NIEUWKOOP CB1000 Installation guide

QUICK MANUAL
CB1000
REFLECTOMETER RQFLEX 20

CB1000
REFLECTOMETER RQFLEX 20
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Table of contents
1 Intended use..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
2 Getting started ...............................................................................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Package contents ........................................................................................................................................................................................3
2.2 Inserting the batteries ..........................................................................................................................................................................4
2.3 Operation buttons and Display ................................................................................................................................................ 5
2.3.1 Operation buttons .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
2.3.2 Display ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6
2.3.3 Menu items ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
2.4 Settings ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
2.5 Initial calibration ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 8
3 Measurement .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
3.1 Add a new method ................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
3.2 Measuring with test kits .................................................................................................................................................................... 11
3.3 Notes on the measurement ........................................................................................................................................................ 13
3.4 Application notes .................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
4 Maintenance of the instrument .................................................................................................................................. 14
4.1 Handling ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 14
4.2 Cleaning the strip adapter ........................................................................................................................................................... 15
5 Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 15
6 Technical data ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 16
7 Accessories ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 16
8 Service / Warranty ................................................................................................................................................................................. 17

CB1000
REFLECTOMETER RQFLEX 20
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1 Intended use
The Reflectoquant® RQflex® 20 reflectometer is intended to be used exclusively according to
the operating manual.
The reflectometer was developed for performing analyses of chemical parameters in water,
food & beverage samples, and environmental samples using Reflectoquant® test strips in
the laboratory, on the production line or in the field.
Any other use is considered to be unauthorized.
2 Getting started
2.1 Package contents
The contents of the RQflex® 20 reflectometer package comprise the following items:
1 Reflectometer including strip adapter
1 Recalibration set
1 Quick Guide + safety instructions
4 1.5-V batteries (AAA)
1 ABC sample cup, 1 funel and 1 glass measuring cylinder
1 box filterpaper

CB1000
REFLECTOMETER RQFLEX 20
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2.2 Inserting the batteries
Before operating the system for the first time, the batteries included in the package must be
installed.
Dispose of used
batteries in
accordance
with the local
regulations.
Insert the batteries into the compartment, heeding the + and –pole indicators.
Recommendation
Do not use rechargeable batteries!
Saving data - Important notes
Before changing the batteries, please shut down the instrument first. Otherwise the date and
time settings are lost. During battery change, data in the RQflex® 20 reflectometer is saved for
60 seconds. If the change time exceeds 60 seconds only date and time are lost, all stored data
and settings are still stored.
Recommendation
Replacement batteries (AAA non-rechargeable alkaline batteries, 1.5 V) must be on hand for
immediate insertion.

CB1000
REFLECTOMETER RQFLEX 20
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2.3 Operation buttons and Display
2.3.1 Operation buttons

CB1000
REFLECTOMETER RQFLEX 20
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2.3.2 Display
General Structure
Example

CB1000
REFLECTOMETER RQFLEX 20
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2.3.3 Menu items
The following items are displayed in the main menu:
Method List list of all stored methods
Result List list of all stored results
Settings list of instrument settings
Quality Assurance list of all Analytical Quality
Assurance options
Information list of instrument information
2.4 Settings
The following items are displayed in the settings menu:
Languages for setting the desired language
(EN - DE - FR - ES - PT - JP - CN)
Date Format for setting the desired date format
(yyyy-mm-dd - dd.mm.yyyy - mm/dd/yyyy)
Time format for setting the desired time format
(24 h - am/pm)
Date for setting the current date
Time for setting the current time
Auto Power for setting the desired power off time
Off Time (0 (= Off) - 15 - 30 - 45 - 60 min)
Audible Signal for setting the audible alert
(On / Off)
Acoustic. for setting the desired duration of the
Countdown warning signal for the countdown
Warning (0 (= Off) - 5 - 10 - 15 - 20 - 25 - 30 sec)
Memory for setting the memory capacity warning
Capacity (On / Off)
Warning

CB1000
REFLECTOMETER RQFLEX 20
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2.5 Initial calibration
The instrument needs to be calibrated before the first measurement is performed. This is
required to set the correct baseline for the reflectometric optics. For this purpose, a
Reflectoquant® Recalibration Set is delivered with the instrument. Please use the barcode and
the plastic test strip for calibration (for details of the Recalibration Set see Operating Manual).
Keep the instrument at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
Select [Quality Assurance] in
the [MAIN MENU].
Select [Calibration].
Confirm your selection by pressing
[OK] or [Right (Next)].
Follow the instruction shown on the display.
Correct insertion of the test strip:
Insert the calibration strip of the
recalibration set into the strip adapter
with the beveled edge outwards and upwards.

CB1000
REFLECTOMETER RQFLEX 20
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A calibration has to be repeated
• after changing/cleaning of the strip adapter and/or the internal standard
• in the case of suspect measurement results during the boot up (self-check test failed)
• in the case of error messages E07 or E10 (after cleaning the optics)
• in the case of RQcheck failure (error messages E09 and E11)
• in the case of suspect measurement results
• after severe mechanical distress (e. g. after dropping the instrument).
3 Measurement
There are two scenarios on how to start a measurement:
1. The desired method is not yet saved in the instrument.
Continue with chapter 3.1.
2. The method is already saved in the instrument.
Continue with chapter 3.2.
3.1 Add a new method
There are two scenarios for adding a method:
1. Guided way
2. Shortcut

CB1000
REFLECTOMETER RQFLEX 20
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Guided way
Select [Method List] in the
[MAIN MENU].
Select [Add new Method].
Confirm your selection by pressing
[OK] or [Right (Next)].
Follow the instruction shown on the display.
The display shows the new added
method in the first row.
Remove the barcode strip from the barcode reader and store it in the supplied
packaging material of the Reflectoquant® test (not in the test-strip tube).

