XIA UltraLo-1800 Operating instructions

XIALLC
UltraLo‐1800Alpha
ParticleCounter
SiteRequirements&Planning
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Version:0.4
Friday,February15,2013
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TableofContents
I.SitePreparationTasks...........................................................................................................................3
A.InstrumentOverview........................................................................................................................3
B.InstallationOverview........................................................................................................................3
1.Sitepreparationprocess...............................................................................................................3
C.Selectthesite....................................................................................................................................3
1.Spacerequirements......................................................................................................................3
2.Gasrequirements..........................................................................................................................5
3.Layoutrequirements.....................................................................................................................6
4.Requiredclearances......................................................................................................................7
5.Mountingholelocations...............................................................................................................8
6.Dimensionsandweights...............................................................................................................9
7.Electricalrequirements...............................................................................................................10
D.Prepareforinstallation...................................................................................................................11
1.Safetyandmaterials...................................................................................................................11
E.Receivingandinspectingthesystem..............................................................................................12
1.ShippedContents........................................................................................................................12
2.Inspectshippingcontainersfordamage.....................................................................................12
3.Shippingcontainerdimensions...................................................................................................12
II.Checklists............................................................................................................................................13
A.SpaceandLayoutchecklist.............................................................................................................13
B.Gaschecklist....................................................................................................................................13
C.Electricalchecklist...........................................................................................................................13
D.Systemreceiptandinspection........................................................................................................14
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C
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I. SitePreparationTasks
A. InstrumentOverview
TheUltraLo‐1800isastate‐of‐the‐artalphaparticlecountingsystemthatusesagas‐filledionization
chamberandpulseshapeanalysistoachievethelowestpossiblebackgroundsandshortestpossible
countingtimes.
Theinstrumentistobeusedonlybytechnologiststrainedbothinlaboratorytechniquesand
procedures,andintheuseoftheinstrument.Thecustomerisresponsibleforvalidationofanyresults,
andcompliancewithanyrequirementsthatpertaintotheirproceduresandusesoftheinstrument.
B. InstallationOverview
Beforethesystemarrivesatyourlocation,pleaseprepareyoursitefortheinstallationprocess
accordingtotheinstructionsthatfollow.IfanXIALLCrepresentativewillbepresenttohelpinstallthe
instrumentandassociateddevices,yoursitemustbepreparedpriortotheirarrival.
1. Sitepreparationprocess
1. Reviewthisguide
2. Selecttheinstallationsite
3. Meetrequirements(gas,electrical,network)
4. Stockthesite
5. Receiveandinspectthesystem(shipment)
6. Movesystemtoinstallationsite
C. Selectthesite
1. Spacerequirements
a) Systemcomponents
Theshipmentincludesthefollowingcomponents:
A. Countermodule
B. Supportmodule
C. ThinkPadcontrollaptop
D. CablesandTubing(notshown)
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b) Setuprequirements
AtypicalsetupisshownbelowinFigure1.
60.0 (152 cm)
27.0 (69 cm)
95.0 (241 cm)
65.0 (165 cm)
Req’d
Clearance
Laptop can be placed
elsewhere, but must be
within 6 feet (1.8m) of
counter.
Req’d
Clearance
46.0 (117 cm)
Gas Inlet
24.0 (61 cm)
1.8 (4.6 cm)
Gas Inlet
50.0 (127 cm)
26.0 (66 cm)
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Figure1:SpaceRequirements
Fordetailsonspacerequirements,see‘Dimensionsandweights’onpage8.Foradditional
informationonnecessaryclearances,see‘Requiredclearances’onpage7.Fordetailsonthelocationof
thegasinlet(andassociatedtolerance),see‘GasInletLocation’onpage5.

