Molecular Devices SpectraMax ABS User manual

5065391 A
October 2018
SpectraMax® ABS
SpectraMax® ABSPlus
Microplate Spectrophotometers
Installation Guide

SpectraMax ABS Instrument Installation Guide
2 5065391 A
This document is provided to customers who have purchased Molecular Devices equipment, software,
reagents, and consumables to use in the operation of such Molecular Devices equipment, software,
reagents, and consumables. This document is copyright protected and any reproduction of this
document, in whole or any part, is strictly prohibited, except as Molecular Devices may authorize in
writing.
Software that may be described in this document is furnished under a non-transferrable license. It is
against the law to copy, modify, or distribute the software on any medium, except as specifically
allowed in the license agreement. Furthermore, the license agreement may prohibit the software
from being disassembled, reverse engineered, or decompiled for any purpose.
Portions of this document may make reference to other manufacturers and/or their products, which
may contain parts whose names are registered as trademarks and/or function as trademarks of their
respective owners. Any such usage is intended only to designate those manufacturers’ products as
supplied by Molecular Devices for incorporation into its equipment and does not imply any right and/or
license to use or permit others to use such manufacturers’ and/or their product names as trademarks.
Each product is shipped with documentation stating specifications and other technical information.
Molecular Devices products are warranted to meet the stated specifications. Molecular Devices makes
no other warranties or representations express or implied, including but not limited to, the fitness of
this product for any particular purpose and assumes no responsibility or contingent liability, including
indirect or consequential damages, for any use to which the purchaser may put the equipment
described herein, or for any adverse circumstances arising therefrom. The sole obligation of Molecular
Devices and the customer's sole remedy are limited to repair or replacement of the product in the
event that the product fails to do as warranted.
For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
The trademarks mentioned herein are the property of Molecular Devices, LLC or their respective owners. These trademarks may not
be used in any type of promotion or advertising without the prior written permission of Molecular Devices, LLC.
Patents: http://www.moleculardevices.com/patents
Product manufactured by Molecular Devices, LLC.
3860 N. First Street, San Jose, California, 95134, United States of America.
Molecular Devices, LLC is ISO 9001 registered.
©2018Molecular Devices, LLC.
All rights reserved.

Chapter 1: Introduction
5065391 A 3
Chapter 1: Introduction
The SpectraMax® ABS microplate spectrophotometer provides rapid and sensitive
measurements of a variety of analytes across a wide range of concentrations. The
SpectraMax® ABSPlus not only works on a wider range of (190 nm - 1000 nm) but it also adds
the ability to read cuvettes. These instruments measure the optical density (OD) of samples
at selected wavelengths in a single read mode.
The high sensitivity and flexibility of the instrument make it useful for applications in the
fields of biochemistry, cell biology, immunology, molecular biology, and microbiology.
Typical applications include ELISA, nucleic acid, protein, enzymatic type homogeneous and
heterogeneous assays, microbial growth, endotoxin testing, and pipettor calibration.
The SpectraMax® ABS supports the Visible Absorbance (ABS) read mode while the
SpectraMax® ABSPlus supports the UV and Visible Absorbance (ABS) read mode with the
following read types:
Endpoint: At a single point in time.
Kinetic: Over a specified period of time.
Spectral Scan: Over a specified wavelength range.
The SpectraMax ABS reads 96-well plates.
The SpectraMax ABSPlus reads 96-well plates, 384-well plates, and cuvettes.
CAUTION! Although not recommended, you can also use strip well plates in both the
SpectraMax ABS and the SpectraMax ABSPlus.
CAUTION! To prevent damage to the instrument, the height of the plate must not
exceed 17 mm, including the lid if the plate is lidded.
CAUTION! Never touch the internal optic mirrors, lenses, filters, or cables. The optics
are extremely delicate, and critical to the function of the instrument.

SpectraMax ABS Instrument Installation Guide
4 5065391 A
Computer Integration
Each Molecular Devices microplate reader is shipped with a license key for the SoftMax® Pro
Data Acquisition and Analysis Software that you install on the computer that you use to
operate the instrument. The SoftMax Pro Software provides integrated instrument control,
data display, and statistical data analysis.
You should install the SoftMax Pro Software on the computer before you set up the
instrument. Please be aware that some updates to the SoftMax Pro Software require a
purchase. Contact Molecular Devices before you update the software. To download the
latest version of the software, visit:
https://www.moleculardevices.com/products/microplate-readers/acquisition-and-analysis-
software/softmax-pro-software#Order.
Note: For information about the computer specifications that are required to run the
software, the software installation and licensing instructions, and the directions to
create the software connection between the computer and the instrument, see the
SoftMax Pro Data Acquisition and Analysis Software Installation Guide.

