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INSTALLATION 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig. 2: Optical Schematic of the Laser Particle Counter 

 

The  PC-2300  is designed to be mounted on a bench or worktable at a height 
convenient to the operator. The instrument should be level and firmly seated on a 
rigid surface. It should not move or vibrate when a sample bottle is placed on its 
upper surface. It should also not be subject to mechanical vibration due to nearby 
machinery or processing equipment. 
 

Auxiliary Output Connection

  –  This is located on the front  of the instrument.  

The DB 25 multi-pin connector interfaces the PC-2300 with any Windows based 
computer.  Spectrex Corporation provides “SuperCount” software and an 
interface control board to fully automate the system.   
 

SuperCount™  Software

  – 

Refer to the separate  manual for information 

including the installation procedure. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Summary of Contents for PC-2300

Page 1: ...ood City CA 94063 OPERATING MANUAL SPECTREX LASER PARTICLE COUNTER MODEL PC 2300 Rev E October 2011 For full operation of the Spectrex particle counting system Model PC 2300 computer in conjunction with the SuperCount Software Manual ...

Page 2: ...ecifications Theory of Operation Considerations Installation Calibration Particle Counting a New Sample Troubleshooting Optional Attachments Opacity Meter Small Vial Attachment Flow thru Cell Maintenance Applications Warranty Appendix Dilution Procedures Double Dilution 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 11 12 13 13 14 14 16 16 17 18 19 ...

Page 3: ... designed fixture the V Block automatically holds in correct alignment any standard 150 mL beaker or calibration standard The spring automatically pushes the bottle up into the V position It is easily removed by unscrewing two 6 32 screws for small vial or flow thru cell attachment The Model PC 2300 Particle Counter provides all of the facilities needed for rapid inspection of bottled and flowing ...

Page 4: ...3 INSTRUMENT DIAGRAM 3 ...

Page 5: ...ess Display Outputs Warranty Power Size Weight Continuously adjustable through two ranges from 0 5 µm to 100 µm 10 mL 10cm3 Counts mL Transparent glass Note unscratched Polystyrene can be used for Hydrofluoric Acid 5mm 4 digits Connection provided for external computer One year parts and labor 115 230 volts 50 60 Hz 6 x 9 5 x 14 5 15lbs ...

Page 6: ...nction of the size of the particles The optical collection system which is a part of the photodetector assembly is designed to provide a definite depth of focus This zone which is in focus ranges from approximately 1 5 cm to approximately 3 5 cm from the black target and lens assembly A pulse caused by an out of focus particle will be broader than a pulse caused by an in focus particle The electro...

Page 7: ...tector Individual measurements will vary around an average value as a result of optical and electronic noise particle orientation and particle position in the field of view The greater the number of individual measurements which are averaged the closer the average will be to the true value Because the in situ measurement is nondestructive it is possible to repeat measurements any number of times s...

Page 8: ...iner walls and most relatively clear liquids this absorption is negligibly small and will not affect the instrument calibration If the liquid is optically absorbing or contains very fine particles typically 1 µm in diameter the amount of light scattered into the photodetector will be reduced When measurements are made with such a liquid the opacity meter is used to give precise opacity and dilutio...

Page 9: ...ced on its upper surface It should also not be subject to mechanical vibration due to nearby machinery or processing equipment Auxiliary Output Connection This is located on the front of the instrument The DB 25 multi pin connector interfaces the PC 2300 with any Windows based computer Spectrex Corporation provides SuperCount software and an interface control board to fully automate the system Sup...

Page 10: ...counts 50 particles mL with a threshold setting corresponding to 1 µm The average of ten counts for any calibration standard should be within 15 of the number stated on the bottle This indicates that the particle counter is calibrated correctly Procedure 1 Begin by choosing one of the three calibration standards The Green and Red calibration standards should be resuspended before use by inverting ...

Page 11: ...ct same number This holds even when the particles are perfectly uniformly distributed throughout the container When each subsequent count is taken motion of the liquid and the particles will present another sample to the sensitive zone of the instrument The count will therefore vary slightly as the sample changes ...

Page 12: ...A laser beam will appear from the projection box toward the front of the instrument Use the light tight cover to protect from fluorescent light 2 View the red circle approximately 3 mm in diameter projected in the center of the black target in the middle of the collector lens 3 Ensure the threshold setting is at the 1µm level This is normally either 10 or 11 on the threshold knob dial 4 Resuspend ...

Page 13: ...or eyeglasses When cleaning the lens surface be careful not to disturb the black light absorbing target in the center of the lens LASER NO LONGER ROTATING 1 Remove the black laser scanner cover at the rear by unscrewing the two black flat head Allen screws 2 Check that the drive belt has not fallen off the two pulley wheels If so refit to pulleys 3 Check that the motor is rotating If not contact S...

Page 14: ...µm ISO 4406 or 4µm ISO 11171 Installation 1 Slide Opacity Meter Head in front of the receptor lens with the black target The circular sensor aperture should be facing the front of the instrument and the red laser beam should hit it fully 2 With the dial knob set the indicator on the Opacity Meter to CAL 3 Place the beaker or bottle containing the liquid to be tested into the V Block 4 Note where t...

Page 15: ...dy for use 3 FLOW THRU CELL This attachment provides monitoring continuous flow of liquids When the Spectracount Software is used the Automode Function gives continuous automatic monitoring Two different models are available from Spectrex a short path length design for high concentration liquids and a long path length design for low concentration liquids The long path length model is the one norma...

Page 16: ...ate with the screws supplied 6 Start the liquid to be tested flowing through the cell and double check for any leaks 7 Preferably set the flow of the liquid to 100 ml min with a flow control downstream from the cell This avoids air bubbles forming in the cell 8 Set the software on the computer connected to the particle counter to Automode and follow detailed instructions 9 Contact Spectrex to obta...

Page 17: ...de fails it is recommended that the unit be returned to the factory or that the replacement be done if necessary by a factory trained service technician However laser diodes have an incredibly long life and should not need replacement for over 15 years APPLICATIONS 12 Quality control of hydraulic fluids and oils De ionized water and acid testing for semiconductor manufacturing Vial and ampule insp...

Page 18: ...f service our guarantee will include replacement parts and labor of any faulty or failed components not caused by misuse at no extra cost to the user After the first year any factory repairs or calibration will be done for a nominal charge ...

Page 19: ...reater than 1µm STEP 2 Thoroughly redisperse the sample STEP 3 Draw 1 mL of sample by glass pipette and begin adding a controlled proportion of sample to the diluent Stir carefully with clean spatula or magnetic stir bar STEP 4 Take a count If a 0 5 mL addition takes the counts above 1 000 mL we suggest you use the two step dilution procedure below STEP 5 If Step 3 is done carefully the counts sho...

Page 20: ...le and thoroughly mix Call this Sample A Note Dilution factor is 100 1 STEP 3 Place another beaker of 99 mL of diluent on the particle counter and check that it is clean with less than 30 counts 1 µm STEP 4 Add 1 mL of Sample A and stir STEP 5 Continue to add precise amounts until total counts 1 µm are 5 600 mL STEP 6 Calculate dilution ratio as follows for Sample A First dilution Dilution ratio i...

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