BD FACSCanto II, Reference Manual, Page: 24 / 158

24 BD FACSCanto II Flow Cytometer Reference Manual
Electronics
The electronics system converts optical signals to electronic signals and digitizes
them for computer analysis. The photodiode and PMTs generate signals
proportional to the amount of light they detect. The cytometer’s onboard
electronics amplifies and then converts the signals from continuous voltage
values (analog) into discrete values (digital). Upon amplification and digital
conversion, fluorescent light signals from consistently prepared and stained
particles characteristically fall into certain channels, thus allowing analysis.
BD FACSCanto II electronic system components consist of power controls,
connectors, the electronics processing board, the fluidics controllers, and the
acquisition indicator lights. This section describes only the user-accessible power
panel and the acquisition indicator lights. For more information, see Electronics
System on page 119.
Power Panel
Power to the instrument, lasers, and fluidics cart is supplied by a power cord
from the cytometer plugged directly into a standard electrical outlet. BD
recommends using an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) unit to maintain
instrument power during a power outage. The system power button turns on the
instrument and fluidics cart, and powers the lasers.
Figure 1-5 Flow cytometer power panel
The system circuit breaker is located next to the AC power cord. The breaker will
need to be reset if there is a power surge in the laboratory.
system circuit breaker
system power
button
system AC power
cord plugs in here
power out to
fluidics cart
communication
cable to fluidics cart