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2. Gasrequirements
TheUltraLo‐1800requiresasourceofpure,dryArgongas–ideally,thegasprovidedisboilofffrom
atankofliquidArgon.Allmetaltubing(i.e.copperorstainless)shouldbeusedwhenrunningthegas
fromthesourcetanktotheUltraLo‐1800,andtheplumbingsystemshouldbefreefromleaks.Thegas
pressureattheinputtotheUltraLo‐1800isrequiredtobe21psi(150kPa)±5%.
ThegasinputfittingontheUltraLo‐1800isaSwagelok‐typeconnector:P/NSS‐400‐61,andrequires
¼”ODmetaltubing.AllnecessaryfittinghardwareissuppliedwiththeUltraLo‐1800system.The
installationprocessforthegastubeandfittingisstraightforward.IfanXIALLCrepresentativeispresent
duringsysteminstallation,theywillperformthisinstallationstep.
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Figure2:GasInputInterface(Imagefromswagelok.com)
a) GasInletLocation
ThelocationofthegasinputfittingiscalledoutinFigure1.Priortothescheduleddateof
installation,thegastubingmustberunfromthegassourcetothesiteofinstallation,andterminateat
thespecifiedgasinletlocation.Theterminationofthe¼”metaltube(atthegasinletlocation)shallbe
runinsuchamannerastoprovideapproximately10”ofplay(inalldirections)forfinalalignmentduring
systeminstallation.
b) Summary:
Requirement(atinputtoUltraLo)Specification
GasArgon
Pressure21psi(150kPa)±5%
Tubing1/4"ODmetaltube
LocationAscalledoutinFigure1,±10”alldirections
c) Gassupplyandconsumption:
OurrecommendationistouseadewarofliquidArgon,andplumbtheboiloffgastothecounter.In
regardstogasconsumption,theUltraLo‐1800hastwodefinedflowrates;‘normal’(3.5LPM)and
‘purge’(15LPM).Whenyouinsertanewsample,thesystemrunsatthepurgerateforabout45
minutes,afterwhichtheflowisautomaticallythrottleddowntothenormalrateforthemeasurement.
Yourgasconsumptionwilldependonhowmanytimesyouinsertnewsamples.Forreference,the
countersatXIArunoffof230literliquiddewars.Onecounterrunningdailymeasurements(averagingat
least1purge/day)willconsumethedewarinabitovertwoweeks.

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3. Layoutrequirements
TheUltraLo‐1800isfairlysensitivetomicrophonics.Assuch,thecountershouldbelocatedina
relativelyquietspacewithreducedfoottraffic,andawayfromacousticallynoisymachinerysuchasfans,
pumps,etc.
Verifythattheinstallationlocation:
Isnotadjacenttovibrationsources,suchaspumps,compressors,orfans.Excessivevibration
willaffectinstrumentperformance.
Isnotadjacenttoelectricallynoisydevices,suchasovens,steppermotors,refrigerationunits,
etc.
Allowsthelaptoptobewithin6feet(2meters)oftheinstrument.
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4. Requiredclearances
Duringinstrumentsetupandmaintenance,itisnecessarytoaccessthebackofthecountermodule
andthesupportmodule.Ifthebackoftheinstrumentfacesawall,itwillbenecessarytohaveenough
spacetoaccessthebackofthecounterandsupportmodulefromtheside.
Whenchangingasampleformeasurement,thesampletrayopensandextends26.0inches(66cm)
forward,fromtheinstrument’sfrontface.SeeFigure3belowforillustration.Whenloadingorremoving
asample,theusermaywishtostandtoeithersideoftheextendedtray,oralternatively,infrontofthe
extendedtray.Forcomfortableoperation,addadditionalspacefortheuser(~3feet,1m)as
appropriate.
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Figure3:Counterwithsampletrayextended
Duringinstrumentmaintenance,itmaybenecessarytoopenthecountermoduletoaccessand
servicevariousinternalcomponents.SeeFigure4belowforillustration.Atotalof46inches(117cm)of
verticalclearanceisrequiredforthisoperation.
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Figure4:Counteropenedformaintenance