5065391 A 5
Chapter 2: Setting Up the Instrument
Before you unpack and set up the instrument, prepare a dry, flat work area that has
sufficient space for the instrument, host computer, and required cables. To provide access
for disconnecting power from the instrument, maintain a 20cm to 30cm (7.9in. to 11.8in.)
gap between the rear of the instrument and the wall. To ensure sufficient ventilation, do not
block the ventilation grids on the front and rear of the instrument.
The package contains the instrument and accessories to set up the instrument:
SoftMax Pro Software, product key, and installation guide
Instrument Installation Guide
USB computer connection cable
AC power adapter
For a complete list of the package contents, see the enclosed packing list.
The SoftMax Pro Software installation places a copy of the available microplate reader user
guides (.pdf) in the following location on the computer:
C:\ProgramData\Molecular Devices\User Guides
The most recent version of the microplate reader user guides and the SoftMax Pro Data
Acquisition and Analysis Software User Guide are available on the Molecular Devices
Knowledge Base:
In the software, select the Home tab, click Contact Us, and then select Knowledge Base.
Or go to www.moleculardevices.com/service-support.
Install the SoftMax Pro Software on the computer that operates the microplate reader. See
the SoftMax Pro Data Acquisition and Analysis Software Installation Guide.
The packaging is designed to protect the instrument during shipment. Tape is placed on the
cuvette door to protect the instrument from damage during shipment.
CAUTION! Do not touch or loosen screws or parts other than those specifically
designated in the instructions. Doing so could cause misalignment and possibly void
the warranty.
Note: Retain the shipping box and all packing materials for future transport needs.
CAUTION! When transporting the instrument, warranty claims are void if improper
packaging results in damage during transport.
CAUTION! Before unpacking the instrument, check the box for damage that occurred
during transportation. If any damage is noted, inform the supplier immediately and
keep the damaged packaging. Unless instructed otherwise by the supplier, do not
continue to unpack the instrument.

SpectraMax ABS Instrument Installation Guide
6 5065391 A
To unpack the instrument:
1. Open the top of the box.
2. Lift the accessories tool box and the instrument from the package, and then place the
instrument on a level surface.
3. Remove the packing material from both ends of the instrument, remove the instrument
from the plastic bag, and then set the instrument down carefully on a level surface.
Connecting Instrument Cables
The power cord and USB cable connect to the ports on the rear of the instrument.
Illustration Part Number Description
5064799 USB computer connection cable, 3meter (9.8foot)
4400-0002 or 4400-0036 Power cord, 1meter (3.3foot)
Note: Before you connect or disconnect the power cord, make sure that the power
switch that is on the rear of the instrument is in the Off position.
1. Make sure that the power switch that is on the rear of the instrument is in the
Offposition.
2. To use a computer to operate the instrument, connect the appropriate end of the
supplied USB cable to the USB port that is on the rear of the instrument, and then
connect the other end to a USB port on the computer.

Chapter 2: Setting Up the Instrument
5065391 A 7
3. Connect the supplied power adapter to the power port that is on the rear of the
instrument, and then connect the other end to a grounded electrical wall outlet.
4. Turn the instrument around so that the front of the instrument now faces you.
Note: Ensure no cables run beneath the instrument.
5. Remove the tape from the cuvette door on the SpectraMax ABSPlus.
6. Power on the instrument and wait for the plate drawer to open.

Chapter 3: Before You Move the Instrument
5065391 A 8
Chapter 3: Before You Move the Instrument
Before you move the instrument, make sure that the new location is a dry, flat work area
that has sufficient space for the instrument, host computer, and required cables.
CAUTION! When transporting the instrument, warranty claims are void if improper
packing results in damage to the instrument.
To minimize the possibility of damage during storage or shipment, you should pack the
instrument in the original packaging materials. Correctly repacking the instrument includes
following applicable decontamination procedures and packing instructions.
Note: If you must store the instrument, then store it in a dry, dust-free,
environmentally controlled area.
Packing the Instrument
The original packaging is designed to protect the instrument during shipment.
CAUTION! When transporting the instrument, warranty claims are void if damage
during transport is caused by improper packaging.
To pack the instrument:
1. Make sure the plate drawer and cuvette chamber are empty.
2. Place tape to hold the cuvette chamber door closed.
3. Place the instrument back in the plastic bag.
4. Place the packing material on both ends of the instrument.
5. Place the instrument and the accessories tool box into the original instrument shipping
box.
6. Seal the top of the box with packing tape.

www.moleculardevices.com
The trademarks used herein are the property of Molecular Devices, LLC or their respective owners.
Specifications subject to change without notice. Patents: www.moleculardevices.com/productpatents
FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. NOT FOR USE IN DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES
©2018 Molecular Devices, LLC.
All rights reserved.
5065391 A