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METER AQUALAB PAWKIT Manual

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Summary of Contents for METER AQUALAB PAWKIT

  • Page 1 PAWKIT...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    10366-03 6.12.2019 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction ....................1 2. Operation ....................2 2.1 Setup ......................2 2.1.1 Sample Preparation ................. 3 2.1.2 Taking a Measurement ..............4 3. System ......................9 3.1 Specifications .................... 9 3.2 PAWKIT Components................10 3.3 Theory ......................
  • Page 3 4.5 Customer Support..................26 4.6 Terms and Conditions ................27 References ....................28 Index ......................... 29...

  • Page 5: Introduction

    PAWKIT 1. INTRODUCTION Thank you for choosing the AQUALAB PAWKIT Water Activity Meter from METER Group. The PAWKIT is designed to be a simple, rapid, and portable system for water activity measurement to ensure product safety. It is easy to use, durable, and requires little maintenance.

  • Page 6: Operation

    Please read all instructions before operating the PAWKIT to ensure it performs to its full potential. PRECAUTIONS METER products are built to the highest standards, but misuse may damage the product and possibly void the manufacturer’s warranty. Follow the recommended setup instructions and arrange proper protections to safeguard products from damage.

  • Page 7: Sample Preparation

    PAWKIT Table 1 Preparation (continued) Sample Placement Installation Place the PAWKIT over the sample cup as described 2.1.1 SAMPLE PREPARATION Carefully prepare samples to get the best readings possible. Always use clean sampling practices to ensure accurate and repeatable readings. Follow the steps below when preparing samples.

  • Page 8: Taking A Measurement

    OPERATION Thermometer icon Figure 1  Thermometer icon on screen The instrument beeps, when the sample temperature is too high, indicating there is a danger of condensing water in the sample chamber and on the sensor. If this warning appears while sampling, remove the PAWKIT, place the cup lid on the sample, and wait until the sample has reached ambient temperature before attempting to read again.
  • Page 9 PAWKIT Place the prepared sample cup onto a level surface. Sample cup Figure 3  Sample cup placement Place the opened PAWKIT onto the prepared sample cup. The cup fits under the sensor into a recess in the bottom of the PAWKIT. Figure 4 ...
  • Page 10 OPERATION Press the I button (located on the left) to turn on the instrument. The instrument will display the last reading taken. This allows the PAWKIT to take a measurement without anyone attending the instrument throughout the measurement. If the PAWKIT is already on, proceed to the next step. button Figure 5 ...
  • Page 11 After 5 min, the instrument displays the final water activity and beeps 5 times. The sunburst disappears when the water activity reading is finished. NOTE: METER recommends recording the reading value before proceeding. At this point, either restart the measurement by pressing I button again or end the measurement procedure.
  • Page 12 OPERATION Figure 8  Remove PAWKIT when measurement complete When finished taking readings, close the instrument. With one hand holding the case near the LCD, pull down on the plastic sensor cover tab with the other hand and rotate until it snaps into the closed position covering the sensors.

  • Page 13: System

    PAWKIT 3. SYSTEM This section describes the specifications, components, and theory of the PAWKIT. 3.1 SPECIFICATIONS MEASUREMENT SPECIFICATIONS Water Activity Range 0.00-1.00 Resolution 0.01 Accuracy ±0.02 Sample Temperature Resolution 0.1 °C ±0.2 °C Accuracy Read Time 5 min PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS Dimensions Length 10.7 cm (4.21in)

  • Page 14: Pawkit Components

    SYSTEM ELECTRICAL AND TIMING CHARACTERISTICS Operating Temperature 4 °C Minimum Typical 50 °C Maximum Operating Environment 0–90% relative humidity (noncondensing) Power 2–3 V 16 mm coin cell batteries (life of approximately 3 years) COMPLIANCE Manufactured under ISO 9001:2015 EM ISO/IEC 17050:2010 (CE Mark) 3.2 PAWKIT COMPONENTS Figure 10 shows the features on the top and...

  • Page 15: Theory

    The PAWKIT is accurate to ±0.02 a . For many applications, this accuracy is more than adequate. If a higher accuracy is required, METER recommends using the AQUALAB 4TE or TDL Water Activity Meter. Contact Customer Support for more details.

  • Page 16: Water Activity

    SYSTEM However, moisture content alone is not a reliable indicator for predicting microbial responses and chemical reactions in materials. The limitations of moisture content measurement are attributed to differences in the intensity that water associates with other components. 3.3.2 WATER ACTIVITY Water activity ( ) is a measurement of the energy status of the water in a system.
  • Page 17 PAWKIT by monitoring the change in electrical capacitance. When the water activity of the sample and the relative humidity of the air are in equilibrium, the measurement of the headspace humidity gives the water activity of the sample. In addition to equilibrium between the liquid phase water and the vapor phase, the internal equilibrium of the sample is important.
  • Page 18 SYSTEM Compliance with government or internal regulations for specific products. Though the water activity of most products varies by less than ±0.02 per degree Celsius, some regulations require measurement at a specific temperature. The most common specification is 25 °C, though 20 °C is sometimes indicated. Minimization of extreme ambient temperature fluctuations.

  • Page 19: Water Potential

    This method gives particularly good precision in the center of the isotherm. In order to infer moisture content from water activity, an isotherm for the particular product is needed. METER can run the isotherm for a fee. Visit metergroup.com/food/services/water- activity-and-isotherm-testing for more information.

  • Page 20: Service

    The verification standards that were sent with the initial shipment are very accurate and readily available from METER. The verification standards have been produced under a strict quality assurance regime, and their accuracy is verified by an independent third party instrument.

