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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