Densitometer

DEN-1
Operating instructions
For version V.1GW
 Contents

1 Safety ........................................................................................3

2 General Information ................................................................4

3 Getting started .........................................................................5

4 Operation of DEN-1 ..................................................................7

5 Maintenance .............................................................................9

6 Specifications...........................................................................10

7 Guarantee and service ............................................................11

DEN-1 Version 1.02 - August 2012

Operating instructions Page 3
 1. Safety

The following symbol means:

Caution: Read these operating instructions fully before use and pay particular attention to sections
containing this symbol.

GENERAL SAFETY
Operation of the unit must be carried out according to the given operating instructions.
The unit should be saved from shocks and falling.
After transport or storage dry out the unit (2-3 hrs) before connecting it to the supply voltage.
Before using any cleaning or decontamination method except those recommended by the manufacturer,
user should check with the manufacturer that the proposed method will not damage the equipment.
Do not make modifications in design of the unit.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Connect only to a power supply with a voltage corresponding to that on the serial number label.
Only use the external power supply unit provided with this product.
Ensure that the power switch and external power supply connector are easily accessible during use.
Before moving, disconnect from the mains.
To turn off the unit, disconnect the external power supply from the mains outlet.
If liquid is spilt inside the unit, disconnect it from the external power supply and have it checked by a
competent person.

DURING OPERATION
Do not operate the unit in environments with aggressive or explosive chemical mixtures.
Do not operate the unit if it is faulty or been incorrectly installed.
For indoor use only.
Do not use outside laboratory rooms.
Buttons Select and Install are used only for calibration of the unit according to p. 3.4. Do not press the
buttons in other cases, otherwise it can cause calibration reset and recalibration will be needed.

BIOLOGICAL SAFETY
It is the user's responsibility to carry out appropriate decontamination if hazardous material is spilt on or
inside the equipment.

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 2. General Information

Densitometer DEN-1 is designed for measurement of solution's turbidity in the range

0.3 - 5.0 McFarland units (100x106 - 150x107 cells/ml). DEN-1 provides the opportunity
to measure solution turbidity in a wider range (5.0 - 15.0 McFarland units) however, it is
necessary to remember that in this case the standard deviation values increase.
Densitometer DEN-1 is used for determining concentration of cells (bacterial, yeast
cells) in the fermentation process, for detection of susceptibility of microorganisms
against antibiotics, for identification of microorganisms with various test-systems, for
measuring optical density at fixed wavelength and for quantitative evaluation of soluted
substance concentration.
The operation principle is based on measurement of optical density with digital
presentation of the results in McFarland units.
The unit is calibrated at the factory and keeps calibration without power supply.
However, if necessary it is possible to calibrate the unit by 2-6 points in 0.5 - 5.0
McFarland unit range. Both commercial standards (e.g. produced by bioMerieux,
Lachema, etc.) and the standards prepared in the laboratory can be used for calibration.
Table 1 shows the data provided by the McFarland standard manufacturer bioMerieux.
Table 1. Interpretation of McFarland Standard results into corresponding numeric values of
bacterial suspension concentration and their optical density at 550 nm.

McFarland Composition Interpretation

Standard Concentration Bacterial concentration* Theoretical optical
BaSO4 density at 550 nm**

0.5 2.40 10-5 mol/l 150 x 106 cells/ml 0.125

1 4.80 10-5 mol/l 300 x 106 cells/ml 0.25
2 9.60 10-5 mol/l 600 x 106 cells/ml 0.50
3 1.44 10-4 mol/l 900 x 106 cells/ml 0.75
4 1.92 10-4 mol/l 1200 x 106 cells/ml 1.00
5 2.40 10-4 mol/l 1500 x 106 cells/ml 1.25

*Bacterial concentration depends on microorganism size. The numbers represent an

average value valid for bacteria. For yeasts, which are larger in size, these numbers should
be divided by about 30.
**Values correspond to optical densities of bacterial suspensions. The BaSO4 solutions
do not have the same optical density, because size and particle forms differ from those
of bacteria and light is diffracted differently.

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Operating instructions Page 5
 3. Getting started

3.1 Unpacking
Remove packing materials carefully and retain for future shipment or storage of the unit.

3.2 The DEN-1 set includes:

Standard set
Densitometer DEN-1 ..............................................................................................1 piece
Adapter D16 for tubes with external diameter 16 mm ............................................1 piece
External power supply ............................................................................................1 piece
Operating Manual; Declaration of Conformity ..........................................................1 copy

3.3 Set up:

Place the unit on the horizontal even working surface;
Plug the external power supply into the 12 V socket at the rear side of the unit (fig.1/ ).

Power DC-12 Calibration

select install

Fig.1 Rear panel

3.4 Calibration:
The instrument is pre-calibrated at the factory for operation with the glass tubes external
diam. 18 or 16 mm (see the label on the bottom side of the unit) at temperature range
from +15°C to +25°C and keeps calibration without power supply.
Note! For work with other type tubes (e.g. with different outer diameter, bottom shape or
different material, e.g. transparent plastic tubes) it is necessary to perform
calibration.
Perform calibration in the following sequence from the lower calibration value to the
higher values: 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0. The minimum requirement is to calibrate 2
points.