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5. Mountingholelocations
Shouldtheuserwishtosecurethecountermoduletoatableorbench–forearthquakesafetyor
otherwise–themountingholepatternisprovidedbelow.Thevibration‐isolatingfeetaresymmetrically
locatedunderneaththecounterbody.¼”‐20sizehardwarewouldbeappropriate.Mountinghardwareis
notsuppliedwiththeUltraLo‐1800.
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DIA = 0.28"
21.75 (55.25cm)
3.50 (8.9 cm)
square
Front face of counter
1.25 (3.2 cm)
3.56 (9 cm)
Counter Body Outline
34.00 (86.4 cm)
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Figure5:Mountingholelocations
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6. Dimensionsandweights
Thetablebelowindicatesdimensionsandweightsoftheinstrumentandassociatedcomponents.
Ensurethattheinstallationsite(tableand/orbenchspace)canaccommodatethedimensionsand
supporttheweights.Inthetablebelow,‘Width’isdefinedasthedistancefromtheleftsidetotheright
sideoftheobject,and‘Depth’isdefinedasthedistancefromthefronttothebackoftheobject.
ComponentWidth(in)Depth(in)Height(in)Weight(lbs)
CounterModule(closed)34.3(87.1cm)40.0(101.6cm)27.0(68.6cm)330(150kg)
CounterModule(open)34.3(87.1cm)40.0(101.6cm)45.3(115.1cm)330(150kg)
CounterModule(trayext)34.3(87.1cm)66.0(167.6cm)27.0(68.6cm)330(150kg)
SupportModule16.0(40.6cm)12.0(30.5cm)8.5(21.6cm)30(13.6kg)
Laptop13.5(34.3cm)9.5(24.1cm)10.5(26.7cm)5(2.2kg)
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Figure6:ViewsoftheUltraLo‐1800
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UltraLo‐1800AlphaParticleCounterXIALLCPage10
7. Electricalrequirements
a) Systemelectricalrequirements
TheUltraLo‐1800hasminimalpowerrequirements,andcanacceptoperatingvoltagesbetween
100VACand240VACwithafluctuationof+/‐10%ofnominalat50/60Hz.Theinstrumentwillbepre‐
configuredbyXIALLCfortheappropriatelinevoltagebasedonthecountrywheretheinstallationsiteis
located(orbythevoltagespecifiedbycustomerifspecificallyprovided).
ThemaximumpowerconsumptionoftheUltraLo‐1800islessthan0.100kWat110VAC.However,
typicalpowerconsumptionduringactivemeasurement,aswellasduringstandby,is0.05kW(at
110VAC).
Asingleoutletwithagoodgroundconnectionisrequired.Ideally,thisoutletwillbewellisolatedor
separatefromanycircuitspoweringelectrically‘noisy’systemsordevicesthatcancausepowersurges,
suchasvacuumpumps,steppermotors,ovens,refrigerationunits,etc.
Ifyouwishtoinstallanduseanuninterruptiblepowersupply(UPS),isolationtransformer,orsurge
protector,youmuststillprovideasingle,solidgroundconnectionbetweentheinstrumentandthe
building’smainelectricalground.
b) Summary:
Device
RatedVoltage
(VAC)
RatedFreq
(Hz)
Typ.Current
(A)
Typ.Power
(kW)
MaxPower
(kW)
Instrument100‐240(±10%)50/600.40.050.100
Laptop100‐240(±10%)50/600.30.03N/A
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c) Network(Computer)requirements
Whilenotrequiredforoperation,thelaptopshouldbeconnectedtotheinternetinordertoreceive
softwareandfirmwareupdatesfromXIALLC.Additionally,thereareseveralsupportscenariosthat
significantlybenefitbyusinganactiveinternetconnection.Thelaptopcanconnecttoalocalnetwork
eitherviaastandardEthernetcable(usingtheRJ45‐typeconnectoronthelaptop)orbyusingawireless
connection.
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UltraLo‐1800AlphaParticleCounterXIALLCPage11
D. Prepareforinstallation
1. Safetyandmaterials
a) Safetynotes:
TheUltraLo‐1800isaheavyinstrument(see‘Dimensionsandweights’onpg9),andistobemoved
andpositionedwithcautionandcare.Ifyoudecidetoliftormovetheinstrumentafterithasbeen
installed,donotattempttoliftormovetheinstrumentwithouttheassistanceofothers,theuseof
appropriatemovingequipment,andproperliftingtechniques.Improperliftingcancauseinjury.Moving
orliftingtheinstrumentmayrequirethreeormorepersons.
Pleaseexercisecautionwhenrunningthegassupplylinestotheinstallationsite.Pressurizedgas
posesasafetyhazardifappropriateprecautionsarenotfollowed.Thecustomerisresponsiblefor
compliancewithanysafetyrequirementsthatpertaintotheinstallationofthegassupplylines.
b) Materialsforinstallation/maintenance
Thefollowingtoolsarenecessaryforinstallationandmaintenance:
Boxwrenches(forusewithgasfittings):1/2”,9/16”,5/8”
Hexkeys(forusewithlatches/panels):5/16”,1/8”,3/32”
Screwdrivers(forusewithelectronics):Size0‐1or1‐2Phillips
c) Materialsforroutineoperation
Notoolsarerequiredforroutineoperation,butfromtimetotimeyoumaywishtocleanthesample
traytopreventcontaminationfrombuildingup.XIALLCrecommendsthefollowingmaterialsfor
cleaning:
Radiacwash–availablefromBiodexMedicalSystems
Distilled/Deionizedwater
MethanolorIsopropylalcohol
Powder‐freegloves
Theusermanualwillprovideadditionaldetailsonrecommendedcleaningsuppliesandmethods.
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UltraLo‐1800AlphaParticleCounterXIALLCPage12
E. Receivingandinspectingthesystem
1. ShippedContents
Allshipmentsincludethefollowing:
UltraLo‐1800CountingModule
UltraLo‐1800SupportModule
Cableassembly/Gastubingkit
Laptopcontrolcomputer
PCBkit
2. Inspectshippingcontainersfordamage
CarefullyinspecttheshippingcontainersandreportanydamagetoanXIAservicerepresentative.
Specifically,checktheconditionofallShockWatch©stickerspresentontheoutsideoftheshipping
container.Shouldanindicatorbered,carefullyfollowinstructionslistedonsticker.Recordanydamage
ormishandlingontheshippingdocuments.
3. Shippingcontainerdimensions
Allitemswillarriveinonelargeshippingcontainer(crate).Thedimensionsforthecratearelistedin
thetablebelow.
CrateDimensionMinimumbuildingclearance
Width43in(109cm)
Depth43in(109cm)
Height62.5in(159cm)
Weight500lbs(225kg)

