Thermo Scientific Multiskan Sky User manual

Cat. No. N18964 Rev 1.0 2017
Thermo Scientific
Multiskan™ Sky
User Manual

© 2017 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. All rights reserved.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. provides this document to its customers with a product purchase to use in the
product operation. This document is copyright protected and any reproduction of the whole or any part of this
document is strictly prohibited, except with the written authorization of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
The contents of this document are subject to change without notice. All technical information in this
document is for reference purposes only. System configurations and specifications in this document supersede
all previous information received by the purchaser.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. makes no representations that this document is complete, accurate or error-
free and assumes no responsibility and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, damage or loss that
might result from any use of this document, even if the information in the document is followed
properly.
This document is not part of any sales contract between Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and a purchaser. This
document shall in no way govern or modify any Terms and Conditions of Sale, which Terms and Conditions of
Sale shall govern all conflicting information between the two documents.
Release history:
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

WEEE Compliance
This product is required to comply with the European Union’s Waste Electrical & Electronic
Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC. It is marked with the following symbol:
Thermo Fisher Scientific has contracted with one or more recycling or disposal companies in each
European Union (EU) Member State, and these companies should dispose of or recycle this product.
See www.thermofisher.com/rohsweee for further information on Thermo Fisher Scientific’s compliance
with these Directives and the recyclers in your country.

Thermo Scientific Thermo Scientific Multiskan Sky User Manual i
P
Preface
About this guide
This manual is for the following instruments:
• Multiskan™ Sky – Cat. No. 51119500, 51119550 (Japan) and 51119570 (China)
• Multiskan™ Sky with Touch Screen – Cat. No. 51119600, 51119650 (Japan) and 51119670
(China)
• Multiskan™ Sky with Cuvette and Touch Screen – Cat. No. 51119700, 51119750 (Japan) and
51119770 (China)
• Multiskan™ Sky with Touch Screen + μDrop Plate – Cat. No. 51119600DP, 51119650DP (Japan)
and 51119670DP (China)
• Multiskan™ Sky with Cuvette and Touch Screen + μDrop Plate – Cat. No. 51119700DP,
51119750DP (Japan) and 51119770DP (China)
Use Multiskan Sky as standalone (the models with the touch screen) or with Thermo Scientific™
SkanIt™ Software. Multiskan Sky is intended to be used in research laboratories by qualified personnel.
This document aims to give you the information you need to:
• Install and operate Multiskan Sky.
• Navigate in the Multiskan Sky user interface.
• Install and use SkanIt Software.
This manual also includes the maintenance checklist and specifications of Multiskan Sky.
Read the manual in its entirety before you start to operate the instrument.
Save this manual for future reference. This manual is an important part of the instrument and should
be readily available.
Related documentation
In addition to this manual and all its language versions, Thermo Fisher Scientific provides the
following documents for Multiskan Sky and SkanIt Software:
•Thermo Scientific™ Multiskan™ Sky Technical Manual (Cat. No. N18965)
Note Screen shots appear with simulated data, the actual content may differ slightly.

ii Thermo Scientific Multiskan Sky User Manual Thermo Scientific
•Thermo Scientific™ SkanIt™ Software for Microplate Readers Technical Manual (Cat. No. N16046)
The instrument software also provides context sensitive help.
Safety and special notices
Make sure you follow the precautionary statements presented in this guide or on the instrument. The
safety and other special notices appear in boxes.
Safety and special notices include the following:
Contacting us
For the latest information on products and services, visit our website at:
www.thermofisher.com/platereaders
In our efforts to provide useful and appropriate documentation, we appreciate any comments you may
have on this manual to your local Thermo Fisher Scientific representative.
CAUTION Highlights hazards to humans, property, or the environment. Each CAUTION notice is
accompanied by a CAUTION symbol.
WARNING Risk of injury to the user or users.
WARNING Risk of electric shock.
IMPORTANT Highlights information necessary to prevent damage to software, loss of data, or
invalid test results; or may contain information that is critical for optimal performance of the
system.
Note Highlights information of general interest.
Tip Highlights helpful information that can make a task easier.

