in
bold text.
Zetasizer
instrument
Model
number Measurement types
Zetasizer APS APS2000 Particle size
Zetasizer APS +
PTC-1000
APS5000 Particle size
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Chapter 1 Introduction to this manual
Page 1-2 MAN 0494
1
Access to the instrument
Malvern personnel
Malvern personnel (service engineers, representatives, etc.) have full access to the
instrument and are the only people authorised to perform all service procedures
that may require the removal of the main covers.
Warning!
Removal of the main covers by unauthorized personnel, even a supervisor,
will invalidate the warranty of the instrument. It is however permissible to
lift off the front cover, which provides internal access to the user-servicea-
ble tubes and needle. Refer to Chapter 5 for more information on this.
Supervisor
The supervisor is responsible for the management and safety of the instrument and
its operation. The supervisor also trains the operators. They can perform all user
maintenance routines identified in Chapter 5.
The supervisor has access to a more detailed manual in English.
Operator
An operator is a person trained in the use of the system. The operator can perform
all user maintenance routines identified in Chapter 5, except changing the fuse.
Warning!
Failure to follow these guidelines could result in exposure to hazardous
voltages and laser radiation.
Where to get help
Help desk
Direct all queries regarding the system to the local Malvern representative initially.
Please quote the following information:
Model and serial number of the instrument (located on the rear panel).
The Zetasizer software version (select Help-About within the software).
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Introduction to this manual Chapter 1
Zetasizer APS Basic Guide Page 1-3
Contact the United Kingdom help desk if the local Malvern representative is not
available. The direct line to the United Kingdom Helpdesk is [phone].
This help line is primarily English speaking.
Remote support
Malvern Instruments offers a remote support service over the Internet. (A direct
Internet connection must be available.)
Benefits include fast and efficient fault diagnosis, reducing downtime and costs.
Online user training is also available, plus software updates.
Malvern website - www.malvern.com
The Malvern website offers a comprehensive range of particle characterization
resources for use by customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Resources include software downloads, frequently asked questions, a knowledge
base and Application Notes, plus information on other particle characterization
solutions that Malvern can provide.
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Chapter 1 Introduction to this manual
Page 1-4 MAN 0494
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