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REFLECTOMETER RQFLEX 20
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Press the [OK] button for method
details.
Shortcut
A method can be saved and started directly by inserting the barcode strip of the
Reflectoquant® Test.
3.2 Measuring with test kits
There are three ways to measure with test kits:
1. Continue with last used method
2. Choose from method list
3. Shortcut
Continue with last used method
The method number shows the
last used method, measurement is
started immediately after pressing
the red [START] button.

CB1000
REFLECTOMETER RQFLEX 20
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Choose from method list
If another stored method is
needed, select [Method List]
in the [MAIN MENU].
Select the desired method.
Confirm by pressing the [START]
button
and follow the instruction in the package insert of the corresponding
Reflectoquant® test, e. g. "Preparation", "Procedure".
Shortcut
A method can be started directly at any menu item by inserting the barcode strip of the
Reflectoquant® test.
Follow the instruction in the package insert of the corresponding Reflectoquant® test, e. g.
"Preparation", "Procedure".
Note
For a detailed measurement-workflow description, see Operating Manual.

CB1000
REFLECTOMETER RQFLEX 20
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3.3 Notes on the measurement
Code number
The first number (method number) corresponds to the code number of the barcode strip
resp. the first three digits of the batch number of the Reflectoquant® pack:
Skip the timer
It is possible to interrupt the timer, to perform measurements directly without the countdown
function of the instrument. Still, make sure that the reaction time of the test method is met.
For details see Operating Manual ("Skip the timer").
Serial measurements
It is possible to interrupt the timer to perform serial measurements. For details see
Operating Manual ("Serial measurements").

CB1000
REFLECTOMETER RQFLEX 20
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3.4 Application notes
Besides the Reflectoquant® Tests, various detailed application notes are available to support
your analysis, especially the sample preparation step of your workflow.
You find them online:
www.merckmillipore.com/aaf > Reflectometry
www.sigmaaldrich.com/
4 Maintenance of the instrument
4.1 Handling
Please treat this instrument with the same care as you do with all other electronic devices.
Ensure that no liquid enters the instrument case, since this may result in damage that is not
covered by the warranty.
Do not expose the instrument to excessively humid conditions or to excessive heat or cold
(see Technical data).
If the external casing of the measurement instrument needs cleaning, please wipe the
casing and the display carefully with a moist cloth.
Clean the optics and the strip adaptor only with water and a mild detergent or ethanol,
70% (v/v) on a tissue or cloth after dismantling the strip adapter (see 4.2). Do not rinse
the instrument or parts of it.

CB1000
REFLECTOMETER RQFLEX 20
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4.2 Cleaning the strip adapter
The strip adapter should be thoroughly cleaned (dismantling the strip adapter into its
individual components) at the end of each working day.
The strip adapter must be cleaned immediately if an error message (see Operating Manual,
"Troubleshooting") is displayed.
Clean the strip adapter only with water and a mild detergent or ethanol, 70% (v/v) on a
tissue or cloth after dismantling the strip adapter. Do not rinse the instrument or parts
of it.
5 Troubleshooting
The most commonly encountered problems are caused by
• incorrect insertion
• incorrect reaction time
• incorrect use of the tests (e. g. strips not properly stored, pH range not correctly adjusted).
For more details see the Operating Manual ("Trouble-shooting"). The tables there show
explanations of the error messages and tips on how to avoid incorrect measurements.

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REFLECTOMETER RQFLEX 20
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6 Technical data
Dimensions: 184 x 79 x 30 mm
Weight: 253 g (including batteries)
Memory: 50 test methods,
200 measurement results
Interface: yes (for technical service only)
Light source: 4 LEDs, green/red, double optics
Power source: 4 x 1.5-V batteries (AAA)
Display: Reflective LCD Graphic Module
(256x160 dot)
System diagnosis: yes
Measurement range: 4 - 90 % rel. remission
Reflection area: 4 x 6 mm
Resolution: 0.1 % rel. remission
Operating temperature: 5 - 40 °C for ideal measurements
Operating humidity: below 80 % for ideal measurements
7 Accessories
Reflectoquant® Strip adapter 1.16953.0001
Replacement part for RQflex® and RQflex® plus
Reflectoquant® Recalibration Set 1.16954.0001
Replacement part for RQflex®
Reflectoquant® RQcheck set for RQflex® 20 1.17247.0001
Accessory for RQflex® 20

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REFLECTOMETER RQFLEX 20
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8 Service / Warranty
Our instruments are 100% quality-controlled, which means that each individual instrument
has been tested before leaving the factory. In addition to the described cleaning and
calibration of RQflex® 20, the device is maintenance-free. The detailed instruction should
allow for problem-free operation.
In the event that you encounter an unsolvable problem, please contact the technical support
specialist.
www.merckmillipore.com/support
www.sigma-aldrich.com/customer-service.html
Warranty
The manufacturer grants for this RQflex® 20 reflectometer a total replacement warranty of 12
months from the date of purchase.
All warranty work is provided by our customer service unit. In the event of a proven
production or material defect, we will provide you with a new or as-new replacement
RQflex® 20 reflectometer free of charge.
Improper handling results in loss of warranty. No water or any other liquid must be allowed to
enter the instrument. In such cases the warranty becomes invalid.
All warranty rights become invalid in the event that the purchaser or an unauthorized third
person repairs or opens the instrument, or if changes are made to the warranty slip. Only the
customer service unit is authorized to carry out maintenance on components.
If the instrument is sent in for repair under the terms of the warranty, a copy of the
invoice or of another proof of purchase must be enclosed in all cases.