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Spectradyne LLC, All rights reserved
6
Version 2.5.0 Revision 3, July 2020
Instrument Setup and Sample Prep
Setting up the nCS1
Unpack:
Remove all packaging from the instrument and position it on the benchtop.
Power supply:
Use the power cable provided with the instrument to connect the nCS1 to a source
of electrical power (North America: 110V, 5A, 60 Hz; Europe: 230V, 16 A, 50 Hz). The power input
connection is located on the back panel. The fuse drawer also provides a means to set the
instrument to run on 110V power (North America) or 230V (Europe). Align the arrows for the
desired AC voltage on the fuse drawer and the power entry module.
Pressure supply:
Connect the instrument to a source of clean inert gas (e.g., filtered nitrogen or
air). The acceptable range of input pressures is 15-30 PSI. The pressure input is located on the
back panel.
Load running buffer:
Running buffer is used to fill auxiliary portions of the analysis cartridges
during operation
—
it does not contact the sample to be analyzed until after measurement.
Recommended running buffer is PBS + 1% polysorbate 20 filtered at 0.2 µm. Add approximately
50 mL to each of the two bottles labeled “Buffer” on the right side of the instrument.
USB connection:
Use the USB cable provided with the instrument to connect the nCS1 to a
computer with Spectradyne software installed. The USB port is located on the back panel.
Power on:
Turn on the instrument with the switch located on the rear panel
before running the
nCS1 software installed on the attached computer
.
Software:
Run the Spectradyne nCS1 software on the computer. Note that if the instrument is
powered off, the software will need to be restarted before next use. Make sure the cartridge
calibration file is up-to-date, please contact
Cleaning Cartridge
A reusable cleaning cartridge is supplied with the nCS1 for instrument prime and shutdown. A
cleaning cartridge routine should also be performed after setting up the nCS1 for the first time,
or after any significant period of inactivity, i.e. more than 2 weeks. Refer to pages 13 and 17 of
this guide for instructions.
Calibration Sample and First Run
A calibration sample should be the first sample run after unpacking the instrument, and can be
used at any time by users wishing to familiarize themselves with instrument operation. The
calibration sample should be a polystyrene particle size standard in filtered PBS + 1% Tween 20.
Guidelines for preparing your own sample for measurement can be found in the Guidelines for
Sample Preparation section on page 21 of this guide.