  • Page 21: Verify Calibration

    PAWKIT 4.1.2 VERIFY CALIBRATION Use the following steps to verify the PAWKIT calibration. NOTE: An error code of 9.99 at any time during the process indicates that the sensor has failed and that the  instrument needs to be serviced. Refer to Section 4.4 for shipping instructions. Using a vial of the 0.760 NaCl standard, empty the entire contents of the vial into a sample cup.
  • Page 22 SERVICE Adjust the calibration. Scroll to the proper screen for calibration adjustment. Press the I button to adjust the correct value. Each time the I button is pressed, the value in the corner changes by an increment of 0.01. Store the new calibration value. Scroll to the proper screen for calibration adjustment.

  • Page 23: Maintenance

    Adjust Adjust Figure 14  Calibration routine flowchart 4.2 MAINTENANCE The PAWKIT may be returned to METER for maintenance in the following areas: system inspection, parts replacement, and instrument cleaning. Replacement parts can also be ordered from METER. Contact Customer Support for more information.
  • Page 24 The PAWKIT comes with the compact AQUALAB Cleaning Kit that contains all the materials needed to clean the instrument for about a year. New cleaning kits can be purchased from METER by contacting Customer Support. AQUALAB offers two sizes of cleaning kits. The larger cleaning kit is primarily used for benchtop units and the compact is more useful for the handheld.

  • Page 25: Filter Replacement

    PAWKIT Thermopile sensor lens Figure 15  Thermopile sensor lens 4.2.2 FILTER REPLACEMENT The porous white humidity sensor filter may periodically need to be replaced if it becomes dirty. To remove the sensor filter use a knife or needle point to gently pry up the edge of the filter (Figure 16).

  • Page 26: Battery Replacement

    SERVICE Sensor filter Figure 16  Filter removal CAUTION DO NOT touch the capacitance humidity sensor because it is extremely fragile. Capacitance humidity sensor Figure 17  Capacitance humidity sensor 4.2.3 BATTERY REPLACEMENT The PAWKIT uses two lithium-ion battery cells that should last for several years. If the battery charge is low, a low-battery indicator icon (Figure 18) will persistently appear in the lower right corner of the screen.
  • Page 27 PAWKIT Low battery icon Figure 18  Low battery icon Follow steps 1 through 6 below to replace battery. Remove the PAWKIT bottom by unscrewing the two screws. Screw locations Figure 19  Battery compartment screws Separate the stainless steel top and elastomer (which contains the batteries) from the white plastic bottom.
  • Page 28 SERVICE PAWKIT top Elastomer Figure 20  Separate top and elastomer Remove the old lithium-ion batteries. Replace with new CR1632 or equivalent 3 V lithium coin cells. Make sure to orient the batteries so positive (+) contact is facing down into the elastomer pocket.

  • Page 29: Repairs

    An extra fee may be charged for rush work. Contact Customer Support for an estimated repair cost. METER has loaner instruments available for a fee while the PAWKIT is being serviced. All PAWKIT units returning to METER for servicing must be accompanied with a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number.

  • Page 30: Customer Support

    Phone: +49 89 12 66 52 36 Fax: +49 89 12 66 52 20 Website: metergroup.de If contacting METER by email, please include the following information: Name Email address Address Instrument serial number Phone Description of the problem NOTE: For products purchased through a distributor, please contact the distributor directly for assistance.

  • Page 31: Terms And Conditions

    PAWKIT 4.6 TERMS AND CONDITIONS By using METER instruments and documentation, you agree to abide by the METER Group, Inc. USA Terms and Conditions. Please refer to metergroup.com/terms-conditions for details.

  • Page 32: References

    REFERENCES REFERENCE Labuza, Ted P., K. Acott, S. R. TatiNl, R. Y. Lee, Jv Flink, and W. McCall. "Water activity determination: a collaborative study of different methods." Journal of Food Science 41, no. 4 (1976): 910-917.

  • Page 33: Index

    PAWKIT INDEX compliance 10 CE 10 accuracy 9 cosmetics. See  theory AQUALAB 11 customer support 26 battery d25. See  calibration, standards lithium-ion 22 d76. See  calibration, standards replacement 22 d92. See  calibration, standards beeper 2, 4 display binding 13–15 cleaning LCD 20–21 buttons LCD 6 I button 6...
  • Page 34 INDEX liquid phase water. See  water activity, liquid precautions phase water capacitance humidity sensor 22–23 lithium-ion batter. See  maintenance, battery sampling 2 replacement preparation for operation 2 samples 3 maintenance pressure effect. See  water activity, factors in determining battery replacement 22 cleaning 19 lithium-ion battery 22 repairs.
  • Page 35 PAWKIT specifications 9–10 quantitative analysis 11 measurement specifications 9 regulations 11–13 accuracy 9 thermodynamic 15 read time 9 water activity 12–14 sample temperature 9 thermodynamic. See  water potential water activity 9 time. See  measurement, time physical specifications 9 troubleshooting case material 9 corrosion on thermopile 25 dimensions 9 error code 9.99 25...
  • Page 36 10874-03 6.12.2019 METER Group, Inc. USA 2365 NE Hopkins Court Pullman, WA 99163 T: +1.509.332.2756 F: +1.509.332.5158 E: info@metergroup.com W: metergroup.com METER Group AG Mettlacher Straße 8, 81379 München T: +49 89 12665236 F: +49 89 12665220 E: info@metergroup.de W: metergroup.de KIMWIPES is a registered trademark of Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.

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