Thermo Scientific Nicolet FT-IR Installation and operating manual

Nicolet FT-IR Spectrometer
Safet
y
Guide

The information in this publication is provided for reference only. All information contained in this
publication is believed to be correct and complete. Thermo Fisher Scientific shall not be liable for errors
contained herein nor for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance
or use of this material. All product specifications, as well as the information contained in this publication, are
subject to change without notice.
This publication may contain or reference information and products protected by copyrights or patents and
does not convey any license under our patent rights, nor the rights of others. We do not assume any liability
arising out of any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties.
We make no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including but not limited to the implied
warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Customers are ultimately responsible for
validation of their systems.
© 2008 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be stored in a
retrieval system, transmitted, or reproduced in any way, including but not limited to photocopy, photograph,
magnetic or other record, without our prior written permission.
For Technical Support, please contact:
Thermo Fisher Scientific
5225 Verona Road
Madison, WI 53711-4495 U.S.A.
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
World Wide Web: http://www.thermo.com/spectroscopy
For International Support, please contact:
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
World Wide Web: http://www.thermo.com/spectroscopy
All trademarks are the property of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and its subsidiaries.
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

Biohazard or
radioactive materials
and infectious agents
Instruments, accessories, components or other associated materials may not
be returned to us or other accessory manufacturers if they are contaminated
with biohazard or radioactive materials, infectious agents, or any other
materials and/or conditions that could constitute a health or injury hazard
to employees.
Contact technical support if you have questions about decontamination
requirements.
WEEE compliance Many instruments are required to comply with the European Union’s
Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC.
If compliance is required, the instrument is marked with the following
symbol.
We have contracted with one or more recycling/disposal companies in each
EU Member State, and this product should be disposed of or recycled
through them. Further information on our compliance with these
directives, the recyclers in your country, and information on our products
which may assist the detection of substances subject to the RoHS Directive
are available at www.thermo.com/WEEERoHS.
Safety labeling In many cases, safety information is displayed on the instrument itself. The
illustrations at the end of this manual 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.
If you see this symbol on the spectrometer or on an accessory, be sure to
read the safety label and check the information in the documentation that
came with the instrument or accessory. The symbol indicates that there is
additional information in the documentation.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Nicolet FT-IR Spectrometer Safety Guide 7

Electrical Safety
Your spectrometer, computer, and accessories were designed with
protective covers to prevent exposure to dangerous voltage and other
electrical hazards. If you see either of the following symbols on your
spectrometer, there is a risk of electric shock in the vicinity of the symbol.
Warning Only our qualified service representatives should attempt to service a
component that carries either of these symbols. 
Warning If a protective cover on the spectrometer, computer, or monitor appears
damaged, turn off the system and secure it against any unintended
operation. Always examine the protective cover for transport stresses after
shipping. 
Warning Even after the spectrometer has been disconnected from all voltage sources,
capacitors may remain charged for up to 30 seconds and can cause an
electrical shock. 
You may also see one or more symbols on or near switches and connectors
on your spectrometer. These symbols are often used to identify connectors
or help you to locate user-replaceable fuses.
The table that follows shows the symbols and lists the meaning of each.
Check the documentation that came with your spectrometer if you find a
symbol that is not included in the table.
8 Nicolet FT-IR Spectrometer Safety Guide Thermo Fisher Scientific

Symbol Description
Alternating current
Earth terminal or ground
Protective conductor terminal
Fuse
Power on
Power off
To prevent injury, refer to the accompanying
documentation
Powering on To turn on the spectrometer, press the power switch:
I = on
O= off
Note For information about powering up your computer, refer to the
documentation that came with the computer. 
Warning Do not operate a spectrometer or an accessory without following the safety
precautions described in this manual and the documentation that came
with your spectrometer. ▲
Nicolet 380
Nexus 4700/5700/6700/8700
Power switc
h
(on externa
l
power suppl
y)
Power switc
h
(on externa
l
power suppl
y)
Nicolet 380
Nicolet 6700 and Nicolet 8700
Thermo Fisher Scientific Nicolet FT-IR Spectrometer Safety Guide 9