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 To perform calibration:
3.4.1 Switch ON (position I) the unit with the Power switch (Fig.1/ ) on the rear panel.
3.4.2 With a pin press Select button (fig.1/ ) on the rear panel (for Select and Install buttons use
thin pin, not more than 2 mm diameter). The display indicates flashing figure “0.5” - the unit is
ready to save calibration value of the first point 0.5 McF.
Note! Shake the tube with the corresponding standard, if necessary (it is recommended to
use vortex, e.g. Vortexer PV-1, for shaking).
3.4.3 Insert the tube with the calibration value corresponding standard into the socket of
Densitometer (fig.2/ ).
3.4.4 With a pin press Install button (fig.1/ ). First point “0.5” is saved in the memory and the next
calibration value is displayed (flashing figure “1.0”).
Note! It is recommended to calibrate as many points as possible to obtain precise results.
The minimum requirement is to calibrate 2 points closest to working range (e.g. 0.5
and 5.0 for operation in 0.5 - 5.0 McF unit range).
3.4.5 Repeat steps 3.4.3 - 3.4.4 until the calibration is completed (1-5 times, i.e. as many times as
many points the chosen calibration sequence has).
3.4.6 If a standard is not available, press Select button for the next calibration value to be
displayed.
3.4.7 After installing the last standard value “5.0” or skipping it (Select button), the unit enters
operation mode. The unit is ready for operation.
Note! If during calibration pressing of Install button does not cause switch to the next
Standard value, it means that the inserted in the densitometer socket Standard has
lower turbidity value than the previous Standard. Cause: turbidity of the inserted
Standard does not correspond to the necessary value (Standard has to be shaken
or replaced).
3.4.8 At the end of calibration switch OFF the unit with the Power switch (position O). Disconnect
the external power supply from the mains.

3.5 Installation of adapter D16

An adapter D16 must be used for work with tubes which have external diameter 16 mm.
Insert the adapter into the tube socket (fig.2/ ), perform calibration.

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Operating instructions Page 7
 4. Operation of DEN-1

Fig.2 Front panel

Recommendation during operation

It is recommended to start operation after approximately 15 min (the time necessary for stabilisation
·
in the working mode).
Using a tube with a flat bottom, the fluid should exceed the 7 mm level from the tube bottom, using a
·
round-bottom tubes - 12 mm level from the tube bottom.

4.1 Connect the external power supply unit to the mains.

4.2 Switch On the unit with the Power switch (Fig.1/ ) on the rear panel.

4.3 The following indication will be shown on the display (fig.2/ ):

“0.0” - the unit is calibrated and ready for operation (if no any tube inserted);
“CC” - the unit is not calibrated - calibrate the unit.
“EE” - operator error message - switch OFF the unit and then switch ON again.

4.4 Shake the tube with the solution (it is recommended to use vortex, e.g. Vortexer PV-1, for
shaking) and insert into the socket (fig.2/ ). The McFarland value for the solution will be
shown on the display (fig.2/ ).

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4.5 Glass and transparent plastic tubes (external diameter 16 mm and 18 mm) can be used for
work with Densitometer DEN-1. An adapter D16 must be used for work with tubes which
have external diameter 16 mm.
Note! The unit must be calibrated each time a tube type (e.g. with different outer diameter,
bottom shape or different material [transparent plastic tubes]) is changed.

4.6 At the end of operation switch OFF the unit with the Power switch. Disconnect the external
power supply from the mains.

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Operating instructions Page 9
 5. Maintenance

Cleaning

The cases can be cleaned with a damp cloth after disconnection. Do not use solvents.
Before using any decontamination or cleaning method except that recommended, check
with our Service Department, or in other countries with our distributor, that the proposed
method will not damage the equipment.

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 6. Specifications

The product is designed for operation indoors in a laboratory at altitudes up to 2000m, with ambient
temperature from +4°C to +40°C and maximum relative humidity 80% for temperatures up to 31°C
decreasing linear ly to 50% relative humidity at 40°C.

Light source ......................................................................................................................LED

·

Wavelength ......................................................................................................λ = 565 ±15 nm

·

McFarland unit range ........................................................................................0.3 - 15.0 McF

·

Display resolution ........................................................................................................0.1 McF

·

Accuracy, of the full scale..................................................................................................+ 3%

·

Measurement time ..........................................................................................................1 sec

·

Sample volume..............................................................................................not less than 2 ml

·

Recommended external diameter of tube ......................................................................18 mm

·

16 mm (when using D16 adapter)

Display..............................................................................................................................LED
·

Dimensions ...................................................................................................165x115x75 mm
·

Input current/power consumption ...................................................................12V, 80 mA / 1 W

·

External power supply......................................... input AC 100-240 V 50/60Hz, output DC 12V

·

Weight with power supply, not more ................................................................................0,9 kg

·

Replacement part Description

D16 Adapter for tubes with external diameter 16 mm

Grant is committed to a continuous programme of improvement, specifications may be changed

without notice.

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 7. Guarantee and Service

7.1 Guarantee

When used in laboratory conditions and according to these working instructions, this
product is guaranteed for TWO YEARS against faulty materials or workmanship.

7.2 Service

For service, return for repair to our Service Department in the UK or, in other countries,
to our distributor.

Version 1.02 - August 2012 DEN-1

Page 12 Operating instructions
DEN-1 Version 1.02 - August 2012
Operating instructions Page 13
Grant Instruments
(Cambridge) Ltd
Shepreth
Cambridgeshire
SG8 6GB
UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1763 260811
Fax: +44 (0) 1763 262410
Email: scientificsales@grantinstruments.com
www.grantinstruments.com

Densitometer/DEN-1/28712/1.02