Thermo Scientific Nicolet FT-IR Installation and operating manual

Nicolet FT-IR Spectrometer
Safet
y
Guide

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269-169601, Rev. A

Contents
Operating a Spectrometer Safely ..........................................................1
Conventions used in this manual .............................................................. 1
Questions or concerns............................................................................... 2
General safety information........................................................................ 2
Fire safety and burn hazards...................................................................3
Environmental conditions...................................................................... 5
Using liquid nitrogen............................................................................. 5
Cleaning the spectrometer...................................................................... 6
Lifting or moving the spectrometer........................................................6
Biohazard or radioactive materials and infectious agents......................... 7
WEEE compliance................................................................................. 7
Safety labeling........................................................................................ 7
Electrical Safety ....................................................................................8
Powering on.............................................................................................. 9
Power supplies ........................................................................................ 10
Fuses ....................................................................................................... 10
Connecting an external power supply...................................................... 10
Electrical service ...................................................................................... 11
Grounding .............................................................................................. 12
Power cords ............................................................................................ 12
Laser Safety ........................................................................................13
Protective housing................................................................................... 13
Laser emissions........................................................................................ 13
Laser indicator ........................................................................................ 14
Manufacturer’s laser information ............................................................14
Corrosives, Solvents, and Pressurized Gases .......................................15
Pressurized gases...................................................................................... 15
Caustic or corrosive agents ......................................................................16
Volatile solvents ...................................................................................... 16
Solvents containing halogenated hydrocarbons........................................ 16
Safety Labels.......................................................................................18
Nicolet 380............................................................................................. 18
Nicolet 6700 and Nicolet 8700............................................................... 21

Thermo Fisher Scientific Nicolet FT-IR Spectrometer Safety Guide 1
Operating a Spectrometer Safely
This safety guide contains a summary of the safety precautions that must be
followed when using a Thermo Scientific Nicolet™ FT-IR spectrometer.
Each person who will be using these instruments should read this manual.
Safety information is also included in your spectrometer, accessory,
computer, and software manuals.
In many cases, safety information is displayed on the spectrometer itself.
The illustrations in the “Safety Labels” chapter show the locations of the
safety labels. If any of these labels become loose or unreadable, use the
information at the beginning of this document to contact us.to obtain new
ones.
Conventions
used in this manual
This manual includes safety precautions and other important information
presented in the following format:
Note Notes contain helpful supplementary information. 
Notice Follow instructions labeled “Notice” to avoid damaging the system
hardware or losing data. 
Caution Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor
or moderate injury. 
Warning Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death
or serious injury. 
Danger Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or
serious injury. 

Questions
or concerns
In case of emergency, follow the procedures established by your facility. If
you have questions or concerns about safety or need assistance with
operation, repairs or replacement parts, you can contact our sales or service
representative in your area or use the information at the beginning of this
document to contact us.
General
safety information
Our spectrometers and accessories are designed to comply with domestic
and international safety regulations and applicable product standards. The
table that follows lists each of the spectrometer models and the regulations
and product standards that apply to each.
Check the Declaration of Conformity that came with your instrument for
specific information about conformity with particular directives and
standards.
CE (Conformité Européenne) — The CE mark indicates compliance with
the European Union's applicable New Approach Directives. The CE mark
is a self declaration and self marking process. Once a manufacturer has
proven that the particular equipment meets the requirements of the CE
and has collected supporting data, that equipment may be marked with the
CE.
ETL (ETL SEMKO, a division of Intertek Testing Services) —
ETL SEMKO is an OSHA accredited Nationally Recognized Testing
Laboratory (NRTL), a Standards Council of Canada (SCC) accredited
Testing Organization and Certification Organization, an IECEE accredited
National Certification Body, and a Notified Body for Europe that provides
testing and certification services for the products. The ETL symbol
indicates that the instrument has been inspected and approved by an
independent testing laboratory.
2 Nicolet FT-IR Spectrometer Safety Guide Thermo Fisher Scientific

Model Regulations and product standards
Nicolet 380
Nicolet 6700
Nicolet 8700
•UL 61010-1 (2004) Electrical equipment for laboratory
use. Part 1: general requirements
Installation category II
Pollution degree 2
•CSA C22.2 No. 1010 (1992) Safety requirements for
electrical equipment for measurement, control, and
laboratory use
•73/23/EEC (1973) Low voltage directive
•EN 61010-1 (2001) and A2 (1995) Safety requirements
for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and
laboratory use
•89/336/EEC (1989) EMC Directive
•EN 61326-1 (1977) and A/(1998)Electrical equipment for
measurement, control, and laboratory use – EMC
requirements
•EN 60825-1 (2001) Class 1; Safety of laser products
•U.S. 21CFR 1040.10Class I; Safety of laser products with
Laser Notice No. 50 dated July 26, 2001
Fire safety
and burn hazards
The following symbols appear inside the spectrometer to warn you about
hot surfaces in the vicinity of the symbol.
To avoid a burn injury and the risk of fire or explosion, follow these
guidelines:
•Do not test flammable or explosive samples.
•Use only nitrogen or dried air to purge your spectrometer and
accessories.
•Do not touch the infrared source housing; it may be very hot.
•Do not place anything on the electronics cover of a Nicolet 380
spectrometer.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Nicolet FT-IR Spectrometer Safety Guide 3

