NIEUWKOOP RQflex plus 10 User manual

RQflex plus 10
Manual English

Contents
1Introduction 3
2Description of the instrument 5
display, keys 6
technical data 8
3Setting up the instrument 9
insertion of batteries 10
setting the time and date 11
4Coding 13
reasons for coding 14
coding procedure 14
5Measurement 15
method procedures A, B, C, D, E 16
6Handling measurement results 23
storing measurement results 24
displaying stored data 25
data transfer to a PC 25
deleting data 26
7Maintenance of the instrument 27
handling 28
cleaning the adapters 28
recalibration 29
8 Trouble-shooting 31
error messages, problems, solutions 32
9Service/Warranty 33
service department, warranty conditions 34

Introduction
1Introduction

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Introduction
Please read the RQflex plus 10 instruction manual carefully before operating.
The manual is well structured and illustrated. We recommend that you read
the manual in conjunction with using your instrument.
For the analysis procedure please follow the detailed description in the
package insert of the respective Reflectoquant® tests.

Description of the instrument
2Description

Description of the instrument
Your RQflex plus 10 is a versatile, precise instrument. It is part of the
Reflectoquant® analysis system with the components:
• Instrument RQflex plus 10
• Reflectoquant® strips
• Reflectoquant® plus cell test kits
• Test- and batch-specific bar-code strip
According to the principle of reflectometry (remission photometry), diffuse
reflected light from the strip or after transmission through a cell is measured.
Just as in classical photometry, the difference in intensity of emitted and
reflected light allows a quantitative determination of the concentration of
specific analytes.
Display and operation keys (buttons)
Operation keys (buttons) 1
Display for the display of messages and information 2
Interface, connection to PC 3
For RQdata only (see p. 25)
Do not use to connect an external power supply!
Lid 4
Method register 5
Up to five analytical methods, e.g. nitrate, pH value, can be stored
s i m u l t a n e o u s l y, regardless of whether a strip or a cell test is used.
Methods are loaded by means of the bar-code strip.
Bar-code scanner 6
All information necessary to run the instrument is communicated via the
bar-code strip. The bar code contains information for wavelength correction
and for the batch-specific calibration curve.
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1
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After switching on the RQflex plus 10 a self-diagnosis is performed for
about 1 second. Ensure that all functions, especially the multifunctional
digit display, are shown correctly.
Time 1
LOW BATTERY change of batteries 2
Date 3
Symbols for measurement procedure 4
Methods 5
Multifunctional display 6
AM 88:88 88:88.
8.8.8
Instrument, tests, and bar-code strips are tuned to each other. Ensure that the
reference number (code) for all three components matches.
Technical data
D i m e n s i o n s : 19 x 8 x 2 cm
We i g h t : 275 g
M e m o r y : 5 methods, 50 measur ements results
External output: Ye s
Light source: 4 LEDs (5 70/657 ± 10 nm), double optics
Power source: 4 AAA batteries (> 1000 measure ments)
D i s p l a y : L C D
System diagnosis: Ye s
Measurement range: 4 - 90% rel. remission
Reflection area: 4 x 6 mm
R e s o l u t i o n : 0 .1% rel. remission
Photom. accuracy: 0 .5% rel. remission (measurement to measurement, instrument to instrument)
Operating temperature: 5 - 40°C for ideal measurements
Operating humidity: Below 90% for ideal measurements
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CODE
M E M
S E C
1
2
6
1 3
4
5
2 3 4 5
F:50
413 CODE
1 2 3 4 5