Thermo Scientific Thermo Scientific Multiskan Sky User Manual iii
C
Preface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
About this guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
Related documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
Safety and special notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
Contacting us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
Chapter 1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Instrument layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Principle of operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Chapter 2 Install Multiskan Sky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Remove the transport lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Connect the mains supply cable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Connect the instrument to a computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Install SkanIt Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Operational check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Initial settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Chapter 3 Install SkanIt Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
SkanIt Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Installation overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Connect the software to the instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Main elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Application menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Session tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Task ribbon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Select the software language. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Chapter 4 Instrument operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Switch the instrument on. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Touch screen display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Navigation bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Function tiles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Application bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Measure a microplate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Measure a cuvette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Air blanking for cuvettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Contents

Contents
iv Thermo Scientific Multiskan Sky User Manual Thermo Scientific
Instrument incubator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
View results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Export files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Power save feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Shutdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Thermo Fisher Connect cloud-based tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Chapter 5 Using SkanIt Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Session structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Plate layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Protocol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Protocol actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Start a measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Calculations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Saved sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Open an existing session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Chapter 6 Safety and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
General specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Safety specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Maintenance checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Thermo Scientific Thermo Scientific Multiskan Sky User Manual 1
1
Introduction
Multiskan Sky is a spectrophotometer that is used to measure photometric assays with defined 96- and
384-well microplates. Multiskan Sky with the cuvette version can also measure photometric assays with
cuvettes. Additionally, Multiskan Sky is compatible with the Thermo Scientific™ μDrop Plate.
Figure 1. Thermo Scientific Multiskan Sky.
Multiskan Sky with the touch screen can be connected to Thermo Fisher Connect cloud-based
capabilities or the local area network. Multiskan Sky is designed to be part of an analyzing system for
the end user, who is responsible for validating the system to ensure reliable and safe results.
We recommend Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) during the analyzing process.
Instrument layout
The front view of an instrument with the cuvette port.
CAUTION Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Do not use the instrument in any
other way.
CAUTION Do not expose the instrument to corrosive liquids or gases during use, storage or
transport.
CAUTION Operate the instrument only with software and hardware that is specifically designed or
selected for it. Thermo Fisher Scientific assumes no liability for the use of third-party software
applications.
Note Your instrument may not have all of the features presented in this guide.

1Introduction
Instrument layout
2Thermo Scientific Multiskan Sky User Manual Thermo Scientific
Figure 2. Cuvette port (only in cuvette model) (1), touch screen display (only in the models with the display)
(2), measurement chamber door (3), power button (4).
The instrument with the cuvette port and measurement chamber door open.
Figure 3. Cuvette port (1), plate carrier (2).
The back view of the instrument.
1
2
3
4
1
2

1 Introduction
Principle of operation
Thermo Scientific Thermo Scientific Multiskan Sky User Manual 3
Figure 4. Air inlet (1), heat sink (2), transport lock storage position (3), type label (4).
The connectors on the instrument.
Figure 5. USB ports (for USB memory device or Wi-Fi dongle) (1), Ethernet (2), USB port (for PC) (3), mains
power supply connector (4).
The USB ports (1) can accept an external memory device, or a Wi-Fi dongle compatible with
Microsoft™ Windows™ 10.
Principle of operation
Multiskan Sky is a monochromator-based microplate and cuvette photometer. The sample on the
microplate is measured vertically from bottom to top, while the sample on the cuvette is measured
horizontally.
Note Avoid damage to the heat sink. A dent in the heat sink could damage the internal electronics
of the instrument.
Tip You can connect a USB keyboard to one of the USB ports (1).
2
3
4
1
1 3 432

1Introduction
Principle of operation
4Thermo Scientific Multiskan Sky User Manual Thermo Scientific
The exact wavelength of the spectrum of the Xenon flash lamp is selected by using a monochromator.
The light is guided to the microplate optics or the cuvette optics by the optical fiber. In both optics,
part of the light is being guided through the sample and part to the reference detector. The light is
sensed simultaneously by the reference detector and the measurement detector positioned after the
sample to compensate any intensity fluctuations of the Xenon flash lamp.
In microplate measurement the measurement head moves to select the well column while the track
moves to select the row.
Figure 6. Operating principle.
Air blank measurement is needed to calculate the absorbance values. In microplate measurement,
Multiskan Sky moves the microplate aside to measure the blank automatically.

