5
General Operation
5.1
Set up
Place the 9101 zero point dry-well upright on a flat stable surface. The area
around the instrument must be clear to allow adequate air circulation. For best
results operate the dry-well in room of constant temperature between 18 to
25°C (64 to 77°F) free from drafts. Stable ambient temperatures allow stable
well gradients and less drift.
5.2
Cooling
Turn on power by pressing the switch on the top of the instrument to the on po-
sition. Notice that the amber POWER indicator light turns on and the fan be-
gins circulating air. The dry-well will begin to cool the well until it reaches 0°C
and stabilizes. Typically it takes 15 to 30 minutes for the block to reach 0 and
stabilize, longer at higher ambient temperatures. When the block has reached 0
and stabilized the green READY indicator light will turn on and the instrument
is ready for use.
5.3
Measurement
When the instrument is ready insert the probe into one of the three well holes at
the top of the instrument. The probe should be inserted the full depth of the
well since the temperature is most accurate at the bottom. The probe must make
good contact with the bottom of the well. A little heat conduction grease on the
probe may help. It also helps to apply a small constant sideways and down-
wards force on the probe. After inserting the probe allow approximately 10
minutes for the temperature to stabilize. At this point the probe may be mea-
sured for accuracy or used as a stable zero reference.
11
5 General Operation
Set up