•After you turn off your spectrometer, wait 15 minutes before you
replace components.
•Never block any of the vents on a spectrometer or the power supply for
a spectrometer.
•Use exact replacements for bulbs, fuses and power supplies.
Vents
Vents
The following Cautions and Warnings provide additional information
about fire safety and preventing burn hazards.
Caution In FT-IR systems, the infrared source housing may be very hot. It stays hot
for up to 15 minutes after you turn off your spectrometer. To avoid being
burned or starting a fire, do not touch the housing with your body or any
flammable object until it has cooled. Your system user’s guide and on-line
Spectrometer Tour show the location of the infrared source inside your
spectrometer. 
Danger Never use a flammable gas to purge a spectrometer. The purge gas must be
free of oil and other reactive materials. Heat from the source or from laser
absorption may ignite flammable gasses or reactive materials in purge
gas. 
Caution Do not place anything on top of the electronics cover of a Nicolet 380
spectrometer. Electronic components under the cover can become
overheated if items are placed on the cover. The following illustration
shows the location of the spectrometer electronics cover. 
4 Nicolet FT-IR Spectrometer Safety Guide Thermo Fisher Scientific

Nicolet 380
Electronics cov
er
Environmental conditions Our spectrometers and accessories are designed for indoor use at altitudes
up to 2,000 meters (6,500 feet).
They operate reliably at temperatures between 16 °C and 27 °C (60 °F and
80 °F). They may briefly be exposed to temperatures as low as -10 °C (for
example, during transport) without degradation of its safety. Temperature
changes may result in drift in the system response.
FT-IR and FT-NIR spectrometers must be protected from excessive
humidity, since the beamsplitters, detectors, and other components may
corrode with exposure to moisture. Maintain humidity in the range of 20%
to 80% noncondensing. To accomplish this, some spectrometers are sealed
and desiccated; other spectrometers require purging.
Using liquid nitrogen Some detectors must be cooled with liquid nitrogen. The following
symbols remind you to wear protective clothing when using liquid
nitrogen.
Warning Liquid nitrogen is extremely cold and therefore potentially hazardous.
When filling the detector dewar, be careful not to contact the liquid
nitrogen with your skin. Wear protective gloves and splash-proof goggles
and follow standard laboratory safety practices. ▲
Warning To avoid hazardous equipment damage or contact with liquid nitrogen,
make sure any dewar or container you use to hold liquid nitrogen can do so
safely without breaking. 
Thermo Fisher Scientific Nicolet FT-IR Spectrometer Safety Guide 5

Cleaning
the spectrometer
If the outside of the spectrometer needs cleaning, turn off the power and
disconnect the power cord. Then use a damp (not wet), soft cloth and a
mild soap to clean the outside of the spectrometer. Do not use harsh
detergents, solvents, chemicals or abrasives; these can damage the finish.
Warning Avoid shock hazard. Do not allow liquid to run into the power supply.
Also, do not allow liquids to run down the windows in the sample
compartment walls. 
Notice Do not use harsh detergents, solvents, chemicals or abrasives; these can
damage the finish. Never allow a liquid to flow into the spectrometer vents,
and to avoid damaging port windows, do not allow liquid to run down to
these windows. 
Notice Do not attempt to clean or even touch the mirror surfaces. The mirrors in
your spectrometer are front surfaced and can be easily scratched. Dust will
not harm the infrared signal, but fingerprints can degrade spectral
performance or permanently damage the mirrors. If you feel it is necessary,
remove dust with a gentle stream of clean air or nitrogen. Use purge air
only for cleaning mirrors; commercially prepared canned air contains
contaminants that can damage the mirror surface or interfere with spectral
data. 
Lifting or moving
the spectrometer
Our spectrometers weigh between 24 kg (53 lb) and 64 kg (140 lb). To
avoid risk of injury, use proper lifting techniques when lifting or moving
the spectrometer or other system components.
Caution Nicolet FT-IR spectrometers cannot be lifted safely by a single person.
Lifting or moving a Nicolet FT-IR spectrometer requires two people. Be
sure to use the handholds on the sides of the spectrometer. 
6 Nicolet FT-IR Spectrometer Safety Guide Thermo Fisher Scientific