Thermo Scientific Thermo Scientific Multiskan Sky User Manual 5
2
Install Multiskan Sky
This chapter describes the necessary installation steps before you can operate the instrument.
Installation order:
1. Remove the transport lock.
2. Connect the mains supply cable.
If you want to connect the instrument to SkanIt Software:
1. Connect the instrument to a computer.
2. Install SkanIt Software.
WARNING Only authorized technical service personnel are allowed to open the instrument.
Disconnect the instrument from all voltage sources by disconnecting the power supply cable before
opening it.
WARNING Do not touch switches or electrical outlets with wet hands. Switch the instrument off
before disconnecting it from the mains supply.
WARNING Do not attempt to operate the instrument with the transport lock in place.
CAUTION Do not touch or loosen any screws or parts other than those specifically designated in
the instructions. Doing so may cause misalignment and will void the instrument warranty.
CAUTION Leave the instrument to sit for at least three hours before installing and switching it on
to prevent condensation causing a short circuit.

2Install Multiskan Sky
Remove the transport lock
6Thermo Scientific Multiskan Sky User Manual Thermo Scientific
Remove the transport lock
1. Open the measurement chamber door by pushing its bottom edge and pulling the upper edge.
2. Unscrew the transport lock bar by turning it counterclockwise. Use a suitable flat head screwdriver
if necessary.
3. Pull the transport lock until the plate carrier is fully out of the instrument.
4. Unfasten the red fixing screw (1) and remove the transport lock (2) from the plate carrier.
5. Push the plate carrier back into the instrument and make sure that the measurement chamber door
closes properly.
1
2

2 Install Multiskan Sky
Connect the mains supply cable
Thermo Scientific Thermo Scientific Multiskan Sky User Manual 7
6. Attach the transport lock on the back of the instrument with the red fixing screw and the locking
piece that is on the back of the instrument.
Connect the mains supply cable
1. Connect the power supply cable to the power supply connector and plug in the instrument.
2. Connect the power supply to a correctly installed line power outlet with a grounded conductor.
Connect the instrument to a computer
If you are using a computer with the instrument, connect the communication cable to the USB port
marked USB/PC.
Install SkanIt Software
For installation instructions, refer to “Install SkanIt Software” on page 9.
When the instrument is connected to SkanIt Software, a Take c ontrol icon shows on the display. Tap
the icon to disconnect the computer remote control.
Operational check
When you switch the instrument on the instrument proceeds to perform the self diagnostics. No error
messages should appear on the display.
CAUTION Do not use other power supply cables than the power supply cable delivered with the
instrument. Use the Thermo Scientific power supply cable designed for your region.
CAUTION Do not operate your instrument from a power outlet that has no ground connection.
Note Connecting the instrument to SkanIt Software automatically updates the instrument date
and time according to the PC clock.

