METER AQUALAB 3 User Manual

74
AQUALAB 3
4. SERVICE
This section contains performance verification, cleaning and maintenance guidelines,
troubleshooting guidelines, customer support contact information, and terms and conditions.
4.1 PERFORMANCE VERIFICATION
Verification tests to validate instrument accuracy should be performed once per day or
once per shift when the AQUALAB3 is in use. Verification schedules and the selection of
verification standards to use are set in SKALA Control.
The best way to verify the AQUALAB3 is to use a technique called bracketing, which uses
the verification standards of the closest higher and lower values to the expected water
activity of the product. If measuring a cookie that typically has a water activity of 0.600 a
w
,
use the 0.500 a
w
and 0.760 a
w
standards to verify. If measuring milk powder with 0.300 a
w
,
use the 0.250 a
w
and 0.500 a
w
standards to verify. SKALA Mobile will display prompts to run a
verification according to the set schedule and using the specified standards.
When SKALA Mobile indicates a verification is needed, perform a manual verification. Follow
the steps listed below.
1. Wash hands thoroughly or put on lab gloves.
2. Prepare standard.
NOTE: The standard should be prepared outside of the sample chamber to avoid contaminating the chamber by
spilling standard.
a. Check the expiration date of the standards solution.
b. The typical shelf life of standards is 18 months. Expired standards should not be
used for verification.
c. Read the standards in the order of increasing water activity if using more than one
standard.
d. Remove the cap on the standard vial by twisting counter clockwise.
e. Empty the vial contents into a sample cup.
f. The standard should cover the bottom of the cup.
g. Place the standard cup in the sample chamber.
h. Close the sample drawer and turn the knob to the left to lock the drawer.
NOTE: Do not contaminate the sample chamber by spilling standard inside the sample chamber.
3. In the SKALA mobile app, navigate to the Instruments page.
4. Select VERIFY located at the far right of the AQUALAB3 line (Figure92).
The Instrument Verification dialog window will appear (Figure93). This section contains
information on taking water activity readings.

METER AQUALAB 3 Specifications

General

Brand	METER
Model	AQUALAB 3
Category	Measuring Instruments
Language	English