Setting up the instrument
3Operation

Setting up the instrument
Insert the four supplied batteries into the instrument (AAA).
Insertion of batteries
When?
Before first use or when the LOW BATTERY sign
is shown in the display.
How?
1 . Remove the lid of the battery compartment on the back of the instrument
by pressing carefully in the indicated direction.
2 . Insert the batteries into the compartment, heeding the + and – pole signs.
3 . Close the battery compartment.
Important
When the LOW BATTERY sign first appears, approximately 20
measurements can still be performed. Afterwards the instrument
cannot be switched on.
After screen shutdown, data will be safe for at least two minutes.
To avoid losing stored data, replace batteries immediately.
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Setting the time and date
When?
1 . With a new instrument.
2 . With the change of summer/winter time.
3 . Check after replacement of batteries.
How?
1 . Switch off instrument.
2 . Press the MEM button and simultaneously press the ON/OFF key.
The time and date display blinks after 2 seconds.
3 . To select the international or American date press the START button.
4 . Press the TEST button to access hour, minute, day, and month.
5 . Press the START button to adjust the time (hour, minute) and the date
( d a y, month).
6 . The clock is then activated by pressing the MEM or ON/OFF key.
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12:55
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PM 12:55
07:12
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5

Merck RQflex plus 10
The RQflex plus 10 is the only mobile analysis system
that can evaluate both test strips and cell tests.
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Coding
4Coding

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Coding
When?
1 . With a new instrument.
2. With a new batch of Reflectoquant® strips or Reflectoquant® plus cell test kits.
3 . When overwriting an existing method.
4 . When loading a new method (test).
How?
1 . Remove the specific bar code from the Reflectoquant® pack.
2 . Switch on the instrument by pressing the ON/OFF button and open the lid.
The display of F:50 indicates that all 50 memory slots are available.
3 . Press the TEST button until the arrow points to the corresponding method
where you wish to store the new code .
4 . Insert the bar-code strip along the bar-code reader in one uninterrupted
movement from left to right (indicated direction) as far as it will go.
Then remove it.
5 . The coding process is successfully finished when the left-hand three digits
of the batch number are displayed together with either the strip or the
cell symbol. In addition a beeper will sound. The small arrow in the display
indicates the memory place (1 – 5 ) where the test data are stored.
6 . Repeat this procedure until the beeper sounds. Entry is now complete.
7 . Return the bar code to the Reflectoquant® pack. (Keep it safe, but do not
put the bar code into the aluminium tube!)
Important
Overwriting a method
•A coded (memorized) method is overwritten when a new bar code is scanned in.
• All measurement data stored for a given method is lost when it is overwritten.
• The blinking MEM in the display indicates that measurement data are stored.
If these data are still required they must be recorded separately by pressing
the MEM button (see data handling).
Methods that require two bar-code strips
• After scanning in the first bar-code strip, methods needing two bar-code
strips show the three-digit reference number and the symbol --- in the
display alternately.
• As soon as the second bar code has been scanned in (the sequence is of
no importance) only the batch reference number is shown.
F:50
---
1 2 3 4 5
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F:50
352 CO DE
1 2 3 4 5
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Measurement
5Measurement

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Measurement
To make the measurement procedure as understandable as possible, we have
outlined five different procedures. These are very similar and differ only in
the first steps.
Each measurement procedure is test-specific. The procedure cannot be
selected by the user, but instead is transferred to the instrument via the
bar code. Procedures A – D evaluate Reflectoquant® analytical strips.
Procedure E evaluates Reflectoquant® plus cell test kits. All steps involved
to obtain the result are displayed on the screen by different symbols.
Before starting the measurement, insert the required adapter (strip adapter
or cell adapter) into the RQflex plus 10 and ensure that the adapter is
properly locked into the guide.
Please also refer to the respective Reflectoquant® package insert.

Procedure A
In this procedure, only the reaction time of the Reflectoquant® strip
has to be considered.
Insert the strip adapter. Procedure A is indicated by the strip symbol.
How?
1 . Switch on the instrument by pressing the ON/OFF button.
2 . Press the TEST button until the pointer indicates the desired method.
3 . Compare the first three digits of the batch number of the Reflectoquant®
pack. This reference number must be the same as the one displayed
(if not, see Coding).
4 . Press the START button. The test-specific reaction time is shown (seconds).
5 . Immerse the strip into your sample as described in the Reflectoquant®
instruction leaflet and at the same time press the START button (A).
Allow excess liquid to run off via the long edge of the strip onto an
absorbent paper towel. The stopwatch function of the instrument is now
activated. The remaining reaction time is shown as it counts down (B).
6 . Five seconds before the end of the
reaction time the beeper sounds and the
blinking strip symbol is displayed.
Now insert the strip all the way into the
measurement chamber.
7 . The measurement result is shown on the
display in the units for the respective
test, e.g. mg/l, and is automatically stored
in sequence.
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M E M
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F:50
352 COD E
S T A R T
O N / O F F
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60 S E C
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43 S E C
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5A
5B
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S E C