2Install Multiskan Sky
Initial settings
8Thermo Scientific Multiskan Sky User Manual Thermo Scientific
When the home screen opens, the instrument is ready for use.
If the instrument is switched on for the first time, the instrument prompts you to setup the device. In
that case, proceed to Initial settings.
Initial settings
When you switch Multiskan Sky with a touch screen on for the first time, the instrument prompts you
to set some initial settings for the instrument.
To set the instrument up:
1. Tap Next.
2. In the window that opens, check and update, if needed:
• date and time
•timezone
• language
• Thermo Fisher Cloud region: if you are in China, select China, otherwise, select Global
3. Select whether you want to upload telemetry data to the Thermo Fisher Connect cloud-based
tools.
For more information on telemetry data, refer to “Thermo Fisher Connect cloud-based tools” on
page 19.
4. Tap Next.
5. If you have a μDrop Plate, enter the μDrop Plate’s serial number and pathlength indicated in the
quality control measurement report delivered with the μDrop Plate.
6. Tap Finish.
If you do not want to set the settings now, you can access the settings later by tapping the Settings tile
on the Home screen.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Thermo Scientific Multiskan Sky User Manual 9
3
Install SkanIt Software
This chapter gives an overview of the software installation process and introduces the main elements in
the user interface. For more information about the software, refer to the Thermo Scientific™ SkanIt™
Software for Microplate Readers Technical Manual.
The software automatically detects how Multiskan Sky is configured and shows only those features that
are available.
SkanIt Software
With SkanIt Software you can:
• Control instrument actions.
• Create measurement sessions and start measurements.
• View measurement results and perform calculations with the data.
• Create comprehensive result reports.
• Print or export result reports in different file formats (for example, Microsoft™ Excel).
• Export and import sessions between SkanIt software databases in different PCs.
All measurement and calculation data is stored in SkanIt Software database.
Installation overview
To install SkanIt Software you need:
• Administrator rights to the PC.
•Toregisterathttp://www.thermofisher.com/skanit to receive the installation code by email.
• The installation CD.
• To make sure your PC meets the minimum requirements.
Note Your instrument may not have all of the features presented in this manual.

3Install SkanIt Software
Main elements
10 Thermo Scientific Multiskan Sky User Manual Thermo Fisher Scientific
Installation process
1. Insert the installation CD into the CD-ROM drive.
2. Follow the installation instructions.
The installation ends with a ‘Completed’ message.
3. To open the software, click the SkanIt Software shortcut on the desktop.
4. Enter the serial number that is on the installation CD.
5. Enter the installation code you received after you registered.
For detailed installation steps, refer to the Thermo Scientific™ SkanIt™ Software for Microplate Readers
Technical Manual.
Connect the software to the instrument
Connect the software to the instrument by plugging the USB cable from the PC to the instrument.
Switch the instrument on and start SkanIt Software. The software finds the instrument automatically.
Main elements
The main elements in the software are the application menu, the Session tree and the task ribbon.
When you open the software, the application menu opens.
Table 1. PC requirements
System Recommended requirements
Supported operating systems 64-bit edition of Microsoft™ Windows™ 7 with Service Pack 1,
64-bit edition of Microsoft™ Windows™ 8.1, or 64-bit edition of
Microsoft™ Windows™ 10
Disk space Solid-state drive with 14 GB free disk space
Processor Quad-core (or dual-core with four logical processors), 2 GHz or
faster
Memory 8 GB RAM
USB port available 1 (one)
CD-ROM drive 1 (one)
Graphics Processing Unit Dedicated
Monitor SXGA monitor with 1280 x 1024 resolution
Note We strongly recommend using a computer that fulfills the recommended requirements,
especially if you process sessions with more than total of 150,000 individual measurements or with
complex calculations.
Note You can use SkanIt Software for 30 days without the installation code.

3 Install SkanIt Software
Main elements
Thermo Fisher Scientific Thermo Scientific Multiskan Sky User Manual 11
Application menu
The application menu is for general tasks. This is where you create new sessions, open saved sessions,
and access instrument settings. Click the menu icon to open the application menu.
Figure 7. Application menu.
Session tree
The Session tree is visible when you have created or opened a session. This is the main area where you
navigate to define what wells to measure, to select the protocol, view the measurement results, perform
calculations, and create a result report.
Figure 8. Session tree with Plate Layout selected.
Task ribbon
The actions in the task ribbon are linked to the section you have selected in the Session tree. When
you select Plate Layout, Protocol, Results or Report in the Session tree, the relevant task ribbon
opens. The task ribbon shows the actions you can select.

3Install SkanIt Software
Select the software language
12 Thermo Scientific Multiskan Sky User Manual Thermo Fisher Scientific
Figure 9. Protocol task ribbon.
Select the software language
The default language is English. You can change the language to French, German, Italian, Japanese,
Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese or Spanish.
To change the language:
1. Click Settings in the Application menu.
The Settings window opens.
2. Select the language from the drop-down list under General settings.
3. Restart the software to set the new language.
Figure 10. Settings window.