Supelco Reflectoquant RQflex 20 User manual

Quick Guide
Kurzanleitung
Guide rapide
Guía Rápida
Guia Rápido
クイックガイド
快速指南
Краткое руководство
Reflectoquant®
RQflex®20

Quick Guide
Reflectoquant®
RQflex®20
Reflectometer
EN
EN
For the Operating Manual please visit:
www.sigmaaldrich.com/reflectometry

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Table of contents
1 Intended use................................................... 5
2 Getting started.............................................. 5
2.1 Package contents................................................... 5
2.2 Inserting the batteries........................................... 6
2.3 Operation buttons and Display............................... 7
2.3.1 Operation buttons............................................. 7
2.3.2 Display............................................................ 8
2.3.3 Menu items...................................................... 9
2.4 Settings ................................................................. 9
2.5 Initial calibration ................................................. 10
3 Measurement ................................................ 11
3.1 Add a new method............................................... 11
3.2 Measuring with test kits ...................................... 13
3.3 Notes on the measurement.................................. 15
3.4 Application notes ................................................. 16
4 Maintenance of the instrument.... 16
4.1 Handling .............................................................. 16
4.2 Cleaning the strip adapter ................................... 17
5 Troubleshooting .......................................... 17
6 Technical data............................................... 18
7 Accessories...................................................... 18
8 Service / Warranty................................... 19

EN
5
The Reflectoquant® RQflex®20 reflectometer is intented 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.
1Intended use
2Getting started
2.1 Package contents
The standard contents of the RQflex®20 reflectometer
package comprise the following items:
1 Reflectometer including strip adapter
1 Recalibration set
1 Quick Guide
4 1.5-V batteries (AAA)
1 Safety Instructions

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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.
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 instru-
ment 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 batte-
ries, 1.5 V) must be on hand for immediate insertion.
Dispose of used
batteries in
accordance
with the local
regulations.

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2.3 Operation buttons and
Display
2.3.1 Operation buttons
Barcode
reader
Left (Back) Right (Next)
Menu
OK
START
measure-
ment
Power
On/Off
Display
Down Up

EN
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2.3.2 Display
General Structure
Example
Battery
status
Time
Menu item
Method
number
Timer area
Status bar
Content
area
Info bar

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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

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2.5 Initial calibration
The instrument needs to be calibrated before the first measure-
ment 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.

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3Measurement
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).
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

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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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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.

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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 cor-
responding Reflectoquant®test, e. g. "Preparation",
"Procedure".
Shortcut
A method can be started directly at any menu item by insert-
ing the barcode strip of the Reflectoquant®test.
Follow the instruction in the package insert of the correspon-
ding Reflectoquant®test, e. g. "Preparation", "Procedure".
Note
For a detailed measurement-workflow description, see
Operating Manual.

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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 measure-
ments.
For details see Operating Manual ("Serial measurements").

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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/
4.1 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.
4Maintenance of the
instrument

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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 deter-
gent or ethanol, 70% (v/v) on a tissue or cloth after disman-
tling the strip adapter. Do not rinse the instrument or parts
of it.
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.
5Troubleshooting

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6Technical 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
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
7Accessories

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6Technical data
7Accessories
8Service / 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 main-
tenance-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 replace-
ment 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 war-
ranty slip. Only the customer service unit is authorized to
carry out maintanance 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.