Chapter 6
USE
DANGER
Read chapter “DANGEROUS PARTS AND RESIDUAL RISKS” before proceeding.
6.1 WARNINGS
Before
commencing
normal use of the equipment
,
verify that it is in good working
conditions with no defective or damaged parts. If necessary
carry out
required maintenance
operations
6.2 PREPARATION OF THE APPLIANCE
The standard EN 196/3 requires
the water
to reach the boiling point in 30 ± 5 minutes time,
starting from a temperature
of 20 ± 2°.
This appliance has been developed to satisfy this requirement using 12 Le Chatelier moulds complete
with specimens and with a water level inside the chamber of 30mm from
the
upper line.
The first heating step requires a greater heating power if compared with the second maintaining step. The
timer has this control function.
From various trials, we have discovered that setting the timer to 30 minutes allows
it
to meet standards
requirements. (With 12 complete moulds and a water level of 30 mm from the upper line). For any different
condition
s
, the operator
must
find out the correct time to set the timer
to
in order to
comply with
the
Standard.
According to the standard, the boiling temperature has to be kept constant for 3 hours ± 5 minutes; during
this
time
, the water level will decrease.
T
he appliance has been developed to keep the moulds well
submerged during the test. It is suggested to limit the evaporation by opening the vent-hole B3 only when
necessary and to verify the water level from time to time.
If the operator discovers that the water level is too low and
does not give
cover
to
the heating
element and the moulds, it
will be
necessary to add some boiling water during the test execution.
ATTENTION
Ensure that the water in the chamber always covers the heating element.
If
not
this would be
seriously
damaged.
6.3 SPECIMEN POSITIONING
Place the Le Chatelier moulds in the rack, put it into the inside chamber and add the exact water quantity (as
defined by trial tests, see previous chapter).
6.4 SWITCHING ON OF THE APPLIANCE
To start the appliance put the Main Switch (A1) on “I”.
6.5 EMERGENCY STOP
In case of emergency, stop the appliance by putting the Main Switch (A1) on “0”.
DANGER
Do not touch any part of the appliance or its content
s
until the
y
have cooled
down; there
is
the risk
of
burns and scalds
from
the elevated testing
temperature.
ATTENTION
It
is
worth rem
emberin
g that test interruption causes cancellation
of the whole test
.
6.6 STARTING AFTER AN EMERGENCY STOP
DANGER
Before starting the appliance again, find and eliminate the problem, which led to
the
emergency stop.
To start the appliance again, move the main switch (A1) to the “I” position, this will reset all normal
functions.
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