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ELGA Micra - User Manual

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Micra
Operator Manual
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Summary

Introduction and Support

Health and Safety Precautions

Crucial safety precautions for operating the Micra unit.

Installation Procedures

Power Cable Installation

Step-by-step guide for installing the unit's power cable.

Filter and Cartridge Installation

Installing the 10 Micron Depth Filter and Carbon Filter.

Operation Modes

Automatic Operation (Reservoir Controls)

Operating the Micra with automatic reservoir level control.

Manual Operation (No Reservoir Controls)

Operating the Micra without automatic reservoir control.

Water Quality Alarm Configuration

Maintenance and Servicing

Troubleshooting and Safety

Troubleshooting Display Indicators

Interpreting display lights and recommended actions for issues.

Technical Specifications

Overview

The ELGA Micra is a water purification system designed to provide CLSI Type II pure water for manual and semi-automatic clinical analyzers, with a daily consumption capacity of up to 25 liters. It is engineered for ease of use and reliability, ensuring a consistent supply of purified water to meet various laboratory requirements.

Function Description

The Micra system operates through a multi-stage purification process to achieve high-quality water. The incoming potable water first passes through a 10 Micron Depth Filter, which removes larger particulate matter, protecting subsequent purification stages. Following this, a Carbon Filter is employed to remove chlorine and other organic contaminants that could degrade the performance of the reverse osmosis (RO) module. The core of the purification process is the Reverse Osmosis (RO) Module, which effectively removes dissolved inorganic solids, heavy metals, and microorganisms. Finally, a Purification Cartridge (often referred to as a DI pack) further polishes the water, removing any remaining ions to achieve the desired resistivity for Type II water.

The system can operate in two primary modes: automatic and manual. In automatic mode, the Micra is connected to a suitable reservoir and utilizes a level control system to automatically fill the tank as needed, ensuring a continuous supply of purified water without constant user intervention. In manual mode, the user initiates and stops the purification process by pressing a "Process" button, making it suitable for situations where a reservoir is not used or specific volumes are required.

A key feature of the Micra is its integrated water quality alarm. This alarm is automatically set to warn the user when the water quality falls below 10 MΩ/cm, indicating that the purification cartridges may need replacement. This set point is adjustable to 5 MΩ/cm or 2 MΩ/cm, allowing users to tailor the alarm sensitivity to their specific application needs.

Usage Features

The Micra is designed for flexible installation, capable of being wall-mounted, floor-mounted, or bench-mounted, provided it is placed on a flat, level surface in a clean, dry environment. The unit's compact design and clear labeling of components facilitate straightforward setup and operation.

Installation involves several steps:

  1. Unpacking and Placement: The unit should be unpacked and positioned in the desired location.
  2. Power Cable Installation: The power cable is installed by unscrewing the depth filter housing, removing a protective plate, sliding in the cable, and reattaching the plate. Only the power cable provided with the unit should be used.
  3. Filter Installation: The 10 Micron Depth Filter and Carbon Filter are unpacked and screwed into their respective housings.
  4. DI Pack Installation: A new Purification Cartridge is removed from its packaging, sealing plugs are removed, and the cartridge is wetted and slid onto the spigots at the rear of the unit, then pushed into place.
  5. Water Connections: Connections are made for the potable water inlet, purified water outlet, and drain outlet using 1/4" OD tubing. Compression nuts are used to secure these connections, with specific instructions for tightening to ensure a leak-free seal. It is crucial to ensure that the potable water inlet pressure does not exceed 2 bar (30 psi).
  6. Power Connection: The unit is connected to the power supply.
  7. Commissioning Rinse: Before initial use, both the purified water outlet and drain outlet should be directed to a drain. The system is then turned on by pressing the "Process" button (indicated by a green light) and allowed to run for approximately one hour to rinse the system.
  8. Reservoir Connection: After the commissioning rinse, the purified water outlet can be connected to a suitable reservoir or directly to the final application.

For automatic operation, the level control supplied with the unit should be plugged in and positioned in the reservoir to monitor water levels, allowing the Micra to automatically maintain the desired water volume.

The user interface is simple, featuring an On/Off button and indicator lights that communicate the system's status:

  • No Light: Indicates the system is off or there is no power supply.
  • Green Light On: The system is working correctly.
  • Green and Red Light On: The water quality is below the setpoint, signaling the need to change purification cartridges and filters.
  • Red Light On (continuous): Indicates an issue with the Purification Cartridge, such as incorrect fitting.
  • Red Light On (flashing): Signals that the Purification Cartridge, 10 Micron Depth Filter, or Carbon Filter is nearing its expiry date.

In the event of an unexpected power shortage, the unit is designed to resume working automatically once power is restored, initiating with a 1-minute flush.

Maintenance Features

Regular maintenance is essential to ensure the Micra continues to provide high-quality water and operates efficiently. The manual outlines several user-performable maintenance tasks, emphasizing safety precautions.

Safety First: Before any maintenance, it is critical to turn off the Micra and disconnect it from the electrical power supply to prevent electric shock.

Consumable Replacement: The Micra uses a consumable kit (LC226) which includes a 10 Micron Depth Filter, a Carbon Filter, and a Purification Cartridge. These components have an estimated service life of 6 months and a maximum shelf life of 2 years. The indicator lights on the unit will signal when these cartridges are exhausted. It is recommended to exchange all three components at the same time to ensure optimal purification results. The Reverse Osmosis Module (LC229) has a typical life of 2-3 years and a maximum shelf life of 2 years. Replacement of the RO Module is typically performed if the permeate water purity or flow rate is inadequate, and users are advised to contact Customer Support for this.

Water Quality Alarm Adjustment: The water quality alarm set point can be adjusted by the user. This involves unscrewing the top cover, locating a specific link on the internal circuitry (TH2), and moving it to a different position according to a provided table to set the alarm at 10 MΩ/cm, 5 MΩ/cm, or 2 MΩ/cm.

Sanitization: The Micra should be sanitized once a year, ideally when the Purification Cartridge is nearing exhaustion. The sanitization process involves:

  1. Turning off the system.
  2. Unscrewing the carbon filter housing and removing the carbon filter.
  3. Adding CS1 disinfection tablets to the housing and allowing them to dissolve. A safety data sheet for the tablets, conforming to COSHH regulations, should be read before use.
  4. Replacing the filter housing (without installing a new carbon filter).
  5. Directing the purified water outlet to a drain.
  6. Turning on the system for 1 hour.
  7. Turning off the system.
  8. Exchanging all filters and the Purification Cartridge (referencing the DI pack installation instructions).
  9. Reconnecting the purified water outlet. The system is then ready for use.

Troubleshooting: The manual includes a self-help guidelines section with a table that correlates display indicators (lights) with recommended actions. This allows users to diagnose and resolve common issues such as no power, normal operation, low water quality, or incorrectly fitted cartridges. For issues that cannot be resolved through troubleshooting, users are directed to contact their local ELGA LabWater representative.

Disposal of all end-of-life consumable items should be carried out in accordance with local statutory regulations. Any maintenance work not explicitly covered in the manual should be performed by an approved supplier or distributor.

ELGA Micra Specifications

General IconGeneral
TOC< 5 ppb
Bacteria< 1 CFU/ml
Resistivity18.2 MΩ.cm
Flow RateUp to 2 l/min
Product Water QualityType 1 ultrapure water
Power Supply50/60 Hz
Operating Temperature5-35 °C
Operating Humidity10% to 80% (non-condensing)

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