Firma:              Biotest

Modell:            RCS plus

Kommentar:   Dokumente engl.

Application

The Biotest RCS Plus Air Sampler is used to investigate the microbiological quality of ambient air, the functionality of air treatment equipment, and the effectiveness of decontamination measures. lt is used routinely in places where specified airborne microbial counts as prescribed by law or through individual standards may not be exceeded.

The RCS Plus Air Sampler provides a simple means of testing concentrations of airborne microbes. The RCS Plus Air Sampler has proved its value particularly in laminar flow areas and in sterile areas of industrial and hospital environments , where low concentrations of airborne microbes are to be expected. However, testing for airborne microbial counts can also be carried out in offices and at the workplace, i.e. making it possible to investigate the question of »sick building syndrome«.

Principles of Operation and Construction

The Biotest RCS Plus Air Sampler operates on the impaction principle. lt facilitates the quantitative separation of airborne microorganisms from sample volumes ranging from 10 to 1000 liters (1m ³ ).

The air stream enters the rotor at the front of the Instrument, is set into rotation by the movement of the fan, and separates microbes contained in the air onto the agar strip through centrifugal force. To prevent the occurrence of turbulence in the air inlet channel, the air outlet passage is directed to the rear, parallel with the Instrument. The air flows at a constant rate which is approximately 50l/min at a rotor speed of 6100 rpm.The Instrument can be calib­rated to ensure that the sampling volume remains exact.

The Instrument is constructed with special attention to ergonomics. lt operates independently of a mains power supply using a 7.2 volt rechargeable nickel cadmium battery. The battery is easy to change through a door on the battery compartment at the rear of the unit.

Built-in electronic circuitry controls the speed and the running time of the motor and simultaneously monitors the battery voltage. Sampling volumes of Io, 20, 50,100, 200, 500 and 3000 liters have been permanently programmed into the Instrument. In addition, it is possible to enter three individually chosen sampling volumes of up to a maximum of 1999 liters. Operation of the Instrument is via a key­board with integrated display which is situ­ated within easy reach directly in front of the carrying handle, allowing it to be ope­rated with one hand. An infra-red sensor is incorporated into the electronics which permits remote control of the Instrument. The Instrument provides various memory functions, giving the user a wide variety of important control and security functions.

The rotor, which contains the agar strip, is driven via a magnetic coupling flange. This enables it to be simply removed from the Instrument. For safety reasons, a stainless steel protection cap is situated over the rotor, without which the instru­ment cannot function.

The Instrument can be operated in a vertical or a horizontal position. For samp­ling in areas difficult to access, the instru­ment can be attached to a tripod by means of a threaded attachment in the base of the housing.

Technical Data

Sampling principle:

The Biotest RCS Plus Air Sampler operates on the Principle of impaction whereby the air

stream enters the rotor at the front of the instrument and the airborne microbes are separated onto the agar strip by centrifugal force.

Measurement range:

1-1999 liters (recommended measurement range 10-1000 liters)

Airflow-rate:

approx. 50 l/min

Instrument precision:

± 5%

Sample volume:

-7 volumes in memory in ascending order of 10, 20, 50,100, 200, 500 and 1000 liters – 3 positions in memory, individual selectable from 1 to 1999 Iiters. The accuracy of sampling volume is achieved through calibration.

Rotor speed:

approx. 6100 rpm

Maximum allowable axial forte on rotor shaft:

30 Newtons

Power supply:

Rapid charging 7,2 V nickel cadmium battery (charging time 1 hour)

Automatic power-off:

The Instrument switches itself off automatically alter 8 minutes

Materials:

Housing :                    polycarbonate; resistant to 70% ethanol

Rotor:                         anodized aluminum; autoclavable

Protection cap:           stainless steel; ; autoclavable

Weight:

approx. 1500 g with battery pack (3.3 Ibs)

Miscellaneous:

–           Operation via keyboard Panel with integrated display

–           Thread connection for tripod

–           lnfra-red remote control sensor

—         Can be calibrated using the Biotest Anemometer (traceable to PTB, Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt)

–           Errors indicated via display and acoustic signal

–           Memory function for residual sampling volume and last sampling volume processed