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Procedure B
Besides the reaction time of the Reflectoquant® strips this procedure also
considers the reaction times of auxiliary reagents.
Procedure B is indicated by the watch symbol. Insert the strip adapter.
How?
1 . Switch on the instrument by pressing the ON/OFF button.
2 . Press the TEST button until the pointer indicates the desired method.
3 . Compare the first three digits of the batch number of the Reflectoquant®
pack. This reference number must be the same as the one displayed
(if not, see Coding).
4 . Press the START button. The reaction time of the auxiliary reagent appears
in the display, e.g. 120 sec (A). Proceed as described in the respective
Reflectoquant® package insert. Press the START button again to activate the
stopwatch function (B). When the reaction time of the auxiliary reagent
has expired, a strip symbol appears in the display and the reaction time of
the strip, e.g. 60 sec., is shown (C).
5 . Immerse the strip into your sample as described in the Reflectoquant®
instruction leaflet and at the same time press the START button (A).
Allow excess liquid to run off via the long edge of the strip onto an absor-
bent paper towel. The stopwatch function of the instrument is now activated.
The remaining reaction time is shown as it counts down (B).
F:50
263 CO DE
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12:55 12.07
120 S E C
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120 S E C
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60 S E C
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60 S E C
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43 S E C
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4A
4B
4C
5A
5B
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6 . Five seconds before the end of the reaction time the beeper sounds and the
blinking strip symbol is displayed. Now insert the strip all the way into the
measurement chamber.
7 . The measurement result is shown in the display in the units for the respective
test, e.g. mg/l, and is automatically stored in sequence.
Procedure C
This procedure is used to calibrate the instrument by means of an unused
Reflectoquant® strip. Insert the strip adapter.
How?
1 . Switch on the instrument by pressing the ON/OFF button.
2 . Press the TEST button until the pointer indicates the desired method.
3 . Compare the first three digits of the batch number of the Reflectoquant®
pack. This reference number must be the same as the one displayed
(if not, see Coding). The blank square symbol prompts you to insert a dry
unused Reflectoquant® strip.
4 . Press the START button. The instrument is now calibrated. For measurement
follow the respective procedure A or B.
F:50
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T E S T
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1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
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C O D E
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Procedure D
This procedure is used to calibrate the instrument by means of an already
used Reflectoquant® strip. Insert the strip adapter.
How?
1 . Switch on the instrument by pressing the ON/OFF button.
2 . Press the TEST button until the pointer indicates the desired method.
3 . Compare the first three digits of the batch number of the Reflectoquant®
pack. This reference number must be the same as the one displayed
(if not, see Coding).
4 . Press the START button. The test-specific reaction time is shown (seconds).
5. Immerse the strip into your sample as described in the Reflectoquant®
package insert and at the same time press the START button. Allow excess
liquid to run off via the long edge of the strip onto an absorbent paper towel.
6. The stopwatch function of the instrument is now activated. The remaining
reaction time is shown as it counts down.
7 . Five seconds before the end of the reaction time the beeper sounds and
the blinking strip symbol is displayed. Now insert the first strip all the way
into the measurement chamber.
8 . Two alternately blinking strip symbols in
the display prompt you to remove the
first strip and to insert the second strip
into the measurement chamber.
9 . After inserting the second strip press the
S TART button anew. The measurement
result is shown on the display in the units
for the respective test, e.g. mg/l, and is
automatically stored in sequence.
12:55 12.07
60 S E C
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S E C
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60 S E C
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