Themaininstrumentbody(UltraLo‐1800CountingModule)isshippedonadollytofacilitate
transportationofthe(relativelyheavy)unitfromshippingandreceivingtoyourinstallationsite.When
thecounterisonthedolly,theexternaldimensionsofthecombinedunitarelistedinthetablebelow.
Pleaseverifythattherearesufficientbuildingclearancesbetweenshippingandreceivingandyour
installationsiteforthepassageofthedolly.
Dolly&UnitDimensionMinimumbuildingclearance
Width35in(89cm)
Depth40in(102cm)
Height32in(82cm)
Weight325lbs(150kg)
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UltraLo‐1800AlphaParticleCounterXIALLCPage13
II.Checklists
UsethechecklistsbelowtoensurethatyouhavemadeallpreparationsforinstallingtheUltraLo‐
1800countingsystem.Ifyouhaverequestedinstallationandtraining,anXIALLCrepresentativewill
contactyoutoverifythatallchecklistsarecompletebeforesettinguptheinstallationdate.
A. SpaceandLayoutchecklist
DateverifiedRequirements
Locationisawayfrom:
▪Vibrationfromotherinstrumentsordevices
 ▪Electricallynoisydevices

Locationaccommodatesthedimensionsandweights
specifiedin"Dimensionsandweights"onpg9
Locationmeetstherequirementsspecifiedin"Space
requirements"onpg3

B. Gaschecklist
DateverifiedRequirements
SourceofArgongasisavailableonsite

AllmetalplumbingisinstalledbetweenArgongassourceand
installationsite
Gaspressureatinstallationsiteis21psi(150kPa)

Metaltubingatinstallationsiteis1/4"OD,andterminatesat
theappropriatelocationwithnecessarytolerance

C. Electricalchecklist
DateverifiedRequirements
Appropriategroundedpowerreceptaclesareavailableat
installationsite(See"Electricalrequirements",pg10)
 Anactive,tested,LAN/internetconnectionisavailable

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UltraLo‐1800AlphaParticleCounterXIALLCPage14
D. Systemreceiptandinspection
DateverifiedAction
Themeasuredbuildingclearancescanaccommodatethe
dollyandmaininstrumentbodydimensions(See“Shipping
containerdimensions”,pg12).

Receivedthesystemandinspectedtheshippingcontainers
formishandlingordamage.
ReportedtotheXIAservicerepresentativeanysignsof
mishandlingordamagetotheshippingcontainer.