Power supplies Many of our instruments and accessories, including the Nicolet FT-IR
spectrometers, are powered by external power supplies. Others may have
power supplies built into the instrument.
Danger To avoid injury, only a qualified person using the appropriate measuring
device should check the line voltage, current and frequency. 
The power supply used with Nicolet FT-IR spectrometers accepts a variety
of AC power sources. The power supply adjusts automatically and
maintains a consistent VDC output. The following illustration shows the
DC power cable connector and lists the output voltage on each pin in the
connector.
Pin Output
1 DC common
2 -12 VDC
3 + 5 VDC
4 - 5 VDC
5 +12 VDC
6 DC common
7 + 5 VDC
2
6
7
53
8
1
4
8 Not connected
Fuses The Nicolet FT-IR spectrometers are protected by two 2 A, time-lag (also
known as T-type or slow-blow) fuses that are built into the external power
supply. The fuses for these spectrometers are not individually replaceable. If
the fuses blow, you must replace the power supply.
Connecting an
external power supply To connect an external power supply:
Caution Be sure the power switch is in the off (O) position before you connect the
power supply to your spectrometer. 
1. Connect the DC power cable to the spectrometer.
Tighten the screws to secure the connection.
10 Nicolet FT-IR Spectrometer Safety Guide Thermo Fisher Scientific

2. Connect the AC power cable to the external power supply.
3. Connect the AC power cable to AC power source.
Nicolet 380
Nicolet 6700 and Nicolet 8700
Power switc
h
(on externa
l
power suppl
y)
Power switc
h
(on externa
l
power suppl
y)
Electrical service Check the line voltage and frequency of the wall outlet that will be used for
the spectrometer before you connect the instrument or turn on the power.
This should be done when the system is installed and any time the system
is plugged into a different wall outlet.
Danger To avoid injury, only a qualified person using the appropriate measuring
device should check the line voltage, current and line frequency. 
Characteristic Specification
Input voltage 100 – 240 VAC
Line frequency 50 – 60 Hz
Line disturbances Sags, surges, or other line disturbances must not
exceed 10% of input voltage (even for a half cycle)
Noise less than 2 volts (common mode)
less than 20 volts (normal mode)
If you are not sure that your electrical service meets these requirements,
contact technical support for information about a power line audit.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Nicolet FT-IR Spectrometer Safety Guide 11

Grounding Each wall outlet you use must be equipped with a 3-wire line: live, neutral,
and ground. The ground must be a non-current-carrying wire connected to
earth ground at the main distribution box. To assure a good ground
connection and avoid shock hazard, do not use an outlet that has ground
connected to a conduit ground.
Warning Do not disconnect protective earth terminals inside the spectrometer when
the power is on. Doing so would create a shock hazard. 
Power cords You must be sure to use an appropriate power cord for the electrical service.
The power cord supplied with the spectrometer is a 3-wire, grounded
power cord, appropriate for use in the country listed as the shipping
destination for the spectrometer. If the power cord you received is not
appropriate for the electrical system in your location, or if the power cord
becomes damaged, contact us to order a new power cord.
Warning To prevent electrical hazards, do not remove or defeat the ground prong on
the power cord, and do not use any cords that are frayed or damaged. If
you use an extension cord, it also must have a protective conductor. 
12 Nicolet FT-IR Spectrometer Safety Guide Thermo Fisher Scientific

Laser Safety
The spectrometer is a laser product. The laser source in FT-IR and
FT-NIR spectrometers is a helium neon (HeNe) laser head.
Warning Never stare into the laser beam or at its bright reflection. Never tamper
with the laser head, even if you are replacing a defective laser. Exposure to
laser light or high voltage may result. 
The United States Department of Health and Human Services warns
against improper laser use, as follows:
Warning Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than
those specified in your user’s guide and on-line tutorials may result in
hazardous radiation exposure. Class 3R laser light inside. 
Protective housing A protective housing covers each spectrometer and accessory. More than 80
percent of the laser light is lost as it passes through Nicolet spectrometer
optics. For these spectrometers, the accessible laser radiation in the sample
compartment is very low, with less than 10 μW of continuous power.
For Nicolet FT-IR spectrometers, less than 0.39 mW of laser light is
accessible during normal use and maintenance. Class I laser products
(FDA-CDRH and IEC 60825-1:2001) are inherently safe. Virtually no
laser radiation reaches the sample compartment. The laser light inside these
spectrometers is on a horizontal plane. When you look through the sample
compartment window, it is impossible to stare into the beam.
Laser emissions The accessible radiation levels are below limits defined by the United States
Department of Health and Human Services. The following table lists each
spectrometer model and indicates which laser class regulations apply in the
U.S.A. and internationally.
Model Laser class (U.S.A.) Laser class (international)
Nicolet 380 Class I Class I
Nicolet 6700 Class I Class I
Nicolet 8700 Class I Class I
Thermo Fisher Scientific Nicolet FT-IR Spectrometer Safety Guide 13

