6.4 Incubating Samples
The incubation of samples can begin once the
correct resuscitation period has been observed
(if required), the incubator settings have been
confirmed and a reliable power source is available.
•
Ensure the full rack of petri dishes containing
your
samples is placed correctly inside the incubator
and the lid is closed securely
• Complete the rack with empty petri dishes if
less than 20 samples are required for optimum
thermal efficiency
• Highlight ‘Incubation’ from the Mode
screen and press ‘OK’
• Enter the ‘Sample ID’ number and press
‘OK’ once correct
• Select the correct ‘USER ID’ and press ‘OK’
• Select the correct test profile. Select ‘37ºC
for 18 hours’ to test for Total Coliforms.
Select ‘44ºC for 18 hours’ to test for
Thermotolerant (Faecal) Coliforms
• The incubator will display the current power
status as a percentage of battery remaining to
ensure sufficient capacity is available to carry
out incubation
• If insufficient battery is available the warning
‘Error 110: Battery Low’ is displayed. Accept
the error if an alternative power supply can
be provided during incubation, alternatively
wait until power is available prior to starting
the process
• The ‘Start’ screen will be displayed. Press ‘OK’
to start the incubation
• The screen will scroll between two displays.
The first displays time remaining in hours and
current temperature. The second screen displays
Sample/User ID and incubator cycle status
• The incubator has a default warm-up period
of 30 minutes at the start of the incubation
process. During this phase the incubator will
display ‘warming up’
• Once the incubation cycle is complete the
incubator will automatically switch off thus
preventing the samples being incubated for
longer than specified
• Stopping incubation manually can be carried
out at any time:
• During incubation cycle press ‘Stop’
• The incubator will check ‘Are you sure you
want to stop?’
• Select ‘Yes’ to stop, ‘No’ to continue incubation
Voice prompts can be accessed during incubation
to guide through the stages of the microbiological
process.
6.5 Data Log
The incubator provides selective recall of the last
five incubation cycles, stored in chronological order.
To review incubator data:
• Select ‘Data Log’ from the Mode menu
• Use the UP/DOWN keys to select the
required report and press ‘OK’
• The incubation report will show the
following information:
16/04/14 (Start date for incubation)
21:00 (Start time for incubation)
37 degC - 18 Hr (Incubation Profile)
Wagtech (User ID)
2372 (Sample ID)
• To access the next incubation report
press ‘Next’
•
Press ‘Back’ to return to the selection screen
• Press ‘Back’ to return to the Mode screen
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Incubation and Incubator Operation
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