Laser
indicator
The laser emission indicator is on the front panel of Nicolet 6700 and
Nicolet 8700 spectrometers. The laser indicator lights when power is
supplied to the laser and it is operating within specifications.
LaserScanPower Source
Nicolet 6700 and Nicolet 8700 lndicators
Nicolet 380 spectrometers do not have a separate laser indicator; whenever
the power is on, the laser is on.
Manufacturer’s
laser information
In some jurisdictions you may be required to register the spectrometer;
check with your company’s safety officer or your local government offices.
The following is an excerpt from the laser manufacturer’s manual regarding
the information that might be needed for registration.
Laser Characteristic Specification
633 nm reference manufacturer Melles Griot
(red laser) type of laser helium/neon (HeNe)
wavelength 632.8 nm
minimum power 0.9 mW (TEM00)
nominal power 1.0 mW*
maximum power 1.6 mW*
beam diameter 0.65 cm* (1/e2)
beam divergence 3.0 mrad
spacing C/2L 1039 MHz
operating voltage 1700 ± 100 VDC
CDRH
classification Class 3R
* At output of laser head reduced with fixed neutral density filter to 150 μW.
14 Nicolet FT-IR Spectrometer Safety Guide Thermo Fisher Scientific

Corrosives, Solvents, and
Pressurized Gases
Many standard spectroscopy methods are based on the use of solvents.
Others involve corrosive samples or pressurized samples in a gaseous state.
All these sample materials can be measured using your spectrometer, but
special precautions must be taken.
Pressurized gases Pressurized gases may be used for instrument purge, sampling and/or
optional cooling devices. The following are general guidelines for the safe
use and storage of compressed gases. Check with your fire, public safety,
and other regulatory authorities for specific requirements for your location.
•Wear eye protection when working with or near pressurized lines and
cylinders.
•When handling toxic and hazardous gases, be sure the work area is
properly ventilated through a non-sparking fume hood, glove box, or
ventilated cabinet.
•Leave valve protective caps in place until the cylinder is connected to a
regulator or manifold. Never lift a cylinder by the cap.
•Always provide a legible label or marking to identify the contents of a
cylinder and any precautionary warnings.
•Inspect the cylinders regularly for corrosion, valve damage or leaks, and
evidence of tampering. Never use a flame to detect flammable gas leaks.
•Regulate the flow of gas from the gas source into the spectrometer so
that the pressure and flow rate never exceed the specifications for the
instrument or cooling device.
Danger Never use a flammable gas to purge a spectrometer. Heat from the source
or from laser absorption could ignite the gas. The purge gas must be free of
moisture, oil and other reactive materials. Use only clean, dried air or
nitrogen to purge the instrument. Other gases, even inert gases such as
argon (AR), can damage the spectrometer. 
Thermo Fisher Scientific Nicolet FT-IR Spectrometer Safety Guide 15

Caustic or
corrosive agents
Spectrometer components may be degraded by exposure to caustic or
corrosive agents or their vapors. To maintain the spectrometer in safe
working condition, do not use caustic agents.
Notice Damage due to pyrolysis of halogenated hydrocarbons and/or exposure to
other corrosive or caustic agents is not covered by warranty. 
Volatile solvents If you use volatile solvents regularly, purging the instrument with dried,
clean air or nitrogen is strongly recommended. To avoid fire, explosion,
and asphyxiation hazards, follow these guidelines when working with
solvents.
•Do not leave exposed solvent in the sample compartment for longer
than necessary.
•Work with the sample compartment cover open. For most infrared and
near-infrared applications, it is not necessary to close the sample
compartment cover.
•Do not leave the solvents near the instrument.
•If possible, purge the sample compartment.
•Be sure that your work space is properly ventilated.
Danger Prevent fire and explosion. The infrared source inside the spectrometer is
an ignition source. If you are using volatile solvents, provide a fume hood
or other active venting system that is free of spark and other ignition
sources and prevents flammable vapors from collecting in the atmosphere
surrounding the instrument. 
These measures will help prolong the life of your instrument and will
eliminate the possibility of spectral interference caused by volatile solvent
vapors.
Solvents
containing
halogenated
hydrocarbons
Chlorinated solvents, perfluorochlorinated solvents, and other solvents
containing halogenated hydrocarbons are often used as sample solvents.
The pyrolysis of these solvents by an infrared source or by excessive heating
caused by laser absorption may produce hydrochloric acid (HCl),
hydrofluoric acid (HF), phosgene (COCl2), or other hazardous
compounds.
16 Nicolet FT-IR Spectrometer Safety Guide Thermo Fisher Scientific